EDUCATION SARAH ANN BIXLER 64 Mercer Street ½ Princeton, NJ 08542 sarah.bixler@ptsem.edu ½ ptsem.edu/people/sarah-ann-bixler Princeton Theological Seminary Doctor of Philosophy in Practical Theology ½ Anticipated May 2021 Emphasis on Christian education and formation Princeton Theological Seminary Master of Divinity ½ May 2016 ½ Summa cum laude Church Planting & Revitalization cohort Eastern Mennonite University Bachelor of Arts ½ April 2002 ½ Magna cum laude Majors: English, Secondary Education Minors: Mathematics, Music Princeton, NJ Princeton, NJ AREAS OF INTEREST Christian education and formation Youth and young adult ministry Missional theology Anabaptist theology and ecclesiology Organizational leadership Attachment theory ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS [Editor] Collected Essays of Richard R. Osmer. CreateSpace Independent Publishing. Forthcoming. The Self Unveiled: The Dis-integration of Mennonite Women s Head Coverings. In The Politics of Power: Responding to Abuse in a Peace Church, ed. Cameron Altaras and Carol Penner. Forthcoming. Guess the Metaphor: Visual Representations of Conceptual Relationships. Teaching Theology and Religion. Forthcoming. 1
Searching for Self: Community as a Conduit for God s Deepest Transformation, in Education with the Grain of the Universe: A Nonviolent Program for the Future of Mennonite Schools, Colleges, and Universities, ed. J. Denny Weaver, 194-207. Telford, PA: Cascadia, 2017. Reframing the Self(ie). Journal of Youth and Theology 16, No. 1 (2017): 25-45. The Violent Shadow: Considering John Howard Yoder s Sexual Misconduct from a Jungian Psychological Perspective. Princeton Theological Review 19, No. 1 (Spring 2016): 5-19. ACADEMIC POSITIONS TEACHING APPOINTMENTS Adjunct Instructor for Formation in God s Story II (2 credits) ½ Spring 2019 Eastern Mennonite University, Lancaster, PA Adjunct Instructor for Formation in God s Story I (2 credits) ½ Fall 2018 Eastern Mennonite University, Lancaster, PA Adjunct Instructor for Seminar in Youth Ministry (3 credits) ½ May 2018 Eastern Mennonite Seminary, TEACHING AND RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIPS Teaching Assistant for Teaching the Bible in the Church ½ 2018, 2016 Dr. Gordon Mikoski, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ Teaching Assistant for Evangelism and Mission ½ 2018 Dr. Richard Osmer, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ Teaching Assistant for Trauma and Grace ½ 2017 Dr. Deborah van Deusen Hunsinger, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ Teaching Assistant for Compassionate Communication ½ 2017 Dr. Deborah van Deusen Hunsinger, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ Editorial Assistant ½ 2016-17 Religious Education in the Age of Trumpism: The Future of Protestant Education in Global Perspective by Richard R. Osmer, Friedrich L. Schweitzer and Hyun-Sook Kim Research Assistant in Church Planting ½ 2015 Dr. Richard Osmer, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ Teaching Aid for Theological Foundations of Youth Ministry ½ 2014 Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATION AND SERVICE Assistant to the Director (Dr. Darrell L. Guder) ½ 2016-present Center for Church Planting and Revitalization, Princeton Theological Seminary 2
Educational Standards Working Group ½ 2017-18 Association of Theological Schools Accreditation, Princeton Theological Seminary Student Representative to Practical Theology Department ½ 2014-15 MINISTRY AND TEACHING EXPERIENCE Associate Residence Director ½ 2012-13 Eastern Mennonite University Overseer of a 75-student residence hall Conference Coordinator ½ 2011-13 Virginia Mennonite Conference Executive-level administrator and CFO of middle judicatory with 70 congregations Curriculum Writer ½ 2008-10 Brethren Press Writer of interdenominational Sunday school curriculum for grades 6-12 Elgin, IL Youth Minister ½ 2001-09 Zion Mennonite Church Broadway, VA Minister with 40 youth annually in grades 6-12, congregational ministry staff member Interim Conference Youth Minister ½ 2006-07 Virginia Mennonite Conference Director of conference-wide youth retreats and resource provider for youth leaders Classroom Teacher ½ 2002-07 Eastern Mennonite School Teacher of grade 6 language arts, U.S. history and Bible; and grade 7 pre-algebra PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Vocations in Theological Education Seminars ½ October 7-9, 2018; June 7-8, 2018; February 19-21, 2018 and October 9-11, 2017 Louisville Institute Doctoral Fellowship program 3
Teaching Seminar for Doctoral Students ½ March 2-3, 2018 Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion Virtue, Happiness and Self-Transcendence Summer Session ½ June 17-23, 2017 University of Chicago: Virtue, Happiness and the Meaning of Life project Nonviolent Communication General NVC Training ½ November 8, 2014 Center for Nonviolent Communication PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS American Academy of Religion Anabaptist-Mennonite Scholars Network Association for the Sociology of Religion Association of Practical Theology International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry Mennonite Historical Society Society for the Scientific Study of Religion ACADEMIC AND ECCLESIAL PRESENTATIONS INVITED LECTURES AND KEYNOTES Unexpected Encounters: God Surprises ½ February 1-3, 2018 Mennonite Educators Conference, Leesburg, VA Youth Attachment to God and the Church: Should the Church Act Like Fly Paper? ½ May 17, 2017 The Gathering Place, Mennonite Church USA, Elkhart, IN Needs of Adolescents: Tasks of Practical Theology ½ January 16, 2017 Introduction to Youth Ministry, Eastern Mennonite University, PAPERS Congregation as Safe Haven and Secure Base? Youth Ministry from An Attachment Perspective½ January 2019 International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry conference, Durham, UK Attachment to Religious Group: A New Interdisciplinary Conception of Adolescents in Congregations ½ August 12, 2018 Association for the Sociology of Religion annual conference, Philadelphia, PA Formation for Belonging: Theological Education, the Beloved Community and the Public Sphere ½ March 16, 2017 American Academy of Religion regional conference, New Brunswick, NJ 4
