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Kliewer Named Dean of BBS

Kliewer Named Dean of BBS

Published June 22, 2016

Clarks Summit University has selected Dr. Lee D. Kliewer to be the new dean of Baptist Bible Seminary. The university in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania makes the announcement following the departure of Dr. Michael Stallard, who has taken a position at the Friends of Israel organization after 22 years of faithful service at BBS. Dr. Wayne Slusser, assistant seminary dean, has served as interim dean since the close of the spring semester in May.

Dr. Bill Higley, vice president of academics, and Dr. Jim Lytle, president, worked with the Board of Trustees through the vetting process to select Kliewer for this leadership role. He is the first graduate of the BBS to lead as seminary dean.

“His love for God, proven character and successful ministry record combine with a deep love and understanding of the mission and unique contribution our seminary has to the greater body of Christ,” says Higley.

Since 2014, Kliewer has been the executive director in the university’s Office of the President, working side by side with Lytle. “This close relationship allows Lee to bring a deeper understanding of the broader needs of the school, the president’s vision for the seminary and how the seminary fits into the university mission,” continues Higley. “The immediate high level of confidence and trust with our current seminary faculty is based on the several years he has worked alongside them. He has a solid understanding of challenges and an eye towards creative solutions.”

Kliewer holds a Bachelor of Sacred Music and Master of Ministry from Clarks Summit University; he earned his Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He brings over 20 years of practical ministry experience to his students, as he has served in pastoral roles dating back to 1978. Kliewer joined the administrative team of BBS in 1998. His educational leadership experience includes serving as the seminary assistant dean, registrar and director of the Doctor of Ministry program. He also leads regular study tours to Israel, is a professor in the Doctor of Ministry program and has served on several professional boards.

“Having graduated from the seminary, then having served for a number of years with our highly qualified and committed faculty, I have seen firsthand the benefits of our academic and theological excellence, ministry interaction and mentoring relationships that provide a strong foundation for our graduates,” says Kliewer. “It is my desire to lead the seminary in ways that will expand our educational delivery methods and opportunities in an ever-changing higher educational market, while maintaining the high marks of academic, theological and ministry training.”

In his new role, Kliewer plans to emphasize relationship building with current students, future students, faculty and local churches. “I want to get to know our students and faculty well and serve them in ways that enable them to reach their full potential for Jesus Christ,” he explains. “I also want to put a high priority on letting churches know how much the seminary values the local church, wants to partner with them and encourage them, and that we can be that trusted place to prepare their leaders for the next generation.”

He believes the highly qualified faculty, all who hold doctoral degrees in their specific disciplines, are one of the school’s biggest assets, describing them as, “godly men who have served as pastors and love to build into the lives of students.” He says the seminary’s four master’s degree programs and two doctoral degree programs are highly successful in balancing academic rigors, hands-on ministry skills and leadership competencies needed for today’s ministry leaders. “Our model for the internship program in our Master of Divinity degree is second to none, and it is just one example of how we partner with churches to invest in the ministry training of students.” He also values job placement as another strength; the school places 93 percent of graduates into full-time ministry positions within the first year of graduation. “Our graduates are known for both their passion and skills in ministry. Graduates of our master’s and doctoral programs are having a huge impact around the world as pastors, missionaries and Christian educators.”

“I don’t think we could find a better choice for a dean who will take the seminary to the next level,” Lytle adds. “Lee has a remarkable capacity to see the big picture of God’s work through His church around the world, a willingness to make the adjustments that will allow BBS to better meet those needs in the harvest and the capacity to help formulate a process to get there.”

Kliewer is a member of the American Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers and the Phi Gamma Sigma Professional Society of the Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services of Nova Southeastern University. He founded and directs Paraklesis Ministries, which assists churches through an intentional interim pastor ministry. He has been married to his wife, Colleen, for 38 years. They have three adult children and four grandchildren.

“We love Baptist Bible Seminary,” continues Kliewer. “We love the students; we love the faculty, and we love the opportunity to give back to a school that has given so much to me! I am grateful to God for the excellent academic, theological, ministry and spiritual training that the seminary invested in me and for the life-changing impact it has made in my life and ministry. I am both greatly humbled and tremendously excited for the opportunity to lead the seminary toward even greater days of impact and influence for the cause of Christ and His church!”

 

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