Church of the Brethren general secretary David Steele and Office of Peacebuilding and Policy director Nathan Hosler are urging the United States and Israel to cease their military actions against Iran and are calling on Iran to end its retaliatory strikes against surrounding countries where the US has military bases.
General Secretary’s Office
‘A Spirit of Power and Love’: A statement from the Church of the Brethren Inter-Agency Forum
The Church of the Brethren’s Inter-Agency Forum (IAF) met in Florida on Jan. 27 and has issued the following statement. The IAF includes officers of the denomination’s Annual Conference; the general secretary of the Church of the Brethren and the chair of the Mission and Ministry Board; representatives of the Council of District Executives; and executives and chairs of the boards of the three Annual Conference agencies: Bethany Theological Seminary, Eder Financial, and On Earth Peace.
Mission and Ministry Board approves 2026 budget during special Zoom meeting
The Church of the Brethren’s Mission and Ministry Board held a special meeting by Zoom on the evening of Nov. 24 to approve the 2026 budget for the denominational ministries.
Faith leaders condemn administration efforts to abandon historic US refugee program
Church World Service (CWS) alongside its fellow “Covenant Members”—with the full-fledged support of people of faith, refugee voices, and community leaders across the United States—condemned White House efforts to abandon the US Refugee program. The Church of the Brethren is one of the “Covenant Members” of CWS and also is a founding member.
Statement in Response to the United States Bombing of Nuclear Sites in Iran
In response to the United States bombing of three Iranian nuclear facilities early on Sunday, June 22, 2025, the Church of the Brethren expresses deep concern and issues a call for the peaceful resolution of conflict.
Church of the Brethren Inter-Agency Forum sends letter regarding multicultural commitments and welcome at Annual Conference
The Church of the Brethren’s Inter-Agency Forum has issued the following letter regarding this year’s Annual Conference, which takes place in Greensboro, N.C., on July 2-6 (see www.brethren.org/ac). The Inter-Agency Forum includes the Annual Conference officers and director, the general secretary, representatives from the Council of District Executives, and top leadership of the Conference agencies
The Church of the Brethren extends condolences on the death of Pope Francis
Church of the Brethren leaders are sending a letter expressing condolence to the Catholic Church on the death of Pope Francis. The letter is signed by Annual Conference moderator Dava Hensley and general secretary David Steele, and is being sent to the Vatican and to denominational ecumenical partners that are based in the Catholic tradition.
‘Sensitive Locations, Sacred Spaces’ nationwide prayer vigil supports lawsuit to protect sanctuaries
An interfaith prayer vigil on the evening of Thursday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m. (Eastern time) held both in-person at National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C., (5 Thomas Circle NW) and online via live-stream will support a court hearing in the sensitive locations lawsuit.
Church of the Brethren signs ‘Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Declaration: Defending Refuge’
The Church of the Brethren has signed the “Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Declaration: Defending Refuge” as one of the Covenant Members of Church World Service (CWS).
Church of the Brethren general secretary’s declaration filed alongside dozens of others in motion for preliminary injunction of policy on sensitive sites
Here is an update on the lawsuit filed on Feb. 11, 2025, on behalf of the Church of the Brethren and more than two dozen other Christian and Jewish religious denominations and associations, in response to the Trump Administration’s rescission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) “sensitive locations” policy that had restricted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from conducting immigration raids, arrests, and other enforcement actions at houses of worship.