Background
Peterson, Ralph Edward was born on April 12, 1932 in Duluth, Minnesota, United States. Son of Harold Edward and Muriel (Miller) Peterson.
Peterson, Ralph Edward was born on April 12, 1932 in Duluth, Minnesota, United States. Son of Harold Edward and Muriel (Miller) Peterson.
Bachelor, University Minnesota, 1954. Master of Arts in Teaching., Harvard University, 1955. Graduate, Advanced Management Program, 1977.
Student, Episcopal Theological School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1956. Master of Divinity, Lutheran School Theology, Rock Island, Illinois, 1960. Postgraduate, Columbia University, 1963.
Doctor of Divinity, Gettysburg College, 1971.
Pastor, Christ Church, Hammond, Indiana, 1960-1962;
executive director department ministry, National Council Churches of Christ, 1962-1964;
executive director department ministry, vocation and pastoral services, National Council Churches, 1965-1966;
pastor, St. Peter's Church, New York City, 1966-1980;
director study on health and society, Lutheran Church in American, 1981-1982;
associate director, Department Health and Hospitals, Archdiocese of New York, 1981-1982;
director, Center for Health Mission, New Haven, 1982-1984;
president, Open Congregation, Inc., New York City, 1984-1989;
head religion department and director pastoral counseling, The Masters School, Dobbs Ferry, New York, 1989-1992;
Henry Sloan Coffin chair biblical studies, The Masters School, Dobbs Ferry, New York, 1990-1992;
warden, The House Of The Redeemer, New York City, since 1992. Lecturer New York Theological Seminary, 1965-1967. Member Citizens Committee New York City.
Member bd.theol. education Lutheran Church American, 1967-1972. Advising committee Christian ministries Episcopal Church, 1965-1968. Executive Board Metropolitan New York Synod, Lutheran Church American, 1966-1970.
Delegate assembly World Council Church, Uppsala, 1968, Appeal of Conscience, Romania, 1980. Chairman religion and vocation section National Vocational Guidance Association, 1965. President The Common at the Intersection, 1977-1979.
Trustee, chairman New York Theological Seminary, 1966-1978. Trustee Institute Advanced Pastoral Studies, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, 1967-1971, Gettysburg Theological Seminary, 1968-1974. Member American committee for Mansfield College, Oxford (England) University, 1965-1974.
Board directors Religious Communities for the Arts, 1975-1982. Member Executive Board The Healing Community, 1978-1984. Director American Summer Institutions, Uppsala, Sweden, since 1985.
Member of advisory board Institute Theology, New York, since 1988. Fellow Society of Arts, Religion and Contemporary Arts. Member Institute Religion and Mental Health (member professional board 1964-1976), American Scandinavian Foundation, Forum on Investment Responsibility, Societas Sanctae Birgittae, Academy Parish Clergy (president 1967-1971), Harvard Club, University Club, The Club, Phi Delta Kappa.
Married Karen Birgitta Esselius, May 31, 1969. 1 son, Kristofer Amandus Esselius.