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Mission Statement

Voices for an Open Spirit
A grassroots movement in the Church of the Brethren
Fostering openness and inclusion,
building bridges, and seeking common ground


Our Mission is:

  • To be a prophetic voice that proclaims the radically inclusive love of God for all, which we understand through Jesus Christ.
  • To call the Church of the Brethren to embody Christ's love more fully.
  • To model this love as a group and live it out.

We will fulfill our mission by:

  • Emphasizing the development of a deeper spirituality within the Church of the Brethren.

    We will create opportunities for reflection and exploration, including workshops and retreats. We will encourage the development of written materials on spirituality from a Church of the Brethren perspective. We will identify those among us who are qualified as Spiritual Directors.

  • Studying the Bible, especially Christ's teachings, with open eyes, ears, hearts, and minds. We believe the Bible is best understood when we use all possible tools of study and interpretation, which include Spiritual discernment and communal conversation.

    We will provide bibliographies of recommended books and other materials for Bible study by individuals as well as by groups in Christian education classes and other meetings. We will provide opportunities to meet and study with outstanding Biblical scholars and teachers at workshops and other special meetings. We will encourage the writing of more Bible study materials, which reflect the Church of the Brethren perspectives.

  • Supporting and encouraging all persons to offer their gifts to Christ and the church.

    We will recognize all members as ministers of the Gospel. We will listen to and discern, on its own merits, each call that comes through the church or to an individual regardless of race, gender, ability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, socio-economic status, or background.

  • Creating safe, "grace-filled" spaces to explore all the questions of our faith.

    We will advocate for respectful listening and empower people to speak truth in love. We will encourage the Church of the Brethren to develop loving and Spirit-filled methods of decision-making, especially with controversial and difficult decisions. We will provide for sharing short articles, letters and responses in a printed periodical. We will set up a web page and listserve for sharing on the internet. We will sponsor workshops, retreats and other kinds of face-to-face dialog and discussion opportunities.

  • Identifying and collaborating with organizations that are supportive of our values and concerns.

    We will compile lists of organizations (with addresses, phone numbers, and web page addresses) that might be useful contacts for supporters of Voices for an Open Spirit. We will promote specific programs, events, and connections that might be of interest to our supporters, including participation in the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches of Christ. We will encourage relationships with people of other faiths as a way of working toward greater understanding and a more peaceful world. We will plan events and/or programs in conjunction with selected organizations.

  • Working with and building bridges to those persons, especially within the Church of the Brethren, who do not share the goals and values of Voices for an Open Spirit.

    We will seek to engage persons in dialog, face to face as well as by correspondence and/or e-mail exchanges. We will try to identify and enlarge areas of common ground within the Church of the Brethren. We will identify and promote the reading of significant and reliable historical materials pertaining to the Church of the Brethren.

Voices For an Open Spirit