Taking a ‘balcony view’ of pastoral ministry and its challenges

With just under two years remaining for the grant, the Church of the Brethren Office of Ministry gathered a group of circuit riders, advisory team members, district executives, and others at the denominational offices in Elgin, Ill., Feb. 24-26, to take a “balcony view” of the program to date and consider possibilities and direction going forward.

Prayer support requested for Lower Miami Church

Leaders at Lower Miami Church of the Brethren in Dayton, Ohio, have reached out for prayer support from the wider church following an incident directed at the congregation and its pastor. A special service will be held at the church tomorrow, Wednesday, March 1, at 5 p.m. (Eastern time), in response.

Virtual events focus on ‘sacred connections’ during Lent

The Part-time Pastor, Full-time Church program of the Church of the Brethren’s Office of Ministry is offering two virtual events under the umbrella, “Sacred Connections: Lenten Soul Tending for Spiritual Leaders.” They will be led by one of the program’s “circuit riders,” Erin Matteson, an ordained minister and spiritual director.

New video resource highlights shared ministry model

The Church of the Brethren’s Office of Ministry has created an online video resource of six segments featuring congregations that are creatively practicing the priesthood of all believers and thereby meeting their needs for pastoral leadership.

EYN Minister’s Council approves ordination of 74 pastors

The Minister’s Council of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) has approved ordination of 74 pastors during her 2023 annual conference held on Jan. 17-19 at the EYN Headquarters, Kwarhi, Adamawa State.

The Brethren Academy offers strength for the journey

The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership is offering a new type of continuing education experience for ministers. Strength for the Journey brings together small groups of ministers to share experiences, hone skills, explore ideas, wrestle with common dilemmas, and take on topics that spark new energy for ministry, all while earning continuing education units (CEUs).

Blue logo with a cross and people with their arms up on each side of it

Book study on ‘Flourishing in Ministry’

The Part-time Pastor; Full-time Church program of the Church of the Brethren Office of Ministry is offering a book study on Flourishing in Ministry: How to Cultivate Clergy Wellbeing by Matt Bloom. The online event is planned once a week from Jan. 4 to March 3, 2022, on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. (Eastern time). Continuing education units are available.

‘Dearest Sisters and Brothers in Christ’: Letter supports Church of the Brethren ministers

A letter from the Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee has expressed the group’s support to the ministers in the Church of the Brethren. The letter acknowledged the particular challenges for ministers during the COVID-19 pandemic and shared information about a number of resources that are available for ministers and congregations experiencing financial hardship.