The response to the query on Guidance for Responding to the Changing of Earth’s Climate was defeated in a close vote, and the query was returned to the district and congregation where it originated. The response had been formulated by staff of the Office of Public Witness working with a study committee appointed by that office.
Delegates Maintain Current Structure of Mission and Ministry Board; Defer to 2015 Other Decisions on Board Bylaws, BBT Articles, Agency Financial Reports
This year’s recommendation by the Mission and Ministry Board responding to a query about equitable representation on the board, was adopted. The content of the recommendation was unusually simple–to maintain the current structure of the Mission and Ministry Board with no changes to how members are chosen.
The Day in Columbus – Saturday
An overview of the day at Annual Conference in Columbus on July 5, 2014
Intergenerational Activities Invite All Ages to Live as Courageous Disciples
From toddlers to grandparents, participants of all ages enjoyed the energy of Saturday night’s hands-on activities, co-sponsored by the Annual Conference Programs and Arrangements Committee and the Outdoor Ministries Association.
The Day in Columbus – Friday
From Philippians “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12b-13). Quotable quotes “In addition to now being out of debt, we have now accrued a back up reserve of $350,000.
Revision to Ministerial Leadership Polity Is Adopted by Annual Conference
The revision to Ministerial Leadership Polity today was adopted by Annual Conference, gaining the two-thirds majority vote it needed. With its adoption, several changes will be taking effect in January 2015.
Learning to Wash Feet Is Theme of Brethren Journal Association Luncheon
“Brethren have adopted the language of just doing things,” said Joshua Brockway at the annual meeting of the Brethren Journal Association. “We have emphasized obedience, especially with regards to our ordinances.”
The Early Brethren and Celibacy in Marriage
Generations of ministers under the tutelage of Brethren historian Floyd Mallot remember how he would write the first and last year under which the earliest Brethren purportedly practiced celibacy, having found the warrant for it in their scripture study. Then, smack dab in the middle, he wrote the year that Alexander Mack Jr. was conceived, usually to general laughter as all reflected how hard it can be to practice what is preached.
Revision of 1996 Ethics for Congregations Paper Is Approved by the Delegates
For the past few years Congregational Life Ministries staff member Joshua Brockway has been developing a revision of the 1996 Ethics for Congregations paper, as requested by the study committee initially appointed to answer the Query: Guidelines for Implementation of the Congregational Ethics Paper. Brockway is director of Spiritual Life and Discipleship for the Church of the Brethren. The final version of the polity came before the delegate body at this year’s Conference and was adopted.
Rebecca Dali Interviewed by Columbus’ NBC4, Leads Insight Sessions on Nigeria
Rebecca Dali was interviewed by Columbus’ NBC Channel 4. Reporter Ted Hart interviewed her just prior to a special insight session on Nigeria that Dali led over the lunch hour on Friday, July 4. She also presented an insight session on Nigeria the following Saturday evening.