Curriculum Vitae

Spiritual Director and Supervisor Experience
  • Supervisor for spiritual directors, 2013-present.
  • Spiritual director for individuals and groups, 1996-present.

Education
  • Year-long practicum in supervisor training for spiritual directors, Together in the Mystery, 2016.
  • Doctor of Ministry (Christian Spirituality track), Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia, 2007.
  • Certificate in the Art of Spiritual Direction (degree later renamed Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction), San Francisco Theological Seminary, San Francisco, California, 1999.
  • M.A. in Theology, Chicago Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois, 1987.
  • B.A., English, Goshen College, Goshen, Indiana, 1981.

Affiliation
  • Oblate, Monastery of the Risen Christ, San Luis Obispo, California (Order of Saint Benedict, Camaldolese), 2021-present.

Employment
  • Co-director of the Doctor of Ministry in Leadership degree, and later, Curriculum Specialist, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Indiana, 2022-2025. I created and taught the doctoral course Leadership Foundations.
  • Instructor, Advanced Certificate in Supervision, Fordham University, New York City, New York, 2023-2024.
  • Core Adjunct Professor of Spiritual Direction, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Indiana, 2013-present. Courses taught (* denotes courses I also created):
          Spiritual Guidance Practicum / Spiritual Direction: Foundations
          Spiritual Direction: Mystery *
          Spiritual Direction: Wisdom *
          Spiritual Practices: Prayer and Scripture *
          Spirituality Module for the MATPS Internship
  • Guest instructor in Christian spirituality, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Indiana, 2009-2013.
  • Pastor, Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship, Goshen, Indiana, 2002-2020.
  • Pastor, Columbus Mennonite Church, Columbus, Ohio, 1991-2002.
  • Assistant pastor, Lombard Mennonite Church, Lombard, Illinois, 1990-1991.
  • Associate director, Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, Lombard, Illinois, 1987-1990.
  • Program coordinator, Mennonite Central Committee, Miami and Belle Glade, Florida, 1981-1985.

Books
  • An Open Place: The Ministry of Group Spiritual Direction. Co-edited with Marlene Kropf. New York: Morehouse Publishing, 2012.
  • The Dark Night: A Gift of God. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 2009.
  • Prayer Practices for Terrifically Busy People. Lulu, 2007.

Selected Articles, Reviews, Prayers
  • Review of Intercessory Prayer and the Communion of Saints: Mennonite and Catholic Perspectives, edited by Darrin W. Snyder Belousek and Margaret R. Pfeil, in Mennonite Quarterly Review, October 2022, 596-598. 
  • “Working with Highly Sensitive Persons in Spiritual Direction,” Presence: An International Journal of Spiritual Direction, September 2021, 5-16.
  • Review of Recapturing an Enchanted World: Ritual and Sacrament in the Free Church Tradition, by John D. Rempel, in Mennonite Quarterly Review, April 2020, 262-264. 
  • Review of Spiritual Companioning, by Angela H. Reed, Richard R. Osmer, and Marcus G. Smucker, in The Christian Century, September 27, 2015, 52-53.
  • “Using Technologies in Spiritual Direction,” Vision: A Journal for Church and Theology, Fall 2015, 19-26.
  • Review of Quest for Spiritual Community, by Angela H. Reed, in The Christian Century, December 14, 2011, 39-41.
  • “Discovering the Blessings of God’s ‘Absence’: Youth in the Dark Night,”  Andy Brubacher Kaethler and Bob Yoder, eds., Youth Ministry at a Crossroads: Tending to the Faith Formation of Mennonite Youth (Harrisonburg, VA: Herald Press, 2011), 129-138.
  • Assorted prayers (#83-85, 87, 89-90, and 102), Diane Zaerr Brenneman, ed., Words for Worship II (Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 2009).
  • “The Obscure Night of Prayer,” Vision: A Journal for Church and Theology, Fall 2006, 70-77.
  • Review of Eugene F. Roop, Ruth, Jonah, Esther (Believer’s Bible Commentary Series), in Mennonite Quarterly Review, October 2004, 573-575.
  • Review of Ryan Ahlgrim, Not as the Scribes: Jesus as a Model for Prophetic Preaching, in Mennonite Quarterly Review, April 2003, 341-343.

Selected Public Presentations
  • “Julian of Norwich: Exemplar of Community, Solitude, and Service,” and “John of the Cross: Exemplar of Encountering God in the Ordinary,” presentations for an adult Christian education class at College Mennonite Church, Goshen, IN, November 7 and 14, 2021.
  • “The Joy of Rest,” webinar retreat for pastors of the Ohio Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church USA, February 16, 2021.
  • “Spiritual Disciplines and Character Formation,” plenary teaching sessions for the Journey pastoral education program of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, September 11-13, 2020.
  • “Working with the Dark Night in Spiritual Direction,” webinar for Together in the Mystery, July 24 and 31, 2019.
  • “God’s Creation, God’s Intimacy: Deepening Relationship with God through Nature,” retreat for Michiana Spiritual Directors’ Network, at Lindenwood Retreat Center, Donaldson, IN, April 5, 2018.
  • “Collaborating with the Spirit in Spiritual Direction,” webinar for Together in the Mystery, March 14 and 21, 2018.
  • “Forgetting Ourselves in Prayer,” plenary teaching session at Pastors and Leaders’ Week, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, IN, February 28, 2018.
  • “Beholding, Believing, and Belonging: Faith Formation in the Gospel of John,” plenary teaching sessions for the Journey pastoral education program of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Amigo Centre, Sturgis, MI, September 16-17, 2011.
  • “Shedding Light on Darkness: Understanding Depression and the Dark Night,” seminar at Oaklawn Psychiatric Center, Goshen, IN, November 12, 2009 (team taught with Dr. Timothy McFadden, M.D.).
  • “Guiding Directees in the Dark Night: A Workshop for Spiritual Directors,” Lindenwood Retreat Center, Donaldson, IN, October 6, 2009.
  • “The Dark Night: A Gift of God,” seminar at the biennial convention of Mennonite Church USA, Columbus, OH, July 2, 2009.
  • “The Dark Night: A Gift of God,” book interview with Freda Crews for the syndicated television show “Time for Hope,” Spartanburg, SC, aired internationally beginning the week of March 4, 2009.
  • “The Dark Night: A Divine Tool for Countercultural Mission,” forum lecture at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, IN, March 13, 2008.
  • “Building and Maintaining a Spiritual Life,” workshop at a conference on “Seniors and the Future of the Church,” College Mennonite Church, Goshen, IN, October 27, 2007, (team taught with Marie Stoltzfus).
  • “Learning to Pray in a New Way When God Feels Distant,” seminar for youth at the biennial convention of Mennonite Church USA, San José, CA, July 3 and 5, 2007.