About
Who We Are
This nexus of integration is an intended pathway, carefully nurtured by the field educator. Field educators accompany students on their journey through the compilation of ministry experience, theological reflection, peer engagement, classroom time, personal consultation, and workshops with ministry professionals.
ATFE gathers for a biennial conference, which provides professional development workshops, keynote speakers, excursions, and both formal and informal opportunities for networking and connection. Known as “Biennial Consultations,” this event allows members to interact with current issues related to theological field education while also seeking to shape creative visions for the future. At past Consultations, ATFE addressed topics like adult learning theory, cross-cultural competence, emerging ministries, and the shifting landscape of theological education.
Want to know more about ATFE’s history? Here is a fascinating read, especially for new field educators. You’ll see the cliché is true: the more things change, the more they stay the same!
How We Operate
Meet the 2025-2027 Steering Committee
Christina Zaker
Carolyn Wright
James Hampton
Janine Myrick
Tim Coltvet
April Stace
Tanya Linn Bennett (deceased)
Eileen Shanley-Roberts
Susan MacAlpine-Gillis
We invite you to learn more about them via their bios.
Though ATFE is international organization of over 100 members, we have no full time staff or office. We hold incorporation in the state of Washington. Please peruse our bylaws for more details.
Professional Conduct Committee
ATFE is your professional association, dedicated to offering resources, relationships and education to theological field educators. No other organization combines these essential ingredients for continual excellence in theological field education!
ATFE Professional Conduct Committee
In pursuit of the key values of ATFE, members of the association have particular professional commitments and responsibilities toward one another. In addition, we are a community marked by “an extraordinary degree of collaboration and a spirit of generosity,” as noted by a past chair of ATFE. Therefore, in 2019, association members voted at the Biennial Consultation to adopt ATFE Standards of Professional Conduct, a policy formalizing how we conduct ourselves as members and creates a process for grievances regarding conduct. ATFE members may contact any of the following members with a concern.
2025-2027 appointed committee members:
Melvin Baber, former ATFE Steering Committee Member and Joint Field Education Director at Lancaster & Moravian Theological Seminaries
Daniel Poole, former ATFE Steering Committee Member and Assistant Professor of Ministry Formation at Bethany Theological Seminary
Barbara Blodgett, former Steering Committee Member and Emerita
The policy grew out of the desire to maintain ATFE’s longstanding culture of respect and compassion between members in mutual professional development.
Please take time to read the entire ATFE Standards of Professional Conduct.
ATFE Archives
Change is continuous, and AFTE adapts over time as well. Please take time to read some of our past newsletters. We also have the benefit of hosting content from keynote speakers and workshop presenters after they present at the Biennial Consultation. Find access to this wealth of knowledge here.