Ministry Resources
- Ministerial Leadership Manual documents
- Congregational vacancies
- District vacancies
- 2023 Ministerial statistics
2023 Ministers’ Association event
July 3-4, Cincinnati, OH (in person or virtual)
Registration opens March 7.
“Healing Racial Trauma: The Road to Resilience and Beloved Community” with Sheila Wise Rowe; download the flyer
“Sanar el trauma racial: El camino a la resiliencia y la comunidad amada” con Sheila Wise Rowe; descargue el folleto
“Gerizon Troma Rasyal: Wout pou Rezilyans enpi Kominote Ancheri”” ak Sheila Wise Rowe; telechaje flyer
Book discussion
Text: Healthy Churches, Faithful Pastors: Covenant Expectations for Thriving Together by David A. Keck
When: 10 Sessions beginning April 18, completing June 20, held on Tuesdays at 7 pm EST / 4 pm PST.
Facilitator: John Fillmore, Circuit Rider for the Part-time Pastor; Full-time Church program
Zoom links will be sent after registrations are received. Space is limited to 10 persons and other names will be saved for further opportunities.
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/X3zTSsGJBjoyLjqe7
Sacred Connections: Lenten Soul Tending for Spiritual Leaders
The Part-time Pastor, Full-time Church program is offering two virtual events led by one of the program’s “circuit riders,” Erin Matteson, an ordained minister and spiritual director.
The March 10 session “Listening with the Ear of the Heart; Looking with the Eyes of Faith” will feature a fusion of the prayer practices of lectio and visio divina using Matthew 16:13-20. The March 27 session “Music as a Gateway to the Sacred” will feature experiencing vibration and other short musical pieces of varied languages and styles to carry us further into the heart of God and connect us to the hearts of one another.
Find out more and get links to register here: https://www.brethren.org/news/2023/virtual-events-on-sacred-connections/
Clergywomen’s breakfast
July 5 at 7 a.m. featuring Dr. Margaret Elwell speaking on “Claiming Power of Confessing Privilege: Framing Tough Topics”
Purchase tickets when registering for Annual Conference 2023 or use the “additional purchases” link on that page if already registered.
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.
Book study on Flourishing in Ministry
January 4-March 8, 2022
CEU available
Part-time Pastor; Full-time Church program offers book study on Flourishing in Ministry
As inspiring as the Advent Season is, it can also be a reminder of the challenges faced by many pastors. While congregational members enter a time of celebration and expectation, pastors may be stretched thin, finding it difficult to attend to their own spiritual and physical health. If the idea of thriving in ministry seems like a distant hope, John Fillmore, a Circuit Rider from the Part-Time Pastor/Full-Time Church program, is inviting you to join in a book discussion centered on Matt Bloom’s research contained in his book Flourishing in Ministry: How to Cultivate Clergy Wellbeing. Bloom is the principal researcher for the Flourishing in Ministry project and the Faith and Flourishing at Work project. Fillmore will lead weekly conversations for reflection, discussion, and mutual support to explore the principles Bloom outlines in his book. In cooperation with the Brethren Academy, CEU credits will be offered. We hope you can join!
Signup for this event has ended.
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.
This event has ended.
Newsletter – August 27, 2021
Click the image below to read it!
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.
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.
Pastoral Letter
January 2021 Message of encouragement from the Office of Ministry
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
- Ministry Office offers events for equipping and renewal
Upcoming events include a virtual session March 27, "Music as a Gateway to the Sacred," an online book study beginning April 18, the Ministers' Association pre-conference event July 3-4 in Cincinnati, and the Clergywomen's Breakfast July 5.
- Taking a ‘balcony view’ of pastoral ministry and its challenges
With just under two years remaining for the grant, the Church of the Brethren Office of Ministry gathered a group of circuit riders, advisory team members, district executives, and others at the denominational offices in Elgin, Ill., Feb. 24-26, to take a “balcony view” of the program to date and consider possibilities and direction going forward.
- Ballot is announced for the 2023 Annual Conference
The Nominating Committee of the Standing Committee of district delegates to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference are presenting the following ballot for the 2023 Conference. The elections will be held during the annual meeting taking place in Cincinnati, Ohio, on July 4-8, 20223.
- Virtual events focus on ‘sacred connections’ during Lent
The Part-time Pastor, Full-time Church program of the Church of the Brethren’s Office of Ministry is offering two virtual events under the umbrella, “Sacred Connections: Lenten Soul Tending for Spiritual Leaders.” They will be led by one of the program’s “circuit riders,” Erin Matteson, an ordained minister and spiritual director.
- Tabitha Rudy begins assisting with the Part-time Pastor; Full-time Church program
The Office of Ministry’s Part-time Pastor; Full-time Church program has engaged Tabitha Hartman Rudy as an independent contractor to assist with administrative needs of the program. Her work began on Jan. 30. She will give up to 10 hours per week to fulfilling program tasks remotely from her home in Boones Mill, Va. She is