Employment
| Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan |
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Student Engagement Coordinator | 2018- |
| Contracted to Blue North Strategies Guelph, Ontario |
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Consulting Analyst | 2016- |
| Toronto Mennonite Theological Centre Toronto, Ontario |
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Acting Director | 2016 |
| Conrad Grebel University College Waterloo, Ontario |
|
Dean and Associate Professor of Religious and Theological Studies | 2014-2016 |
| Victoria University of Wellington Wellington, New Zealand |
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Visiting Scholar | 2014 |
| Bluffton University Bluffton, Ohio |
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Associate Professor of Religion Honors Program Director Assistant Professor of Religion Acting Director, Graduate Programs in Business |
2011-2014 2009-2014 2004-2011 2011 |
| Seabury-Western Theological Seminary Evanston, Illinois |
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Visiting Instructor of Theology and Ethics | 2002-2004 |
| Loyola University Chicago Chicago, Illinois |
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Assistant Dean, The Graduate School McCormick Graduate Fellow |
1998-2002 1995-1997 |
| Daughters of Sarah Evanston, Illinois |
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Design Director | 1993-1996 |
| Charleswood Mennonite Church Winnipeg, Manitoba |
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Associate Pastor | 1991-1993 |
Education
| Loyola University Chicago Chicago, Illinois |
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Ph.D., Constructive Theology
Dissertation Title:How to Eat your Bible: Performance for Mennonite Bodies |
conferred 2008 |
| Loyola University Chicago Chicago, Illinois |
|
M.A., Theological Studies | conferred 1999 |
| University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba |
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B.A., Religious Studies | conferred 1993 |
| Canadian Mennonite Bible College Winnipeg, Manitoba |
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B.Th., Biblical Studies | conferred 1991 |
Honors, Prizes, and Scholarships
| C. Henry Smith Peace Lectureship | 2013-2014 |
| Bluffton University Sabbatical | Fall 2013 |
| Bluffton University, Pathways Civic Engagement Theme Scholar -with Carrie Phillips |
2012-2013 |
| Bluffton University, Pathways Civic Engagement Theme Scholar | 2007-2008 |
| Loyola University, Graduate School Assistantship | 1997-1998 |
| McCormick Graduate Fellow, Center for Urban Research and Learning | 1996-1997 |
| Conrad Grebel College, George E. Schroeder Memorial Award | 1988-1989 |
Grants Received
disseminary.org
-with A.K.M. Adam
Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology
$18,800 for experimental teaching, learning, and publishing via digital media.
Publications
Books
Cruciform Gestures: A Theological Ethics of the Virtual Body and Social Technologies, Eugene: Cascade Books, forthcoming
The Gift of Ethics: Receiving the promise of Jesus in the Beatitudes, Eugene: Cascade Books, 2014.
Edited Books
With Timothy Harvie and Matthew Eaton, Encountering Earth. Eugene: Wipf and Stock, forthcoming
With Gerald Mast, Anabaptist Convictions after Marpeck. C. Henry Smith Series, Eugene: Wipf and Stock, forthcoming.
Book Chapters
“Community, Authenticity and the Public Sphere in a Technological Age” in T&T Clark Companion to Christian Ethics, forthcoming, 2019.
“The Cruciform Lap: The common life of cats, chickens and couples” in Encountering Earth. Eugene: Wipf and Stock, forthcoming
“The Gift of Creation and Interpretation” in The Work of Jesus Christ in Anabaptist Perspective: Essays in Honor of J. Denny Weaver, edited by Alain Epp Weaver and Gerald Mast, Telford: Cascadia Publishing House, 2008.
“Performing the Self in the Image of its Creator”, Anabaptist Visions for the New Millenium: A Search for Identity: Proceedings of the Symposium at Bethel College, Newton, Kansas, June 15-18, 2000. edited by Dale Schrag and James Juhnke, 95-99. Kitchener: Pandora Press, 2000.
Compact Discs
Anabaptist Bestiary Project, For Every Creature, 4action records, 2013.
Several, The Problem with Time, 4action records, 2011.
Anabaptist Bestiary Project, Anabaptist Bestiary Project. 4action records, 2008.
Articles
“Afterword” for “Teaching Ethics” special issue of The Conrad Grebel Review, Volume 35, Issue 1, Winter 2017.
“Sound is the Blood between Me and You: Toward a Theology of Animal Musics”, Conrad Grebel Review, Volume 33, Issue 2, Spring 2015.
