PhD in Congregation Mission and Leadership
Luther Seminary
Master of Arts in Christian Lay Ministry
Luther Seminary
Bachelor of Arts
Luther College
Dr. Kristine Stache
Vice President for Vocation and Formation
Loehe Professor in Mission
Faculty Biography
Kris Stache joined the Wartburg Theological Seminary community in January 2007. Kris has previously served as an adjunct faculty member at Luther Seminary and served as the Managing Director of Partnership for Missional Church at Church Innovations Institute in St. Paul, MN. Her Ph.D. dissertation is entitled, “Feminist Theology and Missional Church: An Exploration into the Doctrine of the Trinity and its Understanding in four Denominational Systems“ in the area of Congregational Mission and Leadership. She earned a M.A. in Christian Lay Ministry with a concentration in Congregational Leadership from Luther Seminary, and a B.A. in Business Management from Luther College. In addition to academic teaching, Kris has also served in parish settings as Director of Ministry Development, Director of Life Ministries, Director of Children’s Ministry, and Youth Director. She also served as a short-term missionary in Japan. Kris brings a holistic, missional and community-centered vision to ministry. Kris, her husband, Alan and their children live in the Dubuque area.
HT105 Global Church in Motion 1
HT205 Global Church in Motion 2
IN243 21st Century Leadership: Public, Adaptive, and Connected
IN344 Reading and Leading in Context: Methods, Media, and Entrepreneurial Practices
HT 288W Christian Mission in Global Perspective
MN 161 Congregation & Community
MN 354W Cultivating Missional Communities
IN 106W Spiritual Practices
Book Chapters or Essays:
“Learning to Listen: A Relational Approach to Vocation and Discernment,” Sustaining Grace: Innovative Ecosystems for New Faith Communities. Edited by Scott Hagley, Karen Rohrer, and Michael Gehrling. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2020.
“Leadership and the Missional Church Conversation: Listening in on What Leaders in Four
Denominational Systems Have to Say,” The Missional Church and Leadership Formation: Helping Congregations Develop Leadership Capacity. Edited by Craig Van Gelder. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009.
Journal Articles:
“Stories that Shape an Understanding of God’s Mission in the World: Visionary Leadership in the ELCA,” Ecclesial Futures, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2020.
“Adventures in Digital Learning, Teaching, and Formation: A Case Study of Wartburg Theological Seminary,” Journal of Religious Leadership, Vol. 17, Fall 2018.
“Formation for the Whole Church: A New/Old Vision of Theological Education in the 21st Century,” Dialogue, Winter 2014.
“What Happens When Those in High School Read Luther and Bonhoeffer,” The Lutheran, May 2014.
“Congregational Mission Planning with Children and Youth,” Seeds for the Parish, Fall 2013.
“Practice of Immersion in the Context.” Currents, Vol. 38, No. 5, October 2011.
Bibliography & Annotation Work:
The Evangelizing Church: A Lutheran Contribution. Edited by Rick Bliese and Craig Van Gelder. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress, 2005.
Dr. Stache has extensive knowledge in the following categories and is able to serve as a resource on:
- Congregational Mission and Leadership
- Missional Church & Theology
- Children, Youth, & Family Ministry
- Youth, Culture, & Mission
- Spiritual Practices & Creativity