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.
Ministry Office
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.
Russell Matteson Named District Executive for Pacific Southwest District
Russell L. Matteson has accepted a call to serve Pacific Southwest District as district executive, beginning Jan. 16, 2015. He has 18 years of experience in ministry, currently serving as co-pastor of Modesto (Calif.) Church of the Brethren with his wife, Erin Matteson.
Brethren Academy, Ministry Office, Bethany Seminary Create New Sustaining Ministerial Excellence Advanced Seminar
The Brethren Academy, the Church of the Brethren Office of Ministry, and Bethany Theological Seminary are developing a new Sustaining Ministerial Excellence Advanced Seminar to succeed the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence (SPE) program that concluded last year. The first seminar experience is scheduled for Jan. 16-19, 2015, designated as a Beginning Retreat for a Bivocational Pastors Cohort.
Brethren Academy Announces Upcoming Courses in 2014, 2015
The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership has issued an updated list of courses for 2014 and 2015. The Brethren Academy is a partnership of the Church of the Brethren and Bethany Theological Seminary, with offices on the Bethany campus in Richmond, Ind.
Revision to Ministerial Leadership Polity Is Adopted by Annual Conference
The revision to Ministerial Leadership Polity today was adopted by Annual Conference, gaining the two-thirds majority vote it needed. With its adoption, several changes will be taking effect in January 2015.
Ministry Summer Service Interns and Mentors Complete Orientation
The 2014 class of Ministry Summer Service interns and mentors completed orientation last week at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. During their orientation, the group of nine interns led the Wednesday chapel service for the General Offices community. Following orientation, the interns began work at their summer placements.
Torin Eikler Named Executive Minister of Northern Indiana District
Torin S. Eikler has been called to serve Northern Indiana District as district executive minister, a four-fifths time position beginning Sept. 1. Currently he is a team co-pastor at Morgantown (W.Va.) Church of the Brethren, which also is affiliated with Mennonite Church USA.
Revision to Ministerial Leadership Polity Heads up Annual Conference Business Agenda
The business agenda for the Church of the Brethren’s 2014 Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio, on July 2-6 includes proposed revisions to the Ministerial Leadership Polity, along with other returning business items that deal with guidelines for implementing the Congregational Ethics Paper, guidance for responding to the changing of Earth’s climate, a Vision of Ecumenism for the 21st century, and more equitable representation on the Mission and Ministry Board.