{"id":4,"date":"2018-09-26T17:27:40","date_gmt":"2018-09-26T17:27:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/new.brethren.org\/discipleshipmin\/?page_id=4"},"modified":"2026-08-28T20:03:45","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T20:03:45","slug":"discipleship-ministries","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/","title":{"rendered":"Discipleship and Leadership Formation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following Jesus is a lifelong journey\u2014one we make together.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find ways to deepen your faith, grow as a leader, build meaningful relationships, and put faith into action in your church and community.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"People<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Explore our ministry areas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n \"Amy<\/a>\r\n\r\n
\r\n

Ministry Office<\/h3>\r\n

Find support for calling, credentialing, continuing education, pastoral leadership, and the relationships that sustain ministry.<\/p>\r\n <\/div> \r\n

\r\n Find ministerial resources and support<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n
\r\n
\r\n\"\"<\/a>\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n

Intercultural Ministries<\/h3>\r\n

Build relationships across culture and discover how our diverse gifts and experiences can enrich our shared life as the church. <\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n Connect with Intercultural Ministries<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n <\/div> \r\n
\r\n
\r\n\"NYC<\/a>\r\n
\r\n

Youth & Young Adults<\/h3>\r\n

Connect, grow in faith, build relationships, and discover opportunities for youth, young adults, and those who minister alongside them.<\/p>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n Explore youth and young adult ministries<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n <\/div> \r\n \r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n \"\"<\/a>\r\n\r\n
\r\n

Part Time Pastor; Full Time Church<\/h3>\r\n

Connect with other multivocational pastors, develop practices that sustain you in ministry, and deepen your sense of purpose and calling. <\/p>\r\n <\/div> \r\n

\r\n Learn about the program<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n
\r\n
\r\n\"\"<\/a>\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n

Rural & Small Town Initiative<\/h3>\r\n

Discover your congregation\u2019s God-given gifts, develop leaders of all ages, and put those gifts to work in your community. <\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n Connect with the initiative<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n <\/div> \r\n
\r\n
\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Connect, learn, and grow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These are just a few of the upcoming opportunities. Visit the individual ministry area pages <\/a>for additional events, gatherings, and ways to participate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\r\n
\r\n
\r\n \"Practicing<\/a>FOR MULTIVOCATIONAL PASTORS\r\n\r\n
\r\n

Practicing the Way<\/h3>\r\n

Join other multivocational pastors for a four-week cohort exploring Scripture as a spiritual practice and developing life-giving rhythms for following Jesus.<\/p>\r\n

Tuesdays, Sept. 15\u2013Oct. 6 | Online<\/p>\r\n <\/div> \r\n

\r\n Learn more and register<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n
\r\n
\r\n \"Christian<\/a>FOR YOUTH AND ADVISORS\r\n\r\n
\r\n

Christian Citizenship Seminar<\/h3>\r\n

Explore pressing public issues through the lens of faith, build advocacy skills, and put them into practice with youth from across the church.<\/p>\r\n

April 17\u201321, 2027 | Washington, D.C.<\/p>\r\n <\/div> \r\n

\r\n Get CCS info<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\r\n \"Intercultural<\/a>OPEN TO ALL\r\n\r\n
\r\n

Intercultural Ministries Caf\u00e9<\/h3>\r\n

Participate in conversations about the intersection of faith and culture\u2014and how we can engage with humility, curiosity, and Christ-centered love.<\/p>\r\n

Monthly through Oct. 20 | Online<\/p>\r\n <\/div> \r\n

\r\n Register for the Cafe<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Resources for your ministry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n \"Standing<\/a>\r\n\r\n
\r\n

Standing with People of Color<\/h3>\r\n

Deepen relationships and follow Jesus in seeking racial justice and the well-being of all God’s people, learning, and action.<\/p>\r\n <\/div> \r\n

\r\n Find resources<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n
\r\n
\r\n\"Video<\/a>\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n

