The Brethren Church

Pastors and Leaders,

A major role of the National Office is to maintain communication within our denomination. To keep all of our ministries up to date on what is going on in the Brethren Church, this “National Office Update” is a bi-weekly letter to inform pastors and leaders of the current events in our denomination.

It is our 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 this information along to all of those in your church who are interested in staying up to date with the ministry of the Brethren Church.

Council and Executive Board Meetings

Executive Board as well as U.S and International Executive Councils are scheduled to meet in Ashland, Ohio October 24-25, 2007. Please keep your leaders in your prayers, for safety in travel, and open hearts to the Spirit’s leading. If you are a part of these Executive meetings please return all travel information to Jenn (Thomas) Pinto at the Brethren Church National Office by September 28.

Brethren Church National Office

Ken Hunn’s youngest son Jonathan will be marrying Stefanie Bracey Saturday, September 22. Congratulations to Jon, Stef, and their families!

Tony Van Duyne, Operations Manager, is in Richmond, Virginia September 19-21 for 2008 Conference planning meetings. We are looking forward to a wonderful time next summer. Pray for Tony and the Anniversary Planning Committee and all those working diligently on all the details.

Bill Ludwig, Church Planting Coordinator, traveled recently to the College Corner congregation in Indiana to preach revival services. A good time was had by all and pray especially for open hearts to all that God spoke through him.

Carly Eger, our current Receptionist/Assistant will complete her service to our office on September 21, in order to pursue her career in Indianapolis, IN. We wish Carly the best in her new endeavors. A search is currently underway for this part-time position.

You should know that the BCNO staff has been submitting to a similar NEW DAY process as that requested of every leader and congregation. In short, we have been auditing our current activities with the intention of becoming more outward-focused in an effort to facilitate our church body in embracing the NEW DAY strategy. This will require the elimination of fruitless activities, delegating other procedures and beginning new works in keeping with the vision. The details of this audit will be forthcoming. Please keep the National Office and Staff in your prayers as we do for all of you.

Ashland University

John Swope, former associate pastor of Park Street Brethren Church in Ashland, OH, has recently been hired to help encourage and transition students at Ashland University who plan on attending Ashland Theological Seminary in the future. Watch for more details about his position in future updates.

Trip to Chile

Bruce Wilkinson, Director of Pump House Ministries in Ashland, OH, along with Tracy Forrester and Heidi Stout from North Manchester, IN, will be traveling to Chile for their church building dedication ceremony on October 6. Please pray for their safe travel and time as they celebrate this event together.

Churches Looking for Pastors

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

Mathias Brethren, WV
Lanark First Brethren, IL
Wabash First Brethren, IN
Elkhart First Brethren Church, IN
Falls City First Brethren, NE
Roann First Brethren Church, IN
Cornerstone, IN
Windhaven Church, VA
Eagle’s Nest Christian Fellowship, IN
Peru First Brethren Church, IN
North Georgetown First Breth., OH
Roanoke First Brethren Church, IN
New Song Community Church, Union, MI
Mulvane Brethren Church, KS

The National Office Update is a publication sent out to the pastor’s mail group and
also published on our website: www.brethrenchurch.org under “About.”

A major role of the National Office is to maintain communication with our denomination. To keep all of our ministries up to date on what is going on in the Brethren Church, this “National Office Update” is a bi-weekly letter to inform pastors and leaders of the current events in our denomination.

It is our 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.

National Church Development

The following churches have conducted the NCD survey since our last National Office Update: Lanark First Brethren (Central), Warsaw First Brethren Church (IN), Sarasota First Brethren Church (Florida), County Line Brethren Church (IN), The Center (OH) and New Hope Christian Fellowship (OH). The NCD process is part of the NEW DAY vision strategy, and all congregations are asked to participate. To learn more about beginning NCD, contact Church Health and Resource Specialist Gary Diehl at (330) 257-8122.

Apostolic Leadership

We have heard that many people are excited about what was presented at General Conference about a NEW DAY in the Brethren Church. Now it is your turn! We encourage you to start talking (if you haven’t already) to your leaders in your church about the NEW DAY vision, what a NEW DAY could look like in your own church by getting started with the accompanying strategy.

BYIC Planning Meeting

The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) met last week in Ridgecrest, North Carolina, for a good time of preparing for the future. As they begin to make plans for another year of the BYIC, someone on the YAC will be contacting your church within the next couple of weeks to begin to dialog with your youth leader about the National BYIC program.

Transitions

Ron Burns has completed his ministry at Roanoke First Brethren Church in Indiana, and Jeff Earman has likewise completed his service at the Windhaven Church in Mt. Jackson, Virginia. Jim Thomas has stepped down as pastor of Eagle’s Nest Christian Fellowship in Peru, Indiana, in order to focus on his health needs.

