REPORT 41B - DISCIPLINE REVISION

Local Church

¶420, Dual Membership for Missionaries

DR-11

The United Brethren denomination does not allow dual membership—membership in a United Brethren church, plus membership in a different church. As a result, some endorsed missionaries have had their names removed from their home church’s membership role when they became members of the church they serve on the field. This creates an awkward situation. For instance:

• Our staff in Macau cannot be members of the UB churches in Macau. Going further back, Luke Fetters and Phil Burkett couldn’t be members of the church they started and pastored.

• Endorsed missionaries Roger Skinner and David Datema live in parts of the United States that don’t have a United Brethren church, yet are unable to join the churches where they attend and minister.

• Endorsed missionaries involved in church planting can’t be members of the churches they are planting.

• Because endorsed missionaries can’t be members of the churches where they live and serve, they may be excluded from leadership positions for which they are gifted and needed.

This proposal would permit dual membership for this specific situation, and only this situation.

Add the following as a new ¶420

Applicants to Global Ministries must be current members of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. In the case of married couples applying for endorsed status, at least one must be a current member. All are expected to maintain their membership. However, dual membership is permitted should missionaries find church membership in their place of ministry to be either necessary or advantageous.

For information purposes only:

The Global Ministries handbook will include a statement which expands on what is adopted for the Discipline. It would read something like this:

“Applicants to Global Ministries must be current members of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. In the case of married couples applying for endorsed status, at least one must be a current member. All are expected to maintain their membership. However, dual membership is permitted should missionaries find church membership in their place of ministry to be either necessary or advantageous.

“Both fulltime and endorsed missionaries are required to provide Global Ministries with regular newsletters, annual reports, and evidence they continue to receive support from United Brethren churches, Individuals retiring or resigning from service will be automatically removed from the list of Global Ministries missionaries.”

¶422.1, Local Board of Administration

DR-12

Add the parenthetical below:

1. Purpose

The local board of administration (or its equivalent) oversees all affairs pertaining to the local church. All commissions, committees, and other groups within the church are subject to the board of administration.

¶422.2, Local Board of Administration, Personnel

DR-13

Delete the last sentence, as indicated, and change the word “shall” to “may.”

a. The constituency of the board depends on the structure which the local church chooses to adopt. The senior pastor ~~shall~~ may be a member of the board. ~~It may include such persons as: lay leader, commission chairpersons, treasurer, pastor(s), lay delegate(s), or others.~~

¶422.3c, Local Board of Administration, Duties

DR-14

Delete the word “annually”

c. The board shall ~~annually~~ provide for the selection of church leaders and lay delegates.

¶423, Lay Delegates

DR-15

Replace the current two paragraphs with a new section:

Current: ¶423, Lay Delegates

1. Qualifications

It is recommended that lay delegates be recognized leaders within the local church body. The church shall not select anyone who holds a National Conference license or is being recommended to the National Conference for license. All lay delegates must be adult members of the local church they are representing.

2. Notification

The local board shall inform the US bishop of the delegates and alternates chosen.

Replace with:

1. Responsibilities

Lay delegates represent the local church to the national conference, and also serve as voting delegates at the US National Conference.

2. Qualifications

All lay delegates must be adult members of the local church they represent. The church shall not select anyone who holds a National Conference license or is being recommended to the National Conference for license.

3. Selection

Each local church may determine the method for selecting lay delegates.

4. Notification

The local board shall inform the US bishop of the delegates and alternates chosen, according to the timeline specified by the bishop

¶432, Local Conference, Personnel

DR-16

Add the words in bold.

The bishop, the cluster leader, persons holding a local church or national conference minister’s license and who are members of the local church, and all members of the local board of administration shall be members of the local conference.

¶435.1, Duties of the Local Conference

DR-17

Remove the underlined words and replace with the words in bold:

435 Duties

1. To Grant and Renew Licenses. The local conference shall grant and renew local church ministers’ licenses and shall recommend to the ~~national conference~~ bishop those ministers who are qualified for national conference license to preach….

¶435.6, Duties of the Local Conference

DR-18

Add the line in bold.

6. To Disband a Local Church. The local conference shall have the power to disband a local church when in its judgment it is found impracticable to provide the necessary organization and support. It is recommended that money from the sale of closed churches be given to the US National Conference to start new churches.

Chapter 13, Pastors in Charge

DR-19

Make the changes as indicated in points 6a and 6d, and remove point 6f. The entire section is given for context.

6. To be responsible for local church administration.

a. By ~~planning and leading~~ overseeing the worship services.

b. By giving direction for the ministry of the local church.

c. By doing specific planning and goal-setting.

d. By ~~making monthly reports~~ reporting to the board of administration and submitting annual reports to the ~~national conference~~ bishop.

e. By keeping accurate membership records.

~~f. By preparing and keeping an updated passbook.~~

g. By presenting the church Discipline.

h. By notifying the US bishop in writing at least 30 days before the effective date of resignation.