What is a "Church of the Brethren"?

Have you heard of the Church of the Brethren?  Probably not, but it is a long established church with an Anabaptist tradition (where believers are invited to be baptized as adults.)  In fact, it is celebrating its 300 Year anniversary in 2008!  As a denomination, we strive to continue the work of Jesus in these ways:

Peacefully - we try to treat each person with the compassionate respect that all human beings deserve.  We believe in settling conflicts by reconciliation, guided by Scriptures.

Simply - Can life in today's world be simplified?  Do we take the time to listen for God's guidance?  Do we seek the most basic values and try to live by them?

Together - We worship, serve, learn, and celebrate as a community.  We work alongside other groups at home and abroad, in mission and outreach.

So you're part of a Denomination?

In a word, "yes."  Each church, however, is guided by their own convictions as they try to follow Jesus.  We get our name from the Bible. In the New Testament, the word "brethren" is used 190 times, while the word “Christian” is only used 3 times to describe believers!  "Brethren" describes the kinship of men and women who choose another way of living: the way of Jesus. The Church of the Brethren, begun almost 300 years ago in Germany still draws people who want to continue Jesus’ way of life.

Today, there about 1000 Church of the Brethren congregations throughout the United States and many other Brethren ministries throughout the world. We gather annually for a church-wide conference to seek the Spirit in discerning the direction of the church. The General Board, the Association of Brethren Caregivers, On Earth Peace Assembly, and the Brethren Benefit Trust are denominational ministries of the Church of the Brethren. Our church is also part of the Illinois/Wisconsin District, which has a wide variety of Youth District activities, including our church camp, Camp Emmaus! We are part of a large network of Brethren churches trying to bring peace to people's lives.

For guidance, the Brethren look to the scriptures rather than doctrine. Our faith emphasizes compassion, peace-making, simplicity, discipleship, and community. We baptize those who seek to follow Jesus; we anoint for healing, and in our Love Feast we reenact the last supper, at which Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and offered the bread and cup communion.

Some "Brethren" resources:

For an in depth study of the denomination, please download:

• "Church of the Brethren History and Faith Practices," a detailed outline of a presentation on the denomination's history and an overview of certain Faith Practices.
• "Church of the Brethren Ordinances," a paper on the meaning of our Faith Practices, Baptism, and the Love Feast.

You will need an Adobe Reader to open these. If you don't have an Adobe Reader, it is FREE on-line. Please download this first by clicking on the icon and following directions:

We believe that when Jesus showed us another way of living, he intended it to impact every aspect of our lives. We try to live as Jesus did, a servant!

Click on the picture above to see "The Divine Servant "based on Mark 10:43-45 by Max Greiner, Jr.