Conference Minister for Ministerial Leadership
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 [email protected] or by phone (319) 610-1007.
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 [email protected] or by phone (319) 610-1007.
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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 |