The Ministry Office is part of Discipleship and Leadership Formation
Ministry Resources
- Ministerial Leadership Manual documents
- Congregational vacancies
- District vacancies
- 2024 Ministerial statistics
Disciplinas Espirituales
2025 Ministers’ Association Event
July 1-2, Greensboro, NC
Registration begins March 5
2025 Clergywomen’s Retreat
2025 Clergywomen’s retreat flyer (includes paper registration form)
Retiro denominacional de mujeres clérigas 2025 folleto (con formulario de inscripción por correo)
Save the date! Retreat open to all licensed and credentialed clergywomen in the Church of the Brethren
Date: February 10-13, 2025, beginning with Monday evening’s dinner and concluding with Thursday’s noon lunch.
Location: San Pedro Spiritual Development Center
95 Bishop Grady Lane, Winter Park, FL 32792
Closest airport is Orlando, FL
The retreat will focus on finding courage to walk in love in a world of violence, stress, and conflict. Plenary sessions will ponder the personal formation and character of those prepared to love like Jesus, the challenge of loving our enemies or opponents, and the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering a mission of love.
Speaker: Rev. Meghan Larissa Good is lead pastor of Trinity Mennonite Church (Phoenix, Arizona), author of Divine Gravity: Sparking a Movement to Recover a Better Christian Story, and a frequent speaker at retreats and conferences.
Spiritual Formation Book Study
The Part-time Pastor; Full-time Church program will offer a new online book study on spiritual formation with Circuit Rider John Fillmore beginning early September. The first session will be on September 3 and continue for 12 sessions. The group will gather weekly on Tuesdays for one hour beginning at 7:00 ET, 4:00 Pacific. CEUs are available for those who request them at the end.
From Weary to Wholehearted Webinar
June 12, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time
Online panel discussion with author Rev. Callie Swanlund, program manager Richard Wehrle, and the program’s circuit riders. Together they will discuss the topic of clergy burnout which is the focus of her new book, From Weary to Wholehearted: A Restorative Resource for overcoming Clergy Burnout.
Find more information about the webinar here.
2024 Ministers’ Association Event
July 2-3, Grand Rapids, Michigan
“Listening for the Sound of the Genuine” with Dr. Frank A. Thomas.
Download the flyer – Folleto del evento
A preaching workshop led by Dr. Frank A. Thomas, professor of homiletics at Christian Theological Seminary (Indianapolis). His passion is “to teach preachers to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to shape and influence preachers to rise to the height, depth, and beauty of the best of their preaching potential. “
Soul Sisters
Multi-vocational clergywomen are invited to join Erin Matteson, spiritual director and Circuit Rider, for a monthly gathering during which Erin will facilitate various spiritual practices like lectio divina and visio divina. These gatherings, which will be held February to June, offer the opportunity to form sacred circles with others in hopes of nourishing your spiritual wellbeing. Join Erin on the second Monday of each month by registering for either the first (9am PST) or second (4pm PST) session using this link:
Registration closed on February 1.
Flourishing in Ministry
10-week discussion of Flourishing in Ministry by Matt Bloom, bginning January 16 at 7pm Eastern.
Explore more past Church of the Brethren Office of Ministry events
Shared ministry model video series
The Office of Ministry has created an online video resource of six segments featuring congregations that are creatively practicing the priesthood of all believers and thereby meeting their needs for pastoral leadership.
Related News
- Clergywomen’s Retreat registration is now open online for event in February 2025
Registration is now open for the 2025 denominational Clergywomen’s Retreat to be held Feb. 10-13, 2025, in Winter Park, Fla. This event, which takes place every five years, offers an opportunity for all licensed and credentialed clergywomen to gather for refreshment, renewal, and inspiration.
- Strength for the Journey 2025: Three themes emerge
The 2025 Strength for the Journey cohorts focus on three themes: 1) Preaching, 2) Team Ministry, and 3) Pastoral Visitation and Chaplaincy. Strength for the Journey (SFTJ) provides resources for several ministry cohorts each year.
- Donna Rhodes to retire from leadership of Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center
Donna Rhodes, executive director of the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center (SVMC), has announced her retirement effective April 30, 2025. She has served SVMC since Oct. 1, 2001.
- Upcoming urban ministry course takes place in Atlanta
The upcoming urban ministry course offered by a partnership of Bethany Theological Seminary, the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, and the Church of the Brethren Discipleship and Leadership Formation department, is titled “A Place of Refuge: Ministry in the Urban Context.” It takes place on Jan. 7-15, 2025, in Atlanta, Ga.
- Middle Pennsylvania announces interim district executive minister team
The Middle Pennsylvania District of the Church of the Brethren has called an interim district executive minister team to serve beginning July 29. The three-person team consists of Rebecca (Beckie) Zeek, Janet Sell, and Mark Liller. All members of the team will address the needs for pastoral placement and will cover the remaining duties of the position description according to interest and gifts.