Profile

Wanda J. Stahl

Clinical Assistant Professor of Contextual Theology and Practice, Director of Contextual Education and Congregational Partnerships; Retired

The Rev. Dr. Wanda Stahl joined the Boston University School of Theology faculty in 2011 and retired in 2022. She is an ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church. Prior to accepting her position at BU, Wanda served as Director of Christian Formation for the New England Annual Conference of the UMC for 12 years. Her professional study and leadership have been in Christian formation and the building of congregational life. Wanda’s current areas of interest focus on envisioning and implementing strategies for vital ministry, leadership, and formation in the 21st century. Her most recent research focuses on faith communities that meet outdoors in nature, exploring the influence that this experience has on participants’ spiritual practices and commitment to environmental justice.

CV

2011 – 2022: Director of Contextual Education and Congregational Partnerships
Clinical Assistant Professor of Contextual Theology and Practice, Boston University School of Theology, Boston, MA

Previous Positions

1999-2011: Director of Christian Formation, New England Conference, United Methodist Church (UMC)

1994-1999: Free Lance Writer and Editor, Stephen Ministries, St. Louis, MO

1993-1999: Student Advisor, Institute of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry, Boston College

1990-1993: Director of Church Community Development

1996-1998: Peoples UMC, South Portland ME 2

Recent Church Affiliation & Leadership

1992: Consecrated Diaconal Minister, Maine Annual Conference, UMC

1997: Ordained Deacon in Full Connection, New England Annual Conference, UMC

2008-2014: Leadership Team

2017 – Present: HopeGateWay UMC, Portland, ME

2010-2014: Minister of Christian Formation, HopeGateWay UMC, Portland, ME

2011 – Present: Multi-Ethnic Center for Ministry Board of Directors, Northeast Jurisdiction, UMC

Classes Taught

  • Leading Spiritual Formation Ministries: Spring 2011, Summer 2016
  • Integration of Theology and Practice (Levels 1-4): Fall 2011- Spring 2012
  • Urban Ministry for the 21st Century: Fall 2013, Fall 2015, Fall 2017
  • Integration of Theology and Practice (Levels 3-4): Fall 2013- Spring 2014, Fall 2014- Spring 2015, Fall 2015- Spring 2016, Fall 2017- Spring 2018
  • Travel Seminar: Rural Maine Ministry, Spring 2014
  • Ministry in the 21st Century Context: Fall 2014, Fall 2019 (Scheduled)
  • Ministries of Education and Formation: Spring 2015, Spring 2020 (Scheduled)
  • Integration of Theology and Practice (Level 3): Spring 2017
  • Travel Seminar: Listening to Spirit in Nature: Acadia National Park, Spring 2017, Spring 2019 Park

Recent Presentations, Workshops and Retreats

  • 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019: “The Ministry of the Deacon in the United Methodist Church” presentation for “United Methodist Polity” class, Boston University School of Theology.
  • 2012: “Preparing Ministerial Leaders for the 21st Century: The Role of the Seminary” presentation at United Methodist Board of Ministry Quadrennial Training Event, Dallas, TX
  • 2013: “Meditative Worship in the Taize Tradition” presentation for Calvary UMC, Lewiston, ME
  • 2014-2018: Leadership Team Member, Growing with Hope yearlong training program for congregations, HopeGateWay United Methodist Church, Portland, ME
  • 2014: Leadership Team member, Three-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation, Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center, North Andover, MA
  • 2014, 2016: “Spiritual Guidance in the United Methodist Tradition” presentation to “Spiritual Guidance in the Christian Tradition” class, Boston University School of Theology
  • 2015: “Leading Small Groups with Adults” workshop for Plymouth UMC, Plymouth, MA
  • 2015: “Where Spiritual Formation and Field Education Intersect,” panel presentation at Association of Theological Field Educators Conference, Santa Fe, NM
  • 2017: “Across the Divides of Culture, Language, and Economics in Urban Settings,” seminar co-led at the Association of Theological Field Educators Conference, St. Paul, MN
  • 2017, 2018, 2019: “Ministry of the Deacon” presentation for Ministry Exploration Summit, New England Annual Conference of the UMC
  • 2017: “HopeGateWay: A Case Study” presentation for “Leadership in Times of Change” class, Boston University School of Theology
  • 2018: “Nurturing Spirituality in a 24/7 World” retreat for Calvary UMC, Lewiston, ME at Camp Mechuwana, Winthrop, ME

Professional Affiliations and Leadership

  • 1994-2008, 2011, 2016-Present: Association of Professors and Researchers in Religious Education/Religious Education Association 4
  • 1997-2018: United Methodist Association of Scholars in Christian Education. Executive Committee (2005-2011); President-Elect (2007-2009); President (2009-2011)
  • 1999-2011: Association of Directors of Connectional Ministries, United Methodist Church. Executive Committee (2004-2008); Co-Chair Design Team 2006 National Gathering in Dallas, TX (Theme: Stewards of the Vision)
  • 1999-2011: NEJ Association of Directors of Connectional Ministries, United Methodist Church. Vice-Chair (2001-2003)
  • 2008-Present: Fellowship of United Methodist Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders. Board of Directors (2016-2018)
  • 2012- Present: Association of Theological Field Educators
  • 2012-Present: United Methodist Association of Theological Field Educators
  • 2018-Present: Board of Directors, The Alcyon Center, Seal Cove, ME

Additional Relevant Training & Learning Experiences

  • 2003-2004: Individual Spiritual Guidance Program, Shalem Institute, Washington, DC. Final Paper Topic: The Wisdom of Julian of Norwich and Implications for Ministries of Spiritual Guidance
  • 2005-2006: Training for Christian Education Coaching Network, General Board of Discipleship, Nashville, TN
  • 2007-2008: Leading Contemplative Prayer Groups and Retreats, Shalem Institute, Washington, DC. Final Project: Teaching as Jesus Taught: A Retreat for Leaders in Christian Education
  • 2009-2010: Learning Incubator for Conference Level Christian Education Staff & Leaders, General Board of Discipleship, Nashville, TN

Grants and Awards

  • 2018-19: Innovation Incubator Award Grant, BTS Center, for “Fostering Ecological Conversion: An Exploration of Wild Churches”
  • 1998-99: Dempster Graduate Fellowship, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry