Rev. Dr. James Baneck

About

The Rev. Dr. James A. Baneck is executive director of the LCMS Office of Pastoral Education, a role he has had since 2017. Baneck is a native of Green Bay, Wis. He graduated from Concordia University, St. Paul, St. Paul, Minn., in 1983 with a B.A. in music, majoring in organ performance and choral conducting. Baneck received his M.Div. from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), in 1987. He served as pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church, Kimball, Minn. (1987-1993) and Messiah Lutheran Church, Mandan, N.D. (1993-2009). He earned his D.Min. in 2001 from CTSFW. His dissertation was titled “Sacramental Preaching.”

Prior to his call to the LCMS Office of Pastoral Education, Baneck was serving his third term as district president of the LCMS North Dakota District. He also previously served on the CTSFW Board of Regents. Baneck is married to Myrna (Hall), a Lutheran school teacher. They are blessed with three married sons, one married daughter and 10 grandchildren.