Practical Leadership Training
Expand your leadership skills
AMBS’s Practical Leadership Training modules are designed to help pastors, lay leaders, community leaders and leaders of nonprofit organizations increase their capacity to provide effective Anabaptist leadership in a variety of settings. You can select the modules that are best suited to your interests and needs.
The modules — which vary in depth, length and format — focus on four areas: administration, leadership, contextual engagement and well-being.
Download a flyer with upcoming modules: February – July 2025 Modules
Upcoming modules
Leadership clinics
Leadership clinics will be held in person at AMBS on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, before the start of the Pastors & Leaders conference.
Learn more about the Pastors & Leaders conference – this year’s theme is Anabaptism at 500: Looking Back, Living Forward.
–Click on a clinic title to view the description–
Biblical Interpretation Across the Two Testaments | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. ET | Instructors: Mary Schertz, Jackie Wyse-Rhodes
As Christians reading the Bible after the Holocaust, we need to examine how we imagine the relationship between our two testaments and whether we privilege one above the other. We’ll explore “supersessionism,” the harmful theological claim that the church has replaced Israel as God’s covenant community and the authority of the New Testament “supersedes” that of the Old. We’ll explore the question: How can we as modern Christians read our Scriptures faithfully, creatively and respectfully?
- Learn about how supersessionism has not only harmed relations between Jews and Christians but also sold short both the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Scriptures.
- Examine the historical origins of the notion of Jesus as “the hermeneutical key” to the Hebrew Bible and consider the implications of using this approach today.
- Explore multiple methods of interpretation for reading the Bible responsibly today.
Register by Feb. 10 | Cost: $75
Healthy Boundaries 101 | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET | Instructor: Ed Kauffman
Maintaining healthy boundaries not only protects congregations and congregants from clergy abuse and trauma, but also protects pastors from burnout and misuse of their power and position. Using videos, group discussion and reflection, we will explore issues of power, relationships and maintaining health. This training meets the requirement of Mennonite Church USA for healthy boundaries training for all pastors.
- Understand power dynamics inherent to positions of authority.
- Learn ways of ministering that maintain the integrity of the ministerial relationship while also protecting those who are vulnerable.
- Gain awareness of risk factors for crossing boundaries.
- Understand the difference between crossing boundaries and boundary violations.
Register by Feb. 10 | Cost: $93 (includes $18 for materials)
Introducing the Anabaptist Community Bible | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. ET | Instructor: John D. Roth
We’ll explore how Scripture has shaped, sustained and renewed Anabaptist faith communities from the 16th century to the present and share insights about contemporary challenges of biblical interpretation. We’ll learn how to use the new Anabaptist Community Bible as a resource for engaging Scripture, highlighting its distinctive features and applications. The larger themes will be relevant to Anabaptist pastors and church leaders, regardless of which Bible translation they prefer.
- Learn how to incorporate the Anabaptist Community Bible into sermon preparation.
- Gain fresh approaches for studying the Bible together in the congregation as a living text that continues to transform our lives.
- Explore ways of integrating visual art into sermons, as well as other ways of engaging Scripture.
Register by Feb. 10 | Cost: $75
Starting with the Spirit | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. ET | Instructor: Jamie Pitts
While the classic presentation of Anabaptism as focused on following Jesus has led many people to deepen their faith, it also has fostered inward-looking legalism. Over the centuries, however, many Anabaptists have understood discipleship as an expression of life in the creative, transforming Spirit of God. Recovering this understanding of life in the Spirit can equip Anabaptist leaders to portray belonging as participation in a grace-filled, open-ended tradition and to imaginatively approach topics such as understandings of gender, global church relations and Christian witness.
- Learn about understandings of the Spirit of God in Anabaptist history.
- Practice telling stories of Anabaptist faith that begin with the Spirit.
- Explore ways to apply these stories imaginatively to crucial topics facing the church today.
Register by Feb. 10 | Cost: $75
Worshiping with the Global Church | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. ET | Instructor: Rashard Allen
The Western church has much to learn from our sisters and brothers in Christ throughout the world. In this module, we will explore the ways in which the West has mass-exported its worship practices and how we can move towards a true cross-cultural exchange of worship songs and rituals that will be both equitable and mutually edifying.
