Ministry Office

Ministry Resources

Sacred Connections: Advent Soul Tending for Spiritual Leaders

The Part-time Pastor; Full-time Church program is offering two virtual events entitled “Sacred Connections: Advent Soul Tending for Spiritual Leaders” led by one of the program’s Circuit Riders, Erin Matteson, an ordained minister and spiritual director.  Matteson extends the invitation to all ministers on Friday, December 3rd and Monday, December 13th to “come enjoy a pot of creative contemplative worship to warm your spirit and nourish your soul this advent season. Scripture and sharing, silence and song, poetry and prayer, imagery and other ingredients will be blended together and served up in a savory dish to not only provide ministers sustenance but promote vitality for the advent season.”

Two different virtual sessions at two different times are offered on each of two dates to help accommodate the varied schedules of ministers.  It is hoped that ministers will set aside this brief time to be ministered to and refill as they care for others.  Register for the free virtual events by November 30th at Sacred Connections. Contact officeofministry@brethren.org with questions about the event.

Newsletter – August 27, 2021

Click the image below to read it!

We’re hiring!

The Church of the Brethren is looking for a part-time, remote program manager for the Thriving in Ministry “Part-Time Pastor, Full-Time Church” program (video below). Find the details on the employment page.

Part-Time Pastor, Full-Time Church circuit riders reflect on what they have learned through supporting multi-vocational pastors.

Clergywomen’s Brunch

The Office of Ministry sponsored a virtual version of the traditional in-person Annual Conference event in the form of a July 22nd brunch featuring Dr. Joelle Hathaway as speaker.  The event took place at noon Eastern time and offered an opportunity for clergywomen (and friends) to gather virtually for fellowship and also earn 0.1 CEUs. Se ofrecerá interpretación en español.

Click above for brochure.
Dr. Joelle A. Hathaway is assistant professor of theological studies at Bethany Theological Seminary. She received both her masters and doctorate from Duke Divinity School and is currently developing new courses for Bethany in Theology and the Arts and Ecotheology. Her research is interdisciplinary; of particular interest is what insights the arts and artistic practice can offer to practices of theological, liturgical, and ecological formation. Her current book project puts the Sabbath poetry of Wendell Berry in conversation with the Christian doctrine of creation. Joelle lives in Greenfield, IN with her husband Brent Smith and their two daughters.

Brethren Ministers’ Association 2021 Pre-Annual Conference Event

Ministers’ Association Virtual Event

Asociación de Ministros evento virtual

Asosiyasyon Ministè evenman vityel

The Church in 1 Corinthians: Challenges for Today

June 29 –30, 2021, Virtual conference with Dr. Michael J Gorman

Pastoral Letter

January 2021 Message of encouragement from the Office of Ministry

This Sabbath rest-themed sermon prepared by 2021 Annual Conference moderator Paul Mundey is designed to provide a resource to congregations to enable them to support their pastor taking time away from the responsibilities of preaching.
At the invitation of the Office of Ministry, this sermon focuses on words from Jeremiah 31:25, “I will satisfy the weary, and all who are faint I will replenish,” which assure us that God accompanies us in upheaval, offering sanctuary amid stormy anxiety, doubt, and fear. Congregations and their ministers are encouraged to partner together to find rest and refreshment in the midst of these days.
To view subtitles in English or Spanish, click the CC symbol and choose the language desired. To download the video, click the “Vimeo” logo; beneath the video on that site is a link to download.

Sermon transcripts: Finding Rest Amid Restless Living
Encontrar descanso en medio de una vida inquietada

Related News

  • Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership updates course listing

    The following English-language courses are offered by the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, a joint program of the Church of the Brethren’s Office of Ministry and Bethany Theological Seminary. Courses may be taken for personal enrichment, for continuing education (two continuing education units per course are available to Church of the Brethren credentialed ministers), or

  • Making webinars count: announcing new policy for clergy continuing education credit

    Recognizing that live participation is becoming increasingly difficult for mulitivocational ministers and given the growing library of recorded webinars available from denominational agencies, the Brethren Academy is offering clergy the opportunity to view and report on prerecorded webinars and other educational events for CEUs. A standardized reporting process will provide the necessary accountability.

  • Kevin Kessler resigns from leadership of Illinois and Wisconsin District

    Kevin Kessler has resigned as district executive minister of the Church of the Brethren’s Illinois and Wisconsin District, effective Dec. 31. He has filled the half-time role for 14 years while also serving as pastor of Canton (Ill.) Church of the Brethren, a role he will continue to maintain.

  • Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center to postpone or hold fall events virtually

    Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center (SVMC) has announced that its continuing education events this fall will be postponed or held virtually via Zoom. SVMC is a Church of the Brethren ministry education partner with Bethany Seminary, the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, and the districts of Atlantic Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Middle Pennsylvania, Southern Pennsylvania, and Western Pennsylvania. “The pandemic continues to push us to be as wise as possible in our health management and interactions with others,” said executive director Donna Rhodes.