Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministries

559-452-1707
cseibel@mbseminary.edu

Education

PhD in Practical Theology, University of Pretoria, 2009 (passed with distinction); MTh in Applied Theology, University of Wales (Spurgeon's College, London), 2003; BS in Religion, Liberty University (magna cum laude), 1997

Mission Statement

I endeavor to invest in avenues of teaching and training, research and writing, resourcing, and relating that contribute to the peace of the city in Fresno and beyond.

Books and Articles

Please visit my blog, Engaging the City

ARTICLES:
"Generation X, Intergenerational Justice, and the Renewal of the Traditioning Process", in HTS Teologiese Studies, forthcoming.
"Encountering the Heart of God in the Heart of the City: The Missional Vocation of the Urban Congregation", in Direction, 39/1 (Spring 2010)
"Show and Shape: How Congregational Worship Times Show and Shape Us as Followers of Christ", Christian Leader, Feb./Mar. 2010
"Plagiarism in the Pulpit", Christian Leader, Dec. 2009/Jan. 2010
"It’s All About Me, Jesus: The Narcissistic Worship Leader", Direction Journal 38/2 (Fall 2009)
"The Parable of the Sapped Servant", Rejoice!, Summer 2009
"Let It Shine", Christian Leader, March 2009
"Source of Growth: The Changing Power of Philippians", In Touch, March 2009
"God’s Impossible Mission", Christian Leader, October 2008

REVIEWS:
Review of S. Van Eman, On Earth as It is in Advertising, in Missiology, January 2007
Review of M. Oppenheimber, Knocking on Heaven’s Door, in Missiology, July 2005
Review of B. Kemp, The Church Transition Workbook, in Congregations, Summer
2005
Review of M. R. Sawyer, The Church on the Margins, in Missiology, July 2005
Review of S. Rabey, In Search of Authentic Faith, in Missiology, January 2003

Courses

New Courses in Development:
Kingdom Entrepreneurship
Into the Neighborhood
Seeking the Peace of the City

Courses Previously Taught:
PM 511: Pastoral Leadership
PM 614: Preaching 1
PM 618: Christian Worship
PM 605: Church Conflict
IS 605-707: Supervised Ministry Experience
IS 520: Cross-Cultural Encounter
IS 662: Personal Evangelism

Current Ministry Involvement

I serve as part-time worship leader at my home church, Bethany MB Church of Fresno.

Boards Served

I currently serve on the steering committee for Fresno's NoName Fellowship, a community coalition of Christian leaders committed to "Releasing God's Resources to Rebuild Our City through Reconciled Relationships"

Research Interests

Currently undertaking research projects in the following areas:
1. The Missional ApNet: How do missionally engaged congregations who take seriously a theology of place work together in a complementary and collaborative manner, rather than competitively and unnecessarily duplicating one another's efforts within that place?
2. Gang Theology: I am bringing the sociological literature on gangs and Christian theology into conversation with one another to see what sort of new insights can be gained into God's purposes in the lives of gang members.  Currently, I am conducting site interviews with former gang members and ministry leaders who are invested in working with gang members here in the Central Valley.
3. The Role of the Urban Congregation in Anxious Times: Employing the work of Edwin Friedman, I am exploring the church's calling in urban contexts plagued by chronic anxiety.

Influential Authors

David Bosch, Harvie Conn & Manuel Ortiz, Michael Frost, Mark Gornik, Roger Greenway, Darrell Guder, Robert Linthicum, Erwin McManus, Stuart Murray, Alan Roxburgh, Wilbert Shenk, Craig Van Gelder

At Your Service

All MB Biblical Seminary faculty members are available for preaching and are prepared to lead a seminar on calling out leaders for training and ministry. Cory L. Seibel will consider teaching classes or seminars on topics in addition to those listed here, please contact him for more information. Cory L. Seibel specializes in the following topics:

Seeking the Peace of the City
Entering the Neighborhood
Intergenerational Life in the Congregation
Leadership Development
Developing Your Personal Mission