- Understand some of the complexities of cross-cultural worship in light of colonialism and globalization.
- Gain a greater understanding of and appreciation for Christian worship songs and practices from around the world.
- Incorporate songs/practices from non-Western church contexts into your own church contexts in ways that respect and honor the Indigenous cultures.
Register by Feb. 10 | Cost: $75
March to July 2025
–Click on a module title to view the description–
Being the Church Amid Polarization and Conflict | Four-session online workshop | March 4, 11, 18, 25 • 7–8:30 p.m. ET | Instructor: Jes Stoltzfus Buller
The current context of polarization has our congregations, communities and families railing. The world is in desperate need of skills to transform our communities. This workshop will offer tools for leaders of all kinds to effectively navigate the pitfalls of polarization in their congregations and communities through healthy dialogue skills, community-building practices and restorative justice processes.
- Learn how polarization affects how individuals and groups engage conversation on conflictive issues.
- Gain tools for understanding and approaching conflict in the midst of polarization and division.
- Learn principles and best practices for moving towards conflict and addressing divisive issues through healthy dialogue.
Register by Feb. 25 | Cost: $100
Effective Church Boards | Four-session online workshop | March 5, 12, 19, 26 • 6–7:30 p.m. ET | Instructors: Michael Danner and Joani Miller
Every church has a governance structure. When they are effective, they create a context for health and growth. When they are not, they create vulnerabilities. This workshop will help you understand the why and the how of effective church boards and practice effective governance in your congregation — providing a foundation for effective and engaged ministry.
- Gain a deeper understanding of how governance rooted in Anabaptist values can support and advance the church’s mission.
- Learn about general oversight, fiscal oversight, pastoral supervision and fiduciary/legal responsibilities of church boards.
- Understand the difference between task conflict and relational conflict.
- Learn about keys to effective decision-making that emerges out of the gifts of the community.
Register by Feb. 26 | Cost: $100
Intercultural Inclusion in the Church | Four-session online workshop | March 6, 13, 20, 27 • 7–8:30 p.m. ET | Instructor: Joanne Gallardo
Many of us say we want an intercultural church, but are we willing and able to make room for diversity that goes beyond looking at demographics?
- Identify the main tenets of White supremacy culture and how it harms everyone.
- Explore ways to break the cycle and counteract White supremacy when it shows up in our workplaces and churches.
- Learn how to move from “symbolic power” to “shared power” in churches and organizations.
Register by Feb. 27 | Cost: $100
¿Quién es mi vecino? Latinos/as Growing in Intercultural Competence | Four-session online workshop | March 8, 15, 22, 29 • 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET | Instructor: Alicia Maldonado-Zahra
This module will be offered in Spanish only with Hispanic Ministries of Mennonite Education Agency.
Culture is everywhere. It shapes us in a multitude of ways. We initially learn from our family culture; we adapt to our work cultures; our worship aligns with our church culture; and we engage with neighbors according to our community culture, etc. In this workshop, we will learn what culture is and how it shapes us. We will also build skills for being in community with people from other cultures.
- Explore the concept of “culture” and its influence.
- Deepen your understanding of intercultural competence.
- Gain skills for engaging with members of other cultures.
ÂżQuiĂ©n es mi vecino/a? Latinos/as creciendo en interculturalidad | Taller en lĂnea por ZOOM y WhatsApp de cuatro sesiones | El 8, 15, 22 y 29 de marzo • 11 a.m. a 1 p.m. (hora del este de los Estados Unidos) | Instructora: Alicia Maldonado-Zahra
Este módulo será ofrecido exclusivamente en español en colaboración con Ministerios Hispanos de la Agencia Menonita de Educación.
