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| Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford |
| Children make posters at a peace rally in Chicago. |
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Peace witness
Peace and the Bible
Annual Conference and board statements
Take action
Ecumenical and interfaith partners
The Church of the Brethren has a long history of pursuing peace. Yet the work has not been finished; God's vision of a peaceful and just world is still one we must call into being with each step we take.
Wars continue to rage on in many countries, and violence of all forms is prevalent throughout the world. According to the United Nations (UN), an estimated 300,000 children are being used in over 30 conflicts worldwide as child soldiers. Closer to home, one-quarter of all young women will face physical or psychological violence in a dating relationship according to the National Violence Against Women survey. And 160,000 children miss school every day for fear of bullying, according to the National Crime Prevention Council. Meanwhile, in the FY 2011 budget the US government spends 13 times more on its military than it does on aiding the world’s poor, 1.4 billion of whom live on less than $1.25 a day according to World Bank research.
What does the Bible say?
“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you" (Luke 6:27 NRSV).
The Church of the Brethren's peace conviction is firmly rooted in the New Testament through Jesus’ teaching to “love our enemies” (Matt. 5:44, Luke 6:27) and Paul’s admonition that Christians seek to live peaceably with all and that they strive to “overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:21 NRSV).
Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standards" (2 Corinthians 10:3 NRSV).
For more Biblical resources on peace, click here
Church of the Brethren statements on peace and war
"We cannot retreat from the world... We must become aware of the rampant injustice and subtle hidden violence in today's world, examine our own involvement, and identify nonviolently with the oppressed and suffering... We look toward a future that will be more peaceful, just, and respectful of God's creation."
from the 1991 statement, "Peacemaking: The Calling of God’s People in History"
Take action
Ecumenical and interfaith partners
Church World Service
Center on Conscience and War
National Religious Campaign Against Torture
Religions for Peace - USA
World Council of Churches
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
Latin American Working Group
National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund
Fellowship of Reconciliation
Related organizations
Why these links? Click to show
Church of the Brethren Peace Witness Ministries "seeks to live the peace of Jesus publicly." One way we do this is through cooperation with government and non-governmental agencies whenever it is in accord with our denominational values.
The 1967 Annual Conference Statement, The Church, the State and Christian Citizenship states, "Christians should appreciate and support the worthy functions which government performs. They should willingly obey the state in matters on which they have no contrary moral conviction."
Being followers of Christ, we are likewise called to serve our communities out of God’s love. Our office believes we can be a witness to Christ as American citizens by partnering with government agencies on how to best address our community’s needs while also upholding separation of church and state.
The White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships was formerly known as the "Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives," established by President George W. Bush through an executive order in January 2001 until it was reorganized under the Obama Administration in February 2009. The purpose of the office is to form voluntary partnerships with non-profit organizations, both faith-based and secular, which help coordinate government agencies to address community needs around the United States.
Click here for more information about the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships
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Department of Veterans Affairs (Returning soldiers, low-income veterans, job clubs)
Department of Justice (victims of crime, inmates, ex-convicts, death penalty, and gangs) |
