David B. Miller appointed to faculty

David B. Miller, pastor of University Mennonite Church, State College, Pa., has been named associate professor of missional leadership development, beginning July 1, 2009.

The goal of this new position at AMBS is to bring a missional church leader to campus who can inspire, teach and mentor future leaders for ministry. Miller’s role will include helping AMBS think creatively about how to place God’s mission at the center of ministerial leadership development. Specific tasks will include teaching courses related to the practical aspects of missional theology and helping students develop an identity as a missional leaders for congregations and communities.

“David brings together pastoral experience, academic achievement, strong teaching record, and administrative ability,” AMBS President Nelson Kraybill said. “He is a follower of Jesus and an Anabaptist by choice, with deep theological and biblical roots. He has keen understanding of missional opportunities before the Mennonite Church, and the interpersonal skills to mentor a new generation of visionary leaders.”

Miller has been pastor of University Mennonite Church for 12 years, and previously was a co-pastor of East Goshen Mennonite Church, Goshen, Ind. In between these assignments, he was instructor of Bible and pastoral ministry at Hesston College, Hesston, Kan. He also was director of Voluntary Service for Mennonite Board of Missions from 1985 to 1988 and coordinated the youth conventions for Ames ’85 and Bowling Green ’81.

In his current ministry, Miller has taken initiative in helping to form community organizations to address pressing issues and concerns. He was one of the founding board members of the Community Coalition Against Violence and Prejudice, established in the wake of the Columbine High School shootings. He also was founder of the Centre Community Peace Team, a violence and riot prevention organization. In addition, he has served since 2003 on the board of directors of the Center on Conscience and War in Washington, D.C.

Miller said, “My experience at AMBS was a vital part of my education and formation as a pastor.  I look forward to returning to the seminary in the hope of offering back from my experience in pastoral ministry to a new generation of pastors.”

Miller completed a Doctor of Ministry in 2006 at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Ga. His project was The Missional Church and the End of Christian Social Ethics: Re-Assessing, Remembering, and Rehearsing. This project earned him the George and Sally Telford Award given annually to the Doctor of Ministry student whose project best integrates social ethics and the practice of ministry. Miller also earned an M.Div. from AMBS in 1993, and a B.A. from Goshen College in 1979.

Miller is married to Mary Kathryn Schmid and they have four children.

Mary E. Klassen / May 2009