EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

• The denomination’s Part-Time Pastor/Full-Time Church program this spring will be sponsoring a free four-week online cohort called Practicing the Way: The Sabbath Practice for all multi-vocational pastors. It will use Practicing the Way, a book by John Mark Comer, which describes nine different spiritual practices (Sabbath, Solitude, Scripture, Prayer, Fasting, Generosity, Community, Service, and Witness) that can help followers of Jesus “Be with Jesus, Become like Jesus, Do as He Did.” The cohort will explore and practice the spiritual practice of Sabbath by learning about the practice, practicing the practice (in between sessions), reflecting on the practice, and processing the practice together. Session themes will be “Stop,” “Rest,” “Delight,” and “Worship.” Sessions will be each Monday evening at 6 p.m. Central from April 13 to May 4. Videos last 30 minutes; sessions last anywhere from one hour to one hour and 30 minutes. Register by April 8 at https://forms.gle/fdWzs6P1nnu7YZw5A.

• Plans for the very first NOAC Book Study are coming together. National Older Adult Conference (NOAC) coordinator Christy Waltersdorff and recently retired pastor Dennis Webb will lead the study on Zoom. The group will begin with a book by Dominique Gilliard, who was a keynote speaker at the 2025 NOAC, titled Subversive Witness. The leaders recommend ordering the book from Brethren Press at https://www.brethrenpress.com/product_p/9780310124030.htm or by calling customer service at 800-441-3712. The book study will begin in late February. If you are interested in participating, please send an email to cwaltersdorff@brethren.org. 

• Upcoming courses from the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership include “Church of the Brethren History,” online asynchronous, March 16-May 11, led by Craig Gandy (registration deadline Feb. 20); “Introduction to Preaching,” online hybrid with onsite class in Richmond, Ind., May 19-22 (note new dates), and two Zoom sessions before, led by Dava Hensley (registration deadline Apr. 7); and “Multivocational Ministry,” online, Aug. 19-Oct. 13, led by John Fillmore (registration deadline July 22). Register and pay online at Brethren Academy Course Registration/Biannual TRIM Payment | Bethany Theological Seminary (bethanyseminary.edu). Other courses on the schedule for later in 2026 include “Cultivating an Everyday Faith” and “Introduction to the New Testament.”

• McPherson College’s “Ventures in Christian Discipleship” series will offer “The Ecology of Vitality: Mutuality in Pastoral and Congregational Well-Being,” led by John Fillmore, Feb. 21; and “God’s Earth, Our Home: Engaging Creation Care through Faith,” led by David Radcliff, March 28. All sessions are via Zoom. Suggested donation is $25 per course. Learn more and register at https://www.mcpherson.edu/ventures/.

• Lombard Mennonite Peace Center offers a variety of training sessions. Upcoming options include “Conflict Transformation Skills,” Aug. 27 via Zoom; “Restorative Conversations,” March 11 or May 12 via Zoom; “Strengthening the Body of Christ,” Sept. 16 via Zoom; and “Peaceful, Productive Pastor-Parish Partnerships,” March 2 via Zoom. For details and registration information, go to https://www.lmpeacecenter.org/trainings. LMPC has also begun offering free quarterly clergy roundtable events. Watch their website for details on future roundtable opportunities (next on April 16).

• The L.E.A.D. (Listen – Equip – Adapt – Disciple) Conference Planning Team is now offering “Third Thursday” quarterly webinars with the goal of providing congregational leaders with tools to grow in their leadership abilities. The next one will be March 19, on “Discipling Leaders,” led by Lidia Gonzalez. Continuing education credit is available. Learn more at www.brethren.org/thirdthursday.

• Designed particularly for ministers new to the Church of the Brethren denomination, Bethany Theological Seminary’s new certificate of achievement in ministry studies (CAMS) includes six courses that focus on Brethren history and theology, practical experience with the ordinances and preaching of the church, biblical interpretation, and peace studies. The certificate can be completed in two years or even one year, depending on course offerings. Five of the six courses can be completed at a distance. For more information go to https://bethanyseminary.edu.