The Church of the Brethren is the largest of the Brethren bodies, and the origin of most of the other Brethren bodies. The Church began in Germany as an outcome of a Radical Pietist movement in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Not strictly Anabaptist in nature, early Brethren leaders came also from established Reformed and Lutheran churches, who were in conversation with Mennonites or influenced by Anabaptist writings. In Germany, they became known as New Baptists to distinguish from the older Baptist groups which which they had no ties. The Schwarzenau Brethren was organized under the leadership of Alexander Mack in 1708. Concerned that the Lutheran and Reformed churches were taking liberties with New Testament Christianity, they rejected established liturgy, including infant baptism, and instituted a triune baptism of believers, which was to be by immersion, and what they called a Love Feast, which combined communion with footwashing and an evening meal, as well as anointing with oil, and the use of a ban against wayward members. Facing persecution in Europe, all but a few emigrated to America between 1719 and 1733. In 1879, they adopted the title German Baptist Brethren. The first schism occurred in 1728 when a small group formed the Seventh Day Dunkers, which later became the Seventh Day German Baptist Church, some of which still exist. The Old German Baptist Brethren formed in 1881 and, in 1882 a group of progressives formed The Brethren Church, while the largest body continued as German Baptist Brethren until 1908, when they adopted the title Church of the Brethren, representing those members who constituted the middle ground on matters of doctrine and practice. In 1926, a small group of conservatives withdrew from the Church of the Brethren over what they viewed as a shift away from apostolic standards, forming the Dunkard Brethren Church. Within the groups that separated, there were further divisions. The COB are headquartered in Elgin, Illinois.
Recommended Resources
Atlantic Northeast District Church of the Brethren
Headquartered in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, ANE COB covers an area that includes Maine, parts of southeastern Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, and Maine. Its ministries, congregations, and agencies are published. District conference schedules and other events are posted, and various reports and forms are available for downloading.
http://ane-cob.com/
Established by the congregations of the Western Pennsylvania District of the Church of the Brethren, and situated in Windber, Pennsylvania, the Brethren Home Community is a non-profit certified continuing care community for seniors. Its skilled nursing, personal care options, and independent living apartments and cottages are highlighted, along with policy information and employment opportunities.
http://www.cbrethren.com/
BRF is an organization within the Church of the Brethren which was established out of concern about the neglect and disregard for New Testament beliefs and practices. The organization publishes various publications, including BRF Witness, a bi-monthly publication available here, establishes churches, sponsors events, oversees youth camps, and other responsibilities. The denomination's teachings, doctrine and practices are outlined, and course schedules are posted.
http://www.brfwitness.org/
Brethren Woods Camp and Retreat Center
Brethren Woods is a year-round camp and retreat center owned and operated by the Shenandoah District of the Church of the Brethren, northeast of Harrisonburg, Virginia. Offering summer camp programs for people of all ages, the facility offers challenge courses throughout the year and outdoor school field trips and other programs in the spring and fall. Schedules and contacts are posted.
http://brethrenwoods.org/
The official web site of the COB includes a welcome center for those who are new to the fellowship, which includes a statement of beliefs, a history of the denomination, and administrative contacts. Other resources include service centers and projects, volunteer opportunities, and ministries, as well as its church planting programs, a list of congregations, publications and events.
http://www.brethren.org/
Church of the Brethren Network
COB-Net is a membership-driven, unofficial web site of the Church of the Brethren that was started before there was an official web site for the denomination. The site features a brief history of the Church of the Brethren, a web directory, district map, and a Brethren glossary and encyclopedia, as well as genealogical data, links to Brethren agencies and other Brethren denominations. Games and quizzes are also featured.
http://www.cob-net.org/
Church of the Brethren Northern Ohio District
The Northern Ohio District of the denomination was formed in 1963, and covers the congregations in the northern half of Ohio, and a part of southern Michigan. An introduction to the denomination is presented, and district board members and staff are acknowledged, with contacts and office hours. Congregations within the district are listed in alphabetical order, and may be found by a keyword search. District conference agendas, registration and delegate authorization forms are available.
http://www.nohcob.org/
Pacific Southwest District of the Church of the Brethren
PSWD covers an area in the Pacific Southwest that includes California and Arizona. Its congregations are depicted on an interactive map, which leads to addresses, contacts and web site links when available. Other resources include an overview of its ministries, district committee and staff contacts, conference schedules and a calendar of upcoming events. Policy manuals and other documents are available for downloading.
https://www.pswdcob.org/
Virlina District Church of the Brethren
The Virlina District oversees congregations of the Church of the Brethren in North Carolina and Virginia. A history of the denomination and district is told here, and an alphabetical list of congregations within the district is included, along with a calendar of events, an overview of district and denominational ministries, featured articles, news, and memos for ministers within the district.
http://www.virlina.org/
