The Church of the Brethren Board is the denominational headquarters and administration of the Church of the Brethren, which is located in Elgin, IL. The Board is led by the General Secretary, a variety of agencies and staff, and directed by delegates from across the United States in the Annual Conference.
Inspired by Jesus, Brethren Disaster Ministries focuses on rebuilding homes, caring for children, and providing international relief by engaging our volunteers, supporters, and partners to serve communities recovering from disaster.
The Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., has been helping people in need for over sixty-five years. Owned and operated by the Church of the Brethren, it houses organizations that work in areas of relief and development, disaster response, social justice, peace education and hospitality.
Brethren Volunteer Service is a full time volunteer program that places volunteers in a one or two year long assignment in the United States and some locations around the world. This ministry of the Church of the Brethren has been a major program in this Christian denomination since 1948.
The experience of God in the outdoors has long been an important aspect of Church of the Brethren ministries. Located throughout the United States, Brethren camps and other outdoor ministry facilities offer time for renewal and learning for children and adults in the nature and peace of God’s creation.
An education at a Brethren college or university encourages free inquiry, intellectual curiosity, academic achievement, and offers programs that foster maturity, leadership, and service. Brethren institutions of higher education focus on the whole person and the worth of an individual. Ultimately, a Brethren education joins the world of work with the world of the spirit. Cornerstones of a Brethren education include values of peace, justice, and human dignity. Upon this foundation, students develop the qualities essential for intellectual growth, personal integrity, and service to their community. A Brethren education gives students a system of values which they will carry throughout their lives.
The Church of the Brethren provides a variety of work camp opportunities each summer for persons as young as Jr. High and up. These work camps are held across the country and world.
Nurturing Brethren identity. Educating and discipling church members. Promoting unity. Challenging Brethren to embrace a practical faith. These are the tasks of Brethren Press, tasks that are carried out through curriculum for all ages, hymnals, books, Bible study resources, Sunday bulletins and other church supplies, music and videos, and the Yearbook. All of these are available at our online store. Brethren Press also carries responsibility for Messenger magazine.
The Brethren Historical Library and Archives is the official repository for Church of the Brethren publications and records. Its purpose is to keep alive the Brethren faith heritage, by:
- collecting and preserving materials relating to the cultural, socio-economic, theological, genealogical, and institutional history of the Brethren;
- giving historical perspective and understanding to the mission of the church through counsel and publication;
- providing a centralized Brethren research center;
- serving as a clearinghouse for information on Brethren historical materials in other repositories.
The Church of the Brethren meets in an Annual Conference once per year at different locations around the United States. Delegates meet for worship, discussion on issues of the church, and to promote and hear about the work of the church.
Brethren Benefit Trust provides retirement benefits, health and welfare benefits, asset management, and financial advocacy to pastors, employees, and members of the greater Church of the Brethren community. Since it began as the Pension Board 70 years ago, BBT has been called to serve its members and clients.
Founded in 1905, Bethany Theological Seminary is the graduate school and academy for theological education for the Church of the Brethren. Rooted in Anabaptism and Pietism, the Church of the Brethren offers a unique blend of practicality and spirituality. Brethren emphasize service, simple living, and the importance of the faith community. Along with the Quakers (The Society of Friends) and Mennonites, the Church of the Brethren is a historic peace church, conscientiously opposed to all war, and intentional about working with peacemaking and reconciliation concerns.