Here at Bethany, we learn to Tell the Story.

The story of the Good News!
The story of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachel,
The story of our ancestors,
The story of our neighbor,
The story of our own lives --
as God continues to speak through us today and 'til the end of the ages . . .

Prospective Students

Learning from a Distance -- and yet in Community:

Jennifer Jensen, M.Div. Connections

When my husband, parents and I arrived at Bethany Theological Seminary for my long awaited visit, I was giddy, to say the least! My whole life led to that moment and that weekend. I could not believe my dream was coming true! From the moment we arrived, we were treated with the utmost respect and hospitality. Not only did the staff and faculty put together an amazing weekend for me, they welcomed my questions, comments, or concerns we had and did it with complete openness which shined through in every person we visited. Everyone had a genuine interest in me, my husband, and my life. I truly felt like each person wanted to help me be sure this is where I was meant to be. I had the opportunity to sit in several classes, which was an absolutely remarkable and enlightening opportunity that only affirmed how excited I am to sit in those classes myself. In addition, I had the opportunity to visit with current students and recent graduates, getting a true sense of how Bethany affects and changes a person's life.

Having grown up attending the Church of the Brethren, I have a vast understanding of our church and loyalty to it, as well. Yet, I realized I am not done furthering my understanding and love for our church. As a strong Church of the Brethren Christian, I want to continue my passion at Bethany, which I know will enrich my life, and in turn, allow me to relate to people in a way that will only supplement my current faith, love for people, and the zeal to spread the Word, as Jesus commanded us to do before he left this earth. When I realized I needed and wanted to attend Bethany, I knew that leaving my home was impossible. I have the best job in the world as the Western Plains District Minister of Youth and feel a great loyalty to our district. Not to mention, I also have a wonderful support system here, which includes my husband, my three beautiful step-sons, my parents and extended family. This is my home, and Bethany realizes, being a small denomination, that not everyone is able to relocate. Fortunately for me, the Connections program is perfect!

As I concluded my Bethany visit worshipping at the Richmond Church of the Brethren, I realized that the weekend affirmed my dream to attend Bethany. It was a weekend full of hope, fun, and enlightenment! I realized that through the Connections program, I will not be someone who just visits classes, but truly be a student at Bethany. Bethany has done and is still doing everything it can to make the Connections students a true part of the community. Without this program, I know that I would not be able to follow my dream. I feel honored to be able to be a part of the Church of the Brethren and to now know how fortunate our denomination is to have an outstanding seminary which offers education not only for one's vocation, but to educate the whole person. That is what seminary should be -- and that is what I look forward to . . .

On her way to becoming a future scholar in the church:

Monica Rice, Master of Arts

When my vocational calling led me to consider a seminary education, I visited Bethany out of a sense of Brethren obligation. Growing up in a Brethren family and congregation, attending a Brethren college, and then participating in several years of Brethren Volunteer Service, I felt a strong commitment to Brethren institutions. However, I felt ready to experience a different faith community for graduate study. I made plans to attend an urban Chicago seminary, but chose to visit Bethany to know that I had considered it as an option.

My prospective student visit was filled with community, appreciation for vocation, and deep listening to the Spirit’s gentle leading. I was overwhelmed with the dedication and academic excellence of the faculty that took personal time to greet me and share their encouragement of my vocational path. It was refreshing to see passion for the work of the church and theological study, and because of the visit I realized that what I perceived as a sense of obligation is actually underpinning dedication and enthusiasm for the unique ministries of the Church of the Brethren.

In the fall of 2008 I will be attending Bethany Theological Seminary as a Master of Arts candidate, working with faculty to integrate the passions of my life: the study of religion with literature, with goals to use my education to teach at the undergraduate or graduate level. Although some of my coursework may be groundbreaking for the Bethany curriculum, I found faculty were truly interested in developing my sense of calling and discovering with me what this sort of integration may mean. I am extremely excited to begin my studies and continue my journey in the community of Bethany Theological Seminary.

Current Students

"Who do they say we are?"

Matt Wollam-Berens, M.Div. Connections

Isaiah 55:1-3
"Everyone who thirsts, come to the water . . .
Why spend your money for what is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?"

For me discovering Bethany was like finding a stream of living water in the desert. Jesus walked out of the desert after being baptized by his cousin John and proclaimed, "Reform your lives, the Kingdom of God is here!" And then, he called his first disciples. He did not first make them recite a creed, he did not give them dogma, or theology. He simply said, "Follow me."

At Bethany, I found that same Spirit. There is openness to those of any faith, with a vision large enough to embrace any approach, any person who has been called to God to follow the way of Jesus. At Bethany, I found people who follow, teach, and live that way -- people such as the Church of the Brethren and the Quakers. They are a living witness to the way of Jesus -- they practice people, love of one's enemies, forgiveness, humility, hospitality, community.

Just as at Bethany in the Bible, Jesus call us to not be so busy in the world (story of Martha) that we forget to pay attention to what is truly important. So I will be leaving my old job (that paid very well!) to follow after this Nazarene. I don't know where that journey will end, but I know now where it begins.

Coming to Bethany, after years of wandering in the desert, is like finding a stream of living water in the desert. I intend to drink deeply from these waters!

Discerning when to Transfer Degree Programs

Haley Goodwin, Master of Arts

“God does what God wants without our permission.” – Marcos Inhauser

The above quote comes with simplicities and complexities. Transferring from the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program into the Master of Arts (M.A.) program is simply one example. Unfortunately being called into ministry does not come with a “how to” manual. It does, however, come with purpose and challenges life offers. Transferring degree programs surfaced during the second semester of my junior year, in Exegeting the Call and Culture of Ministry course.