“Re-Imagining Personhood”, The EcoTheo Review, ecotheo.org, May 2014.
With A.K.M. Adam, “The Disseminary: From Napster to a New Model for Theological Education and Publishing“, Anabaptist-Mennonite Scholars Network Newsletter, Fall 2004.
“How to Eat your Bible: Performance and Understanding for Mennonites”, Conrad Grebel Review, Volume 21, Issue 2, Spring 2003.
With James F. Caccamo, “The Crucified Christ and Cruciform Quilts: The Visual Arts and Meaning in Christian Worship and Daily Life.” in the Proceedings of the 1999 National Conference on Liberal Arts and the Education of Artists Held in New York, October 22, 1999, 278-287. New York: School of the Visual Arts, 1999.
With James F. Caccamo and Martin K. Foys, “Computer-Based Approaches to the Instruction and Experience of Art.” in the Proceedings of the 1996 National Conference on Liberal Arts and the Education of Artists Held in New York, October 17, 1996, 54-61. New York: School of the Visual Arts, 1996.
“What Can the Church Say to Generation X”, The Mennonite Reporter, Volume 23, Number 9, May 3, 1993.
Book Reviews
The End of Captivity, by Tripp York, Direction, Volume 45, Number 2, Fall 2016
A Faith Embracing All Creatures: Addressing Commonly Asked Questions about Christian Care for Animals, Edited by Tripp York, and Andy Alexis-Baker, Mennonite Quarterly Review, Volume 89, Number 1, January 2015.
A Precarious Peace, by Chris K. Huebner, Conrad Grebel Review, Volume 26, Number 3, October 2008.
The Mediated Spirit, by Peter Horsfield. Teaching Theology and Religion, Volume 7, Issue 2, April 2004.
Creation at Risk?: Religion, Science, and Environmentalism, Edited by Michael Cromartie. The Mennonite, Volume 111, Issue 22 November 26, 1996.
With Roots and Wings: Christianity in an Age of Ecology and Dialogue, by Jay B. McDaniel. The Mennonite Volume 110, Issue 23 December 12, 1995.
Invited Presentations
“The Da Vinci Code, The Council of Nicea and the Canonization of the Bible” at the Erin Extended Learning Opportunities Fall Lecture Series, October 29, 2015.
“Animals as Peers, as Persons, as Peacebuilders”, Religious Studies Department Lecture Series, University of Waterloo, March 26, 2015.
“Putting the Wild in Wild Hope”, Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, January 13, 2015.
“Thinking Twice about Balaam’s Donkey”, Mennonite Conference of Eastern Canada Pastor’s Breakfast, Conrad Grebel University College, November 4, 2014.
“The ‘And’ in God: Reflections on Theology and Ethics” presented to the Mennonite Christian Shi’a Muslim Dialogue VI, IKERI, Qom, Iran, May 2014.
“The Peaceable Kingdom”, C. Henry Smith Peace Lecture, Goshen College, Bluffton University, Conrad Grebel University College, Spring 2014.
With Carrie Philips, “Curated Idenity”, Civic Engagement Lecture. Bluffton University, Bluffton, Ohio, April 9, 2013.
“The Narwhal: Beauty and Laughter”, Baccalaureate Address, Bluffton University, Bluffton, Ohio, May 5, 2012.
“Being an Audience in an Age of Distraction”, presentation as part of Forum series lectures at Bluffton University, Bluffton, Ohio, September 18, 2012.
“Discernment and Community in the Twitter Age”, presentation in the Albertus Magnus Lecture Series, Dominican University, River Forest, Illinois, October 13, 2011
“The internet as new faith community”, presentation at Goshen New Perspective group, College Mennonite Church, Goshen, Indiana, January 16, 2011.
“A Gospel of Creatures”, presentation at Petersime Chapel, Manchester College as part of the Peace Week celebrations, April 24 2009.
“Finding God in Creation: A Whale Watcher’s Guide”, Inaugural Civic Engagement Lecture. Bluffton University, April 1, 2008.
“How to Eat your Bible”, presentation of dissertation research to Bluffton University faculty as part of the Faculty Colloquium series. Bluffton University, March 28, 2008.
“Finding God in Creation: A Whale Watcher’s Guide”, Presidential Scholarship Lecture. Bluffton University, January 26, 2008.
“Beautiful Iconoclasm”, as part of the plenary panel, “The Kingdom in Pictures and Poems”, The Ekklesia Project, DePaul University, July 17-19, 2006.
