“The Summer Institute for Missional Questions fits our goal of bringing flexible high-quality ministry education close to congregations,” said , director of EMS Lancaster.  “These instructors bring rich global and local perspectives to the landscape of contemporary Christian mission.”

The 2013 summer institute kicks-off early with a course in April – May:

• “Romans: A Letter to the Church,” taught by Myron S. Augsburger. The class meets weekly on Friday evenings, beginning April 5, concluding May 18. It includes two Saturday sessions.

Two courses are slated for May – June:

• “Encountering Anabaptism in the Global South,” taught by Conrad L. Kanagy. This is a hybrid course, combining online components and a weekend in the classroom, May 31-June 1.
• “Human Sexuality in Theological Perspective,” taught by Mark and Mary Thiessen Nation. This course meets on three weekends, May 10-11, May 24-25 and June 7-8.

Each of these courses is available for graduate academic credit or for audit. The final weekend of the “Human Sexuality” course will focus on theology and homosexuality.  There will be separate non-credit registration for this weekend event.

For more information call 717-397-5190 or visit

“Starting two cohorts of STEP students in one year signals another adventure for us,” remarked , 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.”

Designed for adult learners in part-time study, the STEP program focuses on ministry practice, coupled with assignments and teaching by experienced pastors, to form the basis for a lively learning community.

Each of the three years of STEP yields 10 undergraduate credits at 91����Ƶ (91����Ƶ). Classes meet on Saturdays, once a month, with students coming from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and Ohio.

STEP will hold its sixth annual graduation on May 12 for a cohort of students completing the three-year, part-time program.

The STEP pastoral training program emerged in 2004 in response to the need to provide more flexible, non-traditional Anabaptist ministry preparation. The program first expanded from its Lancaster, Pa. base in 2010 by working together with Anabaptist congregations in Philadelphia.

STEP is jointly owned by 91����Ƶ and .