Mission and Ministry Board Vision, Mission, and Core Values
Mission and Ministry Board members
(terms conclude at Annual Conference each year)
Colin Scott, chair (2025)
Kathy Mack, chair-elect (2027)
Michaela Alphonse (2027)
Daniel Butler (2025)
Lauren Seganos Cohen (2024)
Barbara Daté (2026)
Joel Gibbel (2027)
John Hoffman (2025)
Tina Hunt (2028)
Robert Jackson (2028)
Josiah Ludwick (2025)
Meghan Horne Mauldin (2024)
Rosanna Eller McFadden (2027)
Deirdre Moyer (2028)
Karen Shively Neff (2026)
Roger Schrock (2024)
Joanna Wave Willoughby (2026)
Leadership Team
Madalyn Metzger, Moderator
Dava Hensley, Moderator-elect
David Steele, General Secretary
David Shumate, Secretary
Torin Eikler, District Executive, Northern Indiana District
Ex Officio members
Nevin Dulabaum, president, Eder Financial
Jeff Carter, president, Bethany Theological Seminary
Marie Benner Rhoades & Matt Guynn (alternating), Co-interim Executives, On Earth Peace
Meeting dates
2024
March 15/16-18, Elgin, Ill.
July 2/3-7, Grand Rapids, Mich.*
October 18/19-21, Elgin, Ill.
2025
March 7/8-10, Location TBD
July 1 /2-6, Greensboro, N.C.*
October 17/18-20, Elgin, Ill.
2026
March 13/14-16, Elgin, Ill.
Annual Conference, location/dates TBA
October 16/17-19 (Elgin, Ill.)
2027
March 12/13-15, Elgin, Ill.
Annual Conference, location/dates TBA
October 15/16-18, Elgin, Ill.
2028
March 10/11-13, Elgin, Ill.
Annual Conference, location/dates TBA
October 20/21-23, Elgin, Ill.
*July meeting dates are held in conjunction with Annual Conference. Conference scheduling may necessitate date adjustments.
Related News
Mission and Ministry Board completes Kingian Nonviolence training, works at envisioning
The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board held its spring 2024 meeting on March 15-17 at the denomination’s General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Board chair Colin Scott presided, assisted by chair-elect Kathy Mack and general secretary David Steele.
Decision to close Material Resources, call for peace in Israel and Palestine, and a 2024 budget top board agenda
A decision to close Material Resources--a Church of the Brethren program that collects, processes, warehouses, and ships material relief aid--and a statement on “Seeking Peace in Israel and Palestine,” as well as a budget for 2024 topped the agenda of the Mission and Ministry Board’s Fall 2023 meetings on Oct. 20-22 at the General Offices in Elgin, Ill.
Mission and Ministry Board makes decision to close Material Resources program
The Mission and Ministry Board has decided to close the Church of the Brethren’s Material Resources program based at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. The decision made on Oct. 21, during the board’s fall 2023 meetings, is to wind down the program over a period of up to 30 months. Brethren Disaster Ministries and Children’s Disaster Services are not affected.
Buscando la paz en Israel y Palestina: Declaración de la Junta de Misión y Ministerio
La Junta de Misión y Ministerio de la Iglesia de los Hermanos adoptó el 21 de octubre una declaración sobre “Buscar la paz en Israel y Palestina”. La acción se tomó durante las reuniones de la junta de otoño de 2023 en las oficinas generales de la denominación en Elgin, Illinois.
Seeking peace in Israel and Palestine: A Mission and Ministry Board statement
The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board on Oct. 21 adopted a statement on “Seeking Peace in Israel and Palestine.” The action was taken during the board’s fall 2023 meetings at the denomination’s General Offices in Elgin, Ill.
Mission and Ministry Board adopts 2024 budget parameter, continues strategic plan work
The Mission and Ministry Board approved a budget parameter for Core Ministries for 2024, continued work on the strategic plan, welcomed international guests, recognized board members completing their terms of service, and more.
Church of the Brethren leaders respond following reporting of sexual abuse by former employee
Current Church of the Brethren, Inc. organizational leaders have become aware of sexual abuse by an employee in a work setting, reported to have taken place several decades ago. Both the abused victim and the alleged perpetrator were adults at the time of the abuse and both are now deceased. Action was taken by church leaders at that time, but a recently published book, Her Words, My Voice, has expanded and brought new attention to that reporting.
