The International Governing Documents
General Conference, during its June 25-29 meeting, approved four documents to govern the worldwide United Brethren church. All national conferences must agree to these four documents.
1. The Confession of Faith. This set of basic doctrinal beliefs was adopted in 1815 and has never been changed. It still can't be changed.
2. Core Values. This is a set of eight values which characterize the United Brethren denomination.
3. Constitution. The international Constitution provides the basic framework for the international structure, which is very minimal.
4. Bylaws. The bylaws, which can be changed by majority vote at General Conference (which meets once every four years), spell out various details concerning the structure. |
PART 3
Constitution
The Church of the United Brethren in Christ, International, consists of national
conferences and missions outreaches around the world. We are part of each other,
and cooperate to more effectively carry out the Great Commission. The following
Constitution is intended to ensure doctrinal unity, encourage cooperation among
the national conferences, and extend the worldwide ministry of United Brethren
churches.
21 Name
The Church of the United Brethren in Christ International.
22 General Conference
1. Meetings
The General Conference meets every four years to oversee and coordinate United
Brethren ministry worldwide.
2. Personnel
a. The General Conference consists of ordained ministers and laypersons from
each national conference.
b. Each national conference shall determine the method for selecting its own
delegates.
c. All officials elected by the international General Conference are members
ex officio of that Conference.
d. All delegates have full and equal rights of participation.
3. Duties
a. The General Conference guards the church's historic position of firmly
upholding biblical absolutes, allowing freedom in areas not clearly mandated by
Scripture, and encouraging tolerance and unity when differences arise.
b. When practices, teachings, or decisions within a national conference challenge
the doctrinal integrity, cooperative relationship, and/or international ministry
of United Brethren churches, the General Conference has the authority to apply
disciplinary action. National conferences can appeal such actions.
c. The General Conference accepts national conferences into the membership
of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, International.
d. The General Conference considers amendments to the international Constitution,
Core Values, and Bylaws.
e. The General Conference determines the way in which any international ministries
it establishes and the expenses it incurs are to be funded.
f. General Conference must not pass any rule which changes or eliminates the
Confession of Faith.
23 Amendments
This Constitution and the Core Values can be amended by a two-thirds vote
of the General Conference, followed by ratification by at least one-half of the
national conferences. The national conferences shall act on the proposed amendment
during their first meeting following General Conference. If and when one-half
of the national conferences ratify the amendment, the amendment shall be declared
to be in effect, according to the procedure established by the General Conference.
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