Delegates adopt eight recommendations from the study committee on Calling Denominational Leadership

By Frances Townsend and Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford

Eight recommendations from the study committee on Calling Denominational Leadership (known at this Conference as unfinished business item three), were adopted by the delegate body on Saturday, July 5, 2025, including one amendment. (Find a link to a pdf document of the study committee’s report and recommendations at www.brethren.org/ac2025/business.)

For several years, the Nominating Committee of Standing Committee, which prepares the ballot for leadership positions to be filled by Annual Conference, has recognized significant challenges in the nominating and elections process. Often there are too few nominations for a position, or too few people agree to serve. Not enough young people, racial, ethnic, or other minorities are nominated. There is inability or reluctance to take on time-consuming denominational roles. People who are qualified may not be elected because they are not well known outside of their congregations or districts.

In 2023, Standing Committee’s recommendation for a study was adopted by Annual Conference, which named the committee members: Eric Bishop (chair), Erika Clary, and Emmett Witkovsky-Eldred.

The study committee did extensive research and study of the denomination’s nomination and election process and previous related statements, and also gathered feedback from many constituencies across the denomination. They sought “as vast a representation as possible,” according to their report, which provides detailed information about the responses they received and common themes that emerged. Their recommendations are intended “to reduce the constraints that have existed in [the Annual Conference] calling process for denominational leadership.”

The first recommendation was adopted with a two-thirds majority vote because it changes the polity of the denomination. It reduces the required minimum number of nominees to fill ballot positions. Formerly, the Nominating Committee had to put forward at least four nominees for each open position, and Standing Committee narrowed those down to the two that appear on the Annual Conference ballot. Now, when at least two qualified and eligible nominations are received, there is no longer a requirement to seek more. This decision does not eliminate the Standing Committee process of narrowing down the ballot in other positions for which more nominations are received.

An amendment was adopted that changed the study committee’s original recommendation that only one eligible nomination would be sufficient to require at least two.

Recommendations two through eight were adopted together as a group, and required a simple majority vote.

Recommendation two referred to the new Review and Evaluation Committee consideration of other changes to polity including moving to a slate of nominees, allowing self-nominations, revising eligibility and disqualification rules such as the exclusion of agency board members or staff.

The third recommendation is that the denomination reaffirm its commitment to cultivating a diverse body of church leaders, welcome all who are willing to accept a call to serve without regard to identity, and engage professional consultants with expertise in cultivating diverse leadership.

Recommendation four is that the denomination designate a seat for a member of the church who is under age 35 in leadership bodies with at least three members.

The fifth recommendation lays out ways that the denomination should clarify calls to leadership using position descriptions and revision of the categories of information provided on the ballot.

A sixth recommendation is to publish expectations for elected positions, such as time, travel, responsibilities, and expenses.

Recommendation seven is for consultation with professionals to reduce implicit bias in biographical information presented to delegates.

The last recommendation is to show greater gratitude to those willing to serve who were not ultimately chosen, for increased transparency from Nominating Committee and Standing Committee, and for giving priority to unsuccessful candidates in future nominations.

Interested church members are encouraged to share their ideas about improving the process of nominating and selecting leaders with the appropriate groups, such as the Nominating Committee and Standing Committee, and with the Review and Evaluation Committee.