Mission and Ministry Board adopts statement on the Doctrine of Discovery
The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board, meeting March 10-12 in Elgin, Ill., approved a statement lamenting the Doctrine of Discovery and recommended its adoption by Annual Conference. The Church of the Brethren statement grew out of years of background work by the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy and Discipleship Ministries.
Ballot is announced for the 2023 Annual Conference
The Nominating Committee of the Standing Committee of district delegates to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference are presenting the following ballot for the 2023 Conference. The elections will be held during the annual meeting taking place in Cincinnati, Ohio, on July 4-8, 20223.
Circular tables: A ‘calling story’ from the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center
Circular tables. The Mission and Ministry Board meets around circular tables the same way Church of the Brethren delegates to Annual Conference have for the past decade. When used purposefully, this setup--this space--can inspire robust sharing, provoke thoughtful discernment, and give voice to an array of perspectives. We grow, we are nourished, and, sometimes, we find ourselves outside our zones of comfort.
Mission and Ministry Board adopts 2023 budget for Church of the Brethren ministries
Approval of a budget for the denominational ministries of the Church of the Brethren and the naming of the next chair-elect topped actions taken by the Mission and Ministry Board at fall meetings. The board met at the General Offices in Elgin, Ill., on Oct. 13-16 led by chair Carl Fike, assisted by chair-elect Colin Scott and general secretary David Steele.
Mission and Ministry Board meets this weekend, agenda focuses on budget
The Church of the Brethren’s Mission and Ministry Board holds its fall meetings this weekend at the denomination’s General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Leading the meeting is chair Carl Fike, assisted by chair-elect Colin Scott and general secretary David Steele.
Mission and Ministry Board approves budget parameter for 2023, opens executive director position, continues work on strategic plan
Board met in Omaha, Neb., on Sunday, July 10, ahead of the 2022 Annual Conference. The board’s Executive Committee began meetings the previous day, on July 9.
Today in Omaha – July 9, 2022
Today in Omaha - July 9, 2022. A brief review of the pre-Annual Conference events this year.
Mission and Ministry Board receives year-end financial reporting
The 2021 year-end financial reporting to this Spring’s Mission and Ministry Board meeting covered the Church of the Brethren denomination’s Core Ministries and its self-funding ministries including Brethren Press, Material Resources, and the Conference Office. Special purpose funds, including the Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF), which supports Brethren Disaster Ministries; the Global Food Initiative Fund, which supports the Global Food Initiative (GFI); and the Emerging Global Mission Fund were also reported on.
Mission and Ministry Board’s Spring meeting addresses Ukraine, reviews Strategic Plan initiatives and BFIA guidelines, among other business
A statement on the war in Ukraine topped the agenda of the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board at its meeting on March 11-13, held in person at the General Offices in Elgin, Ill., and via Zoom. Chair Carl Fike led the meeting, assisted by chair-elect Colin Scott and general secretary David Steele.
Mission and Ministry Board issues statement on Ukraine, calls for time of concerted prayer and action for peacebuilding
The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board issued a statement on Ukraine during its Spring meeting at the denomination’s General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Board chair Carl Fike, who led the meeting, signed the statement with the unanimous consent of the members of the board.
Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board holds Spring meeting
The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board will meet March 11-13 at the denomination’s General Offices in Elgin, Ill., in person and via Zoom. Business will be led by chair Carl Fike, assisted by chair-elect Colin Scott and general secretary David Steele.
Mission and Ministry Board approves 2022 budget for denominational ministries
At its fall meeting on Oct. 15-17, the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board approved a 2022 budget for denominational ministries. Among other actions, the board also moved the Brethren Press budget into the denomination’s Core Ministries, ending the publishing house’s status as a self-funding ministry. The board received a year-to-date financial update for 2021 and numerous reports from ministry areas, board committees, and church agencies.
Mission and Ministry Board holds fall meeting this weekend
The Church of the Brethren’s Mission and Ministry Board holds its fall meeting this weekend as a hybrid event with the in-person events at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Executive Committee meetings and board member orientation begin Friday, Oct. 15. The full board meets Saturday, Oct. 16, and Sunday morning, Oct. 17.