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Rev. Dr. Mark Rockenbach '94 to present at LEA Convocation

Seward, NE (09/18/2025) — Rev. Dr. Mark Rockenbach '94 chose to attend Concordia University, Nebraska because he was seeking a college with a pre-seminary program and his home congregation at the time was only 30 minutes from the university's Seward campus.

"We often had professors from the college preach at my church when the pastor was on vacation or the church was in vacancy," he explained. "I was impressed by the theological professors' insights when they taught Bible class. The pulpit supply pastors from Concordia Nebraska were encouraging of my desire to be in ministry."

Rockenbach has a bachelor of arts from then named Concordia College in Seward, Nebraska, a master of divinity from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, a master of arts in counseling from Doane College in Crete, Nebraska and a doctorate in psychology from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

This year, Rockenbach will be attending the Lutheran Education Association's (LEA) annual convocation event for the first time. This year's LEA Convocation will take place October 2-4 in St. Louis, Missouri, where Rockenbach will give two presentations.

"The featured presentation is titled 'How to Address Gender Identity in Lutheran Education.' I am a member of the LCMS task force to provide LGBTQ+ resources to the church. My work with the task force has concentrated on two primary areas, research and retreats," he explained. "The synod task force has surveyed both pastors and non-pastor church workers to better understand their experience with engaging the LGBTQ+ community. I have created the programing and led the retreats for parents with LGBTQ+ children. These retreats provide care for parents who are struggling with the realities of a LGTBQ+ child and how to respond in a Godly way. My presentation at LEA will provide Lutheran educators with an understanding of gender identity and ways to speak Godly truth."

Rockenbach's second presentation at the event is titled "Unforgivable?"

"This presentation is based upon the book that I co-authored with Ted Kober, 'Unforgivable: How God's Forgiveness Transforms our Lives.' The presentation will address some of the common questions people have about the challenge to forgive someone who has wronged you," he said. "Questions such as: What is the key to overcoming unforgiveness, What if they don't repent, What about anger, What about consequences, Why not just forgive and forget? Lutheran educators will be prepared to practice forgiveness in their ministry settings."

Rockenbach's wife, Darlene, is a Lutheran school teacher and has attended many LEA conferences and said the event's presentations are very helpful in equipping Lutheran educators and others to serve in schools, the church and the world. LEA exists to link, equip and affirm educators and workers in ministry for the purpose of building up the body of Christ. Professional development events include the triennial convocation and an annual conference for elementary and early childhood administrators.

Rockenbach said his time at Concordia Nebraska was essential in shaping and forming him to serve in ministry.

"While working on my master's degree in counseling, I met with Dr. Vasconcellos on a regular basis as part of becoming a licensed counselor," said Rockenbach. "I remember on one occasion he asked me about my interest in teaching at the university. I dismissed the idea and told him 'that won't happen.' We were sitting across from each other, and he kicked me with his foot and said, 'you should not dismiss the idea.' The encouragement of Dr. Vasconcellos contributed to my teaching journey in the church. Concordia provided a faith-centered education addressing real world opportunities and issues.

He pointed out that his education did not always take place in the classroom. He pointed out that his speech team professors - Dr. Lisa Ashby and Dr. Renea Gernant - were outstanding mentors to him.

"They gave me the opportunity to try many different styles of public speaking that has benefited my preaching, and they showed genuine care and personal interest for each of their students," he said. "My experience at Concordia deepened my faith and life. Daily chapel and professor led Bible studies encouraged me in the faith. I also appreciated the fellowship of other Christians in my same age group. It is such a blessing to have Christian friends while attending college."

Rockenbach was also a member of the University A Cappella Choir and said the choir provided him with matchless opportunities to make friends and share the gospel of Christ through music. He said he enjoyed the choir's tours throughout the United States and Germany.

Following graduation from Concordia Nebraska, Rockenbach attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis Missouri, then was ordained and installed as pastor of a congregation in Nebraska.

"While serving as a pastor I realized my limitations in providing pastoral counseling. Therefore, I decided to work on a master's degree in counseling," he explained. "My counseling degree provided me opportunities to work as a licensed practitioner, be a crisis counselor, give presentations about faith and mental health and provide faith-based counseling. In addition to counseling, I also was trained to be a reconciler by Ambassadors of Reconciliation. This provided me the opportunity to coach, mediate and arbitrate parties in conflict."

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Nebraska District then called Rockenbach to serve as executive assistant to the district president in church worker care and reconciliation.

Serving in the Nebraska district gave me the opportunity to use my skills to care for church workers. While serving in this position I began my doctoral work in psychology," he said. My dissertation focused on the lived experience of those who had forgiven a person who had wronged them."

After he completed his doctoral studied, Concordia Seminary in St. Louis called Rockenbach to serve as a professor in the practical department.

"My degrees and ministry experiences provide a depth of knowledge and practice that I share with my students. In addition, I recently co-published a book titled "Unforgivable? How God's Forgiveness Transforms our Lives" based upon my Ph.D. work and ministry experiences," he said. "I pastoral ministry, pastoral care, research design and methodology, sexual identity, conflict reconciliation and spiritual care."

Rockenbach also serves as director of the Doctor of Ministry program, director of Personal Growth and Leadership and the director of the Institutional Review Board (IRB).

"Throughout the week I teach courses. In addition, I meet with students to debrief their personality assessments. As the director of Personal Growth and Leadership Development I administer assessments and meet individually with students to help them create personal development plans to capitalize upon their strengths and set goals for areas of growth," he said. "It is a joy to be part of the process that shapes and forms men to be pastors and women to be deaconess in the church. So often we hear that the young generation is not interested in faith. Yet, there are many young people who are committed to God's Word and want to serve in the church so that they can preach, teach and provide spiritual care."

The Rockenbachs have three children: Joshua is a maintenance technician, Rachel is a medical technician and Andrew is in the pre-seminary program at Concordia Nebraska. When he's not working, you'll find Mark attending theatrical presentations.

My major at Concordia was speech and drama," he said. "Living in the Saint Louis area provides many theater opportunities including the Muny and Fox Theater. I enjoy musicals the most!"

The Lutheran Education Association links, equips and affirms educators and workers in ministry for the purpose of building up the body of Christ. Numerous Concordia Nebraska faculty, staff and alumni are presenting at or attending this year's LEA Convocation.

About Concordia University, Nebraska

Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod located in Seward, Nebraska, which currently serves more than 1,700 students. Concordia offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. For more information, visit cune.edu.

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