2026 Brethren in Christ Study Conference
Renewing Our Imaginations for Spiritual Formation
Location: Grantham Brethren in Christ Church
Date: October 16, 2026
Sponsored by the E. Morris and Leone Sider Institute for Anabaptist, Pietist and Wesleyan Studies at Messiah University
REGISTRATION OPENS SOON
About the Study Conference
As Brethren in Christ, we value “dependence on God for everything, and seek to deepen our intimacy with him by living prayerfully.” This commitment to relying on God through nurturing a devotional life has impacted our individual and common life together throughout our nearly 250-year history, and it continues to inspire our ministry today. In light of our history, our present realities, and our collective future, this study conference seeks to renew our imaginations for spiritual formation amid the changes and challenges of the twenty-first century.
Drawing on our historic Pietism theological stream of influence, this study conference will address such questions as:
- What are the historic approaches to understanding spiritual formation practices within the Brethren in Christ?
- What contemporary challenges do we face that limit our ability to live a deeply formed life?
- What are some contemplative spiritual practices we can learn, practice, and embody as we consider spiritual formation?
- How can we teach spiritual formation practices to our congregants to help equip them in their devotional life?
As the Brethren in Christ Church anticipates its 250th anniversary in 2028, study conference themes will honor by the past by drawing on our historic streams while inspiring the future as we renew our imaginations and commitment to our shared identity. Study conferences from 2025-2028 will address, in turn, each historic stream: Anabaptism (2025), Pietism (2026), Holiness (2027), and Evangelicalism (2028).
Conference Details
The conference “Renewing Our Imaginations for Spiritual Formation” is sponsored by the E. Morris and Leone Sider Institute for Anabaptist, Pietist and Wesleyan Studies at Messiah University. It will provide Brethren in Christ pastors, lay people and friends from related denominations with the opportunity to reflect on important issues in theologically informed ways.
The in-person conference requires a registration fee of $30, which covers a catered lunch and administrative costs related to the event.
Attending this conference is an opportunity to fulfill one Lifelong BIC Learning credit, an expectation for all Brethren in Christ pastors within each renewal period.
About the Keynote Speaker