Spiritual Formation program

The spiritual formation program offers a variety of activities including courses, seminars, retreats and spiritual guidance to help students develop disciplines in prayer, worship, scripture meditation, spiritual friendships and the use of personal journals.

The purpose is to nurture awareness of God's presence and guidance in personal and communal life and in the ministry and mission experience of the student.

Spiritual retreats

Spiritual retreats are offered several times each year, focusing on different topics or different ways of praying. For information, see the Spiritual Formation Informer (published each semester). Or contact Marlene Kropf or Janeen Bertsche Johnson.

Chapel Services

Tuesday and Friday, 11:45-12:15, when classes are in session.

Prayer

Each of the following opportunities for prayer is open to anyone from the AMBS community as well as people from the surrounding community.

• Intercessory prayer occurs on Mondays, 8:00-8:15 a.m. in the Chapel of the Word.
• Community prayer occurs Mondays, 11:45 a.m. -12:00 noon, in the Chapel of the Word.
• Centering Prayer (quiet prayer) is held in the Chapel of the Word on Tuesday mornings, 7:45-8:15 a.m.
• Praying the Daily Office: Using Take Our Moments and Our Days: An Anabaptist Prayer Book, a group of people pray the Daily Office together from 7:30-8:00 a.m. on Wednesday mornings in the Chapel of the Word.

Evening Song and Prayer

Services of singing, prayer, scripture reading and silence, patterned after the Taizé community in France, are offered several times during fall and spring semesters.

The Pilgrim’s Way

The Pilgrim’s Way is a labyrinth in the meadow on the AMBS campus, which provides outdoor space for reflection and prayer.

Spiritual Direction

Several AMBS faculty and retired faculty members along with trained spiritual directors from northern Indiana and southwest Michigan are available to provide a mentoring relationship to students for nurturing greater awareness of God’s presence. Spiritual directors meet with students for a one-hour session approximately once each month during the school year. For more information, contact Marlene Kropf.