Como latinos y latinas en Estados Unidos y LatinoamĂ©rica, siempre estamos interactuando con personas que son de una cultura distinta a la nuestra. En los Estados Unidos es comĂşn relacionarse no sĂłlo con personas de cultura anglosajona, sino que tambiĂ©n con personas de todo el mundo, incluidos varios paĂses de AmĂ©rica Latina. En LatinoamĂ©rica es ya tambiĂ©n una realidad que en todos nuestros paĂses hay personas inmigrantes.
En estas interacciones con nuestros vecinos y vecinas nos vamos dando cuenta que nuestras distintas culturas nos moldean de múltiples maneras. Inicialmente aprendemos de nuestra cultura familiar, nos adaptamos a nuestras culturas laborales, nuestro servicio religioso o “culto” se alinea con la cultura de nuestra iglesia, etc. Es por ello que cómo lideres y lideresas de nuestras iglesias debemos aprender qué es la cultura y cómo nos moldea en nuestras relaciones. Este aprendizaje debe también incluir el desarrollo de habilidades para trabajar y estar en comunidad con personas de culturas distintas a las nuestras.
Los resultados previstos del mĂłdulo son que los y las participantes:
- Entiendan la noción de “cultura” y cómo esta nos influencia.
- Comprendan la importancia de la competencia intercultural. Es decir, la importancia de saber trabajar y relacionarse con personas de distintas culturas.
- Desarrollen habilidades para relacionarse con personas de otras culturas.
RegĂstrese antes del 15 de febrero | Costo: $100 para residentes en Estados Unidos y Canadá; $50 para residentes en otros paises
Para inscribirse y hacer su pago, .
Si tiene preguntas por favor comunĂquese con la Directora adjunta de MEA – Ministerios Hispanos:
Violeta Ajquejay-Suastegui
Teléfono y WhatsApp: +1-574-312-8611
E-mail: VioletaA@MennoniteEducation.org
Transforming Congregational Conflict and Communication | Online short course | April 23 – June 3 | Instructor: Betty Pries
Conflict in the congregation is one of the most difficult experiences pastors and lay leaders will encounter while in ministry. Conflict can destroy congregations. Done well, however, engaging differences can be a sign of vitality, energy and spiritual maturity.
Drawing from biblical, theological, practical and spiritual sources, this short course will explore the possibilities and pitfalls of courageously engaging in differences within congregational life and of building congregational cultures that nurture the tender balance between honesty and kindness and that generate faithfulness and joy.
Online sessions will be held Mondays, April 28; May 5, 12, 19, 26; June 2 • 9–10 p.m. ET (These sessions are optional and will be recorded for those who can’t attend.)
Cost: $300 if registering by April 2; from April 3 through April 16, registration is $350
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Design to Reach Desired Outcomes | Four-session online workshop | May 7, 14, 21, 28 • 7–8:30 p.m. ET | Instructor: Joani Miller
Whether we are putting together an in-depth course, workshop, project or event, bringing design strategies into our planning process will increase our effectiveness, create a more cohesive experience for participants, and provide clarity for evaluating the experience. It’s simply good stewardship. This series will walk you through this process using instructional design principles, which can also be applied more broadly.
- Explore a framework of design to understand its importance and use.
- Gain awareness of specific design principles.
- Practice creating goals and objectives.
- Design and develop a simple plan with an evaluation.
Register by April 30 | Cost: $100
Effective HR Practices | Four-session online workshop | May 8, 15, 22, 29 • 7–8:30 p.m. ET | Instructor: Deanna Risser
Being an employer as a church or nonprofit organization can feel overwhelming. Staff sizes are often small, and boards are made up of volunteers who rotate regularly. This module will review issues to consider related to compensation and benefits, paid time off and employee policies and procedures. These insights can apply to a variety of situations and organizations.
- Gain knowledge about best practices in Human Resources.
- Strengthen your understanding of policies and procedures.
- Discuss common employment challenges and explore possible scenarios and solutions.
Register by May 1 | Cost: $100
Beyond Boring Bible Studies | Online short course | May 21 – July 1 (Tuesdays, May 27; June 3, 10, 17, 24; July 1 • 7–8:15 p.m. ET) | Instructor: Jewel Gingerich Longenecker
How do we relate to the Bible in today’s complicated religious and political environments? In a time of anti-institutional fervor across generations, what might it mean for the Bible to have life-giving authority for our lives? We’ll explore these questions: Does the Bible still matter for Christians today? If so, in what ways does it matter? Why is teaching the Bible important? What are best practices for teaching the Bible effectively?
