The Brethren Church

Brethren Church National Office Updates

Nov. 13, 2008

Pastors and Leaders,

We want you to know what’s happening around our denomination! To keep all of our ministries up to date on what is going on in the Brethren Church; this bi-weekly “National Office Update” will inform pastors and leaders of the current events in our denomination.

We hope that by offering these updates, we will strengthen our communication as well as join together, so we may move forward in the mission of the Brethren Church. Please feel free to pass along this information to all of those in your church who are interested in staying up to date with the ministry of the Brethren Church.

Notes from Executive Director Ken Hunn

Ken’s upcoming schedule …

Nov. 9 Speaking at Tucson, AZ First Brethren Church in AM

Dan Acker ordination in PM at Northwest Chapel Brethren Church, Tucson, AZ

Nov. 12-18 Trip to Argentina for South American Theological Seminary Board meeting on 11/14 and STS graduation on 11/15. Ken would really appreciate your prayers in travel, and as he shares with our churches and leaders throughout the denomination. Thanks!

Is it a NEW DAY in your neighborhood? Seems like each week we hear a new story of how God is breaking through in our ministries to see lives transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. But we want to hear more! Take a moment to call or email us your story of how you are doing things differently and seeing a new, missional attitude taking hold and as a result seeing lives touched by the love of Christ in you.

India … We currently have a dozen who are confirmed for the short-term missions trip to India on February 8-20, 2009, led by Executive Director Ken & Nancy Hunn. Cost is in the $3000 range inclusive per/person. We will be celebrating forty years of the Brethren Mission with the Kumar families in Rajahmundry, India. This is a highly transformational experience, especially designed for pastors and other church leaders. Want to join us? Let us hear from you at ken@brethrenchurch.org

Are you next? Our Brethren Church National Office staff continues to work with a growing list of congregations that are beginning “crucial conversations” among their leadership about next steps toward becoming a more missional church. Those conversations inevitably focus on a church’s unique gifting as a body and how that gifting can be utilized to meet the needs in a community for the purpose of building natural bridges whereby the Gospel can be communicated. Simply, “Who are we?” and “What are we here for?” Some congregations begin with a consultation, some by jumping in with the Natural Church Development tool, some with a more comprehensive assessment process, and others with a commitment to coaching for greater transformative potential, and still others with a combination of these things and more. Ultimately only the Holy Spirit can change us, but we find that the Spirit works mightily when we position ourselves for change. Are you next? Do you have questions about how this applies to your ministry? Want to know more? Maybe you simply want to dialogue and pray with someone who is already helping others. Let us hear from you at brethren@brethrenchurch.org and we can chat.

Coaching Network
We are taking measurable steps toward creating a culture of coaching in the Brethren Church. Would you like to know more about how to transform your ministry through coaching? The next event is scheduled for May 13-14, 2009. Contact Gary Diehl at the BCNO for more information.

Note from Church Planting Coordinator Bill Ludwig
Please share your congratulations with Bill Ludwig and Tom Asbury of the Ohio District as they celebrate their ordination service together on November 23^rd at 6pm in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. For those who would like to attend, dinner will be provided. Please RSVP to Eileen Yarborough at 330-715-8671

Trips are once again being organized for hurricane relief work along the Gulf Coast. This time our efforts will be concentrated on Galveston Island in Texas. Our partner, God’s Kitchen, is currently deployed on the island and accommodations have been secured for our teams. All skill levels are welcome. Trips are currently being scheduled for the first two weeks in January. Please Contact Bill Ludwig for more information. bill@brethrenchurch.org.

Pastors & Spouses Retreat (Feb. 27- Mar. 2, 2009) for more information visit

http://brethrenchurch.org/events/ and www.starwoodhotels.com/fourpoints to view the accommodations and area.

Pastor/Church Updates…

Charlie Munson is moving to Texas! His new address is: 927 Sugarberry Dr. Coppell, TX 75019-3503.

Pastor Gene Oburn will conclude his service at Berlin Brethren Church, October 26. He will begin his new ministry at Loree, Indiana, November 2.

Churches Looking for Pastors

Please be in prayer for these churches as they seek new pastors:

Park Street Brethren Church, OH Garber Brethren Church, OH

Lanark First Brethren, IL Elkhart First Brethren Church, IN

North Georgetown First Breth., OH Winding Waters Brethren Church, IN

Wabash First Brethren Church, IN County Line Brethren Church, IN

The Brethren Home Mission Revolving Fund

The Brethren Home Mission Revolving Fund was created to plant new Brethren Churches and to help existing Brethren Churches grow. Money from this fund is available for low interest loans for various building programs of Brethren Churches.

We gratefully accept gifts to the Revolving Fund. Your tax-deductible gifts not only become available to help Brethren Churches, but they also reduce the cost of the loans issued to Brethren Church plant and existing churches for their building and expansion programs.

You can donate to the Revolving Fund through gifts, financial or estate planning, or through deferred gifts. If you’d like to know more, or if you’d like to receive free information pamphlets, please call or Email Stan Gentle at the National Office stan@brethrenchurch.org or 1-877-289-1708.

 

Website Updates: We are now making much needed updates on the website thank you for your patience. Please visit regularly www.brethrenchurch.org check out the new Missions pictures and Richmond, VA Conference & BYIC Convention reviews which are coming soon.

Three Seasons Brethren church has several Sunday School Materials available. If you are interested please contact Brian Karchner at pastorbryan@shol.com or threeseasons@shol.com. or call him at the church at 814-267-6599.

(2 sets) David C Cook

Preschool

Teacher book

7 ea Craft bk

Resource pk

2^nd set 6 Unused craft bk

Early elementary

Teacher bk

(7-9) Student bk

(7-9) Take home papers

Faith Weaver (4-6^th grade)

2 Teacher bk

Resource pk

(7-9) Student bk

Heart Shapers

(4-5 yr old) teacher bk

Resource pk

7 student bk

Directory Updates: There have been several updates made to the directory. We now have it available on line http://brethrenchurch.org/about/2008-brethren-church-directory

It is password protected. User Name: directory

Password: brethrenchurch1708

BRETHREN PEACE INITIATIVE For more information please click on link

http://brethrenchurch.org/missions/brethren-peace-initiative/