The business agenda for the 2026 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference has been announced. Along with numerous reports and the ballot, the delegate body will receive an interim report from the Review and Evaluation Committee and will consider four items of new business: resolutions on weapons transfer and care for immigrants and refugees, polity adjustments for licensed and commissioned ministers, and the yet-to-be-announced recommended COLA for the pastoral scale.
Standing Committee has approved two documents related to Eder Financial’s transition of services to Everence Association Inc. The decision endorses Everence as the Church of the Brethren’s preferred provider for a number of services that are being transferred by Eder to Everence. These services include employee retirement, organizational investing, and possibly other financial or insurance services.
A special meeting of the Standing Committee of district representatives to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference will take place on Monday evening, April 13, at 8 p.m. (Eastern time). The meeting will center around Eder Financial’s agency status with Annual Conference and a proposed interim memo of understanding (MOU) between Standing Committee and Everence.
“Redeeming AI: Biblical Guidelines” is this year’s theme for the pre-Annual Conference Church of the Brethren Ministers’ Association continuing education event. Russell Haitch, Bethany Theological Seminary professor of theology and human science, will be the keynote speaker. The event will take place Saturday evening, June 27, and all day Sunday, June 28, in Fort Wayne, Ind.
The Nominating Committee of the Standing Committee of district delegates to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference is presenting the following ballot for the 2026 Conference taking place in Fort Wayne, Ind., on Sunday, June 28, to Thursday, July 2.
The Annual Conference organizers have announced the preachers for the five daily worship services to be held during the Conference. Each worship service will focus on a theme and symbol from the Church of the Brethren’s biblical heritage. Speakers will be asked to reexamine and reappropriate historic Brethren themes for our time.
The Church of the Brethren Annual Conference provides an opportunity for the body of Christ to come together to hear the voice of God as revealed by the Holy Spirit within and among us. Please join us for inspiring worship, informational Bible studies, communal discernment, engaging breakout sessions, energizing exhibits, empowering witness, nurturing fellowship, and meaningful connection.
The Review and Evaluation Committee is made up of five members, elected by the Annual Conference from across the denomination. The members of the committee include: Daniel Rudy (chairperson), Chris Douglas (secretary), Lupita Ortiz-Cruz, Ilexene Alphonse, and Anna Lisa Gross.
When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost amidst tongues of fire and miracles of speaking and hearing, the people were amazed and perplexed. Peter explained to them that the words of the prophet Joel were being fulfilled.
Annual Conference will be held Sunday, June 28, through Thursday, July 2, at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne, Ind. Annual Conference registration and housing reservations will open to the public on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.