Registration closes on Monday, June 15, for the Minister’s Association pre-Annual Conference event in Tampa, Fla., on July 10-11. This continuing education event for licensed and ordained ministers is titled “Delving Deeply into Compassion,” and will be led by Joyce Rupp, an author and speaker on the topic of compassion.
Ministry Office
Ministry Summer Service Pairs Interns with Mentors for Church Ministry
Ministry Summer Service (MSS) orientation is being held this week at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Interns arrived over the weekend, mentors arrived on Monday afternoon, and the group continues its orientation through Wednesday.
Office of Ministry Provides Forms Meeting New IRS Standards
The roller coaster ride of receiving and responding to updates regarding implications of the Affordable Care Act for support of our pastors’ medical insurance premiums continues. Thank you for your continuing care and concern as we seek to understand the situation and care for our pastors’ well-being.
New Puerto Rico District Names Jose Calleja Otero as District Executive
The Puerto Rico District has announced that Jose Calleja Otero has accepted the call to serve as district executive minister. Otero already has begun his work. In July, the Puerto Rico District officially will be welcomed as the Church of the Brethren’s 24th district at Annual Conference in Tampa, Fla.
Ethics in Ministry Relations Training Offered in Advance of Annual Conference
A training event for ministers, “Healthy Boundaries 201: Ethics in Ministry Relations Training,” will be offered in advance of the 2015 Annual Conference in Tampa, Fla. The training is scheduled for July 10, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Marriott Waterside hotel in Tampa.
Ministers’ Association ‘Delving Deeply into Compassion’ at Pre-Conference Event
The Minister’s Association invites you to join them and Joyce Rupp in Tampa, Fla. Registration is up and running for the pre-Conference Meeting, “Delving Deeply into Compassion,” with Joyce Rupp.
Clergy Tax Seminar Is Offered Onsite at Bethany Seminary and Online, Other Upcoming Webinars Address Family Matters and Ministry ‘After Christendom’
The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership will host a Clergy Tax Seminar on Feb. 23. The seminar is recommended for all pastors and seminary students as well as other church leaders who wish to understand clergy taxes including church treasurers, steward commission chairs, and church board chairs. Attend in person at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind., or online. The schedule includes a morning session from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (eastern) and an afternoon session from 2-4 p.m. (eastern).
Brethren Academy Updates Course List for 2015
The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership has issued an updated list of courses for 2015. The Brethren Academy is a partnership of the Church of the Brethren and Bethany Theological Seminary.
Communication Informs About New IRS Rule on Pre-Tax Health Insurance Premium Contributions for Pastors, Church Workers
A communication with important information about how churches report their pastors’ (and lay employees’) income with regard to health insurance premiums is being sent to each Church of the Brethren congregation. The joint letter is from Mary Jo Flory-Steury, associate general secretary of the Church of the Brethren and executive of the Ministry Office, and Scott W. Douglas, BBT director of Employee Benefits. An additional letter from Douglas gives information about IRS rules for Section 105 HRA pre-tax insurance contributions.
Court Rules to ‘Vacate’ Clergy Housing Allowance Case
“We have good news to share!” said an update from Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) about a court case that had the potential to seriously affect the tax status of clergy housing allowances. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the clergy housing allowance case brought by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. is to be vacated (eliminated) and remanded (sent back) to the US District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin with instructions to dismiss the case. The court ruled that the plaintiffs have no standing to bring a complaint.