Originally known as the National Fellowship of Brethren Churches, the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches split from the Brethren Church in 1939, although its roots go back to the Church of the Brethren and earlier, the Schwarzenau Brethren movement of Alexander Mack. In the early 1900s, differing viewpoints emerged within the Brethren Church. The Brethren Church had rejected classical liberal theology in 1921, but a growing movement toward fundamentalism conflicted with traditional Brethrenism. While the fundamentalists wanted strongly worded articles of faith, the traditionalists stressed greater autonomy for local congregations. The classic dispensationalist beliefs held by the fundamentalists largely dismissed the Sermon on the Mount as being irrelevant for the current times, while the traditional Brethren position was that the New Testament was their rule and practice. Tensions came to a head in the late 1930s over Ashland College, a Brethren school that was in the process of becoming more secular, and Grace Theological Seminary, which was created by the fundamentalists. In 1939, the fundamentalist group formed the National Fellowship of Brethren Churches, and became the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches in 1987. In 1990, a division in the Grace Brethren Churches occurred, largely over the issue involving open membership to individuals who had not been baptized by triune immersion, forming the Conservative Grace Brethren Association, which became the Conservative Grace Brethren Churches International in 1992. Members of the Grace Brethren Churches believe in the Trinity, the infallibility of the Bible, salvation by grace alone, but that the grace that saves is that which produces obedience. The Church encourages baptism by triune immersion, as well as the practice of the bread and cup, washing of feet, and the sharing of a meal at communion, and additional biblical symbolic actions, such as anointing with oil and the laying on of hands for ministry.
Recommended Resources
Association of Grace Brethren Ministers
The AGBB grew out of the Progressive Brethren movement within the Brethren Church in the 1890s, and, by 1939 the organization was known as the National Ministerial Association of the Brethren Church, reorganizing itself after the denominational schism into the National Fellowship of Brethren Ministers, adding “Grace” to its name in 1974 to indicate its cooperation with the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.
http://www.agbm.org/
Founded in 1940, BMH Books is the publishing arm of the Brethren Missionary Herald Company, the media company of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, publishing a large variety of books and other resources, such as charts, tracts, and downloadable electronic texts. Its titles are arranged in an online catalog, and made available for purchase online. Its authors are highlighted.
https://bmhbooks.com/
CE National is a Church Effectiveness ministry of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. As its name suggests, its purpose is to help churches and individuals be effective, by focusing on four primary areas: evangelism, growth, equipping, and development of servant leaders. Its ministries and programs are outlined, and resources are offered for youth pastors, ministry leaders, and senior pastors.
https://cenational.org/
Formed as a link between the people of the Grace Brethren Churches and military chaplains around the world, the Eagle Commission offers a means of expressing the Church’s support of its chaplains and their ministry. A list of GBC chaplains is presented, along with information about the requirements of becoming a chaplain, how to contribute to the program, and an acknowledgement of retired chaplains.
http://www.eaglecommission.org/
Encompass is a missionary organization of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. Places around the world where the Church is working are highlighted, and ministry opportunities are featured, and those who are called to the ministry or missionary work are encouraged to pursue it. Short-term and long-term missions are discussed, along with stewardship needs and inspirational stories.
http://www.encompassworldpartners.org/
Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches
The FGBC is a voluntary association of autonomous churches in the United States and Canada, while the Grace Brethren movement includes churches throughout the world. Resources available here include access to a database of member churches, a calendar of events, blogs, and a section on the fellowship's history, covenant and statement of faith, constitution, and manual of procedure.
http://www.fgbc.org/
Grace Brethren Investment Foundation, Inc.
Organized in 1955, GBIF offers mortgage financing for growing churches and ministry organizations affiliated with the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. Its board of directors, officers and staff are identified, and its annual report and current prospectus may be viewed online. Its ministry loans and investment account programs are highlighted, and a semi-annual newsletter may be subscribed to through the site.
http://www.gbif.com/
GC&S is an evangelical Christian college in Winona Lake, Indiana. The college offers five schools of learning, while Grace Theological Seminary, which began as the parent institution, is now a part of the School of Ministry Studies. Historically associated with the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, the faculty and student body are from diverse denominational backgrounds. Its degree programs, accreditations, affiliations, and authorizations are posted.
http://www.grace.edu/
A ministry of the Brethren Missionary Herald Company, which seeks to build bridges of communication between the people and churches of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, the site publishes stories from members of the GBC, and encourages members to send in their stories, as well as photographs, church news and obituaries. Its partners are acknowledged, and its magazine can be subscribed to, with archives available.
http://graceconnect.us/
Organized by the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, the conference focused on church planting and church growth, featuring fast-paced meetings with a team of speakers, musicians and videographers, who were brought together to present Bible-based, mission-focuses celebrations each day of the conference, as well as workshops about church planting, leadership training, and integrated ministry.
http://www.visionconference.us/
The non-profit organization is a national ministry of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, offering resources for women and women’s ministries, including an annual magazine, conferences and mission opportunities. Its ministries are highlighted, including schedules and contacts, and brochures, study lessons, stationery, and leadership training packets may be ordered from the site.
http://www.wgusa.org/
