Jonathan Whitsel has been called as district executive minister for the Church of the Brethren’s Middle Pennsylvania District, beginning Jan. 1, 2027. He has served as pastor of Sugar Run Church of the Brethren in Shirleysburg, Pa., since April 2024.
Ministry Office
How will we celebrate our pastors?
Since the early 1990s, October has been recognized globally as Pastor Appreciation Month, with the second Sunday set aside as Pastor Appreciation Day. Our pastors care for us through life’s most significant moments. Their work goes far beyond Sunday sermons.
Part-Time Pastor; Full-Time Church program offers fall 2026 Scripture Practice cohort
By Ryan Braught The Church of the Brethren’s Part-Time Pastor; Full-Time Church program will sponsor Practicing the Way: The Scripture Practice this fall for multi-vocational pastors. What is the Scripture Practice? In Practicing the Way, a book by John Mark Comer, readers are introduced to nine spiritual practices—Sabbath, Solitude, Scripture, Prayer, Fasting, Generosity, Community, Service, and Witness—that help
John Fillmore named director of ministry
The Church of the Brethren has named Rev. Dr. John Fillmore as director of ministry, effective Nov. 2, 2026. As part of the denomination’s Discipleship and Leadership Formation team, he will lead the Ministry Office, equipping ministers, supporting congregations and districts, and strengthening pastoral leadership across the denomination. Fillmore has served as pastor of Nampa
Adjustments to ministerial leadership polity are approved
Two adjustments to the 2014 Ministry Leadership paper that governs credentialing of ministerial leaders in the Church of the Brethren were approved by the delegate body on Monday, June 29. One pertains to licensed ministers and the other to commissioned ministers. As a change of polity, this item of business required and received a two-thirds majority to pass.
Revelation 7:9 Award is given to Wendy McFadden and Nancy Sollenberger Heishman
The Church of the Brethren Intercultural Ministries held its annual Revelation 7:9 Award presentation during the Mission and Ministry Board meeting on Sunday, June 28. Intercultural director Founa Augustin Badet presented the award, which recognizes church members and congregations for their contributions to a vision of intercultural ministries in their communities, within the denomination, and in the world at large.
Listening Session offered for Spanish-speaking multi-vocational pastors; Sesión de Escucha para MVP de habla hispana
The Aug. 24 online Listening Session hosted by the Part-Time Pastor: Full-Time Church Program will be for Spanish-speaking multi-vocational pastors. It will be held via Zoom from 7-8:30 p.m. (Eastern time).
Gaston Pierre-Louis joins Part Time Pastor; Full Time Church as a ‘circuit rider’
Gaston Pierre-Louis has joined the Part Time Pastor; Full Time Church program of the Church of the Brethren’s Ministry Office as a “circuit rider.” He will be filling in after Founa A. Badet, director of Intercultural Ministries, steps down as a “circuit rider” effective July 31.
Conference business includes resolutions on weapons transfer, care for immigrants and refugees, polity adjustments for licensed and commissioned ministers
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.
Part Time Pastor; Full Time Church offers Listening Sessions
Are you a multi-vocational pastor (MVP) within the Church of the Brethren? Do you work a job, or multiple jobs, as well as leading a congregation? Are you more than part time but not paid on scale? Would you like to share with someone about your journey as an MVP?