Church of the Brethren congregations
- Pastoral/staff openings (many locations)
Church of the Brethren denominational positions
The Church of the Brethren is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Director of Ministry
The Church of the Brethren is seeking to fill a full-time salaried position of Director of Ministry. The Director of Ministry is part of the Discipleship and Leadership Formation team and reports directly to the Executive Director of Discipleship and Leadership Formation.
The Director of Ministry leads and administers the Church of the Brethren’s Ministry Office, overseeing systems for calling, credentialing, placing, and supporting ministerial leaders. The Director is a custodian of ministry polity and documents, collaborates closely with the Council of District Executives, and provides consultation to districts on leadership and organizational matters.
Skills and knowledge required:
- Well-grounded in Church of the Brethren heritage, theology, and polity
- Able to articulate and support the core values of the Church of the Brethren and to operate out of the vision of the Church of the Brethren and the Mission and Ministry Board
- Able to support Annual Conference polity, policies, statements and positions relating to calling, credentialing and sustaining of credentialed ministers
- Able to articulate a personal Christian faith
- Strong organizational and administrative skills
- Expertise and skills in group dynamics and process, including networking with diverse groups of people
- Skilled in oral and written communication
- Demonstrates good listening skills
- Knowledgeable and experienced in budget development and management
- Able to understand and direct the implementation of the Ministerial Leadership and Ethics in Ministry Relations polity of the Church of the Brethren
- Strong interpersonal skills contributing to effective work across the denomination with other bodies involved in ministry issues: Council of District Executives, Bethany Theological Seminary, Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, Ministry Advisory Council, Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee, Brethren Chaplains Network, Ministry Issues Committee, Ministers’ Association, and other related church agencies (pastors, districts, and congregations)
Experience:
- 15 years of pastoral ministry including administration
- 5 years of District leadership preferred
- Bi-lingual abilities preferred
- Current ordination in the Church of the Brethren
- Active membership in the Church of the Brethren
Education:
Bachelor’s degree required; Master of Divinity or equivalent
Pay:
$75,000 – $80,000 per year
Benefits:
(Health insurance, health savings account, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, retirement plan, employee assistance program, paid time off, parental leave, professional development assistance, flexible schedule)
Location:
Church of the Brethren General Offices, Elgin, Illinois/ Remote within the United States
Applications will be received beginning immediately and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Qualified candidates may send a cover letter and resume to COBApply@brethren.org.
DIRECTOR OF BRETHREN DISASTER MINISTRIES (remote)
The Church of the Brethren is seeking to fill a full-time salaried position of Director of Brethren Disaster Ministries (BDM). The Director of Brethren Disaster Ministries is part of the Brethren Disaster Ministries team and reports directly to the Executive Director of Service Ministries.
Major responsibilities include providing oversight and administration of Brethren Disaster Ministries with a focus on the home rebuilding program. This includes identifying and opening new home rebuilding sites as necessary, managing long-term and weekly rebuilding volunteers and leading the training of volunteer leaders. Traveling is required and the amount is about 35% of working days and some weekends.
Required skills and knowledge include strong interpersonal skills; ability to articulate, support and operate out of the vision, mission, and core values of the Church of the Brethren as defined by the Mission and Ministry Board, ability to uphold and support the basic beliefs and practices of the Church of the Brethren as determined by Annual conference, and ability to act within a multicultural and multigenerational team environment.
Experience leading a ministry or program with volunteers, making effective presentations, conducting skill training workshops, managing staff and volunteers, and in house construction or repairs preferred.
A Bachelor’s degree is required, advanced degree in related field preferred.
Pay: $65,000 – $68,000 per year
Benefits: (Health insurance, health savings account, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, retirement plan, employee assistance program, paid time off, parental leave, professional development assistance, flexible schedule)
Location: Brethren Service Center, New Windsor, Maryland/Remote within the United States.
Applications will be received beginning immediately and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Qualified candidates are invited to send a cover letter and resume to COBApply@brethren.org.
Church of the Brethren districts
- District Executive Minister Positions, Middle Pennsylvania District
Note: The Middle Pa District Executive Search Team is announcing new developments in their efforts to discern God’s will for leadership within the District.
The District’s Coordinating Team has re-evaluated the financial package they are offering for successful candidate(s) and are now able to offer a more attractive package. The District Profile and information on the new financial package are available through the Church of the Brethren Office of Ministry.
The Middle Pennsylvania District of the Church of the Brethren seeks a full-time district executive minister to serve its 53 congregations located in rural, small town and city settings. Middle PA District churches share a heritage that grounds them in a strong relationship with Jesus Christ, enlivened in the activity of the Holy Spirit. They seek to follow Jesus’ teachings and example, living in grateful response to God’s amazing grace, and sharing a cross-shaped love with a hurting world.
The district executive minister will be expected to work both on location at the Middle PA District Office located in Huntingdon, PA and remotely as needed. Compensation for the DEM will be negotiated in reference to the denominationally recommended Salary and Benefits for District Executive Ministers. Travel is required both within and outside of the district.
Responsibilities are outlined in the position description available upon request and will include the primary areas of:
- Pastoral/Congregational Transitions
- Pastoral Support
- Leadership Development with respect to calling and credentialing of ministers
- Consultations with congregations and throughout the district structure, and
- Management and administration of district staff and oversight of district finances.
These primary areas of responsibility serve to provide:
- Direction, coordination, management, and leadership of the district ministries, as authorized by the District Conference and implemented by the District Coordinating team (District Board).
- Work with the congregations in calling and credentialing ministers, and in the placement/call and evaluation of pastoral staff. Provide support and counsel for ministers and other church leaders, share and interpret program resources for congregations.
- An important link between the congregations and the district and denomination by working collaboratively with the Council of District Executives, the Annual Conference, appropriate denominational entities and their staff.
Qualifications/Experience:
- Ordained through accredited program, minimum of Brethren Academy ACTS level training program; Master of Divinity preferred.
- Personal skills in organization, administration, and communication.
- Committed to the Church of the Brethren locally and denominationally and willing to work ecumenically.
- Demonstrated leadership skills.
- Pastoral experience.
Interested and qualified persons may apply by sending a letter of interest and a resume to Nancy Sollenberger Heishman, Director of the Ministry Office, via email at officeofministry@brethren.org. Applicants are requested to contact three persons who are willing to provide a letter of reference. Upon receipt of the resume, the individual will be sent a Candidate profile that must be completed and returned before the application is considered complete. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.