Bach resigns from seminary, appointed director of Young Center.

Jeffrey A. Bach, associate professor of Brethren studies at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind., has accepted an appointment beginning Aug. 1 as director of the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies. In addition to his administrative appointment, Bach will hold the rank of associate professor of religious studies.

The Young Center, located on the campus of Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, engages in research and teaching as well as sponsoring conferences related to the study of Anabaptist and Pietist groups primarily in the North American context. It is named for Galen S. Young and Jesse M. Young.

Bach graduated from Bethany Seminary in 1983 and served for seven years as pastor of Prairie City (Iowa) Church of the Brethren prior to his graduate study at Duke University. He holds a doctorate in religion from Duke, a master of divinity degree from Bethany, and a bachelor’s degree in German and elementary education from McPherson (Kan.) College.

Along with his teaching position at the seminary, he has provided educational seminars in districts and congregations throughout the denomination, directed the peace studies program, and served as acting dean. Bach also is an authority on the Ephrata Cloister and his book, “Voices of the Turtledoves: The Sacred World of Ephrata” (Penn State Press, 2003) has won several awards including the inaugural Dale Brown Book Award from the Young Center. He has published numerous articles and reviews for “Brethren Life and Thought” and other journals. Currently he chairs the 300th Anniversary Committee of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference.

Source: 1/31/2007 Newsline