Dr Laurie Thompson appointed interim dean and president of the Ambridge seminary
The Trinity School for Ministry Board of Trustees announced today their appointment of the Rev. Dr. Henry “Laurie” Thompson III as Interim Dean/President. He will take office on July 1, 2016. The Dean/President is the senior administrator and chief academic officer of the seminary and is responsible for all of the daily operations and fundraising efforts.
Mr. Douglas Wicker, Chairman of Trinity’s Board of Trustees, said, “Laurie Thompson is a superb leader and pastor and he has been an important senior administrator at Trinity for many years. He is intimately familiar with all aspects of the operation of the school and he will be able to take the reins without missing a beat.” He added, “We have received many excellent applications for the position of Dean President but we haven’t found the right leader yet. We feel confident that this is God’s will for us at this time. Appointing Laurie as Interim Dean/President will allow us the time we need to carefully discern God’s will. We continue to trust that God will bring us the right candidate at the right time.”
“I am humbled to be asked to serve as Trinity’s Interim Dean/President,” remarked Dr. Thompson. “I have a deep love for this school and I look forward to continuing my work with the board, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and supporters in this new role.”
When asked why he was appointed as an interim leader instead of a permanent one, Dr. Thompson responded, “I feel called to lead the seminary through this transition, but ultimately Trinity will need a younger Dean/President to reach the next generation of leaders. I trust that the Lord will lead us to that person in due course.”
Laurie Thompson first came to Trinity in 1997 after spending 19 years in parish ministry. He has led the Doctor of Ministry program since 2001 and has also served as the Dean of Administration and most recently as the Dean of Advancement where he played an important role in the “Reach for the Harvest” campaign which raised $15.4 million for various strategic initiatives. He is married to Mary Thompson and they have three adult children and 9 grandchildren.
Trinity’s Board of Trustees will continue the search for a new Dean/President until the right candidate is found. Please send any suggestions of potential nominees to Elaine Lucci, Trinity’s Human Resources Administrator.
Trinity School for Ministry (www.tsm.edu) is an evangelical seminary in the Anglican tradition. Begun in 1976, the seminary has trained more than 1,100 graduates and many others who serve in ministries all over the world. As a global center for Christian formation, Trinity continues to produce outstanding leaders who can plant, renew, and grow churches that make disciples of Jesus Christ.
