Resources - for pastors

Journey: A Conference-based Leadership Development Program
This three-year program develops Christ-centered leaders with an Anabaptist Christian perspective through mentoring relationships, a core curriculum and weekend retreats.

Leadership Training grants
IN-MI Mennonite Conference holds a small endowment fund that has been designated for leadership training for ministers in IN-MI Conference churches. The earnings from the endowment each year are available for grants for continuing education events. Click here for more information and to download an application.

“Many Gifts: Calling and Growing Congregational Leaders.”
This booklet is a practical resource to pastors and other church leaders in calling out and nurturing the gifts of children, youth and adults, to deepen our commitment to forming a people of God, becoming a global church and growing leaders. When people discover their authentic selves and are affirmed for those gifts, they are freed to joyfully serve the church's mission and their varied God given gifts. This is not a book of instructions. It is a guide with some helpful suggestions and resource lists to help our congregations think about developing leaders and Culture of Call at all stages of life and for all forms of ministry. More information.

Pastoral Leadership Team weekend
This annual event for pastors and lay leaders is held each November at Amigo Centre, Sturgis, Mich. It is sponsored by IN-MI Conference and Amigo Centre. The October 30 - November 1, 2009, theme will be "Finding our way: navigating the challenges of authentic engagement" with Dan Miller, lead conference minister for IN-MI Mennonite Conference. Download a brochure and registration information.

Themes in recent years have included: "The Practical Side of Missional Imagination" with Alan Roxburgh (2008), “Looking in the mirror: The face of the church today” (exploring the results of the 2006 Membership Profile of Mennonite Church USA) with Donald Kraybill (2007); and “Enduring issues that Mennonites have not (yet!) resolved: Living from the center of our being” with John D. Roth (2006).

Pastoral Care Continuing Education series: "Extreme Situations in the Congregation"
Extreme Situations in the Congregation is a series of daylong continuing education events focused on pastoral care issues. The series is planned specifically for pastors and explores issues from the perspective of congregational dynamics. Presenters offer a holistic depiction of each issue, paying special attention to psychological understandings, theological reflection, pastoral response, and available resources. Sponsors: the Church Leadership Center of Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Ind.; and Central District and IN-MI conferences. Contact the AMBS Church Leadership Center: 574 296-6269 or 800 964-2627 or churchleadership@ambs.edu

Pastoral Candidate resources
You have decided it is time to consider new positions for ministry. Be assured that the denominational ministerial leadership offices and your conference minister want to work with you! More Information >>

Ministerial Leadership Information (MLI) Inquiry form
Interested in pursing a pastorate in Mennonite Church USA or Mennonite Church Canada? Applying for a ministerial credential? Tell us a bit about yourself with this form. After reviewing it, we’ll contact you with a password to access the full MLI application form.

Church Life Commission credentialing forms
- Questions for licensed persons being considered for ordination
- Questions for observers of a person while licensed for ministry

Leadership Training grants
IN-MI Mennonite Conference holds a small endowment fund that has been designated for leadership training for ministers in IN-MI Conference churches. The earnings from the endowment each year are available for grants for continuing education events. Click here for more information and to download an application.

Mentors
Each new pastor walks with a mentor for two years. Other pastors may request a mentor through their conference regional minister.

Pastoral Salary guidelines
The goal of these guidelines is to help provide a financial guide that is supportive of pastors and their families and also fair to the congregation. Our commitment to quality ministry is reflected in part in the level of compensation offered to those who serve our congregations as pastors and the process that is used in determining it. With this end in view, these guidelines are offered as a resource for your congregation in the next year.

Retreat days for pastors (Amigo Centre)
Pastors are invited to spend time in retreat at Amigo Centre, Sturgis, Mich., using the walking trails and the Nature and Activities centers. The cost is $15 per room per night for a pastor (no extra charge for spouse); meal costs are discounted if meals are already being served. Call 269 651-2811 or info@amigocentre.org.

Transitional Pastors Steering Commmittee
The Transitional Pastors Steering Committee is available for a case study format for active transitional pastors. In the next year we expect to redesign training and support options in a way that is reproducible in various locations. Contact: Dan Miller, steering committee member

Missional Church Tool Chest
The Mission Commission has compiled a list of resource suggestions that have a missional focus for churches. Click here to download this Adobe Acrobat file.

