In the New Testament, the word "brethren" describes the kinship of men and women who choose another way of living: the way of Jesus. 
The Church of the Brethren, originated in 1708 in Germany, and still draws people who want to continue Jesus’ work of loving service.

Today, there are about 1,000 Church of the Brethren congregations throughout the United States and many other Brethren ministries throughout the world. We gather annually for a church-wide conference to seek God's guidance in discerning the direction of the church. Emergency Disaster Relief, the Association of Brethren Caregivers, On Earth Peace Assembly, and the Brethren Volunteer Service are denominational ministries of the Church of the Brethren.

For guidance, the Brethren look to the scriptures rather than doctrine. Our faith emphasizes compassion, peace, justice, simplicity, discipleship, and community. The Church of the Brethren has a long history of resisting the call to violence, and seeking instead Christ's way of peace.  We baptize those who seek to follow Jesus; we anoint for healing, and in our Love Feast we remember the Last Supper, at which Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and offered the bread and cup of communion. Brethren work locally and worldwide to help victims of war, poverty and natural disasters. We share special, long standing relationships with Church World Service, Serrv International and Heifer Project International.

We believe that when Jesus showed us another way of living, he intended it to nourish and hearten the entire human family.