Dr. Carl C. Fickenscher II

Rev. Dr. Carl C. Fickenscher II, a faculty member since 1999 teaching primarily in homiletics, received the BA (political science, 1976) and MBA (1978) degrees from Southern Methodist University. After working in business and politics, he earned his MDiv from CTSFW (1984) and a PhD in homiletics from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1996), the first in the LCMS to hold a PhD in this field.

Dr. Fickenscher is editor of Concordia Pulpit Resources, the LCMS’s preaching journal, and chairs the LCMS Preach the Word Project. He has published widely, including his new CPH book, Looking Forward to Sunday Morning, CPH’s Faith Alive Student Bible, and articles on the preaching of C.F.W. Walther, which received an award from Concordia Historical Institute. He was theological consultant on CPH’s current Sunday school curriculum.

Dr. Fickenscher was a member of the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations (2011–2019), represented the LCMS in its dialogue panel with the ELCA, and served as chairman of the Society of Concordia Theological Faculties and vice president of Higher Things youth organization. In 2005 he traveled to India and Indonesia for LCMS World Relief after the tsunami. He was an essayist at the 2001 LCMS convention, 2003 Pieper Lectures, district conventions in 2006, 2009, and 2012, and the North European Luther Academy (2009). He has been a pastoral advisor for Lutherans for Life, a frequent conference speaker, and a regular guest on Issues, Etc. (including the weekly, “Looking Forward to Sunday Morning”) and Table Talks radio, guesting also on The Lutheran Hour.

Pastor Fickenscher served Messiah Lutheran Church, Midland, Michigan (1984–1989) and Peace-Garland, Texas (1989–1999). At their present congregation, Dr. Fickenscher and his wife, Claire, have been Sunday school superintendents, youth counselors, and evangelism board chairs. They are proud parents of Deaconess Rachel (wife of Rev. Coleman Geraci), Pastor Daniel (married to Taylor, a CTSFW deaconess), and Gabriel (former LCMS missionary now assistant to the president of Concordia Seminary St. Louis), and very proud grandparents of Augustana, Simeon, and Magdalena Geraci.