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.”

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.

BMC Representatives and MMB Executive Committee Discuss Concerns

Representatives of the Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Interests (BMC) and the executive committee of the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board (MMB) met for about four hours on Monday, Feb. 4, at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. The purpose of the gathering was to begin dialogue about past difficulties in working together.

Brethren Board Issues Resolution Against Drone Warfare

A Resolution Against Drone Warfare was issued by the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board on March 11. Proposed by the denomination’s Peace Witness Ministry based in Washington, D.C., the resolution will be sent on to the 2013 Annual Conference for its consideration in early July. The resolution addresses the use of drones in warfare in the context of a reaffirmation of the Church of the Brethren’s longstanding assertion that “war is sin.”

Response on Equitable Board Representation Will Go to Annual Conference

A response to the query about equitable representation on the Mission Ministry Board, which came originally from Southern Pennsylvania District, will be on the business docket at the 2013 Conference. The board recommended changes to bylaws of the Church of the Brethren Inc., in a section governing the number and geographic balance of members of the board.