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Our Mission

Eastern Mennonite Seminary nurtures agents of justice and peace by opening spaces for theological learning and practice rooted in Jesus’ radical ministry of beloved community.

Seeking Beloved Community

We are an Anabaptist, ecumenical, and interfaith community practicing intellectual noncoercion, celebrating diversity of cultures and experiences, and cultivating critical hope amid a plurality of ideas and perspectives.

We are a hermeneutical community engaging critically with texts and traditions, analyzing the dynamics and structures of power, and deepening our understanding of peace with justice.

We are a community of praxis, amplifying marginalized voices and putting peace into practice through solidarity with all creation.

Program Goals

In the context of theological reflection and vocational formation, students will learn

  1. methods for critical engagement with texts, sources, ideas, cultures, and theories;
  2. analysis of systems of power (social, political, ecclesial) for pursuing justice and peace;
  3. nonviolent relational skills including conflict navigation, self-management in humility,  and compassionate communication; and
  4. strategies for building and leading thriving communities, including self-differentiation, ritual and process facilitation, and social transformation.

More about Eastern Mennonite Seminary

  • Ministry Formation
    The students in our three degree programs receive excellent education in biblical studies, theology, cultural context, and skills for ministry. But we also know that being an effective minister is not just about what you know. We spend significant time on formation in faith and personal growth. Our unique series of formation courses and the integration of faith with rigorous academic studies prepares students spiritually, socially and academically for ministry. 
  • Mennonite and Ecumenical

    Situated within Eastern Mennonite University, Eastern Mennonite Seminary welcomes all students who desire to study the scriptures, practices, and theology of the Christian tradition, informed by EMS's Anabaptist Mennonite heritage.

    Faith traditions represented among EMS students, faculty and staff include Baptist, Brethren, Episcopal, international ecclesial bodies, Jewish, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, nondenominational, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, and United Church of Christ. 60% of the students are Mennonite, 19% are United Methodist, and 22% are from a variety of other denominations.

    EMS is a ministry training hub of Mennonite Church USA. We invite you to learn more about the history, beliefs and practices of the Mennonites. 

    EMS is approved by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry to train candidates for ordination in the United Methodist Church.

  • A Peace and Justice University

    Faith, justice and peace perspectives are woven into all disciplines at EMU. We equip students to transform lives and organizations with academic and in-the-field training. Our international network of alumni is focused on healing harms and building peace. Learn more here.

    The Shalom Collaboratory at Eastern Mennonite Seminary opens spaces for pastors, lay leaders, nonprofit and community partners, parents and caregivers to learn and experiment with practices to build peace for restored relationships. From webinars and short courses to workshops and clinics, our work integrates spiritual formation and biblical-theological reflection with the skills for restoring relationships and building peace with justice. Learn more here.

  • Outcomes/Effectiveness 
    EMS is committed to comprehensive assessment of both its programs and students. Among the multiple measures of assessment, two of them measure degree completion rate and percentage of graduates who are employed in ministry-related positions. The most recent statistics for these two measures are published on the Seminary Outcomes page.
  • Location and Facilities 

    Eastern Mennonite Seminary is located in the heart of the scenic and historic Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Situated in Harrisonburg, a city of 52,000 people, EMS is fronted on the east by the Massanutten and Blue Ridge mountain ranges. To the west lie the Alleghenies.

    Harrisonburg is 125 miles from Washington, D.C., to the northeast and 115 miles from Richmond, Virginia, to the southeast. Harrisonburg is located at the junction of U.S. 33 and U.S. 11 and is situated along Interstate 81.

    The seminary building is part of the EMU campus, which also includes a prayer labyrinth. (See map of the 97-acre university campus)

    Directions to campus

  • Faculty and Administration
    Rev. Sarah Bixler, PhD, dean

    Rev. Sarah Bixler, PhD

    Dean of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
    Sarah Bixler is an Anabaptist Mennonite practical theologian who is deeply committed to robust scholarship and the ongoing formation of faith communities. She has experience as a youth minister, teacher and administrator in Mennonite congregations and institutions, including Virginia Mennonite Conference leadership and Mennonite Church USA volunteer positions. Her areas of specialization are youth ministry and Christian education and formation. 

    Learn more

    Dr. David Evans, Seminary Associate Dean

    Dr. David Evans

    Seminary Associate Dean
    David Evans is Associate Professor of history and intercultural studies and the director of Cross Cultural Programs at Eastern Mennonite Seminary. His teaching and research focus on the braided identity categories of race, religion, and nation. He is the author of Damned Whiteness: How White Christian Allies Failed the Black Freedom Movement and the co-editor of Between the World of Ta-Nehisi Coates and Christianity. 

    Learn more

  • Accreditation

    EMU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctorate degrees.  Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of EMU.

    Eastern Mennonite Seminary is also accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, and the following degree programs are approved: DMin, MDiv, MA in Christian Leadership, MA in Religion, MA in Theological Studies

    Approved for a Comprehensive Distance Education Program

    The Commission contact information is:
    The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
    10 Summit Park Drive
    Pittsburgh, PA 15275, USA
    Telephone: 412-788-6505
    Fax: 412-788-6510
    Website: www.ats.edu

    The seminary is approved by the United Methodist Church for the training of candidates for ordination. It is a member of Mennonite Higher Education Association and reports annual to the Mennonite Education Agency.

    Current course schedules can be obtained by writing to the seminary Admissions Office or visiting the EMS web site at www.emu.edu/seminary. The seminary welcomes visitors to campus. Interviews and tours may be requested by contacting the seminary Admissions Office at (540) 432-4257, by fax (540) 432-4598, or via e-mail at semadmiss@emu.edu. Appointments should be made in advance. Prospective students are invited to visit classes, attend chapel and visit with seminary personnel.