Being in Christ and Being with Others: Adolescent Attachment and the Church ½ Oct. 7, 2016 Deep Faith Conference, Mennonite Church USA, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, IN Leading a Fractured Community: Power Dynamics in Lancaster Mennonite Conference½ June 4, 2016 Toronto Mennonite Theological Center s Mennonite Graduate Student Conference VII: Power in Perspective(s), Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, IN WORKSHOPS AND PANELS Martyr Narratives in Anabaptist Faith Formation ½ September 16, 2017 Believers Church Conference, Goshen College, Goshen, IN Understanding and Reimagining Early Adolescents in the Church ½ October 7, 2016 Deep Faith Conference, Mennonite Church USA, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, IN Mennonite Theology Shapes Mennonite Education: How to Integrate the Anabaptist Vision into Our Teaching Practices ½ October 17, 2015 Mennonite Education: Past, Present, Future conference, Bluffton University, Bluffton, OH Christian Formation with Young Adults ½ July 27, 2012 Virginia Mennonite Conference Assembly, Chesapeake, VA HONORS AND SCHOLARSHIPS Princeton Doctoral Fellowship ½ 2016-21 Doctoral Fellowship ½ 2017-19 Louisville Institute, Louisville, KY Ph.D. Merit Tuition Scholarship ½ 2016-18 Arthur Paul Rech Memorial Award in Theology and Pastoral Ministry ½ 2016 William Tennent Scholarship ½ 2015 Marguerite Young Endowment Fund Scholarship ½ 2015 The Pittsburgh Foundation, Pittsburgh, PA Calvary Foundation Scholarship ½ 2015, 2014, 2013 The Calvary Foundation, Arlington, VA 5
CHURCH AND SCHOOL SERVICE Journey Forward: Embracing God s Hope Writing Team ½ 2017-19 Mennonite Church USA, Elkhart, IN Pastoral Transition Team ½ 2017 Oxford Circle Mennonite Church, Philadelphia, PA Adult Worship Planning Committee Chair ½ 2015-17 Mennonite Church USA biennial convention, Orlando, FL Women in Leadership Project Working Group for Education and Training ½ 2015-16 Mennonite Church USA, Elkhart, IN Deacon ½ 2014-16 Director of Junior Youth and Children s Programming ½ 2014-15 Mennonite Church USA biennial convention, Kansas City, MO Founding member, elder ½ 2010 13 Eastside Church, Alumni Association President ½ 2011-13 Eastern Mennonite University Alumni Association Vice President ½ 2009-11 Eastern Mennonite University PUBLICATIONS FOR POPULAR AUDIENCES Church, Be Nimble: Staying Relevant in a Changing Neighborhood. The Mennonite. August 2018, 14-7. Can I Get a Witness? Transforming the Common Shock of Patriarchy. In I ve Got the Power: Naming and Reclaiming Power as a Force for Good, ed. Jennifer Castro, 9-25. Elkhart, IN: Women in Leadership Project, Mennonite Church USA, 2018. MennoTalks: Women s Practices that Bind Us Together. Menno Snapshots. Elkhart, IN: Mennonite Church USA. September 19, 2017. http://mennoniteusa.org/mennosnapshots/mennotalks-womens-practices-bind-us-together/. Production and Creativity. Purpose. : MennoMedia. September 2017. After the Storm. In All Things. Sioux Center, IA: Andreas Center at Dordt College. August 14, 2017. http://inallthings.org/after-the-storm/. 6
Youth Ministry is a Risky Business. Kindred Youth Ministry. March 2017. http://kindredyouthministry.com/risky-business/ Looking for Light: Why I m Marching on Washington. The World Together Blog. Mennonite World Review. January 12, 2017. http://mennoworld.org/2017/01/12/the-worldtogether/looking-for-light-why-im-marching-on-washington/. For the Love of Motherhood: Theological Reflections on Birth, Miscarriage and Infant Loss. In All You Need Is Love: Honoring the Diversity of Women s Voices in Theology. Ed. Jennifer Castro, 33-40. Elkhart, IN: Women in Leadership Project, Mennonite Church USA, 2016. Eastside Church (Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. March 2016. http://gameo.org/index.php?title=eastside_church_(harrisonburg,_ Virginia,_USA). Could Princeton s Farminary Change the Culture of Theological Education? Mennonite World Review. August 26, 2015. Spark: Igniting Your God-Given Creativity Creative Guide. Ed. Mary Ann Weber. Harrisonburg, VA: MennoMedia, June 2015. It Matters How We Disagree: How to Do Nonviolent Communication in a Peace Church. The Mennonite. December 2014, 44-6. Chicken Soup. Fifty Shades of Grace: Stories of Inspiration and Promise. Ed. Melodie Davis, 130-33. : Herald Press, 2013. Grace for Even Me. Fifty Shades of Grace: Stories of Inspiration and Promise. Ed. Melodie Davis, 233-36. : Herald Press, 2013. Youth curriculum units, Gather Round: Hearing and Sharing God s Good News. Elgin, IL: Brethren Press: Parables and Sayings of Jesus," 2011 Sharing the Message of Jesus: Stories from Luke and Acts, 2011 Stories of God s People, 2010 Living the Good News Among Us, 2010 The Word Among Us, 2009 Exile and Restoration, 2009 7