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Clyde G. Kratz

          Vision, relationships, equipping, networking, and resources are the five categories around which Clyde seeks to engage in pastoral work at Zion Mennonite Church.  Each of these areas of ministry has specific leadership and pastoral components that empower the local congregation to be the body of Christ at work in the world.  Because Zion Mennonite Church is committed to "every member as a minister," the role of pastor takes on the dimension of consultant, resource to leaders, shaper of process, and initiating pastoral interventions.  These specific pastoral responsibilities assigned by the congregation are compatible with Clyde's gifts of administration, preaching, and teaching.

          Clyde begain his pastoral assignment at Zion Mennonite Church on July 1, 2002.  He has discovered the joy of the congregation's diversity of musical talents present in members and attendees that allows the congregation to excel in blended worship.  He has found excitement in the quality of lay leadership that has contributed to a healthy sense of leadership decision making within the various commissions and the congregation as a whole.  It has also been invigorating for Clyde to see the congregation embark on a vision to connect with the local community.

          Clyde has served in other pastoral roles within the Mennonite Church.  He served Franconia Mennonite Church as a minister to youth (1981-1983).  He was a part time lead pastor at Weavers Mennonite Church (1987-1988).  He served New Holland Mennonite Church as a full time pastor for 13 years (1989-2002).

          As part of Clyde's preparation for pastoral ministry as a vocation, he graduated from Eastern Mennonite University with a Biblical Studies and Theology Major with a Family Studies Minor in 1986.  He completed the necessary academic requirements for a Mastor of Divinity at Eastern Mennonite Seminary in 1989.

          As a way of remaining committed to life-long learning in ministry, Clyde completed a Masters in Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2000.  He most recently completed the necessary academic requirements at Princeton Theological Seminary for a Doctor of Ministry in 2008.  While these formal educational achievements have been sources of renewal for ministry, Clyde continues to avail himself of Eastern Mennonite Seminary's School of Leadership Training on a regular basis as well as an occasional Alban Institute Seminar.

          Clyde resides in Broadway, Virginia. He and his wife Eunice were married on October 11, 1975.  They have three adult children.  In addition to the activities of ministry, Clyde has enjoyed riding bicycle, reading books, and traveling.  He has participated in bicycle rides that range from an afternoon jaunt to a five-day ride.  He has traveled to Europe and Central America.  He is currently seeking to learn German in order to take a vacation in 2009.