The 2025 Strength for the Journey cohorts focus on three themes: 1) Preaching, 2) Team Ministry, and 3) Pastoral Visitation and Chaplaincy. Strength for the Journey (SFTJ) provides resources for several ministry cohorts each year.
Church of the Brethren congregations and members are among those who have been affected by Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, especially in Southeastern District denominational staff have learned in conversation with district executives. The General Secretary’s office, Brethren Disaster Ministries, and the Ministry office have connected with leaders in the church districts covering the states where the storm was most destructive–Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Throughout 2024, four clergy cohorts have met for mutual encouragement, spiritual support, and conversation around topics of shared interest. Meeting via Zoom, these cohorts worship together, share resources, discuss familiar challenges, and help each other find strength for the journey of ministry.
Part-Time Pastor; Full-Time Church is announcing its next book study, beginning in early September via Zoom. “Circuit rider” John Fillmore will lead a discussion of Christian Spiritual Formation by Diane J. Chandler.
The closing business session of the Standing Committee addressed proposed revisions to the pastor’s Housing Equity Fund and a recommended cost of living adjustment to the minimum cash salary table for pastors. An additional action came during a review of the Special Response Process.
The Middle Pennsylvania District of the Church of the Brethren has called an interim district executive minister team to serve beginning July 29. The three-person team consists of Rebecca (Beckie) Zeek, Janet Sell, and Mark Liller. All members of the team will address the needs for pastoral placement and will cover the remaining duties of the position description according to interest and gifts.
Designed particularly for ministers new to the Church of the Brethren denomination, Bethany Theological Seminary’s certificate of achievement in ministry studies (CAMS) includes six courses that focus on Brethren history and theology, practical experience with the ordinances and preaching of the church, biblical interpretation, and peace studies.
Part-time Pastor; Full-Time Church will hold a webinar on June 12 at 7:30 p.m. (Eastern time) as a panel discussion with author Callie Swanlund, program manager Richard Wehrle, and the program’s circuit riders. Together they will discuss the topic of clergy burnout, which is the focus of Swanlund’s new book From Weary to Wholehearted: A Restorative Resource for Overcoming Clergy Burnout.
Tara Hornbacker will lend her expertise as instructor for the course “Interim/Transitional Ministry: More than Maintenance,” offered by the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership. This is an “asynchronous online” course taking place from July 31 through Sept. 24.
Part-time Pastor; Full-Time Church is beginning a book study of From Weary to Wholehearted: A Restorative Resource for overcoming Clergy Burnout by Callie Swanlund.
