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Welcome to the web home of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership!

For quick reference, here you will find a wealth of resources, including:

• complete list of upcoming Academy Courses;
• 2008 Pastoral Study Project Final Report (PDF)*;
• information about the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence program;
• current and past issues of our Academy Newsletters (The Scroll);
• current training notebooks for Academy programs;
• Brethren Academy 2011-2012 Directory (secure login required).

The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership is a ministry training partnership of the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board, and Bethany Theological Seminary. The Academy is an umbrella for several non-degree ministry training efforts within the Church of the Brethren.

Education for a Shared Ministry (EFSM) is a three year program intended for small congregations who select five lay persons who will become trained for ministry along with a pastor in training. 

Training in Ministry (TRIM) is a flexible training program incorporating college and seminary classes, Academy level courses, independent study units, and pastoral formation experiences. TRIM is particularly suited for individuals who have not completed an undergraduate college degree.

Courses offered through the Academy are open to TRIM and EFSM students, pastors, and lay people. Course formats include residential intensives at Bethany, intensives at a variety of locations around the United States, and online courses.

Continuing Education opportunities for pastors are provided through Academy level courses and two new initiatives of the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence project. Through a generous grant from the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc., the Academy offers the Advanced Foundations of Church Leadership program and the Vital Pastor program, two year cohort-based learning experiences for pastors.

Church Planting Training is provided through a collaboration with the New Church Development Committee of the Church of the Brethren. These emerging efforts currently focus on a bi-annual conference hosted by the Academy at Bethany Seminary.

Staff for the Academy includes Julie M. Hostetter, Director; Marilyn Lerch, TRIM Coordinator; Linda and Glenn Timmons, Coordinators for Sustaining Pastoral Excellence; and Mary Eller, Administrative Secretary. They work in a collaborative style with the Ministry Team of the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board, the faculty of Bethany Theological Seminary, the Ministry Advisory Council, The Council of District Executives, congregations, and agencies of the Church of the Brethren.

*You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader  to view PDF files. 

For more information about Brethren Academy, contact:

Hostetter, Julie, Director of The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership
     hosteju@bethanyseminary.edu       765-983-1820

Mary Eller, Administrative Secretary for the Brethren Academy
     academy@bethanyseminary.edu      765-983-1824