(CHARLOTTE, NC) – November 1, 2012 – Reformed Theological Seminary has announced the appointment of Dr. Richard Belcher, Jr., (Ph.D. Westminster Theological Seminary) as academic dean for RTS/Charlotte. Dr. Belcher is the professor of Old Testament at RTS/Charlotte and takes on these new responsibilities as former Academic Dean Michael Kruger transitions to president for RTS/Charlotte.
Belcher is an ordained minister in the PCA and pastored an urban nondenominational church in Rochester, NY for ten years before pursuing the Ph. D. This pastoral experience in an unusual and challenging setting gives him great insight into the practical, modern issues that will be faced by future pastors studying with him at RTS. He graduated from Covenant College and received his M. Div from Covenant Seminary. He also received an S.T.M. from Concordia Theological Seminary, and his Ph. D. is from Westminster Theological Seminary. Belcher has served as stated supply for numerous churches in the area since coming to RTS Charlotte in 1995 and has written The Messiah and the Psalms (Ross-shire: Christian Focus, 2006). His latest publication, Genesis: The Beginning of God’s Plan of Salvation (Christian Focus) is due November 2012.
Dr. Kruger, president-elect for RTS/Charlotte said, “We could not be more pleased that Dr. Belcher will be the new academic dean at RTS-Charlotte. He is an exceptional scholar, one of our most popular lecturers, and a proven leader. And most importantly, he has a pastoral heart that will allow him to effectively shepherd our students and our faculty. We look forward to how God will use him in this new position.”