Dr. Benjamin T. Conner

Professor of Practical Theology, Director of the Center for Disability and Ministry

BA Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
MDiv Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education
PhD Princeton Theological Seminary
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“I believe that in baptism every member of the Body of Christ is ordained to ministry—spiritually gifted and strategically placed to edify one another, to bear God’s love to a hurting world and to bear witness to the redemptive presence of the Triune God. Theological education is about forming people to participate in this calling and to inspire, encourage and equip them to do the same with others.”
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Dr. Benjamin T. Conner

Dr. Benjamin T. Conner

About Dr. Benjamin T. Conner

Dr. Benjamin T. Conner had been involved in youth ministry in some capacity for over twenty years before coming to Western.  He has served the Church in congregations and through Young Life staff.  

Dr. Conner has earned his Master of Divinity from Union Presbyterian Seminary (Virginia) and his PhD from Princeton Theological Seminary in Mission, Ecumenics and History of Religions.  His teaching and research interests include practical theology, youth ministry, discipleship and Christian practices, mission studies, evangelism, disability studies and Christian history.  

His wife, Melissa, works in therapeutic horsemanship and together they have four children.  When he is not on campus Ben can be found playing with his family, in the weight room, or working with his wife at the barn.

Areas of Expertise 

His teaching and research interests include practical theology, youth ministry, discipleship and Christian practices, mission studies, evangelism, disability studies, and Christian history.

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Article, Videos and Events featuring Dr. Ben Conner

More Resources from Dr. Conner

  • Article

  • Podcast

  • Seminary Now

Don't Disable your Youth Ministry

In this article, Dr. Conner speaks to the inclusion of people with disabilities in youth ministry.

The Two Cities: Mutuality in Ministry with Friends & Nature

In this episode we talk about mutuality in ministry with friends and nature with Melissa and Ben Conner.

Disability and the Church

Is your church ready to embrace the unique gifts of all its members? In this course, Dr. Ben Conner and Dr. L.S Carlos Thompson explore ways that the lived experience of disability can help us to reimagine and enrich the ways we read the Bible, the ways we engage in theological reflection, and how we gather to worship and practice our faith together.

Publications

Books

Disabling Mission, Enabling Witness

Buy Online

Amplifying Our Witness: Giving Voice to Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities

Buy On Amazon

Practicing Witness: A Missional Vision of Christian Practices

Buy On Amazon

Academics

Courses taught by Dr. Conner

  • MN361 Introduction to Disability and the Church

  • MN564 Practice of Evangelism

  • MN573 Practice of Youth Ministry

  • MN581 Ministry and Margins

  • MN412 Christian Life and Mission

  • Doctor of Ministry: Disability and Ministry

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