Video Curriculum Library<\/h3>\r\n

Discover video-based curriculum and guides to help congregations nurture discipleship, discern gifts, and strengthen life together. <\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n Explore videos<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n <\/div> \r\n
\r\n
\r\n\"For<\/a>\r\n
\r\n

For My Neighbor\u2019s Good<\/h3>\r\n

Learn a Brethren approach to evangelism centered on sharing your story, building relationships, and inviting others to follow Jesus.<\/p>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n Get the curriculum<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n <\/div> \r\n
\r\n
\r\n \"Third<\/a>\r\n\r\n
\r\n

Third Thursday Webinar Library<\/h3>\r\n

Watch conversations with pastors and other leaders offering practical insights for leadership, discipleship, and congregational life. <\/p>\r\n <\/div> \r\n

\r\n View the library<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Looking for more? Visit the individual ministry area pages<\/a> to find additional tools and resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Faith in action<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n\n
\n
\"John<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

John Fillmore named director of ministry<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Church of the Brethren has named Rev. Dr. John Fillmore as director of ministry, effective Nov. 2, 2026. As part of the denomination\u2019s Discipleship and Leadership Formation team, he will lead the Ministry Office, equipping ministers, supporting congregations and districts, and strengthening pastoral leadership across the denomination. Fillmore has served as pastor of Nampa<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\u2018What<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u2018What got us here won\u2019t get us there\u2019: Learnings from the L.E.A.D. Conference<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBy faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.\u201d This verse from Hebrews 11:8 was the theme of the second Church of the Brethren L.E.A.D. Conference held at Ephrata (Pa.) Church of the Brethren on May 1-3.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Largest<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Largest congregations send leaders for a time of learning, sharing, and support<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Nate Polzin A few weeks ago, Church of the Brethren leaders from our largest congregations gathered in Orlando, Fla., for a time of learning, sharing, and support. Churches were invited that had an average of 200 or more in person at their worship services. Out of 11 congregations of that size, 9 sent pastoral<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Participants<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Participants brave ice and fire to attend leadership training in Western Plains District<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ice and fire. No, not the epic Game of Thrones saga but the very real elements some endured to gather for the Western Plains District Leadership Training in Great Bend, Kan.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Read more Discipleship and Leadership Formation stories<\/a>\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Contact us<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"Founa

<\/p>\n

Founa I. Augustin Badet<\/span>
Director, Intercultural Ministries
fbadet@brethren.org<\/a>
847-807-6485<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Josh Brockway<\/span>
Director, Discipleship and Identity
jbrockway@brethren.org<\/a>
847-429-4304<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Jazm\u00edn G\u00f3ngora<\/span>
Administrative Assistant
jgongora@brethren.org<\/a>
847-429-4303<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Rachel Johnson<\/span>
Youth and Young Adult Ministries Assistant
rjohnson@brethren.org<\/a>
847-388-3902<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

<\/p>\n

Bethany Kasten<\/span>
Office Assistant
bkasten@brethren.org<\/a>
847-430-4023<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Becky Ullom Naugle<\/span>
Director, Youth and Young Adult Ministry
bullomnaugle@brethren.org<\/a>
847-429-4385<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Nate Polzin<\/span>
Executive Director of Discipleship and Leadership Formation
npolzin@brethren.org<\/a>
847-429-4302<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"Richard

<\/p>\n

Richard Wehrle<\/strong>
Program Manager
Rural and Small-Town Initiative
rwehrle@brethren.org<\/a>
847-429-4365<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

You can also contact us by email at DLF@brethren.org<\/a> or by calling 800-323-8039.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Following Jesus is a lifelong journey\u2014one we make together.   Find ways to deepen your faith, grow as a leader, build meaningful relationships, and put faith into action in your church and community. Explore our ministry areas Ministry Office Find support for calling, credentialing, continuing education, pastoral leadership, and the relationships that sustain ministry. Find<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-4","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4"}],"version-history":[{"count":148,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3135,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4\/revisions\/3135"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/dlf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}