As a result of recommendations made by side meetings at the IBCM3 conference in Romania, and supported by the International Training Consultations held at Dubuque Iowa USA in June 2005, a Brethren Educational Network was established. This has now been renamed and re-launched in 2012 as the Brethren Training Network (BTN).
 

The purpose remains to encourage education and training for leadership and ministry in local churches of Brethren background, and to encourage embryo Bible schools and training courses which serve these churches.
 

A report was made to the IBCM4 Conference and progress was reviewed at the second Dubuque International Training Consultation in June 2010 and at the IBCM5 conference in June 2011 (report of the IBCM5 discussion).

 

A steering committee is responsible for developing the BTN. It comprises David Clarkson (UK)(Convener), Ian Burness (UK), Ken Daughters (USA), Mark Davies (UK), Stephen McQuoid (UK), Len Smith (Australia), Neil Summerton (UK) and Russell Thorp (New Zealand).  
 

The main tool of BTN is a website (www.brethrentraining.org) which aims to provide easy access to written materials and links to course materials and other institutions and websites which are particularly relevant to leadership and ministry in the Brethren movement. The website is under the supervision of the Steering Committee and is at present being redesigned.

 

 

Consultations of representatives of Brethren training institutions

 

The BTN website also gives information about the consultations of representatives of Brethren training institutions, held at Emmaus College, Dubuque, Ia, USA in June 2005 and June 2010.

 

It is planned that there should be a third international training consultation on 27 - 31 May 2014 at Emmaus College, Dubuque, Iowa, USA. Further details will be available shortly.

 

The second international consultation of representatives of training institutions serving the Brethren movement was held on 30 May - 3 June 2010 at Emmaus College, Dubuque, Iowa, USA. Programme document and report. To learn more, contact.
 

 

Brethren Information Network

At the IBCM3 conference it was also suggested that a Brethren Information Network should be established. For the time being, the BTN website and the IBCM website are jointly fulfilling this informational role.