Bluffton University's ties to its denomination, Mennonite Church USA, are very important. One way that the university strives to strengthen its ties is by inviting pastors of MCUSA congregations to campus through the Minister in Residence program. This program began during the 1985-86 academic year with the goal of increasing dialogue and understanding between Bluffton University and MCUSA congregations, via their pastors.
Each minister in residence experiences life on campus through tours, by visiting classes, by eating meals with students, by staying on campus in guest accommodations and by attending campus events happening during their visit. He/she meets with professors in the religion department, religious life staff, members of the President's Cabinet and visits The Lion and Lamb Peace Arts Center. The pastor is also invited to bring the message at the weekly Thursday morning chapel service. Minister in residence visits begin on Tuesday morning, arriving in time to attend the weekly Forum and faculty/staff luncheon and extends through lunch on Thursday. To assist congregations in sending their pastor for a visit, all expenses incurred by the visit, including travel expenses, are paid by the university.
2007-08 Minister in Residence guests
October 16-18, 2007 - Joel Miller, Cincinnati Mennonite Fellowship, Cincinnati, OH
November 27-29, 2007 - Jennifer Davis Sensenig, Pasadena Mennonite Church, Pasadena, CA
January 22-24, 2008 - Michael Dean, East Bend Mennonite Church, Fisher, IL
February 12-14, 2008 - Marc Hershberger, Grace Mennonite Church, Lansdale, PA
March 11-13, 2008 - Megan Ramer, Chicago Community Mennonite Church, Chicago, IL
2006-07 Minister in Residence guests
September 12-14, 2006 - Kurt Litwiller, Boynton Mennonite Church, Hopedale, IL
October 17-19, 2006 - Samuel & Jackey Wilson, Community Christian Fellowship Church, Detroit, MI
November 28-30, 2006 - Isaac Villegas, Chapel Hill Mennonite Fellowship, Chapel Hill, NC
January 23-25, 2007 - Jesse Engle, Aurora Mennonite Church, Aurora, OH
February 20-22, 2007 - Randy Detweiler, Howard-Miami Mennonite Church, Kokomo, IN
