Leadership and Structure

Governance Structure of the Brethren in Christ Church in North America

The denominational structure of the Brethren in Christ Church in North America is designed to connect and support local congregations in the fulfillment of a common purpose—“to build a community of believers who worship and obey God and share the Good News of Jesus Christ with all people” (BIC Mission Statement).

General Conference

Pastors and lay leaders from BIC congregations across North America come together every two years in a General Conference to conduct the business of the church, to approve ministry plans, and create policies that guide the future direction of the denomination. The 2006 General Conference was held in Miami, Florida. The 2008 General Conference will be held in Ontario, Canada.

Between General Conferences the work of the denomination is guided by the General Conference Board. This body is comprised of the General Church leaders, the treasurer, a member from each regional conferences, six persons that reflect the diversity of the wider church (at least three of whom are laypersons), and any other persons approved by General Conference.

Leadership Council

Management responsibility of the wider church, including administrative duties of the General Conference, coordination of all General Church boards, and implementation of the policies of the General Church to serve the regions and conferences, is delegated to a Leadership Council by the General Conference Board. This body is composed of the Moderator, General Secretary, the bishops of the regional conferences, and the executive directors of ministry units of the General Church.

Regional Conferences

The General Conference has established eight regional conferences in order to more efficiently carry out the work of the General Church across the far-reaching geography of the North American BIC Church. A bishop is selected to provide administrative and spiritual direction for each of the regional conferences. Boards of directors within the regional conferences are granted authority by the General Conference to recommend ministry plans for their regions, to act as trustees for conference property, and to provide for inspirational and promotional activities as deemed advisable. Each regional conference hosts an annual meeting, patterned after the biennial General Conference.

Local Congregations

Individual churches that carry the name of Brethren in Christ are where the mission of the denomination is lived out on a daily basis. It is the responsibility of each local congregation to encourage believers through fellowship, worship, discipleship, and evangelism ministries in the building up of God’s kingdom. Further, BIC churches are expected to give loyal support to the programs and ministries of the General Church, including through generous participation in Cooperative Ministries.