Jesus Christ at the center
We confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and seek to follow his example of humble, self-giving love.
JOHN 13:34–35SOUTHERN PLAINS DISTRICT · CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
Following Jesus is the heart of our faith.
The Church of the Brethren is shaped by the New Testament, life in Christian community, peacemaking, simplicity, and service.
THE HEART OF THE BRETHREN
Not a fixed creed, but a commitment to Christ.
The Church of the Brethren does not center its identity on a formal creed. Our shared calling is to follow Jesus faithfully, guided by Scripture and the Holy Spirit.
Brethren affirm God as Creator and Sustainer, confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and seek the Holy Spirit's guidance for daily life and service. We study both Testaments, with the New Testament especially guiding Christian faith and practice.
Our beliefs call us to act: loving God and neighbor, seeking reconciliation, living honestly, and serving with compassion.
Read the denomination's beliefs ↗“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.”
JAMES 1:22CORE BELIEFS & PRACTICES
Our faith in everyday action
These themes summarize official Church of the Brethren teaching. They are not presented as a separate district creed.
Scripture as our guide
We study the Bible faithfully, with the New Testament guiding the life, witness, and practice of the church.
2 TIMOTHY 3:16–17Believers' baptism
Baptism follows a conscious commitment to Jesus, traditionally through threefold forward immersion in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
MATTHEW 28:19Love feast & communion
In the love feast, we share a meal, wash one another's feet, and remember Jesus through bread and cup.
JOHN 13:14–15Peace and reconciliation
As a historic peace church, the Brethren take Jesus' call to love enemies and make peace seriously.
MATTHEW 5:9, 44Simple living & integrity
We seek lives free from needless excess, marked by honesty, responsible stewardship, and care for creation.
ROMANS 12:2Service to neighbors
Christian faith becomes visible in practical compassion, from local mutual aid to wider relief and service.
MATTHEW 25:35–40Prayer and anointing
Following New Testament practice, we offer prayer and anointing with oil for spiritual or physical need.
JAMES 5:13–16A LITTLE HISTORY
Our story began with baptism and a shared commitment.
In 1708, a small group of Christians gathered by the Eder River in Schwarzenau, Germany, seeking to live according to Jesus' teachings. Their commitment to believer's baptism, community, and faithful practice grew into the Brethren movement.
Today, the Church of the Brethren continues that call through worship, peacemaking, simplicity, and mission.