A good giving and investment report for 2013, discussion of the Brethren Service Center, and several hours of board development work marked the spring meeting of the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board. The meeting March 14-17 at the denomination’s General Offices in Elgin, Ill., was led by board chair Becky Ball-Miller.
MMB
A Prayer Request from Maiduguri, Nigeria
The following prayer request from a member of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) living in the city of Maiduguri. It was received this weekend by an Annual Conference officer and shared with the Mission and Ministry Board on Sunday during worship. The city of Maiduguri was attacked this past weekend by the terrorist group Boko Haram:
MMB Adopts Budget, Revision of Ministerial Leadership Polity, Recommendation on Equitable Representation
A budget for 2014 and responses to business sent back by Annual Conference–the Ministerial Leadership document and a query on equitable representation–were on the agenda of the Mission and Ministry Board Oct. 18-21. The meeting was chaired by Becky Ball Miller. Also on the agenda were the strategic plan, financial policies, capital proposals, discussion of the Brethren Service Center, celebration of Gather ’Round, the Annual Conference delegate travel stipend, terms of board members, and reports.
Mission and Ministry Board Adopts Budget Parameter for 2014, Welcomes International Guests in Pre-Conference Meeting
A budget parameter for the Core Ministries budget for 2014 was adopted by the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board in its meeting on Saturday, June 29, in advance of the Annual Conference.
Proposal on More Equitable Representation Is Returned to Mission and Ministry Board
A proposal prepared by the Mission and Ministry Board to respond to a query on equitable representation on the board has been returned to the Mission and Ministry board for further work.
Revision to Ministerial Leadership Polity Is Returned for Further Work
The Annual Conference received the Revision to Ministerial Leadership Polity with appreciation for the work that has been done on the document, but returned it to the Mission and Ministry Board “for revision in accordance with Standing Committee concerns, to be brought back to the 2014 Annual Conference.”
Congregational Ethics, Ministerial Leadership, Drone Warfare, Biblical Authority Are on Business Docket for 2013
Delegates to Annual Conference on June 29-July 3 in Charlotte, N.C., will consider several key documents for the Church of the Brethren, among nine items of business coming to the meeting. As at last year’s Conference, delegates will again be seated together at round tables.
Brethren Academy Program Receives Funding from Wieand Trust, Gift Funds New Education Opportunities at Bethany
A gift from the David J. and Mary Elizabeth Wieand Trust is helping to start a new “Sustaining Ministerial Excellence: Advanced Seminar” at the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership. In related news, Bethany Seminary announces that two new educational initiatives will be supported by a major gift from the estate of Mary Elizabeth Wertz Wieand. This gift comes through the David J. and Mary Elizabeth Wieand Trust, established by a family whose roots go back to the founding of the seminary.
Board Sees New Congregational Survey Tool, Names At-Large Member, Among Other Business
Mission and Ministry Board members got a glimpse of a new congregational survey that will be part of the Vital Ministry Journey for churches and districts, named a new at-large member pending affirmation at Annual Conference, reviewed financial reports from 2012, and made a small change to the 2013 budget among other business at the spring meeting.
Newsline Special: Church Board Recognizes Spanish Brethren, Issues Resolution Against Drone Warfare
Mission and Ministry Board spring meeting: 1) Church of the Brethren in Spain receives recognition from denominational board. 2) Brethren board issues resolution against drone warfare. 3) Response on equitable board representation will go to Annual Conference. 4) Board sees new congregational survey tool, names at-large member, among other business. 5) BMC representatives and MMB executive committee discuss concerns.