“Savouring our Words: A Response to the Conference Holding Fast to Our Confession of Faith”, as part of the panel, “Young Scholars”, presentation to the consultation, Holding Fast to the Confession of our Hope: The Confession of Faith Ten Years Later, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, June 8-10, 2006.
“Cuyahoga”, response to “Liberating Church”, presented by Susan Biesecker-Mast, Constitution Day Celebrations, Bluffton University, September, 2005.
“Planing the Grain of the Universe”, sermon at the ordination of Tripp Hudgins to the Christian Ministry, North Shore Baptist Church in Chicago, IL. November 7, 2004.
With A.K.M. Adam, “Swimming with the Web”, presented at Bread for the Journey, Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, October 8, 2003.
With James B. Lemler, “Worship and Technology”, presented at Bread for the Journey, Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, October 30, 2002.
Presentations
“Shock the Monkey: A Consideration of Interspecies Musical Appreciation” presented at the Sound in the Land 2014 conference at Conrad Grebel University College, Waterloo, Ontario, June 2014
“Using Social Media to Build up God’s Kingdom”, Citizens of God’s Kingdom, Mennonite Church USA Convention 2013, Phoenix, Arizona, July, 2013.
“Songwriting as Justice-Seeking”, Spirituality & Shalom: Living at the Intersection of Faith & Justice, ICPF (Inter Collegiate Peace Fellowship Conference), Bluffton, Ohio, February, 2013.
“What Toola the Sea Otter has to teach us about animal personhood”, presentation at the Society of Christian Ethics, Chicago, Illinois. January 2013.
“Why every Christian should have facebook,” presented as part of the Technology and Ethics Interest Group panel, “To Tweet or not to Tweet: Concrete moral norms and social media,” at the Society of Christian Ethics, Washington, D.C., January 2012.
“Creation in Pilgram Marpeck, Nancey Murphy, and Kathryn Tanner”, presented at Anabaptist Convictions After Marpeck conference held at Bluffton University, June, 2009.
“Writing the Anabaptist Bestiary Project”, presented at Sound in the Lands 09 conference held at Conrad Grebel University College, Waterloo, Ontario, June, 2009.
“A Theologians’ (Muse/ic)” presented at Mennonite/s Writing: Beyond Borders conference held at Bluffton University, October, 2006.
“The Gospel of All Creatures Then and Now” presented at the Religion and Ecology Group at the American Academy of Religion, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November, 2005.
“The Execution of All Things: Generation X and Vocation”, presentation to conference A Culture of Call, Goshen College, October, 2005.
“The Body of Heaven, The Blog of Christ: Performance, Embodiment, Virtuality”, presented at the Digital Genres Conference: Semiotic Technologies for a New Millennium. University of Chicago, May 30-31, 2003.
“How to Eat your Bible: Performance and Understanding for Mennonites”, presented at the Toronto Mennonite Theological Centre Graduate Student Conference: Issues in the Future of Anabaptist-Mennonite Scholarship. Toronto Mennonite Theological Centre, November 22, 2002.
“Pilgram Marpeck the Performer: A Post-Modern Perusal of 16th Century Anabaptist Life and Thought”, presented at the conference, Pilgram Marpeck: From Strassburg to New York City. June 7 & 8, 2002.
“Performance as a Rubric for the Christian Life: Polanyian Commitment, Ricoeurian Appropriation and rainer maria”, presented at the Polanyi Society Conference: Polanyi’s Post-Critical Thought and the Rebirth of Meaning. Loyola University Chicago, June 9, 2001.
With Michelle Clifton-Soderstrom, ”Performance in Theological Discussions”, presented at the Third Annual Graduate Student Colloquium, Methodological Pluralism: Conducting Research from a Variety of Perspectives:, Loyola University Chicago, April 9, 1999.
With Philip Nyden and Lin Von Dreele, “The Loyola Center for Urban Research and Learning: Institutionalizing the Community/University Partnership Model”, presented at Heartland II: Jesuit Higher Education in the Heartland. St. Louis University, May, 1997.
“Building Linkages to the Community Through Externally Funded Consortiums”, presented at Heartland II: Jesuit Higher Education in the Heartland. St. Louis University, May 20, 1997.
