Pastors Week Workshops

Workshops are offered Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons during Pastors Week. When you register, please indicate which two workshops you are most likely to attend. All workshops are offered both Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons unless otherwise noted.

The drama of Revelation
Presenter: Allan Rudy Froese, Ph.D. (ABD)

Some have understood the book of Revelation as a drama—the kind one might see in a Roman amphitheater. The book has plenty of well laid out scenes, interesting props, intriguing dialogue and lots of action. We will talk about the drama of Revelation but we will spend most of our time exploring a few of the scenes from this script. Wear loose fitting clothing—this gets physical!

Re-forming Anabaptism: Recent North American experiments in discipleship
Presenter: Joanna Shenk, M.A.

An Anabaptist movement is building in the U.S. and Canada, outside the structures of the Mennonite, Brethren, Hutterite and Amish churches. These discipleship groups often live out the gospel in more radical ways than an average Mennonite congregation. Many of them have been formed by the Anabaptist tradition. In her recent book, Widening the Circle: Experiments in Christian Discipleship,

Joanna Shenk, highlights 19 of these discipleship narratives. What do they have to teach us? In what ways can these individuals and communities help us shape the future of the Mennonite church?

Worship, politics and devotion in the Book of Revelation
Presenter: J. Nelson Kraybill, Ph.D.

With the Unites States at war in two countries, and Canada often collaborating in geopolitical matters, there is pressure on Christians throughout North American to align with the agenda of empire. Economic and immigration pressures further test Christian commitment to values of

the Reign of God. In this workshop Nelson Kraybill will draw on research from his book, Apocalypse and Allegiance, Worship, Politics, and Devotion in the Book of Revelation (Brazos Press, 2010). Participants will consider matters of citizenship, allegiance and ethics for Christians on this continent. In addressing these and other issues, discussion will loop back to worship—which should be at the generative center of our allegiance and vocation.

Left Behind by the book of Revelation? The end-times in Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective
Presenter: Loren Johns, Ph.D.

Does the book of Revelation make you uneasy? Do you feel left behind by the Left Behind series? Take this opportunity to inform yourself in the biblical and theological foundations for eschatology in a discipleship perspective. This workshop will explore ways through the jungle of pastoral challenges related to the “end times.” Participants will discover Revelation as a resource for congregational life, a handbook for nonviolent resistance to evil, and a source of comfort in unsettled times.

“Grant that the wrathful dragon may not entirely devour our poor little flock"; Anabaptism and the end times
Presenter: Lois Barrett, Ph.D.

How did Anabaptist understandings of eschatology influence the rest of their theology in the sixteenth century? This workshop will look at how Swiss, Dutch, and South German radical reformers thought about revolution, economics, persecution, visions, God's intervention in history and a Muslim attack on Europe. How was an Anabaptist theology of the End different from most twenty-first-century eschatologies?

The monster as other
Presenter: Safwat Marzouk, Ph.D.(ABD)

Description to come

Pastoral care in interfaith situations
Presenter: Daniel Schipani, Ph.D., Psy.D.

With the help of case studies, we will explore theological and psychological dynamics of interfaith care situations, identify good caregiving practices and skills, and affirm personal dispositions and gifts for faithful ministry.  

God's got a place in the country: Missional purpose in rural context
Presenters: David B. Miller, D.Min., and Nina Lanctot, M.Div.

In recent years much has been made of missional church theology and vision. While this language resonates with many urban church leaders, rural congregations often struggle with how to embrace a missional identity in the face of the demise of the family farm, deepening economic troubles, and the exodus of young people to urban areas. Can rural churches thrive and be missional? In this workshop professor David B. Miller and pastor Nina Lanctot will facilitate a conversation among participants about the possibilities and challenges of developing a missional identity in rural church settings.

Five Leadership Practices
Presenters: Linford King, D.Min., and Lee Schmucker, M.B.A.

What gives leadership credibility? Learn a leadership framework and five practices of effective leadership. Explore how Jesus demonstrated these practices and how you can use them to become a more effective leader.