The Church of the Brethren General Board holds its fall meetings this weekend at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill.
The Executive Committee meets today, Oct. 20. Meetings of the full board continue on Oct. 21-23, Saturday through Monday morning. The event closes with a professional growth workshop led by administration, faculty, and staff of Manchester College on Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning, Oct. 23-24.
On the business agenda are a 2007 budget; a study paper on stem cell research; a pastoral letter on immigration; a conflict of interest policy; and a recommendation regarding Christian Churches Together in the USA, which is a new national ecumenical organization.
The board will receive numerous reports including a report on the Sudan mission initiative; the 2006 financial reports; a report from the Brethren Service Center Ministry Options Exploration Committee; a report from National Youth Conference; an update on Gather ’Round, the Sunday school curriculum published by Brethren Press and Mennonite Publishing Network; a report of visits with pastors by Brethren Volunteer Service workers; and a report on a National Council of Churches trip to Lebanon.
The meetings will include daily worship. Employee recognitions and staff citations will close out the agenda.
The professional growth event led by administration, faculty, and staff of Manchester College in North Manchester, Ind., follows the meetings and will be open to board members and staff. Sessions will be offered on “Peace Studies: Biblical Roots and Academic Pedigree,” by Tim McElwee, associate professor of Peace Studies; “Worship,” by campus pastor Jim Chinworth and Manchester students; “Engaging and Effective Board Service,” by Jack Gochenaur, treasurer and vice president for Financial Affairs; and “Leadership: The Synergy of Collaboration,” by Manchester president Jo Young Switzer.