Institute of Mennonite Studies

Bringing together Mennonite scholars and friends to discuss issues; facilitating publication of resources in the areas of life, faith, work, and witness; and encouraging research and scholarship in Anabaptist history and theology are among the goals of the Institute of Mennonite Studies at AMBS.

IMS is the research agency of AMBS, founded in 1958 to promote and administer avenues for research, conversation, and publication on topics and issues vital to Mennonite congregations and the Anabaptist faith tradition.

Follow links at the left to find information about consultations and a wide variety of publications.

IMS publications

A major focus of IMS has been research and publication in Anabaptist history and theology, including the publication of the Classics of the Radical Reformation series.

More recent developments in the work of the Institute have been the publication of Occasional Papers, a Text Reader Series, volume five of the Mennonite Encyclopedia, and a biblical studies project in Peace and Evangelism.

The purpose of Occasional Papers is to make various types of essays available to foster dialogue in biblical, theological and practical ministry areas and to invite critical counsel from within the Mennonite theological community.

The Text Reader Series seeks to make available resources that have promise for seminary classroom use. Priority is given to publishing materials with an orientation toward or relevance for Anabaptist-Mennonite theological tradition.

The Institute maintains a Subscribers list, to whom announcements of publications are sent. Subscribers or Associates who request standing order status receive a 20 percent discount.Supporting the work of IMS

The work of the Institute is financed by an annual AMBS budget appropriation, grants from foundations and church agencies, contributions from interested individuals, and royalty payments from IMS publications. Persons interested in becoming IMS Associates and/or wishing to contribute to the IMS budget may write to Institute of Mennonite Studies, 3003 Benham Avenue, Elkhart, Indiana 46517. IMS can now accept MasterCard or Visa payments.