“The Analogy Between the Implicit Foundational Ethics of the Information Revolution and Relational Feminism”, presented at Computer Ethics and Moral Theologies: A conference co-sponsored by the Computer Ethics Institute, Washington Theological Consortium and Virginia Theological Seminary. Virginia Theological Seminary, Alexandria, VA, March 7, 1996.
Research Projects in Library Collections
“Animals in Ezekiel: An Introductory Study”, AMBS Library (Periodical Stacks: Student Papers), Elkhart: Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, 1997.
With John Friesen et al., “A bibliography of Anabaptist-Mennonite works at the Mennonite Historical Library, Canadian Mennonite Bible College: includes acquisitions up to August 31, 1991”, “http://www.mennonitechurch.ca/heritage/findaid/biblio.htm”, Winnipeg: Canadian Mennonite University, 1992
“Bibliography of articles relating to the Pauline epistles currently received by the CMBC Library”, CMBC Library (Reference), Winnipeg: Canadian Mennonite University, 1990.
Research Interests
Human, Animal Relationship
Theological, Ethical Implications of Technology
20th century Anabaptist Thought
Hermeneutics and Biblical Interpretation
Anabaptist History and Theology
Christian Feminist Ethics and Theology
Courses Taught
Conrad Grebel University College
Hermeneutics
Lives of Animals
Bluffton University
Introductory
Becoming a Scholar
Introduction to Biblical Literature
Introduction to Biblical Worldview
Introduction to Philosophy
Introduction to Old Testament
Christian Ethics
Christian Theology
Christian Values in a Global Community
Upper Level Religion
Historical and Theological Studies: Digital and Pop Culture
Creation
Christology
Theological Anthropology
Exegetical Studies: Ezekiel
Exegetical Studies: Genesis
Methods of Biblical Interpretation
Honors
Junior Honors
Christian Ethics
Masters of Business Administration
Information Technology
Business Ethics
Adult Education
Faith and Community
Seabury-Western Theological Seminary
Systematic Theology
Ethics of Intimacy
Christian Ethics I
Christian Ethics II
The Gospel Mission
Performance for Priests
Authority in the Anglican Tradition
Loyola University Chicago
Theology of Faith
Performances
Anabaptist Bestiary Project
Convocation festivities, Conrad Grebel University College, Waterloo, Ontario, April, 2015
Sound in the Land 2014: Music and the Environment Conference, Conrad Grebel University College, Waterloo, Ontario, Thursday, June 4, 2014.
Citizens of God’s Kingdom, Mennonite Church USA Convention 2013, Phoenix, Arizona, July, 2013.
May Day morning festivities, Bluffton University, Bluffton, Ohio, May, 2013.
Riley Creek Festival, Bluffton University, Bluffton, Ohio, April, 2013.
Spirituality & Shalom: Living at the Intersection of Faith & Justice, ICPF (Inter Collegiate Peace Fellowship Conference), Bluffton, Ohio, February, 2013.
Welcome Back Fest, Bluffton University, Bluffton, Ohio, September 1, 2012.
Mennofolk, Bluffton University, Bluffton, Ohio, July 6, 2012.
Spiritual Life Week, Bluffton University, Bluffton, Ohio, February 14, 2012.
Bridges to the Cross, Mennonite Church USA Convention 2011, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, July , 2011.
May Day morning festivities, Bluffton University, Bluffton, Ohio, May, 2011.
Riley Creek Festival, Bluffton University, Bluffton, Ohio, April, 2011.
Concert on the Lawn, Peace Week at Manchester College, Manchester, Indiana, April 9, 2011.
Rooting for Peace: Go Peace, Grow Peace, ICPF (Inter Collegiate Peace Fellowship Conference), Bluffton, Ohio, February, 2011.
May Day morning festivities, Bluffton University, Bluffton, Ohio, May 8, 2010.
Riley Creek Festival, Friday, Bluffton University, Bluffton, Ohio, April 24, 2010.
Breath and Be Filled, Mennonite Church USA Convention 2009, Columbus, Ohio, July 2, 2009.
Anabaptist Convictions After Marpeck Conference, Bluffton University, Bluffton, Ohio, June 28, 2009.
Sound in the Lands 09 Conference, Conrad Grebel University College, Waterloo, Ontario, Thursday, June 4, 2009.
May Day morning festivities, Bluffton University, Bluffton, Ohio, Saturday, May 2, 2009.
Peace Week at Manchester College, Manchester, Indiana, April 24 2009.
Riley Creek Festival, Friday, Bluffton University, Bluffton, Ohio, April 17, 2009.
