Leadership development opportunities available

Ohio Conference has two opportunities for leadership enrichment and development beginning in September. The first, a Thriving in Ministry cohort, is for pastors who are already serving in a congregation. It will run from September 2021 to April 2022 and will focus on the well-being of pastors, effective practices in min­istry, and leadership development. Please see the description of the program and…

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Journey program at AMBS offers theological training

When God calls someone to ministry, a journey begins. Perhaps you are on that journey. Perhaps you are looking for mentors and companions along the way. Ohio Conference invites you to join Journey: A Missional Leadership Development Program. This program from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary is for pastors and other congregational leaders who are called without specific training for ministry…

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Pastors and congregations — Ohio Conference needs your help!

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For a variety of reasons, the number of men and women who are graduating from seminaries and pursuing pastoral ministry positions has been decreasing. This trend has resulted in fewer candidates for pastoral openings throughout the Ohio Conference. The Leadership Development Resource Team is currently exploring both new and traditional ways of identifying those whom God may be calling into…

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AMBS offers online leadership development program

Journey: A Missional Leadership Development Program. Encourage someone you know who has gifts for ministry to check out this 2-1/2-year distance-friendly non-degree program at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. Participants explore spiritual leadership in their local churches and communities and deepen their understanding of Anabaptist theology and ministry through online study and meetings with a dedicated mentor. Apply for Winter 2021…

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Pandemic curtails face-to-face meetings, but Conference work continues nonetheless

By Dick Barrett Conference Minister While these have been difficult times to be able to gather in person because of the coronavirus pandemic, through the use of technology we have been able to gather virtually to continue Ohio Conference work. Regional Pastors Tony Doehrmann and Ralph Reinford have continued to meet with pastors, pastor peer groups, and search committees via…

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Interested in developing leaders? Ohio Conference could use your help

How can Ohio Conference best develop pastoral leaders for today and for the future? The Ohio Conference Ministry Development Team (MDT) is forming a resource team to promote leadership development in our congregations. The MDT is seeking individuals, male and female, credentialed and lay leaders, who are interested in working at leadership development to serve on the team. If you…

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Explore a call to ministry with Journey

When God calls someone to ministry, a journey begins. Perhaps you are on that journey. Perhaps you are looking for mentors and companions along the way. Ohio Conference invites you to join Journey: A Missional Leadership Development Program. This program is for pastors and other congregational leaders who are called without specific training for ministry or who are exploring a…

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An Update with Dick Barrett

After a hiatus of several months, the Ohio Conference Cast podcast has returned. In this episode host Thomas Dunn is joined by a guest co-host, Jacob Dodson, pastor of Wooster Mennonite Church, for a conversation with Conference Minister Dick Barrett. “I’m excited about the people we have in Conference….I’m excited about where God is leading us in the months and…

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Developing leaders is a ‘Journey’

Ohio Conference is partnering with Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) in Elkhart, Indiana, to provide a part-time long-distance leadership development program. Journey: A Missional Leadership Development Program is a three-year certificate program designed for people exploring a call to ministry. The program is also for pastors and other congregational leaders who have already been called to serve but who lack…

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Journey transforms learners and leaders

By Ben Parker Sutter and Annette Brill Bergstresser ELKHART, Indiana (Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary) — Dennis Miller of Goshen, Indiana, was in his late 50s when he realized it was time for him to explore other vocational possibilities. “I’ve been in construction my entire working life,” he said. “Working in the church is something I always thought about but at the same…

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Missional Network training events scheduled

Ohio Conference Missional Consultant Jessica Schrock-Ringenberg will be leading a second Missional Network training event during August and September. This training event will cover two focus areas: 1. Leadership Development and 2. Growing Missional Communities. See the Missional Network page for more details. The training event will be offered three times: Saturday, Aug. 18— 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Zion Mennonite Church, Archbold…

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Mennonite Mission Network offers training in discipleship, mission

Ohio Conference is partnering with Mennonite Mission Network (MMN) to offer the Missional Discipleship Initiative to Conference churches. The Missional Discipleship Initiative (MDI) helps local congregations work at leadership development and intentional disciple-making. MDI uses two main tools to achieve these goals. First, MDI uses online Learning Circles (also known as “Huddles”) for leaders. Second, MDI utilizes Missional Discipleship Groups,…

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