Central Plains Mennonite Conference
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Conference Minister for Ministerial Leadership

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Susan Janzen began August 1, 2019 as the Conference Minister for Ministerial Leadership for Central Plains Mennonite Conference. She has been a pastor in Central Plains congregations for 20 years, having served New Hope Mennonite Church in Omaha, Neb., for five years, and Cedar Falls (Iowa) Mennonite Church for the past fifteen years.

Prior to pastoral ministry, Susan had a career in Mennonite publishing. Her first job out of college was with Mennonite Weekly Review. Following that, she edited With, which was a monthly magazine for high school youth, for seven years. She served an additional seven years as editorial director for Faith & Life Press, the publishing house for the former General Conference Mennonite Church. In this role, Susan helped develop Generation Why for youth, collaborated on outlines for Adult Bible Study Guide (and wrote a couple of quarters), and oversaw the creation of the current Ministers Manual, among her other duties and tasks.

Throughout the years, Susan has been involved ecumenically with leaders in other Christian traditions. Often being the only Anabaptist in the group, and sometimes the only woman, has taught her how to navigate differences in theological understandings, biblical interpretation, and church culture and practices. Collegial relationships and deep friendships with people of other religions have also broadened her perspectives and given her renewed appreciation for the distinctives of Christian faith. 

Over the past few years, Susan has had a growing realization that her calling at this point in life includes empowering and encouraging both her own and the next generation of leaders. She looks forward to walking in faith with pastoral colleagues, chaplains, and those called into service with schools, camps, and other institutions as we endeavor together to grow in holistic witness to God's reconciling mission in the world. 

Susan is available to do training events, to preach, and offer consultation. Susan regularly counsels with congregations and pastors about leadership development and provides support to congregations when calling new leaders. Susan is the first point of contact in our conference on any issue related to professional pastoral ministry. Call her to discuss ways she can be helpful to your congregation's leadership needs.

Susan  can be contacted by email susanjanzen@centralplainsmc.org or by phone (319) 610-1007.

Call or email Susan any time about:
     Support for pastoral search processes
     Support for pastor-congregational evaluation processes
     Developing strong leadership team structures
     Support in times of conflict
     Advice on pastoral ethics
     Support for sabbatical planning
     Educational scholarships and pathways to leadership training
​Susan's activities in Central Plains Include:
   Guiding congregations in the search for new pastors
     Guiding congregations in pastor-congregation evaluations
     Advising pastoral leaders in best practices
     Annual accountability visits with pastors
     Coordinating credentialing processes
     Coordinating a conflict transformation team
     Coordinating a team for ethical review
     Planning and hosting the Annual Leaders Retreat
Susan is available to meet with...
  Individual pastors
   Elder/deacon groups
   Pastor-Congregation Relations Committees
   Pastoral teams
   Pastor Search Committees

For the purpose of...
   Clarifying purpose and role
   Teambuilding
   Conflict resolution
   Guiding good process     
   Giving counsel in difficult situations
Office Manager: P.O. Box 101, Freeman, SD 57029  office@centralplainsmc.org  phone: 605-929-3325
Ministry Staff Office: P.O. Box 352, Kalona, IA 52247
  • Home
    • About Us
    • Central Plains Structure
    • Staff >
      • Executive Conference Minister
      • Ministerial Leadership
      • Formation Minister
      • Hispanic Ministries
    • Map of Conference
    • Congregations >
      • Illinois
      • Iowa
      • Minnesota
      • Montana
      • Nebraska
      • South Dakota
      • Wisconsin
    • Board
    • Committees >
      • Christian Formation
      • Outreach and Service >
        • Church Planting
        • Peace and Justice Task Group
        • Practicing Offering and Receiving Hospitality
      • Pastoral Leadership
    • Partners in Mission >
      • Agape Peace Center
      • Philip Friesen
    • Camps & Schools
    • Who are the Mennonites?
  • CPMC at Work
    • MC USA Delegate Resources
    • Publications >
      • Scattered Seeds
      • The Sower
    • Events >
      • Annual Meeting 2022
      • Healthy Boundaries Training
      • Regional Meetings 2022 >
        • Regional Meeting Resources
    • CPMC Covenant
    • New Ministries Fund >
      • Reports of Past Grant Recipients
    • Counsel on variance
  • Congregational Leaders
    • Pastors
    • Elders & Deacons
    • Church Council
    • Support for Conflict >
      • Facilitation Services and Donations
    • Pastor Openings
  • Mission Leaders
    • Racism webinar videos
    • Ecuador/Venezuela Partnership >
      • Story of the Ecuador Partnership
      • Personnel and Partnership Members
      • Quito Property Fund
    • Church Planting >
      • Developing Congregations
    • Travel Like Dave
    • Missional Discipleship Initiative
    • Islam and the Gospel
  • Formation Leaders
    • Formation in Worship
    • Formation Resource Library
    • Children and Families >
      • Faith at Home
      • Curriculum for Children
      • Shine
      • Resources for Parents
      • Protecting Children
    • Youth >
      • Youth Sponsors
      • Youth Curriculum
      • Youth SS Teachers
      • Mentor Coordinator
      • CO Resources
      • Helpful sites for YM
    • Adults >
      • Adult Faith at Home
      • Adult Curriculum
      • Teaching resources
      • Adult Spirituality
    • Shalom Readers >
      • Book List
      • Shalom Readers Adult List
    • Curriculum Evaluation Tool
  • Resources
    • Anti Racism Resources
    • Bible study Webinars >
      • Bible Study Webinars 2016
      • Bible Study Webinars 2017
    • Conference Documents
    • Christian Discernment
    • En Espanol
    • Immigration
    • Mennonite Links
    • Spiritual Deliverance
  • Contact Us
    • Contact form
    • Church contact info form
    • Donate
    • COVID Relief
    • Discerning Future Leaders
    • Sunday Speaking Information Sheet