Enabled
 and
 Empowered
 to Bring
 the Peace
 of
 Jesus Christ
 into
 the
 World

Well, no, we are NOT just a bunch of men.

We are men, women, children, black, brown, white, gay, straight, from various backgrounds, sometimes still with other religions, some are fat, some thin, rich, poor (in the things of this world), runners, walkers, riders, dog lovers, cat lovers, we are anyone.

The “brethren” means that we are the community of people who come to follow Jesus. We care for one another. We take responsibility for growing in the faith. And we take up the leadership that is given to each of us. And we use that power to foster life all around us.

The Church of the Brethren has been around 300 years.

It first came to America because it was outlawed in Europe and it was illegal to practice any faith other than those authorized by the governments.

It started with independent Bible study and the desire to be like the earliest followers of Jesus. To hear him as they heard him. To center themselves on him and his message.

It may have been the first denomination which did not insist that it was the only way to know Jesus.

So they desired to continue the work of Jesus, peacefully, simply and together.

And so they brought a new spirit which was counter to the spirit of their world.

They refused to kill anyone.

They attempted to love everyone.

They would not allow slavery among them, but helped enslaved folks to escape.

They attempted to not judge anyone.

And in their wake, they brought life from the Spirit of Jesus.

For plenty of information about what is now going on in the church, please check out:
www.brethren.org .