“Dear Family and Friends,

Here’s the latest update on our whereabouts. As of July 26, Dave having accepted a hospice chaplain position with Odyssey Healthcare and Dee with a patient billing position at Virginia Urology in Richmond, VA, this will be our new home address and phone number:

6514 Woodlake Village Court, Apt J
Midlothian, VA 23112
804-608-0612

We are looking forward to relocating in Virginia and being only 2 1/2 hours from Darin and Terri instead of 8 hours. Please pray for us as we close out here in Maysville and head for our new adventure.”
Dave & Dee Benshoff

Churches Looking for Pastors

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

• Mathias Brethren, WV
• Lanark First Brethren, IL
• Wabash First Brethren, IN
• Elkhart First Brethren Church, IN
• Falls City First Brethren, NE
• Roann First Brethren Church, IN
• Cornerstone, IN Windhaven Church, VA
• Eagle’s Nest Christian Fellowship, IN
• Peru First Brethren Church, IN
• North Georgetown First Brethren, OH
• Roanoke First Brethren Church, IN
• Mulvane Brethren Church, KS
• New Song Comm. Church, MI

Changes at the BCNO

In light of personnel transitions here at the National Office we are pleased to announce that Tony Van Duyne will stay on, but now in a full-time capacity with the title and responsibilities of Operations Manager. Tony is a 2005 graduate of Ashland University with a degree in Business Administration. His strong managerial and business skills will be a great help as he oversees the combined work of the National Office to facilitate a NEW DAY in the Brethren Church. Additionally, we have recently added Jenn (Thomas) Pinto to our staff. She has previously worked with BYIC, conference and convention planning, and has a solid understanding of Brethren ministry both at home and abroad. Jen’s role will encompass varied duties but will focus on an expanded emphasis on communications, and assisting the Executive Director. Carly Eger, our current Receptionist/Assistant will complete her service to our office on September 21, in order to pursue her career in Indianapolis, IN. We wish Carly the best in her new endeavors. A search is currently underway for this part-time position.

You should know that the BCNO staff has been submitting to a similar NEW DAY process as that requested of every leader and congregation. In short, we have been auditing our current activities with a view to becoming more outward focused in an effort to facilitate our body in embracing the NEW DAY strategy. This will require the elimination of fruitless activities, delegating other procedures, and beginning new activities in keeping with the vision. The details of this audit will be forthcoming. Please keep the National Office and Staff in your prayers as we do for all of you.

The National Office Update is a publication sent out to the pastor’s mail group and
also published on our website: www.brethrenchurch.org under “About.”

Korean Brethren Congregation

Oviedo, Florida
By Executive Director, Ken Hunn

It’s a Sunday afternoon; one o’clock. Most of us are finishing our meal and debating the wisdom of that proverbial Sunday afternoon nap. But things are just beginning for the Bansok (Solid Rock) Korean Brethren Church in Oviedo, Florida. Pastor Hakan Kuh and his wife Hijeen have been readying themselves along with the rest of the congregation for their weekly worship. (This is the second congregation to use the building this day. This Presbyterian church will accommodate a Hispanic congregation later in the afternoon as well.) Nearby a women’s choir is completing the final run-through for a song to be sung as a part of worship that day. Members begin to take their places in the pews. People of all ages arrive. The choir finishes and the accomplished pianist begins some music to lead into worship. The youth appear and sit right in front. Small children arrive with the usual gusto and add to the anticipation for worship to begin. In all, over fifty have gathered for this day of worship in the recent Advent season.

Much of the service is in a language I don’t understand. Still, a few elements of worship are recognizable. The music and singing are wonderful. The ladies choir fills the worship area with clarity and praise that is beautiful indeed. Pastor Kuh begins a ten-minute sermon just for the youth, this time in English. The dozen or so youth of this growing congregation are allowed to leave for further training.

I am introduced with just enough English interspersed so as to let me know it my time to share in the message. With Pastor Kuh interpreting, each member listens attentively. Humorous comments receive a bit of laughter before the interpretation. The entire service is in their native tongue, but it is obvious that their English comprehension is just fine.

As the service ends, people gather around to greet one another and get caught up on the happenings of the past several days. The small children enjoy a few moments releasing some energy with friends. The weekly carry-in meal is being set up in the Fellowship Hall. The youth are offering hand-made Christmas ornaments for a donation to their fund short-term missions fund. Four of the youth will join others from the Florida District in a trip to Peru this summer. The congregation is making intentional steps to participate in the wider mission of the Florida District of the Brethren Church. We begin to fill our plates for the meal with the help of church members who explain just what each dish contains. I pass over one item but am quickly encouraged to give it a try, since it contains acorns. They are excited to share, even if I am skeptical! As we finish the meal, members are anxious to introduce themselves and welcome us to their midst with an invitation to return.

Though pleased that his congregation is growing in attendance, Pastor Kuh wants it to grow in depth as well. Leaders are expected to join with the pastor in prayer early in the morning most every day of the week. Hakan is pleased to report that all of his members tithe. The Brethren Church is growing in new directions and dimensions here in the United States and the Bansok Church is thrilled to be a part of the wonderful things that God is doing throughout our denomination.