Carol Penner

Director of Theological Studies, Assistant Professor of Theological Studies
Carol Penner

Contact:
(519) 885-0220 ext. 24241
c2penner@uwaterloo.ca
Office:  CGUC 2112

Education
BTh, Canadian Mennonite Bible College, 1983
BA,  University of Manitoba, 1983
MA, University of St. Michael’s College, 1987
PhD, University of St. Michael’s College, 1999

Clinical Pastoral Education
1 unit Chedoke-McMaster Hospitals, Hamilton, ON, 2001
3 units, St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON 2001-2002

Research Areas:  

Practical Theology, Feminist Theology, Pastoral Theology

Courses Taught:

Graduate
TS 678 – The Minister in the Church, Seminar I
TS 679 – The Minister in the Church, Seminar II
TS 681 – Personal Spirituality
TS 684 – Pastoral Care
TS 690 – Special Topics in Theological Studies: Theology in Everyday Life
TS 751 – Worship Ritual and Ministry
TS 783 – Integration Seminar

View on YouTube
View on YouTube

About:

Carol Penner (she/her) teaches and writes in the area of practical theology and after many years as a pastor in various Mennonite congregations, she joined the faculty at Grebel. Her research interests include feminist theology and Mennonite peace theology, and abuse issues. She has a popular blog of her worship resources at www.leadinginworship.com.

Carol Penner teaches at a whiteboard

Selected Publications:

  • Resistance: Violence, Power and Abuse in Peace Churches. Edited with Cameron Altaras. Elkhart, IN: Institute of Mennonite Studies, 2022.

  • “Dear Tara,” in On Holy Ground: Stories by and about Women in Ministry Leadership in the Mennonite Brethren Church, pp. 109-124.Winnipeg: Kindred Productions, 2022.

  • “Jesus and the Stories of our Lives,”  Liberating the Politics of Jesus: Renewing Peace Theology Through the Wisdom of Women, edited by Elizabeth Soto Albrecht and Darryl W. Stephens(New York: Bloomsbury T & T Clark, 2020), 33-52.

  • “Mennonite Women Doing Theology:  A Methodological Reflection on Twenty-five Years of Conferences,” Recovering from the Anabaptist Vision: New Essays in Anabaptist Identity and Theological Method, editors Laura Schmidt Roberts, Paul Martens, and Myron Penner (New York: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2020), pp. 53-76.

  • “Masculinity Close to Home,” in Peaceful at Heart: Anabaptist Reflections on Healthy Masculinity, edited by Don Neufeld and Steve Thomas, pp. 242-244. Elkhart: Institute of Mennonite Studies, 2019.

  • “Women Moving Into Ministry: A Canadian Mennonite Press Survey,” Journal of Mennonite Studies, 37 (2019): 161-180.

  • Every Day Worship. Harrisonburg: MennoMedia, 2018.

  • The Safe Zone: An Educational Series on Sexual Misconduct in Mennonite Camps. (Kitchener: Mennonite Church Eastern Canada: 2018).

  • “Dare to be a Danielle: Pioneering Women Leaders in the Mennonite Church” in I’ve Got the Power: Naming and Reclaiming Power as a Force for Good. Elkhart: Women in Leadership Project, 2018, pp. 27-44.

  • Sacred Trust…fostering safe space in congregations:  A Resource for the Anabaptist Faith Community on Sexual Misconduct in the Church (40 page booklet) (Mennonite Church Eastern Canada: 2017). Also available on-line at   https://mcec.ca/sacredtrust,

  • “Violence Against Women in the Mennonite Brethren Church:  Abuse Policies are Not Enough” Direction, 45:2 (Fall 2016):192-208.

  • “Spirit of God! descend upon my heart:  a Mennonite Minister Reflects on the Holy Spirit”  Vision  13:1 (Spring 2012):14-21.
  • “After Sexual Violence:  What Happens Next in the Community of Grace?” Vision 9:2 (Fall 2008):58-66.
  • "I had a hammer: Reflections on Ministry in an Acute Schizophrenia Ward"  The Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling 60:3 (Fall, 2006):241-246.
  • “Congregational Life after Abuse” in Spirituality and Health:  Multidisciplinary Explorations, edited by Augustine Meier, Thomas St. James O’Connor and Peter Loren VanKatwyk. (Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2005):73-84.
  • “Not Well Known, Used Little and Needed:  Canadian Chaplains’ Experiences of Published Spiritual Assessment Tools” with Thomas St. James O’Connor, Kathleen O’Neill, Grace Van Staalduinen, Elizabeth Meakes and Katherine David,  Journal of Pastoral Care and Counselling 59:1 (Spring 2005):97-107.
  • “How Inclusive is the Inclusive Church?”  At Peace and Unafraid:  Public Order, Security, and the Wisdom of the Cross, edited by Duane K. Friesen and Gerald W. Schlabach, (Scottdale, PA:  Herald Press, 2005):195-210.
  • Healing Waters: Churches Working to End Violence Against Women (Toronto:  Women's Inter-Church Council, 2003). 
  • Editor, Second Mile:  A Peace Journey for Congregations (Scottdale, PA & Waterloo, ON:  Faith & Life Publishing, 2002).
  • "Sexual Assault, Resurrection and the Healing Community" Consensus 28:2 (Fall 2002):49-60.

Fellowships and Awards:

  • Canadian Mennonite University, Distinguished Alumni Award, 2013