- Understand current dilemmas that leaders and congregants face in relating to the Bible.
- Gain an appreciation for Scripture as an important resource for the church today.
- Develop skills for creating enthusiastic communities of engagement around Scripture.
The required work for this course will include readings, written discussion forums in Moodle, and weekly Zoom sessions.
Register by May 15 | Cost: $300
Register now
The registration deadline for most modules is one week prior to the module start date, with the exception of some short courses.
Group discount: Groups can receive a 25% discount when five or more people from the same church or organization enroll in the same module. For information on how to get the group discount when you register, contact Steve Norton, Church Leadership Center Program Coordinator, at sbnorton@ambs.edu or (574) 296-6281.
Customized modules
We can also bring Practical Leadership Training modules directly to your conference, church gathering or other event — in person or online — customized to meet your needs. See a list of previous modules here.
Questions? Contact Steve Norton at sbnorton@ambs.edu or (574) 296-6281.
About Practical Leadership Training modules
In 2021, AMBS asked church leaders, “What is the most meaningful thing that AMBS can do to support current and future leaders for the church?” Many leaders shared that while seminary had prepared them well for Bible study, preaching and pastoral care, they needed practical leadership skills to meet challenges resulting from the pandemic, polarization, shifting church commitments and an unpredictable future.
If you, too, are longing to expand your leadership skills, sign up for any or all of AMBS’s Practical Leadership Training modules. We’ve designed them to help pastors, lay leaders, community leaders and leaders of nonprofit organizations increase their capacity to provide effective Anabaptist leadership in a variety of settings.
You can select the modules that are best suited to your interests and needs and can purchase ($15) Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for completed modules. We’ll adjust the offerings along the way — based on feedback we receive from participants, churches and organizations.
Module formats
Practical Leadership Training modules are offered in five different formats:
| Format | Duration | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-person seminar | One 60-90-minute session | In person | $25 |
| Webinar | One 60-90-minute session | Online | $25 |
| Leadership clinic | Full day (8 hours) | In person | $75 |
| Four-session online workshop | One 90-minute session per week for four weeks | Online | $100 |
| Short course | Six weeks | Online | $300 |
Meet the instructors
Rashard Allen, DWS
Dr. Rashard Allen is Director of Music and Worship at Neffsville Mennonite Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of the Robert Webber Institute for Worship Studies in Jacksonville, Florida (Doctor of Worship Studies); Southern Methodist University in University Park, Texas (Master of Sacred Music, Master of Music in Voice); and Oberlin (Ohio) Conservatory (Bachelor of Music in Voice). He has 20+ years of experience in ministry, including in Presbyterian, Methodist and Mennonite churches. In 2022, he was a member of the International Ensemble for Mennonite World Conference Assembly in Indonesia. He has started a Global Worship Training ministry through Faith and Learning International and has led seminars on worship and songwriting in Uganda, Tanzania and Ghana.
Malinda Elizabeth Berry, PhD
Malinda Elizabeth Berry serves as Associate Professor of Theology and Ethics and Director of the Faith Formation Collaborative at AMBS. Her commitment to Anabaptism in the Mennonite tradition is evident in her approach to an array of topics, issues and concerns of our day: Christian social responsibility, environmental stewardship — with an emphasis on human ecology, and renewing congregational life in its structural and spiritual dimensions. Malinda enjoys engaging conferences and congregations, providing resources and services to meet the diverse demands facing congregations today. She is a graduate of Goshen (Indiana) College, AMBS and Union Theological Seminary in New York.
