Lester D. Palmer is President Emeritus of the Pension Fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the organization he served for more than thirty years. Since his retirement in 1996, he has served ten interim ministries, and is now writing the history of the Pension Fund.  He is a native of Augusta, Georgia, received his undergraduate work at Johnson Bible College, his seminary education at Lexington Theological Seminary and did doctoral studies in Church Ministries and Administration at Boston University School of Theology.  He received Doctor of Divinity degrees from Bethany College and Christian Theological Seminary and the Doctor of Humane Letters from Eureka College.  Mr. Palmer received the Chartered Life Underwriter and the Chartered Financial Consultant designations from the American College of Life Underwriters. Prior to his ministry at the Pension Fund, he was Associate Professor of Church Administration and Director of Field Education at Lexington Theological Seminary. He had served earlier as the Associate General Minister of the Christian Church in Kentucky.  He is married to Janelle Griffin and they have four daughters: Gwen Chandler (Augusta, GA), Sandra Wood (Columbia, SC), Kathy Hagemier (Danville, IN) and Leslie Kopecky (Colorado Springs, CO).  They are members of the Northwood Christian Church in Indianapolis.

 

Although he is leaving the board, Lester is not leaving World Convention.  In his own words, "Rest assured that I will continue to be supportive of the World Convention in every way possible." 

 

We will miss Lester's regular insight and wit, but know that God's plans for retirement will bring new light to Lester's calling.