The Brethren Educational Network results from discussions at the International Brethren Conference on Mission 3 in Romania in July 2003, where there was general agreement that leaders and full-time workers working in churches of Brethren background need to receive suitable training if their service to be made more fully effective. In turn, these leaders need to be more pro-active in training church members for involvement in leadership responsibilities, ministry of various sorts, and cross-cultural mission.

The aim of the Brethren Educational Network is to raise the profile of education, training and leadership development, and to make the best use of existing materials, as well as to share ideas and training experiences. Such resources will be adapted and used for the building of programmes for regional use.

The Brethren Educational Network (BEN) website (www.benrff.org) gives access to many published materials, and also to a distance-learning course (Learning to Lead). At present, most of the material is in English, but it is hoped to include materials in the other main world languages as well.

At the International Brethren Conference on Mission 4 at Wiedenest, Germany, in June 2007 a Steering Group was formed to be responsible for the development of BEN. It comprises David Clarkson (UK) - Secretary, Ivan Bowden (Australia), Ronaldo Diprose (Italy), Paul Joshua (India), Winston Litchmore (Jamaica), Felix Muchimba (Zambia), and Neil Summerton (UK).

For more information, contact David Clarkson.

(March 2008)