Church of the Brethren general secretary David Steele has sent a pastoral letter to the Armenian community following the Azerbaijan attack against Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) which forced the Armenian population to flee the area. The letter was sent to Archbishop Vicken Aykazian on behalf of the Armenian Church of America, the global Armenian Orthodox fellowship, and the Armenian community worldwide, with particular attention to the Armenian members and attenders within the Church of the Brethren.
General Secretary
Church of the Brethren and the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy join ecumenical and interfaith calls for ceasefire in Israel and Palestine
The Church of the Brethren has joined more than 20 Christian churches and organizations in the United States in sending a letter to the United States Congress mourning the loss of life in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories and calling for a ceasefire and the release of all hostages. The denomination’s Office of Peacebuilding and Policy signed an interfaith letter to the Biden administration and Congress, dated Oct. 16, also calling for a ceasefire.
Mission and Ministry Board adopts 2024 budget parameter, continues strategic plan work
The Mission and Ministry Board approved a budget parameter for Core Ministries for 2024, continued work on the strategic plan, welcomed international guests, recognized board members completing their terms of service, and more.
Mission and Ministry Board adopts statement on the Doctrine of Discovery
The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board, meeting March 10-12 in Elgin, Ill., approved a statement lamenting the Doctrine of Discovery and recommended its adoption by Annual Conference. The Church of the Brethren statement grew out of years of background work by the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy and Discipleship Ministries.
General secretary signs interfaith letter on reparations
Church of the Brethren general secretary David Steele is one of the American faith leaders who have signed a letter to President Biden urging that the president “issue an executive order to establish a Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans.”
Nathan Polzin hired to new executive director position for Discipleship and Leadership Formation
Nathan Polzin has been hired by the Church of the Brethren as executive director of Discipleship and Leadership Formation, beginning April 10. This new position oversees a merged department that includes the Office of Ministry and Discipleship Ministries.
Denominational leaders hold annual winter meeting
Representatives from 19 of the Church of the Brethren’s 24 districts gathered for the Council of District Executives (CODE) annual winter meeting in Florida on Jan. 7-11. The district executives were joined by Annual Conference officers and agency representatives for portions of the meeting.
Circular tables: A ‘calling story’ from the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center
Circular tables. The Mission and Ministry Board meets around circular tables the same way Church of the Brethren delegates to Annual Conference have for the past decade. When used purposefully, this setup–this space–can inspire robust sharing, provoke thoughtful discernment, and give voice to an array of perspectives. We grow, we are nourished, and, sometimes, we find ourselves outside our zones of comfort.
Mission and Ministry Board adopts 2023 budget for Church of the Brethren ministries
Approval of a budget for the denominational ministries of the Church of the Brethren and the naming of the next chair-elect topped actions taken by the Mission and Ministry Board at fall meetings. The board met at the General Offices in Elgin, Ill., on Oct. 13-16 led by chair Carl Fike, assisted by chair-elect Colin Scott and general secretary David Steele.
Mission and Ministry Board meets this weekend, agenda focuses on budget
The Church of the Brethren’s Mission and Ministry Board holds its fall meetings this weekend at the denomination’s General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Leading the meeting is chair Carl Fike, assisted by chair-elect Colin Scott and general secretary David Steele.