Our administrative and ministry division is known as the General Board, and is directly responsible to the congregational delegate body at
Annual Conference. Each year around the first of July, delegates from congregations meet to finalize decisions, renew friendships, and share visions at this annual event, but it would be difficult for thousands of people to corporately execute basic functions such as paying bills, answering telephones, or securing traveling visa's. Therefore, Annual Conference established the General Brotherhood Board in 1946 to perform these everyday and specialized functions. In 1968 the title of this body was shortened to The General Board. It is composed of 20 individuals who are elected by the delegates of Annual Conference to serve designated terms, plus 6 ex-officio members. Care in the selection process assures representative balance according to several factors such a geography. Additionally, these Board members are then also entrusted with fostering a cohesive relationship between our districts, churches, and related Brethren agencies. The structure of the Board is composed of eight departments whose directors, coordinators, employees, and field staff are supervised by an Executive Director. There also is a conference and service center in New Windsor, Maryland, and bureau offices in Washington, D.C., and Geneva, Switzerland.
Over the past several months the committee has been working hard to sort out what can be done to restore momentum to the program and mission of the Church of the Brethren General Board. The committee has been listening to hundreds of people describe what is going on, what has happened in the past, and what their aspirations are for the church tomorrow. Here's what they found. (submitted by chairman Christopher Bowman)
