Photo by Walt Wiltschek

Ministry office

Ministerial Leadership Polity Revision (2012/2013)

On this webpage, you’ll find a draft of the new paper on Ministerial Leadership Polity in the Church of the Brethren, as well as resources of explanation and interpretation for this paper. This paper is still in progress. Denominational polity is approved and adopted by the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference. This draft will come before Annual Conference for a first read in 2012, to be voted on in 2013. Until Annual Conference approves a new polity document on ministerial leadership, the Church of the Brethren follows polity laid out in the paper on Ministerial Leadership adopted by Annual Conference in 1999.

Calling and sustaining leadership for the church are the responsibilities of the whole church. Individuals, congregations, districts and the denomination work together to call forth leaders for our life together. Our hope in making this draft widely available is that we might read, study, and consider all that it includes - together.

In the beginning months of 2012, each district will be hosting a listening and information session for its District Ministry Commission, facilitated by Office of Ministry staff and representatives to the Ministry Advisory Council. Information about those sessions will be available soon.

• Timeline (PDF)
• Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
• Draft of new paper (PDF)