Expanding Pastoral Imagination For Flourishing Communities
The Wabash Pastoral Leadership Program affirms the high calling of early career Indiana pastors by forming two-year peer learning cohorts anchored in rich dialogue with civic leaders.
What is the WPLP?
The Wabash Pastoral Leadership Program exists to affirm the high calling of early-career Indiana pastors and to expand pastoral imagination.
- We form two-year peer learning cohorts anchored in rich dialogue with Indiana civic leaders.
- On the campus of Wabash College, we reflect theologically and adaptively on pressing social issues, convening important conversations for the public good of Indiana and seeking the fulfillment of the reign of God.
- We take two study tours to further engage and theologically reflect on adaptive challenges.
Are You Interested in Applying?
Are you an early-career Indiana pastor who is ready to reflect theologically and engage on pressing issues related to community well-being?
WPLP Library
WPLP Participants-past and present-embody a rich depth of knowledge and experience. Here, we've gathered their reflections on some of the pressing social issues covered during campus sessions, the changes they are facilitating within their communities, and their experiences in the program.
The program has encouraged and strengthened me as a pastoral leader and increased my confidence level in doing this important work. Within my congregation I feel that I now ask better questions, listen more deeply beneath the surface, encourage theological reflection more frequently, and engage community issues more creatively.
Aaron Hobbs, Indianapolis
Much of what I’m able to apply practically in both of my roles [as deputy mayor of neighborhoods and pastor], I can directly attribute to things I learned while in the WPLP.
David Hampton, Indianapolis
I became involved in so many different kinds of ministry because of the Wabash program, both with ecumenical partners and civic partners, that I never would have done if I stayed by myself in my own parish.
Whitney Rice, Zionsville
One of the fascinating things to me about the WPLP is that it gave me a chance to see both the quality and diversity of young pastors all across Indiana. Those relationships have stuck with me since I was in the program… we carry on these friendships and I see people doing great work.
Greg Lee, St. John
My experience in the WPLP has made me think about my ministry in a much more expansive way. There is something so important and really energizing about having ecumenical dialogue that a program like this affords. I see the [campus sessions] as a retreat and really look forward to them. I get to spend a few days in a different context and develop friendships with pastors that I might not have ever encountered had I not been in this program. It’s definitely enriched my life personally—both my spiritual life and my life as a pastor.
Joel Weir, Crawfordsville, Indiana
Wabash was an experience unlike any other. I’ve participated in a number of other leadership development programs and I’ve been able to develop my own personal sense of identity and call, but Wabash was the place wherein I developed a greater appreciation for who God has called me to be as a pastor, and also it helped to strengthen my boldness as a person.
Shonda Nicole Gladden, Indianapolis
The WPLP has given me a deeper understanding of how to diagnose and implement change, as well as strategies to do so. Even more importantly, however, the WPLP has given me confidence in my role as a leader and better equipped me to take action in order to produce change.
Joshua Burkholder, Indianapolis
I now have a much broader view of my role as pastor that extends beyond the confines of our church to include the community and the world. I think the timing of this program in relation to the point at which I am in my career has also influenced this change as I come to better understand my own theological understandings about the nature of life in this broken world.
Brian Buschkill, Evansville
My own engagement in the local community has shifted substantially during my participation in the WPLP. My children know their way around city hall as they’ve been dragged to a wide variety of Human Rights Commission, City Council, etc. meetings. I’ve made phone calls and sent notes of encouragement to the Police Chief, Mayor, etc, which would never have happened before. I’ve said to my congregation again and again –the WPLP has put me in the presence of so many folks I don’t naturally feel the “right” to interact with, and it’s emboldened me!
Erica Gibson Even, Valparaiso
The program has encouraged and strengthened me as a pastoral leader and increased my confidence level in doing this important work. Within my congregation I feel that I now ask better questions, listen more deeply beneath the surface, encourage theological reflection more frequently, and engage community issues more creatively.
Aaron Hobbs, Noblesville
The WPLP has made me see my community in a different light, really getting to know it and love it, and it’s made me recognize that I have the opportunity to play a crucial role in the successes of my community.
Ethan Maple, New Palestine
The connections I have made with the other participants are priceless. This program not only strengthens and inspires my ministry but it has successfully solved the fundamental problem of loneliness in ministry. I believe the Wabash program creates a totally unique bond between ministers of different denominations and extremely different situations and backgrounds that is almost impossible to find anywhere else. The trust I feel and have with the other participants allows me to have conversations I thought were impossible. Where else would you see a Methodist, a Disciple of Christ, a Church of Christ and an Independent discuss the theology of a building, the role of women in ministry and the purpose of ministry for four hours without anyone getting angry and everyone still being honest?
Amanda Meade, Jeffersonville