Nelson Kraybill announces resignation

Nelson Kraybill, president of Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, has announced his intent to step down as president of the seminary in summer 2009.

Kraybill explained that he hopes to move into another assignment, although he has no specific plans at this time. “If God grants me health, I hope to take on a new assignment in the church to which I can dedicate a decade of my life,” he said.

Ray Friesen, chair of the AMBS board and co-pastor of Emmaus Mennonite Church, Wymark, Sask., said, “Nelson has given strong, visionary leadership to AMBS over the 12 years that he has served as president, positioning the institution well for the future. His legacy includes excellent relations with the Mennonite Church in the USA and Canada as well as the wider church, a new library on campus, and a new strategic plan for programs characterized by academic excellence, practical soundness, and responsiveness to the changing faces of society, church and ministry. Nelson is leaving at a time when his relationships on and off campus, including with the board, are very strong. This makes saying “Good-bye” more difficult but also means that the seminary, its administration, the board and the relationship among all three are very healthy.”

Kraybill has served as president of AMBS since January 1997. “The past twelve years for me at AMBS have been hard-working, rich and rewarding,” he said. “There is no negative factor that has precipitated my decision for vocational change. I believe AMBS is on a trajectory of productive partnership with the church and of stable or growing enrollment with the kind of students the church needs.”

Friesen reports the AMBS board will establish a timetable and process for a presidential search when it meets October 16–18.

When Kraybill began as president of AMBS, he brought a valuable combination of experience as a pastor, scholar and mission worker. He served as director of the London (England) Mennonite Centre for six years immediately before coming to AMBS. Earlier, from 1983 to 1987, he served as pastor of Taftsville Chapel Mennonite Fellowship, Taftsville, Vermont. He earned a Ph.D. from Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, Va., in 1992, and has written and spoken extensively on two primary areas of study, the early church and the book of Revelation.

Kraybill and Ellen, his wife, are the parents of two young adult daughters. They are members of Prairie Street Mennonite Church in Elkhart.

Mary E. Klassen / Sept 2008