By Roger Drinnon
One of the Synod’s distinguished leaders who steered a crucial backbone agency of the LCMS has retired after more than 40 years of faithful service to the Church.
Hans G. Springer most recently served as associate executive director of LCMS Mission Advancement (MADV) and director of Major Gifts, Grants and District/Congregation Relations for the LCMS.
Working in this role since 2012, Springer was responsible for the personnel and work designed to manage the interdependent relationship between the Synod and its generous donor constituents — specifically those who have shown the capacity and interest in providing substantial support for the Synod’s national and international ministries. His last workday in MADV was Jan. 12.
“For 40-plus years, it was my privilege to serve the Synod — first as the chief advancement officer at Concordia–Bronxville, where I had the great privilege to serve with President Ralph C. Schultz who taught [me] many things,” said Springer.
“Then, it was in various capacities at the [Synod’s] International Center. Through all these years, I valued the relationships established with many people — especially the donors to the church. Secondarily and just as important was the privilege to serve with so many dedicated fellow workers in this ministry.”
Springer also previously served as associate executive director for fund development with the former LCMS World Relief and Human Care and as a vice-president of the LCMS Foundation in St. Louis.
Prior to that, he spent 20 years in higher education, serving as the chief advancement officer at Concordia College New York, Bronxville, N.Y. His first professional vocation was in hospital administration.
An emeritus commissioned minister of the LCMS, Springer earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Concordia–New York, and he holds a Master of Professional Studies degree in nonprofit and fundraising management from the Robert J. Milano Graduate School of Management and Urban Policy of the New School University in New York City. He holds professional development designations of Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) and Certified Development Executive (CDE).
Springer is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals; a founding member of the Association of Lutheran Development Executives (ALDE); and a former member of the Council for the Support of Education.
His career accolades include ALDE’s President’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service and ALDE’s prestigious Virgil Anderson Award. He also remains a board member for the Belize Mission Society.
“From my first day serving at the International Center, Hans was a treasured and consistent servant-leader to me and the entire [MADV] team,” said Mark Hofman, MADV executive director.
“He is respected by his peers, knows just about anyone and everyone you could name, and understands well the challenges our Church is facing. On more than one occasion, he came to me privately, encouraged me to rethink something I was planning to do, and he was right — because of his knowledge and hard-earned experience serving in the Synod.”
“I am most proud of watching folks I worked with develop their skills and personalities to do great work — work they did not think they could do,” said Springer. “But I knew they had it in themselves to do, and seeing them do it and develop their skills was a God-blessed thing to witness.”
“We may call or hire another worker, but we can’t replace Hans,” said Hofman. “He will be sorely missed, and we wish him and [his wife] Marie every blessing God can provide.”
Roger Drinnon (roger.drinnon@lcms.org) is director of Editorial and Media Relations for LCMS Communications.
Posted Jan. 31, 2018
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