Click here for information on the Brethren Academy's Sustaining Pastoral Excellence programs.

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Click here to access the latest issue of the Academy Newsletter.*

The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership is a ministry training partnership of the Church of the Brethren General 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 5 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 Jonathan Shively, Director; Marilyn Lerch, TRIM Coordinator; Linda and Glenn Timmons, Coordinators for Sustaining Pastoral Excellence; and Debbie Mullins, Administrative Secretary. They work in a collaborative style with the Ministry Team of the Church of the Brethren General 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.

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