Hans Wiersma

Associate Professor

I have two main teaching roles at Augsburg and I enjoy them both. I enjoy my role teaching our “Search for Meaning” (Introduction to Religion) courses. I get to meet and learn from students representing all kinds of religious and non-religious points-of-view. Augsburg’s diverse student community makes for an ideal setting for comparing and contrasting beliefs about life’s meaning and purpose.

I also enjoy my role working with the many students who come to Augsburg interested in ministry and church work. As former camp-counselor, youth director, youth pastor, and youth-and-family pastor, I consider it a privilege to be a part of the biblical and theological formation of developing Christian leaders. One of my core interests is in the study of how the Word forms, guides, strengthens, challenges, and supports Christian communities. This core interest in the Word-That-Does-Stuff led to my involvement in writing for Crazy Talk and Crazy Book.

Education

• B.A., University of California, 1984
• M.Div., Luther Seminary, 1991
• Ph.D., Luther Seminary, 2005

Parish Experience

• The American Church of The Hague, The Netherlands, 1991-1993
• St. Paul Lutheran Church, Lodi, California, 1994-1998
• St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, 1998-2008