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Listening Project
The Listening Project improves communication and deepens relationships between AMBS and individual congregations pastored by AMBS graduates. AMBS faculty members visit churches primarily to listen. Church members are invited to talk about the opportunities and challenges of ministry in their context and to reflect on pastoral education at AMBS. These observations are relayed to the seminary community, where they influence future seminary programming.
We at AMBS are aware that times are changing, as is the makeup of many Mennonite congregations. We want to learn how we as a seminary can effectively respond to these changes. We are interested in the experiences and perspectives of our graduates and would like to be in conversation as we seek to carry out the work of preparing leaders for the church. Faculty members are eager for the opportunity to engage with AMBS graduates, to honor their call, and to learn from their experiences and those of their congregations.
Project goals
The Listening Project aims:
- To support AMBS alumni in their assignments.
- To help AMBS better understand the congregational and community contexts in which our graduates serve.
- To listen to pastors and congregations regarding how the seminary can best respond to changing needs of ministry.
- To feed learning from the Listening Project into teaching and learning efforts at AMBS.
Ultimately our aim is for congregations, pastors and AMBS to work together in the task of shaping pastoral education, for the sake of the gospel and to the glory of God.
To participate
All congregations currently pastored by an AMBS alumna or alumnus who has graduated with a masters degree from AMBS in the past ten years may apply. Each year six congregations will participate.
All expenses of this program are covered, including on-site costs such as a fellowship meal (as well as all of the expenses of travel and lodging for the professor).
