The Thriving in Ministry program, a new denominational initiative supporting multivocational congregational pastors, has completed a large-scale online survey gathering information about the joys and challenges of pastors working in bivocational and part-time ministry. Between two-thirds and three-fourths of Church of the Brethren pastors serve as multivocational leaders, and more than 600 were invited to take part in this survey. The results of the survey will inform the next steps for the program.
General secretary signs letter about war in Yemen
Church of the Brethren general secretary David Steele is one of 21 Christian leaders from across the country to sign a letter regarding the war in Yemen. Coordinated by Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), the letter was sent to Congress, including the leadership of the House and Senate and relevant committees.
Xenos Project is launched by Intercultural Ministries
The Intercultural Ministries of the Church of the Brethren has launched a venture called the Xenos Project. The word Xenos is a Greek word meaning stranger or alien. The purpose of Xenos is to build a community of congregations feeling called to speak up, stand up, and take action supporting immigrants within our nation.
Atlantic Northeast District ministry commission shares update on recent work
Following the action of the 2018 Atlantic Northeast District Conference to not approve the proposed same gender marriage policy, the district ministry commission began discussions on next steps in continuing their work on this issue. Discussion included the 1983 Annual Conference statement “Human Sexuality from a Christian Perspective” as well as acknowledging the importance of all the Annual Conference statements in the life of the church and all those who serve as set-apart ministers.
Pacific Southwest District shares support to those affected by Camp Fire
More than six months have passed since the destructive Camp Fire burned through most of the northern California town of Paradise and the surrounding area. The work in the community at recovery efforts and the making of plans for rebuilding the town continue to move forward, but the pace has been slow–in part because of a rainy winter and spring that settled over much of the area.
Christine and Josiah Ludwick complete year of work in Rwanda
Christine and Josiah Ludwick have completed their year of service as Global Mission workers with the Church of the Brethren in Rwanda. They traveled to Rwanda in August 2018 with their children Rachel and Asher.
Ministry Summer Service interns begin ministry placements
The Ministry Summer Service (MSS) participants for this summer have completed orientation and 4 interns have begun serving for 10 weeks in ministry placements. MSS orientation began May 31 at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Mentors arrived June 3, and orientation ended on June 5.
Brethren bits for June 15
In this issue: National Jr. High Conference, personnel, job opening, Nigeria Crisis Response update, We Are Able workcamp, Conference on Drone Warfare, “Why We Can’t Wait,” course on Brethren history, Juneteenth at First Chicago, “Candid Conversations” from Denver, continuing tornado response in S. Ohio and Kentucky District, cuts at Elizabethtown College, and more news by, for, and about Brethren.
Newsline for June 15, 2019
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17). NEWS 1) Anabaptist Church Consultation on the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service2) Thriving in Ministry completes survey of multivocational pastors3) General secretary signs letter about war in Yemen4) Xenos Project is launched
Anabaptist Church Consultation on the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service
Anabaptist Church Consultation on the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service
