Annual Conference

Moderator elect

One person, 3-year term

Over the course of a three year term, this person provides leadership for Annual Conference in various ways, serving as Moderator-elect (year one), Moderator (year two), and Immediate Past Moderator (year three). Responsibilities and time commitments vary based on their changing role each year. See  www.brethren.org/ac/ppg, chapter 1, section III.B.1.

Responsibilities and Term of Service

Persons elected to the office of moderator serve three years, serving one year in three successive offices:

  • Moderator-elect. The moderator is elected one year in advance of beginning their service as Moderator. During the first year of their term, they serve as moderator-elect, meeting with Program and Arrangements Committee, the Annual Conference officers, the Leadership Team, Mission and Ministry Board, and the Interagency Forum. They also support the moderator as requested and are called to serve as moderator if the moderator is unable to perform their duties.
  • Moderator. During the second year of their term, they serve as moderator, stepping into this role at the close of the Annual Conference a year following election and continuing through the close of the following Annual Conference. The moderator chooses a theme for Annual Conference; chairs the Program and Arrangements Committee meetings, presides over Standing Committee and Annual Conference, serves on Leadership Team, Mission and Ministry Board, and Interagency Forum; and acts as an official representative of the church, visiting districts and congregations as invited and able and usually making one international trip to support the global church.
  • Immediate Past Moderator. During the third year of their term, they become the immediate past moderator, a role that concludes at the end of the third Annual Conference after their election. As immediate past moderator, they serve as a member of Standing Committee and chair the meeting of the Interagency Forum.

Meeting Schedule

  • August – in person meetings of Program and Arrangements Committee, Officers, and Leadership Team
  • October – in person meetings of Mission and Ministry Board and Officers
  • November – a series of virtual meetings of Program and Arrangements Committee
  • January – in person meetings of Officers and Interagency Forum
  • March – in person meetings of Mission and Ministry Board and Officers
  • May – a series of virtual meetings of the Officers
  • Late June/Early July – Standing Committee and Annual Conference
  • Other virtual meetings as necessary

Eligibility

Any active member of the Church of the Brethren may serve as moderator. During the three years of service, a moderator cannot be employed by or serve on the board of directors of Church of the Brethren, Inc. (aka the Mission and Ministry Board, except as required in their role as moderator) or of any agency reportable to Annual Conference. The past four moderators are ineligible for nomination.

Qualifications

  1. Consecrated Christian living in home, church, and community.
  2. Faithful service in local church and district.
  3. Loyalty to the ideals and program of the Church of the Brethren.
  4. A working knowledge and understanding of the denomination’s structure, program, and dynamics.
  5. Ability to exercise mature judgment in the solution of the denomination’s problems.
  6. Familiarity with parliamentary procedures and skill in presiding over a deliberative assembly.
  7. Capacity to cultivate relationships.
  8. Demonstrated leadership ability in programs of the Church of the Brethren.
  9. Ability to facilitate discernment groups or a willingness to learn and seek assistance from those who do and to receive training and coaching in large-group discernment process.

Procedure

The Nominating Committee of Standing Committee obtains nominations and presents two to four qualified nominees to Standing Committee, which votes to reduce the ballot to two nominees to present to Annual Conference.

Expenses

This is a volunteer position. Expenses for all meetings and role-related travel will be covered in consultation with the Annual Conference office.

To request a position description or more specific information about this position you may call the Annual Conference Office at (800) 323-8039.