The STEP pastoral training program looks to grow in 2012 by forming two new cohorts of students simultaneously in both Philadelphia and Lancaster, Pa. for fall semester.
“Starting two cohorts of STEP students in one year signals another adventure for us,” remarked Mark R. Wenger, STEP program director. “We are very pleased to see how STEP is addressing the urgent need for basic high-quality pastoral training of those in congregational leadership.”
The STEP pastoral training program emerged in 2004 in response to the need to provide more flexible, non-traditional Anabaptist ministry preparation. STEP will hold its sixth annual graduation on May 12, 2012 for a cohort of students completing the three-year, part-time program.
The program first expanded from its Lancaster base in 2010 by working together with Anabaptist congregations in Philadelphia. Those congregations are requesting an additional urban cohort.
The STEP curriculum is designed for adult learners in part-time study. Actual ministry practice, coupled with assignments and teaching by experienced pastors, forms the basis for lively learning in community.
Each of the three years of STEP yields ten undergraduate credits at EMU. Classes meet on Saturdays, once a month. Students drive to class from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and Ohio.
STEP is jointly owned by Eastern Mennonite University and Lancaster Mennonite Conference. More information.
The opinions expressed in articles posted on Mosaic’s website are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference. Mosaic is a large conference, crossing ethnicities, geographies, generations, theologies, and politics. Each person can only speak for themselves; no one can represent “the conference.” May God give us the grace to hear what the Spirit is speaking to us through people with whom we disagree and the humility and courage to love one another even when those disagreements can’t be bridged.