Eshbach resigns as dean of Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center.

Warren Eshbach has resigned as dean of the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center, a Brethren Ministry Education Partnership of Bethany Theological Seminary and the districts of Atlantic Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Middle Pennsylvania, Southern Pennsylvania, and Western Pennsylvania. He has filled the part-time position for nine years.

At its winter meeting, the center's Executive Committee accepted the resignation "with deep regret" according to Bob Neff, chair of the Governing Board. "As a board and a community, we have much to celebrate in Warren's leadership, an outstanding educational product, an effective and dedicated staff, sound financial management, and record enrollments," Neff said. "These circumstances enable us to deal with the loss of an excellent leader from a position of strength."

Eshbach's leadership in the Church of the Brethren has included positions as director of Pastoral Care at the Brethren Home Community in New Oxford, Pa., 1997-2000; district executive minister for Southern Pennsylvania District 1983-97; chaplain of the Brethren Home Community 1972-76; and three pastorates. He has served as adjunct faculty for Bethany Theological Seminary and has been an instructor for the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership and the Keystone Bible Institute. He also currently works part-time as adjunct faculty for Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, Pa.

In volunteer positions, he has been a member of the boards of Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, the Brethren Home Community, the Church of the Brethren General Board 1998-2003--where he served as chair for one year--and has served on the Executive Committee of the Pennsylvania Council of Churches.

Eshbach plans to work through a time of transition of leadership to provide continuity for the ministry center, then hopes to devote more time to his family, teaching, and writing.

Source: 2/15/2006 Newsline
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