Leadership Team

The Leadership Team is the elected guiding group for district vision, mission and program.  Its membership consists of the chair of each of the ministry teams in addition to its own chair, secretary, and several ex-officio members (see links to the right).

Since 2008 the Western Plains District has gone through a series of experiments, at times suspending operating procedures in favor of trying new approaches to expedite work of the district and its volunteer leadership and staff. This process culminated with the 2017 District Conference approval of a new Constitution and Bylaws. Under the modified structure formalized in those documents, the Leadership Team is designated as “trustees” of the district, the ones legally responsible for its mission and actions.

Through this period of experimentation and invention, the guiding principle has been to focus on how we can be a transformational and transforming community of believers and servers, to help us live out our vision and to utilize our spiritual gifts and human resources more effectively. The new structure does not change the role of District Conference as the primary governing body of the Church of the Brethren in Western Plains.

 

Documents for Understanding the District Structure
The Constitution is relatively short and self-explanatory and sets the basic legal framework for the district.  The Bylaws are more detailed.  Below the link to the Bylaws is a guide to help reach specific sessions directly:

  • Constitution
  • WPD Bylaws
    District Conference structure, officers, and their duties (pp 1-5)
    Leadership Team (pp 5-8)
    Ministry Teams (pp 8-13)
    Other Teams and Committees (pp 14-15)
    District Personnel (pg 15)
    General corporate and legal stuff (pp 15-16)
    Relationships with partner organizations (pp 16-17)

 

Recent Policies Adopted by Leadership Team

 

Guidelines for Churches choosing to withdraw from the Church of the Brethren
0-Congregational Withdrawal – Best Practices

0-Denominational Leadership Response to the CBC

0-Responding to a Congregation Considering Withdrawal

 

 

Please see the expense voucher for Leadership & Ministry Team members below.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the District Office at office@wpcob.org or 620-241-4240. 

 

 

Peace Advocacy in the Western Plains

As Joanna was working on The Shepherd’s Voice, she asked me to write an article about the position of peace advocacy in the Western Plains District. Joanna informed me that George Eisele was the Peace and Justice Coordinator for “years” in the district. He eventually suggested to Joanna that she might take over for him, … read on

Faithful Service at Lybrook Community Ministries

Western Plains District worked a week in mid-September at Lybrook Community Ministries, near Cuba, New Mexico.  Twelve volunteers from Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, and Ohio worked on a laundromat at the mission and helped two Navajo families with their homes on the reservation.

I was just thinking…

I WAS JUST THINKING . . . The statistics are in.  There are now more people living in cities than people living in rural areas, parks, by rivers and lakes, and generally in remote, natural settings.  And when we people do try to go to secluded areas for rest and relaxation, we may well find … read on

FAMILY CAMP at Camp Mt Hermon

Come and bring your friends and families’ to CMH’s Annual “Family” Camp Sept. 15-17!! This year the Topeka Church of the Brethren will host this fun-filled, relaxing time of fellowship and worship together.  Please see the attached letter of information and registration form. We hope to see you there!! CAMP MT HERMON FAMILY CAMP REGISTRATION … read on

Sr. High Camp Weekend

Senior High Camp is coming up!!  It will be held August 11-13 at Camp Mt. Hermon.  Sonja Griffith will once again be directing this camp with a theme of “Red Rover, Red Rover!”  This will be an exciting and fun weekend for all campers who have completed grades 9-12.  They will focus on ‘breaking barriers’ … read on

CRT Minutes - 4/9/17

CRT Minutes – 4/9/17

Teleconference at 4 pm April 9 Members attending: Wylene Lengel, Gloria Price Members absent: Anna Mae Achilles, Dale Minnich, Deb Tuttle, Terri Torres Gloria opened the meeting with devotions. Terri sent an update on the women’s retreat: Womens’ Retreat Summary – 2017 The 2017 Western Plains District Womens’ Retreat was enjoyed by nearly 70 women … read on

Counselors for Camp Mt. Hermon

Counselors for Camp Mt. Hermon

Two female counselors and two counselors-in-training (one female, one male, 19-years or older) are still needed for the Senior High Camp at Camp Mt. Hermon, June 12-19. Please prayerfully consider your service to Camp Mt. Hermon and call Charla Kingery, co-director, if you are interested.  515-864-1992

Camp Mt. Hermon welcomes new managers

We would like to introduce Camp Mt. Hermon’s new managers beginning in the 2016 season. They are Gary and Lynnette Abbott, members of the Topeka Church of the Brethren.

Ministry updates

Ministry updates

Kathryn Whitacre, team pastor of the McPherson congregation, was ordained to ministry in the Church of the Brethren on February 14. Prayers and blessings to Kathryn in her continuing ministry.

I WAS JUST THINKING...

I WAS JUST THINKING…

From 3:00 p.m. on I was, as my mother loved to say, “busier than a one-armed paper hanger with the itch.” Of course, this little saying may not make much sense now because so few people paper the rooms of their home anymore! I set the table with my woven placemats, my most fun and … read on