{"id":27305,"date":"2026-06-19T19:36:18","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T19:36:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/?p=27305"},"modified":"2026-06-19T19:41:57","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T19:41:57","slug":"board-approves-statement-of-intent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/board-approves-statement-of-intent\/","title":{"rendered":"Mission and Ministry Board approves statement of intent regarding future of the General Offices"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Mission and Ministry Board of the Church of the Brethren on Wednesday evening, June 17, approved a Statement of Intent regarding the future of the General Offices in Elgin, Ill., which is the denomination\u2019s headquarters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The statement announces that \u201cthe board is exploring options for relocation of the denominational headquarters and will be pursuing the responsible sale of the current headquarters property.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The decision follows years of discussion by the board and other denominational leadership about the changes affecting the Church of the Brethren in terms of congregations and membership, questions of how best to carry out the ministry of the denomination, and what responsible stewardship requires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Board chair Kathy Mack presided at the Zoom meeting that was open only to elected board members, with all but two present. The statement was approved with one abstention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also in the Zoom meeting were selected staff: David Steele, general secretary; Shawn Flory Replogle, executive director of Organizational Resources; Shannon McNeil Smith, executive administrative assistant in the General Secretary\u2019s Office; and Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of News Services, who was asked to attend in order to report on the meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Statement of Intent was prepared by the board\u2019s Facilities Stewardship Committee and was edited and approved by the Executive Committee before being presented to the board for approval. It emerged from a discussion held during closed session at the board\u2019s March 2026 meeting in Modesto, Calif.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The timing of the June 17 decision was intentional in order to disseminate the information in the days leading up to Annual Conference and give Conferencegoers the ability to bring informed questions, suggestions, and dreams to the event, according to board leadership. The board\u2019s pre-Conference meeting is on Sunday, June 28, in the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne, Ind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discussion during the June 17 Zoom meeting<\/strong> noted that consideration of details related to a sale of property or relocation of headquarters and staff has not yet begun. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three areas where specific concern is anticipated include the wellbeing of the staff, the Brethren Press inventory that is housed in the warehouse section of the building, and the Brethren Historical Library and Archives collection that occupies a large part of the building\u2019s lower level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The board discussed how its members may receive and respond to questions during the denomination\u2019s upcoming Annual Conference, and also heard a brief report about a meeting at the General Offices on Monday, June 15, where employees were informed of the impending decision.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Views of the General Offices.<\/strong> Top: the chapel. Above: the front of the building in winter (photos by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford). Below: the guest entrance as seen from the parking lot (photo by Eric Thompson)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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There will be no immediate changes to staff roles, jobs, or locations. The process that has been put in motion with the Statement of Intent is expected to take a significant amount of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The board \u201cwill be dealing with this for years\u201d said Mack, who expressed the intention for the board\u2019s handling of the matter to be \u201cas transparent as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Following is the full text of the statement:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Statement of Intent<\/strong>
Regarding the Future of the Denominational Headquarters known as the General Offices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Misson and Ministry Board of the Church of the Brethren is committed to faithful stewardship of the resources entrusted to it for the advancement of the denomination\u2019s mission, ministry, and long-term vitality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Board acknowledges that the General Offices in Elgin, Illinois, home of the denomination\u2019s headquarters and surrounding property, has served the denomination well. After prayerful discernment and careful consideration, the Board recognizes that changing missional realities, operational needs, and fiduciary responsibilities require periodic reassessment as to how physical assets best support the present and future work of the denomination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accordingly, the Board is exploring options for relocation of the denominational headquarters and will be pursuing the responsible sale of the current headquarters property. This work will align with the denomination\u2019s mission, financial sustainability, and organizational effectiveness. The Board\u2019s intent reflects neither a disregard for the historical significance of the property nor a departure from the Church of the Brethren\u2019s heritage, but rather an affirmation that assets exist to support mission, not constrain it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In carrying out this intent, the Board commits to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n