Jes Stoltzfus Buller, MA
Jes Stoltzfus Buller of Goshen, Indiana, is the Peace Education Coordinator for Mennonite Central Committee U.S., where she works with churches across the U.S. to teach peace theology, facilitate trainings and create resources for engagement with various aspects of peacebuilding. She has both domestic and international experience in facilitating group dialogue; managing collaborative peacebuilding projects; developing curriculum; and training children, youth and adults in conflict transformation, nonviolent action and trauma healing. She has earned bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Bible, Religion and Philosophy from Goshen College; and a Master of Arts in Transformational Leadership and a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Transformation from the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Deborah Byler, DMin
Deborah Byler of Goshen, Indiana, serves with AMBS as Faculty of Record for Resilient Leadership in the Doctor of Ministry in Leadership program. Previously, she served with Eastern Mennonite Missions and then with Mennonite Mission Network, accompanying and empowering women leaders in the K’ekchi Mennonite Church of Guatemala for 16 years. Deborah also served for 16 years on staff with Mennonite Mission Network in various Human Resources roles, relating to international mission workers and focusing on pastoral care. She holds a Doctor of Ministry from Columbia (South Carolina) International University and a Master of Divinity from AMBS. She is also a spiritual director and the author of God’s Wounded Servants: Hope for Survivors of Chidhood Sexual Abuse (2022).
Michael Danner, DMin
Michael Danner of Elkhart, Indiana, is Associate Executive Director for Church Vitality for Mennonite Church USA. He has served in ministry for more than 30 years — as a congregational pastor, area conference minister and denominational leader. He is passionate about walking with pastors and church leaders to help local congregations thrive in mission. Michael earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana; a Master of Arts in Religion from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois; and a Doctor of Ministry in Contextual Theology from Northern Seminary in Lisle, Illinois.
Joanne Gallardo, MDiv
Joanne Gallardo of Goshen, Indiana, serves as Conference Minister for Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference, which is working to live out the concept of “Growing our Intercultural Witness.” She serves as staff liaison for the conference’s Intercultural Working Group, is a Qualified Administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory and has lived experience of being a BIPOC woman in predominantly White institutions. Originally from Ohio, Joanne holds a Bachelor of Arts from Goshen College, a Master of Divinity from AMBS and a Certificate in Executive Leadership from Princeton (New Jersey) Theological Seminary.
Ed Kauffman, MDiv
Ed Kauffman has been leading healthy boundaries trainings since 1996 and has worked with situations of clergy misconduct as a pastor, member of ministerial committees, conference minister, investigator and consultant. He pastored four congregations in the U.S. and Canada over 32 years and served as Conference Minister for Central Plains Mennonite Conference for nine years. Ed is a graduate of AMBS and has taken specialized training in Clergy Misconduct Prevention and Healthy Boundaries with FaithTrust Institute. He and his wife, Gay, serve as resident Volunteer Coordinators at AMBS.
Jewel Gingerich Longenecker, PhD
Jewel Gingerich Longenecker of South Bend, Indiana, is Dean of Lifelong Learning and Director of the Doctor of Ministry in Leadership program at AMBS. She holds a PhD in Leadership from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, where her dissertation focused on pastors who create communities of engagement around Scripture. She also holds a Master of Arts: Theological Studies with a concentration in Biblical Studies from AMBS. Jewel previously served as Campus Pastor at Iowa Mennonite School (now Hillcrest Academy) in Kalona, Iowa, and as Conference Youth Minister for Iowa-Nebraska Mennonite Conference.
Alicia Maldonado-Zahra
Alicia Maldonado-Zahra was born in Fort Myers, Florida, to a Puerto Rican family. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts: Theology and Peace Studies at AMBS. Alicia graduated from Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, with bachelor’s degrees in Social Work and Global Development. She works in conflict transformation, intercultural competency and undoing racism, and youth faith formation.
Joani Miller, MA
Joani Miller of Ames, Iowa, is Director of Training and Resources with Mennonite Mission Network. She has both served on and led boards and other decision-making bodies over the last 30 years and has worked with boards as a staff member for nonprofit organizations. Through this work and other professional and volunteer experiences, she has gained unique insights into how groups can build teams and create strategy. Joani earned a Bachelor of Arts in English/Journalism from Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and a Master of Arts in Adult Learning, Performance and Development/Leadership from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Her graduate work focused on organizational health and leadership.
