{"id":27984,"date":"2026-10-20T21:20:10","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T21:20:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/?p=27984"},"modified":"2026-10-20T21:26:05","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T21:26:05","slug":"board-considers-leadership-priorities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/board-considers-leadership-priorities\/","title":{"rendered":"Mission and Ministry Board considers priorities for next general secretary, approves 2027 budget"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The elected members of the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board, with general secretary David Steele. Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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The Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board<\/a> began considering the ministry priorities and leadership qualities needed in the denomination\u2019s next general secretary during its fall meeting Oct. 16-18 at the General Offices in Elgin, Ill.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The board also adopted a 2027 budget with a projected $376,860 deficit, authorized a further step toward marketing the General Offices property, and took several actions related to the transition of services from Eder Financial<\/a> to Everence Financial<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chair Kathy Mack led the meeting, assisted by chair-elect Josiah Ludwick and general secretary David Steele. Worship, prayer, and fellowship accompanied the business sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Greg Davidson Laszakovits leads the board in a session to begin discernment of the ministry focus for the next general secretary. Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Ministry focus of the next general secretary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At their fall 2025 meeting<\/a>, the board extended David Steele\u2019s term as general secretary for an additional two years, through August 2028. Last week, Steele announced<\/a> he will not seek another extension, planning to conclude his service as general secretary on Aug. 31, 2028.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The board began it\u2019s discernment about the next general secretary with more than two hours of conversation led by consultant Greg Davidson Laszakovits<\/a>. Board members, staff, and guests participated in small-group and full-group discussions, both in-person and online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participants first considered the Church of the Brethren and the role of the Mission and Ministry Board over the next 10 years, including changes in the world, communities, and culture that will affect the church\u2019s life and ministry. The conversation then moved to identifying gifts, skills, and qualities most needed by the next general secretary, with particular emphasis on the first two years of service<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notes from the session will help guide the next steps of the search process, which the Mission and Ministry Board will lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The board votes for the 2027 budget proposal. The Mission and Ministry Board’s consensus decision-making model uses cards in three colors–green to indicate “yes,” red to indicate “no,” and yellow to indicate “caution” or concerns. Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Denominational budget for 2027<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The board approved a combined 2027 budget for denominational ministries with $7,979,350 of income and $8,356,210 of expense, resulting in a projected deficit of $376,860. The total includes Core Ministries, Annual Conference Office<\/a>, Brethren Disaster Ministries,<\/a> and the Global Food Initiative<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The approved budget projects a much larger shortfall than the $44,000 deficit included in the budget parameter that the board adopted in June. Treasurer Ed Woolf attributed the change to lower anticipated income, increased program expenses, and the absence of transfers from designated funds that helped support previous budgets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Core Ministries budget in 2027 includes $5,268,000 of income and $5,597,470 of expenses, with a projected deficit of $329,470.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Core Ministries encompasses the General Secretary\u2019s Office<\/a>, Office of Peacebuilding and Policy<\/a>, Discipleship and Leadership Formation<\/a> (including the Ministry Office<\/a>, Intercultural Ministries<\/a>, Youth and Young Adult Ministries<\/a>, Older Adult Ministries<\/a>, and more), Engagement and Communications, Brethren Press<\/a>, Global Mission<\/a>, Service Ministries (Brethren Volunteer Service<\/a> and FaithX<\/a>), and Organizational Resources (including Finance, the Brethren Historical Library and Archives<\/a>, IT, and more).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Board members raised concerns about the projected Core Ministries deficit. Woolf described the financial pressures facing the denomination, saying, \u201cWe\u2019ve reached that point that we\u2019ve anticipated for several years\u2026. We face rising deficits unless significant changes are made.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Factors shaping the 2027 budget include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n