Faber to retire as Christian Leader editor

Connie Faber, editor of the USMB denominational magazine Christian Leader, will retire from her role on May 30, 2025, following 31 years of service to the Mennonite Brethren family.

“Connie has faithfully served the USMB conference for over three decades,” says Aaron Box, USMB national director. “Under her leadership, Christian Leader has won numerous awards and has faithfully told the story of our churches. Connie leaves giant shoes to fill in both her dedication and skill and will be dearly missed. I am grateful for Connie’s work and friendship, and I wish her nothing but the best as she seeks what Jesus has ahead for her in retirement.”

Faber joined the magazine staff in 1994 and was appointed editor in 2004.

As editor, Faber coordinated several magazine redesigns that coincided with significant changes within the magazine or USMB, including the most recent 2022 redesign that noted a change in the magazine’s editorial approach.

Faber was also involved in developing and enhancing the magazine’s online platforms and social media presence, including publishing CL Online in 2008, introducing C-Link, a free biweekly electronic news digest, in 2012, and launching the current website in 2017.

Under Faber’s leadership, the Christian Leader won 16 awards from the Evangelical Press Association. Faber is the longest serving Christian Leader staff member. Her 21 years as editor is second only to Orlando Harms, who served as editor for 22 years, from 1954 to 1976.

Prior to serving as editor, Faber was the CL assistant/associate for 10 years, working with editor Don Ratzlaff from 1994 to 1998 and Carmen Andres from 1998 to 2003. In 1999 she was promoted to associate editor. Faber served as interim editor following Ratzlaff’s resignation and then again when Andres resigned.

Faber served as editor under four USMB national directors: Chuck Buller, Ed Boschman, Don Morris and Aaron Box. She worked with four assistants—Natalie Roth, Nadine Friesen, Myra Holmes and Janae (Rempel) Shafer—and three contracted graphic designers. She also mentored several college interns, many of whom went on to pursue careers in journalism.

Associate editor Janae Shafer says, “Connie loves the Mennonite Brethren faith community, and she has served our denominational publication faithfully the past 30 years. Her leadership has shaped the award-winning magazine we have today. Connie’s commitment to journalistic integrity is admirable, and her thoughtfulness, flexibility and dedication have left a lasting impact on me. It has been a joy to work alongside Connie, and I wish her the best in her next chapter.”

Faber has been involved with the Evangelical Press Association and Meetinghouse, a North American Mennonite editor’s association. She is the co-author of Family Matters: Discovering the Mennonite Brethren.

“This was the best job I could have ever had,” Faber says. “I consider it a privilege to have been one of the people who has chronicled the life of the U.S. Mennonite Brethren Church. I value having co-workers who were also friends, and I appreciate the skills and perspective that each assistant editor brought to the magazine. I am thankful for the men and women from our churches who write for our publication and have enjoyed working with them. It was always fun to attend district, U.S. and General Conference conventions and the USMB National Youth Conference.”

Prior to joining the Christian Leader staff, Faber worked for more than 13 years in a variety of capacities at Tabor College, the MB college in Hillsboro, Kan. Faber is a 1980 Tabor College graduate. She and her husband, David, have three adult children and three grandchildren. They are active members of Ebenfeld MB Church, rural Hillsboro.