Jamie Pitts, PhD
Jamie Pitts, Professor of Anabaptist Studies at AMBS, seeks to join the Spirit’s work of bringing healing, justice and joy in and through the church to all of creation. He does this through teaching and research on global Anabaptist-Mennonite theology and history and through participating in local congregational life and community organizing. His research interests include theological method, pneumatology, baptism, gender and sexuality, and postcolonial mission. Jamie is a graduate of the University of Texas; Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California; and the University of Edinburgh (Scotland). He is also Director of the Institute of Mennonite Studies at AMBS and Editor of Anabaptist Witness.
Betty Pries, PhD, CMed
Betty Pries of Waterloo, Ontario, is Core Adjunct Faculty and DMin Faculty of Record at AMBS. She also serves as CEO and Senior Consultant at She specializes in providing mediation, training, facilitation, coaching and consulting services for businesses, nonprofit organizations, governments and churches. She has also developed expertise in managing conflict in faith communities and workplaces. Betty received much of her training through Mediation Services in Winnipeg, Manitoba, including a Diploma in Mediation and additional training. She has a Master of Theological Studies, a Doctor of Philosophy (from the Free University Amsterdam) and is a chartered mediator.
Deanna Risser, MBA
Deanna Risser of Goshen, Indiana, is Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial officer at AMBS, where she oversees Human Resources, Information Technology, Maintenance and Campus Security, Food Services, Housing and Business Services. She has more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit administration, mostly in educational settings. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bluffton (Ohio) University and a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University South Bend.
John D. Roth, PhD
For more than three decades, John D. Roth served as Professor of History at Goshen (Indiana) College as well as Director of the Mennonite Historical Library and Editor of The Mennonite Quarterly Review. More recently, he was the Founding Director of the Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism at Goshen College (2012) and Secretary of Mennonite World Conference’s Faith and Life Commission (2009). In 2022, he became Project Director of “Anabaptism at 500,” an initiative of MennoMedia, and General Editor of the Anabaptist Community Bible. John has written widely on topics related to Anabaptist-Mennonite history and church life. He is a graduate of Goshen College and the University of Chicago.
Mary H. Schertz, PhD
Mary Schertz, Professor Emerita of New Testament, taught at AMBS for 29 years until her retirement in 2017. Her teaching and scholarship focused on Greek language study, biblical foundations for peace and justice, the quest stories in Luke’s Gospel, biblical perspectives on the atonement, and biblical spirituality. Her commentary on the Gospel of Luke for the Believers Church Bible Commentary series (Herald Press) appeared in 2023. As Director of AMBS’s Institute of Mennonite Studies for 19 years, Mary helped launch Vision: A Journal for Church and Theology. She is a graduate of Goshen (Indiana) College, Goshen Biblical Seminary and Vanderbilt University School of Religion in Nashville, Tennessee.
Naomi Wenger, MAR, MA
Naomi Wenger joined AMBS in June 2024 as Program Administrator for Orienting With the Word. She served The Hermitage Community, a contemplative retreat center in Three Rivers, Michigan, as Co-Director for 18 years and as Program Coordinator for an additional two years. She has served as a spiritual director since 2004 and is a certified spiritual direction supervisor. Naomi maintains an online presence at , where, in addition to occasional spiritual blogging, she offers spiritual direction, supervision and retreat facilitation. She is a graduate of Houghton (New York) College; Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois; and AMBS.
Jackie Wyse-Rhodes, PhD
Jackie Wyse-Rhodes serves as Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible and Associate Director of the Institute of Mennonite Studies at AMBS. She teaches courses on the Old and New Testaments, methods of biblical interpretation, exegetical studies, and introductory Greek and Hebrew, among other topics. An active scholar, presenter and speaker, she is currently writing Numbers for the Believers Church Bible Commentary series (Herald Press) and “Isaiah and the Environment” for the Bible Odyssey website (Society of Biblical Literature). She is a graduate of Hiram (Ohio) College, AMBS, Free University Amsterdam, and Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.