It has been said that you can recognize Brethren "by the manner of their living." Brethren try to live out a Christian faith in today's world, putting beliefs into action in a variety of settings.

Some General Board staff efforts span the nation and the globe. Brethren Witness provides tools to learn about topics such as the environment, peace and justice, and world hunger. Disaster relief through the Emergency Response/Service Ministries office rebuilds homes and lives. The Church of the Brethren Washington Office brings Brethren values to Capitol Hill and policy issues. Global Mission Partnerships coordinates mission efforts around the world; the Mission and Ministries Planning Council serves as an avenue for congregations to propose new projects.

Closer to home, the Ministry Office equips the denomination's pastors, while Ministry Summer Service works with potential future pastors, enabling college students to explore church vocations. Initiatives in new church development and evangelism come out of the Congregational Life Ministries Office.

In addition, board members sometimes pass resolutions or send queries to the denomination's Annual Conference, seeking the mind of Christ in contemporary issues. The goal of all these efforts: helping the church to continue the work of Jesus.