By Frances Townsend
The Mission and Ministry Board brought their recent resolution for adoption by the delegate body. Titled “Walking Together: Immigration, Peacemaking, Conscience, and Supporting our Neighbors,” it reiterates that “care for immigrants and refugees is an essential part of the Christian and Church of the Brethren ethic of service and peacemaking.”
The delegates voted to adopt the resolution with a very strong majority.
The resolution cites biblical foundations and quotes many previous Annual Conference statements and resolutions touching on issues named in its title. Those undergirding church statements show the denomination’s long history of caring. The history starts with the founding of the Brethren movement in 1708 with adult baptisms that were a form of civil disobedience in central Germany at the time, leading to the early Brethren themselves becoming religious refugees.
Noting that “Church of the Brethren history and traditions include radical discipleship, conscientious objection, and participation in civil disobedience,” the resolution indicates that in addition to serving the needs of immigrants and refugees, and doing advocacy of their behalf, more may be needed.
The resolution states, “In cases where government policies are unjust or conflict with biblical teachings, the Church of the Brethren has supported individuals to follow their conscience and in some cases, has encouraged open, nonviolent civil disobedience to such laws.”
A list of calls to action is included for individuals, congregations, districts, and the denomination. These include steps such as learning more about immigrants and their stories, praying for immigrants, giving material aid, building relationships, sharing power, and advocating for immigrants.
A landing page of resources to help individuals, small groups, and congregations study the resolution and the concerns surrounding it is at www.brethren.org/walking-together. Resources include the full text of the resolution in English and several other languages; immigration resources; Bible studies; a set of supporting scripture texts; links to related Annual Conference and board statements; and related Messenger articles.
— Frances Townsend is a member of the 2026 Annual Conference Press Team.
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Find more Church of the Brethren news:
- ‘Walking Together’ resolution on care for immigrants is adopted
- Be the peace: A keynote address by Angelo Mante
- Eder Financial reports on transition of services to Everence
- Adjustments to ministerial leadership polity are approved
- Service projects take Conferencegoers out into the Fort Wayne community