Church of the Brethren Annual Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Weigh Resolutions on Weapons Transfer and Care for Immigrants

The Church of the Brethren’s Annual Conference officers announced a virtual delegate briefing for Wednesday, May 27, at 8 p.m. Eastern time, according to a brethren.org report published that day. The session was intended for delegates unable to attend a district briefing, and registration was available through a link. Church of the Brethren districts were also encouraged to hold their own briefings to help congregational delegates prepare for Annual Conference 2026.

Officers said they would outline the conference theme, planned activities, agenda items and other relevant information, and attendees would have the chance to submit questions.

Annual Conference 2026 is scheduled for June 28 to July 2 at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana, running from Sunday to Thursday. A second brethren.org report, dated June 28, describes the same dates and location. That later report still lists the May 27 online briefing in the future tense (“will be held”), while the earlier report presents it as scheduled. Both reports give the same date and time for the briefing.

The later report outlines the conference’s business agenda. Delegates will review an interim report from the Review and Evaluation Committee and consider four items of new business. The new business includes resolutions on weapons transfer, care for immigrants and refugees, and polity adjustments for licensed and commissioned ministers. Care for immigrants and refugees reflects a call to welcome the stranger (Matthew 25:35).

The conference will also address the recommended cost-of-living adjustment for the pastoral scale, though the report says specifics have not been announced.

The Review and Evaluation Committee’s interim report recommends no further changes to the denominational structure at this time. The report also highlights ongoing challenges related to the church’s response to LGBTQ+ individuals within and beyond the church.