Pastor-Faculty Study Group

Pastors meet regularly with AMBS professors to study the Bible, theological questions, or ethical dilemmas. Small groups discuss topics pertinent to their work, including the importance of teaching in pastoral ministry. While the academic study is fulfilling, these gatherings are also a time of rejuvenation, nurture, and friendship. Each year, an AMBS professor will choose the thematic focus and help to determine group composition.

Read a news story about the early 2008 Pastor-Faculty Study Group.

Luke's Release Texts
...to give light to those who sit in darkness...

2008-2009 Pastor-Faculty Study Group

The study group for 2008-2009 is Luke's Release Texts, and will be facilitated by Mary Schertz, professor of New Testament, in cooperation with Rebecca Slough and Barb and James Nelson Gingerich. Together, participants and facilitators will engage in study and reflection on nine texts related to the Benedictus that work with the theme of release or forgiveness. Group gatherings will also include guidance in and practice of artful response and worship. The study group will meet nine times over the course of two semesters and will focus on one text at each gathering.

Study group

Through their study and worship together, participants will learn to know Jesus more intimately and see how these texts and their responses to them in art and worship can contribute to a collective biblical spirituality that can sustain and nurture their work as preachers, teachers and leaders of worship in a congregation.


The application period to participate in the 2008-2009 study group has ended.



Previous Participants


2007-2008
The Pastor as Caregiving Sage

Facilitator: Daniel Schipani, Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling

Pastors Congregation
Wes Bontrager Yellow Creek Mennonite Church, IN
Janet Cook River of Life Community Church, IN
Bob Martz Topeka Mennonite Church, IN
Jo Ann Mundy First Baptist Church, MI
Diana Siegel Topeka United Methodist Church, IN
Jim Smith Bethel Missionary Church, IN
Eldon Stoltzfus Forks Mennonite Church, IN
Bob Yoder Goshen College, IN

2006-2007
Engaging Pastor Paul

Facilitator: Jacob Elias, Professor of Old Testament

Pastors Congregation
Tyler Hartford Pleasant View Mennonite Church, IN
Ed Kauffman Conference Minister, Central Plains Mennonite Conference
Todd Lehman Zion Mennonite Church, OR
Bryce Miller Shalom Mennonite Fellowship, AZ
Steve Musselman Zion Mennonite Church, PA
Mark Schlotterbeck Germantown Mennonite Church, PA

2005-2006
Luke's Quest Stories and Women's Leadership

Facilitator: Mary Schertz, Professor of New Testament

Pastors Congregation
Loanne Harms Waterford Mennonite Church, IN
Kristen Hoober College Mennonite Church, IN
Rachel Miller Jacobs Kern Road Mennonite Church, IN
Lois Johns Kaufmann Assembly Mennonite Church, IN
Jane Miller Leatherman Spiritual Director, IN
Elsa Littman LaPorte Hospital, IN
Brenda Hostetler Meyer Benton Mennonite Church, IN
Brenda Sawatzky Paetkau Eighth Street Mennonite Church, IN
Tina Schlabach Waterford Mennonite Church, IN
Klaudia Smucker College Mennonite Church, IN
Janice Yordy Sutter Kern Road Mennonite Church, IN
Mary Lehman Yoder Assembly Mennonite Church, IN
Pamela Yoder First Mennonite Church, IN
AMBS Faculty Position
Barb Nelson Gingerich Managing Editor, Institute of Mennonite Studies
Mary Schertz, facilitator Professor of New Testament

2004-2005
Text-Reading Group

Facilitator: Jacob Elias, Professor of Old Testament

Pastors Congregation
Mary Pruiett First Christian Church, Kokomo, IN
Will Jewsbury First Christian Church, Kokomo, IN
Sally Gilbert Faith Presbyterian Church, Kokomo, IN
Mark Sloss Christ Lutheran Church, Kokomo, IN
Bob Lawson Indian Heights Baptist Church, Kokomo, IN
Lillian Elias Parkview Mennonite Church, Kokomo, IN
AMBS Faculty Position