2008 Mennonite University Faculty Conference, Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, August 8, 2008.
The Electric Brew, Goshen, Indiana, Saturday, June 28 2008.
May Day morning festivities, Bluffton University, Bluffton, Ohio, Saturday, May 3, 2008.
Bluffton Civic Engagement Theme Day, Bluffton University, Bluffton, Ohio, April 2, 2008.
Trevor Bechtel
With Chris Jennings, Bluffton Town Hall Concert Series, September 22, 2012
With Nelson Shantz and Scott Webster-Hein, Shalom Community Church Youth Coffee House, Ann Arbor, Michigan, May, 2012
Water Hill Music Fest, Ann Arbor, Michigan, May 1, 2011.
Common Grounds Coffee, Bluffton, Ohio, July 15, 2008.
Other
The Concert for Christology, Bluffton University, Bluffton, Ohio, December 14, 2010.
Professional Involvement
Conference Planning
Spirituality & Shalom, Faculty Consultant
ICPF (Inter Collegiate Peace Fellowship Conference), February 2013
Bluffton, Ohio
Rooted in Peace, Faculty Consultant
ICPF (Inter Collegiate Peace Fellowship Conference), February 2011
Bluffton, Ohio,
Anabaptist Convictions After Marpeck, Co-Chair
Bluffton University
Bluffton, Ohio
Invited Consultations
Theological School Dean’s Colloquy, 2015-2016
Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion
Crawfordsville, Indiana
Focal Living Consultation, March 2008
Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries
Elkhart, Indiana
Worship and Technology Consultation, August 2002
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Technology, Theology and Education Consultation, September, 2003
Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion
Crawfordsville, Indiana
Technology, Theology and Education Consultation, August 2002
Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion
Crawfordsville, Indiana
Associations
Anabaptist-Mennonite Scholars Network
American Academy of Religion
Society of Christian Ethics
The Ekklesia Project
The Polanyi Society
Ecclesial Involvement
Ordination Status
Ordained for Ministry as Theologian, January 2012
Chicago Community Mennonite Church
Church Membership
Shalom Community Church
Delegate to MCUSA 2011
Chicago Community Mennonite Church
Committee Involvement
Church Council
Worship Committee
Ad Hoc Committee on Ritual
Recent Preaching
Ohio Northern University Chapel,
Ada, OhioJanuary 2012
| Stirling Mennonite Church, Kitchener, Ontario |
August 2015 |
| Wanner Mennonite Church, Cambridge, Ontario |
August 2015 |
| Rockway Mennonite Church, Kitchener, Ontario |
June 2015 |
| Ottawa Mennonite Church, Ottawa, Ontario |
March 2015 |
| St. Catherines United Mennonite Church, St. Catherines, Ontario |
March 2015 |
| Toledo Mennonite Church, Toledo, Ohio |
August 2013 |
| Bluffton University Chapel, Bluffton, Ohio |
October 2012 |
| Chicago Community Mennonite Church, Chicago, Illinois |
October 2011 |
| Bluffton University Chapel, Bluffton, Ohio |
October 2011 |
| Chapel Hill Mennonite Fellowship, Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
September 2011 |
| Chicago Community Mennonite Church, Chicago, Illinois |
August 2011 |
| Chapel Hill Mennonite Fellowship, Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
September 2011 |
| Chicago Community Mennonite Church, Chicago, Illinois |
August 2011 |
| Shalom Community Church, Ann Arbor, Michigan |
February 2011 |
| Chicago Community Mennonite Church, Chicago, Illinois |
August 2010 |
| Toledo Mennonite Church, Toledo, Ohio |
June 2010 |
| Fairview Mennonite Home, Cambridge, Ontario |
June 2010 |
| Chicago Community Mennonite Church, Chicago, Illinois |
May 2010 |
| Blanchard Valley Unitarian Universalist, Findlay, Ohio |
May 2010 |
| Shalom Community Church, Ann Arbor, Michigan |
March 2010 |
| Orrville Mennonite Church, Orrville, Ohio |
October 2009 |
| Chicago Community Mennonite Church, Chicago, Illinois |
November 2008 |
| Bluffton University Sunday Evening Worship, Bluffton, Ohio |
October 2008 |
| Faith Mennonite Church, Newton, Kansas |
September 2008 |
| First Mennonite Church, Indianapolis, Indiana |
August 2008 |
| First Mennonite Church, Bluffton, Ohio |
July 2007 |