The National Council of Churches joins the family and friends of Rev. Dr. Dale Luffman in grieving his loss. Rev. Luffman died at his home in Redmond, Oregon, on the morning of Wednesday, March 25, 2020. He is survived by his wife Judy, three children and four grandchildren.
Dale was a minister in the Community of Christ and served the National Council of Churches as a committed member of the Governing Board and served on its Faith and Order Commission for many years. He retired after serving over 35 years as an appointee minister for Community of Christ, nearly 20 of which were served as a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles. He also served as the Ecumenical and Interfaith Officer for the Community of Christ. Dale continued to teach seminars and workshops in theology and scripture and served as an adjunct faculty member of Graceland University, teaching courses in scripture and practical theology for the Community of Christ Seminary.
A native of Woodburn, Oregon, Dale received a bachelor of arts in elementary education from Mt. Angel College in Oregon. Dale also has a master of education in counseling from Lewis and Clark College, Portland, Oregon; a master of theology from Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey; and a doctor of ministry from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Pennsylvania.
Dale was also a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, The John Whitmer Historical Association, and the Academy of Homiletics.
“Dale’s life glorified God,” remarked Kathryn Lohre, Assistant to the Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Executive for Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations & Theological Discernment, and former President of the National Council of Churches. “He was always a kind and encouraging presence, and I looked forward to the time we spent together. May God’s comforting presence be with his family and community and with all of us as we mourn his passing and celebrate his life with Christ.”
Rev. Dr. Roy Medley, General Secretary Emeritus of American Baptist Churches USA and former Chair of the NCC Governing Board said, “He was a beloved colleague, always full of good cheer and gentle, grace-filled wisdom. His commitment to the church ecumenical was inspirational and we were richer for his participation. May his family and all who loved him be filled with the comfort of Christ’s love for him through whom he has passed from life to life eternal.”