Our class began the second semester with completing the application for Ministry Formation, the second step of a three-step core curriculum for M.Div. students. This process seemed to creep up on me faster than I had expected. In one week I had to somehow discern where I wanted to go, what I wanted to do, and whether or not I felt ready to move into Ministry Formation. I was clear that working with youth and young adults was part of the equation but that was all I knew. Something was holding me back from plunging headfirst into this experience. I named this “something holding me back” as me simply not being ready. My decision, as well as some others in my class, was to wait.

As I finished the class and began summer, flashes of that moment to wait returned in my thoughts and sometimes dreams. Discernment on this particular issue warranted more intentional focus. I conversed with different people during this process – some who were connected to Bethany Seminary and some who were not. Through these conversations, prayer, and persistence it became clear during the fall of my middler year. I was called into ministry to teach and walk with youth and young adults as they seek purpose in life. For me it is in asking the questions that life continues to have meaning. It’s not always this clear but for that moment I knew I was not in the right program.

The rest is in a file. I filled out the appropriate paperwork and followed the steps needed to make the transfer. Now, I am a senior in the M.A. program and am excited to voice my questions, findings, and passions with others through the writing and completion of my thesis. “God does what God wants without our permission” even when there is a detour sign.

Recent Graduates

The Power of Community:

Nan Erbaugh, M.Div. '08, emphasis in Peace Studies

Bethany taught me so much. I didn't realize what a loner I had really been all my life until I opened myself to life within the Bethany community. I felt stretched, pushed, and affirmed in amazing, helpful ways. The importance of a close, supportive community cannot be overestimated, especially in light of the challenges faced living out the peace witness to which I feel called. At Bethany, I gained more courage to step into this crucial niche of the Church of the Brethren. Add the grounded, spiritual theological foundation and academic depth I gained through coursework, and I feel transformed in a powerful, positive way to serve God.

Why Bethany for Church of the Brethren leaders?

Brian Mackie, M.Div. '07

Sometimes it takes looking back to see God's leading in life. I graduated from Bethany in May 2007 and realized that God led my entire theological training. In the summer of 2002, however, it was a little tougher to see where it was going.

I realized my call to full-time ministry and knew it was to journey into the educational training part of my call. My campus pator and I had several conversations about this next step. I fasted and prayed and sought the Lord but had no clear answer by the end of the fast. As I was preparing to break my fast, the Lord asked me, "What is the desire of your heart?" I repilied, "Oral Roberts University." I discussed this option with my campus pastor and he thought that was a good move, but we also talked about a possible transfer later to Bethany, seeing how I felt at that time I would likely be a Brethern minister.  I had a surprisingly good campus visit. I say surprisingly because I originally had gone there only to confirm that was not where I wanted to go. I already enjoyed a great visit to ORU and knew in my heart that I loved it. Bethany, however, had its own appeal to me. So I was torn as to where to go. Once I had gone to ORU, the Lord confirmed that I was to transfer to Bethany after two years.

I loved my time at ORU and felt like I got a great education in the Lord. But my time at Bethany gave me new challenges and helped me to grow in my appreciation for Brethren history and practices as well as some Brethren distinctives like the peace witness. It also gave me some great connections with the Church of the Brethren conversation partners both at Bethany and the partner school Earlham School of Religion.

After the journey it is clear to see that God was bringing together a wonderful seminary experience. Bethany's faculty really helped to shape me in positive ways. I am now an Associate Pastor at New Life Christian Fellowship, a Church of the Brethren congregation in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan and lead our college ministry outreach to Central Michigan University, Standing in the Gap Christian Felllowship. I am thankful to God for leading me both to ORU and to Bethany.

Saying "YES" to the call:

Elizabeth Keller, M.Div. '08

Saying “YES” to God can get messy. It did for me. In all my defiance and resistance to God’s call (maybe you can relate?!), I made a mess – and while I learned along the way to revel in the messiness – I give thanks to God who can make any crooked path straight. May my personal story resonate some with our universal story as the emerging generation of the the church for the 21st century . . .

Even though I am a first-generation Brethren, for a time, I felt enclosed and confined to the Brethren identity:  that is, after attending a Church of the Brethren congregation during my formative adolescence and then attending a Church of the Brethren college during my developing adulthood – I wondered, had the Brethren imprint simply been stamped on my forehead without my truly wrestling with the wonder and wisdom of my personal faith in God? What does it truly mean for me to be Brethren, I asked? Might I learn more about being Brethren by not being Brethren for a while?

So then, when I felt a clear call into set-apart ministry, I chose not to attend Bethany Theological Seminary – the only graduate school for the Church of the Brethren. But instead, I chose a different seminary; and while I received the academic rigor, spiritual guidance, and community affirmation I sought, it never felt right – not for me. With a deepening depression, I prayed – actually, I screamed and shouted, wept and slept . . . until God awoke in me, spoke to me, a call to Bethany. As cliché as it sounds, it felt like coming home. I felt the Holy Spirit wrap its arms gently and tightly around me, holding me firmly in place, so that my defiance and resistance to being Brethren, to saying “YES” to the ministry and to the church, could be overcome by the grace, love, and JOY of a God who is alive at Bethany and in the Church of the Brethren!