The Southern Pennsylvania District of the Church of the Brethren has called Traci Rabenstein to serve as district executive minister starting April 6. She resides in Enola, Pa., from where she will serve in this fulltime role.
Ministry Office
South/Central Indiana District announces ‘Being the Body of Christ’ initiative
As I visit congregations, people often ask me what commonalities are present in thriving churches. The three markers I have learned to name are ancient wisdom rearticulated: orientation around spiritual practices (Love of God), healthy internal relationships (Love of one another), and taking the literal needs of actual neighbors seriously (Love of neighbor). The integration of these three markers is what we are calling Being the Body of Christ.
Part-Time Pastor; Full-Time Church book discussion to address ‘how to lead’
How to Lead When You Don’t Know Where You’re Going: Leading in a Liminal Season by Susan Beaumont is the book chosen for an upcoming online book discussion sponsored by the Church of the Brethren Ministry Office and the Part-Time Pastor; Full-Time Church program.
February Ventures course to focus on pastoral and congregational well-being
The February offering from Ventures in Christian Discipleship will be “The Ecology of Vitality: Mutuality in Pastoral and Congregational Well-Being.” Presented by John Fillmore, pastor of Nampa (Idaho) Church of the Brethren and district executive minister of the Church of the Brethren’s Idaho/Western Montana District, the course will be held online on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (central time).
Third round-table discussion focusing on interim/transitional ministry
A third round-table discussion sponsored by the Ministry Office of the Church of the Brethren will focus on the questions of placement surrounding interim/transitional ministry, including lifting up the resources and guidance that districts are able to supply.
Greg Davidson Laszakovits to lead Northern Plains District on interim basis
Greg Davidson Laszakovits will begin on Jan. 1, 2026, as interim district executive minister for the Church of the Brethren’s Northern Plains District. He lives in Elizabethtown, Pa., and will serve half-time in a hybrid working style that will involve traveling to the district as needed.
Ryan Braught to manage the Part-time Pastor; Full-time Church program
Ryan Braught began Nov. 17 as an independent contractor to manage the Church of the Brethren’s Part-time Pastor; Full-time Church program for 10 hours per week.
Richard Wehrle moves from Part-time Pastor; Full-time Church program to Rural and Small Towns Initiative
Richard Wehrle transitioned on Nov. 17 from serving as program manager for the Church of the Brethren’s Part-time Pastor; Full-time Church program to a new role as program manager for the Rural and Small Towns Initiative.
Rural and Small Town Initiative begins as Part-time Pastor; Full-time Church enters ‘sustainability phase’
Through the Part-time Pastor; Full-time Church connections in the Church of the Brethren’s Ministry Office, a partnership with Ashland Seminary has resulted in a grant of almost $1 million as a “pass-through partner” within the Rural and Small Town Initiative funded by Lilly Endowment Inc.
Clarification of commissioned minister status
The following is offered as a clarification of the status of commissioned ministers in the denomination following the recent article reporting on an action taken by Shenandoah District.