Publications and sermons by Mark Dalbey, President Emeritus and Professor of Applied Theology
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Dr. Mark Dalbey first came to work at Covenant Seminary in 1999 as Dean of Students and Assistant Professor of Practical Theology (later Associate Professor of Applied Theology). Since that time, he has served in a variety of roles across the institution, including Vice President of Student Development and Vice President of Academics and Faculty Development, a post he held until becoming Interim President in 2012. In 2013 he became the institution’s fifth President. Throughout his time at Covenant, he continued to teach courses on Christian Worship, Gospel-Centered Leadership, and Gospel-Centered Spirituality, as well as an occasional class on Gospel-Centered Parenting, co-taught with his wife, Beth. That last course is a subject dear to Mark’s heart as he and Beth have been married for nearly 50 years and have three grown, married children and eleven grandchildren.
Originally from Portland, Oregon, Dr. Dalbey comes from a long line of pastors and served in pastoral and educational positions himself for two decades before coming to Covenant. He was student-pastor of Bridgewater United Presbyterian Church in Beaver, Pennsylvania (1975–1977), during his time at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, then served as Assistant Dean of Religious Services (Chaplain) and Instructor in Bible at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania (1977–1984); Solo Pastor of Church of the Covenant (PCA) in Cincinnati, Ohio (1984–1992); and Senior Pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Richmond, Indiana (1992–1999). Dalbey holds a BA in philosophy from Tarkio College, an MDiv from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and a DMin from Covenant Seminary, where his dissertation focused on “A Biblical, Historical, and Contemporary Look at the Regulative Principle of Worship.” As a churchman, he has been active on a variety of committees at the presbytery and denominational levels for the Presbyterian Church in America.
Dr. Dalbey led the Seminary through a period of significant change and innovation since 2012 which has included new degrees and delivery methods, the development of new extension sites and field education opportunities, a new Church Planting Track to accommodate the growing need for trained leaders to plant more gospel-preaching churches, increased scholarships and other support for students, and expanded partnerships with churches and institutions around the country and the world that help the Seminary meet the educational challenges of learning in a digital age and amidst a global pandemic.
Under his leadership the Seminary also completed the Hope for the Future capital campaign, which raised over $42 million in gifts and pledges for endowed scholarships, endowed faculty chairs, operational endowment, expanded educational and leadership training resources, and extensive improvements to campus technology to facilitate increased online and hybrid learning opportunities. Through it all, Dalbey’s leadership remained steadfastly focused on the gospel of God’s grace and on the Seminary’s primary purpose to “glorify the triune God by training his servants to walk in God’s grace, minister God’s Word, and equip God’s people—all for God’s mission.”