Transition Team book resources
During this time of change in the conference, the Transition Team has compiled a list of suggested reading.

Library of IN-MI Mennonite Conference
Books and videos are available for loan from the IN-MI Conference resource library.

2008 Library additions
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Resources by Title
Resources by Topic
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Youth Resources by Title
Youth Resources by Topic

Missional Church Tool Chest
The Mission Commission has compiled a list of resource suggestions that have a missional focus for churches. Click here to download this Adobe Acrobat file.

Peace resources
- Peace and Justice Support Network of Mennonite Church USA
- MCC Conscientious Objector information

Spiritual direction resources
These resources to renew our spiritual center were compiled by Dan Schrock of Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship, Goshen, Ind., for participants at IN-MI Conference Assembly 2007. The complete list includes a list of retreat centers.

Transition Team book resources
During this time of change in the conference, the Transition Team has compiled a list of suggested reading.

Amigo Centre
Amigo Centre is a retreat and recreation center for members of Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference congregations, their friends and the wider community.
"Our mission is to facilitate the ministry of the church, encourage commitment to Jesus Christ and assist people of all ages to become the persons God desires.

Bethany Christian Schools
Bethany is a dynamic learning community that integrates faith development with academic excellence. Grounded in Mennonite values, Bethany equips students for Christian discipleship in the church and around the world.

Damascus Road
An Anabaptist antiracism training and skill development program.

Pastors Week
This annual event at AMBS is held each January. More information.

Pastoral Studies Distance Education
The PSDE program at AMBS is for pastors called to the ministry without college or seminary training; and lay leaders, deacons and elders wanting training to prepare for their ministry. It is a program of individual, college-level study with minimal time away from congregational duties. Each unit has an instructor who interacts with the student several times per unit. Each student also has a mentor in his or her geographical area who can be a sounding board. Read More.

Engaging Pastors (pastor-faculty study groups and funded pastor sabbaticals)
Engaging Pastors is a collaborative initiative at AMBS involving 10 distinct projects. It creates space for church leaders to work together on difficult questions. Pastors and seminary professors gather together in conversation about pastoral education and leadership in the Mennonite church. Participants share their skills, collaborating to better serve in the classroom and from the pulpit. Observations and feedback from these interactions are compiled and communicated, helping institutions such as AMBS and the Mennonite church work toward change to better prepare and support pastors.

Eastern Mennonite Seminary

Summer Institute for Spiritual Formation
Within an unhurried and spacious rhythm of worship, classroom and experiential learning, this summer program at Eastern Mennonite Seminary is a response to a need for spiritual formation, and renewing the soul of the church in our post-modern and anxious world. More information.

School for Leadership Training
This annual event is held at Eastern Mennonite Seminary each January. Read More.

Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (LMPC)
As a non-profit ministry, LMPC works to encourage the nonviolent transformation of conflict in relationships in homes, workplaces, schools, churches, and throughout our world.  Our programs and resources address ways of resolving conflicts and building healthier relationships in all of these various settings.

Mennonite Colleges/Universities
Bethel College
Bluffton University
Eastern Mennonite University
Goshen College
Hesston College

Mennonite seminaries
Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary
Eastern Mennonite Seminary

MennoSource
The online resource network of Mennonite Church USA

Third Way Cafe'
Third Way Café is produced by Mennonite Media, on behalf of the Mennonite Churches of the U.S. and Canada, under the sponsorship of Mennonite Mission Network. The Mennonite Church exists in many countries around the world.

Mennonite Media produces
- Documentaries for national television : Journey Toward Forgiveness, Fierce Goodbye: Living in the Shadow of Suicide, and Shadow Voices: Finding Hope in Mental Illness, among others
- Public service radio and TV spots, most recently on issues like peacemaking, racism, and violence
- Educational videos for discussion in church and school for children, youth, and adults
- Another Way newspaper column syndicated by Globe Syndicate.
- Information on the Mennonite church
- Music CDs and cassettes

- Peace and Justice Support Network of Mennonite Church USA
- MCC Conscientious Objector information

Advent/Lent planners at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary
These annual events take place in fall (for Advent) and winter (for Lent) and are based on the worship resources published in Leader Magazine. Dates of upcoming workshops.