Pastor Sabbaticals

It can be hard to leave pastoral ministry at work. Through Pastor Sabbaticals, church leaders take a break on the AMBS campus and enjoy time for reflection and study. Pastors participate in chapels, forums, and campus events. Spiritual direction and scheduled conversations with professors nurture and refresh.

Pastor Sabbatical funding

While the Church Leadership Center has offered Pastor Sabbaticals for some time, AMBS is now able to provide Pastor Sabbatical grants to two pastors each fall and spring from Spring 2006 through Fall 2009, thanks to a generous grant from Lilly Endowment.

chapel

Pastors who receive funding for a sabbatical at AMBS are expected to pursue some type of a writing project during their time at AMBS. A Pastor Sabbatical at AMBS is a great opportunity for pastors to test and share this work with members of the AMBS community.

Pastor Sabbatical Grants will cover the following for up to nine weeks:

  • Stipend of $200 per week
  • Housing on the AMBS campus
  • AMBS lunches (usually served Monday through Friday when classes are in session)
Pearl Hoover

Pastors who wish to extend a sabbatical beyond nine weeks are welcome to request such an extension with the understanding that they will need to provide their own support, housing and lunches during this time.

Preference is given to sabbatical proposals of one month or longer.

Eligibility

All active pastors are elligible to apply for a grant.

How to apply

To apply, please complete a Pastor Sabbatical application form and send it to:

Pastor Sabbatical Program
AMBS Church Leadership Center
3003 Benham Avenue
Elkhart IN 46517-1999

Application deadlines:

  • Sabbaticals proposed for Fall 2009: September 5, 2008

If you have questions, please contact the Church Leadership Center by email or phone at 1 (574) 296-6269.

Spring 2008 grant recipients

Pastors Congregation
Henry Krause Langley Mennonite Church, BC
Hugo and Doreen Neufeld Trinity Mennonite Church, AB
Gary and Margaret Peters Hanley Mennonite Church, SK

Fall 2007 grant recipients

Pastors Congregation
Elaine Maust Jubilee Mennonite Church, VA
Henry Kliewer Langley Mennonite Fellowship, BC

Spring 2007 grant recipients

Pastors Congregation
Phil Friesen Galilean Center, MN

Fall 2006 grant recipients

Pastors Congregation
Pearl Hoover Northern Virginia Mennonite Church, VA
Yoshihira Inamine Minuma Mennonite Christian Church, Japan

Spring 2006 grant recipients

Pastors Congregation
Marlene Harder Bogard Minister of Christian Nurture, Western District Conference, KS
Tom Harder Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church, KS
Dan Nighswander MC Canada Witness, South Africa