Referendum Wording

Referendum on Joining the Missionary Church

This is the wording of the Missionary Church referendum, as approved by the 2004 National Board. This referendum was voted on by all UB members in the United States in October 2004. It lost, receiving just 44% of the votes. Therefore, it died with the election, and won't be passed on to the 2005 National Conference.

Intent

Permit the 2005 US National Conference to take the various steps needed to join the UB Church, USA, with the Missionary Church, USA.

Wording:

I authorize the 2005 US National Conference to take all actions necessary and/or appropriate to make the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA, part of the Missionary Church USA (and withdraw from the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, International).

Referendum on Property

This is the wording of the Property referendum, as approved by the 2004 National Board. This referendum was voted on by all UB members in the United States in October 2004. It passed with an 89% "yes" vote. Therefore, it will be passed on to the 2005 National Conference, where it needs a two-thirds vote of the delegates to become official.

Intent

Give local congregations title to their church property, and give annual conferences title to all of their own property. The Constitution currently states that all local church property is owned by the denomination, as is all annual conference property.

Current Wording of Constitution Article III, Property

The right, title, interest, and claim of all property, whether consisting in lots of ground, meeting houses, legacies, bequests, or donations of any kind, obtained by purchase or otherwise, by any person or persons, for the use, benefit, and behoof of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, United States of America, is hereby fully recognized and held to be the property of the Church aforesaid; however, local churches may be granted title to their property as provided in the Discipline of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, United States of America.

Replace with the Following:

Article III, Property

1. Local Church Property

The right, title, interest, and claim of any property, whether consisting in lots of ground, buildings and other improvements, legacies, bequests, or donations of any kind, obtained by purchase or otherwise, by any person or persons, for the use and benefit of the local Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA, is hereby fully recognized and held to be the property of the local church.

2. Annual Conference Property

The right, title, interest, and claim of any conference property, legacies, bequests, or donations of any kind, obtained by purchase or otherwise, by any person or persons, for the use and benefit of the said annual conference of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA, is hereby fully recognized and held to be the property of the annual conference.

3. US National Conference Property

The right, title, interest, and claim of any US National Conference property, including legacies, bequests, or donations of any kind, obtained by purchase or otherwise, by any person or persons, for the use and benefit of the US National Conference of the United Brethren in Christ, is hereby fully recognized and held to be the property of the US National Conference, Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA.

4. Camp/Conference Center Property

The right, title, interest, and claim of all property, whether consisting in lots of ground, buildings and other improvements, legacies, bequests, or donations of any kind, obtained by purchase or otherwise, by any person or persons, for the use, benefit, and of the Camp/Conference Center, is hereby fully recognized and held to be the property of the of aforesaid as long as they are self incorporated.

Referendum on National Conference Representation

This is the wording of the referendum as approved by the 2004 National Board. This referendum was voted on by all UB members in the United States in October 2004. It passed with an 86% "yes" vote. Therefore, it will be passed on to the 2005 National Conference, where it needs a two-thirds vote of the delegates to become official.

Intent

Change the way delegates are selected for the national conference, so that every active licensed UB minister has a vote, and so that every local church will be able to send at least one lay delegate.

Current Wording of Constitution Paragraph 11.1

1. All ecclesiastical power herein granted to make or repeal any rule of discipline is vested in a national conference, which shall consist of elders and laymen elected by the members in every conference district throughout the society. Such elders shall have stood in that capacity three years in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ; such laymen shall have been members of a local church within the conference district for six years and shall have served on the administrative board for five years.

2. The national conference is to be held every four years. All officials elected by the national conference shall be members ex officio of the national conference, the bishops to be considered presiding officers.

3. Each annual conference shall place before the society a list of nominees for election as delegates as provided in the Discipline of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, United States of America.

Replace with the following:

1. All ecclesiastical power herein granted to make or repeal any rule of discipline is vested in a national conference, which shall consist of active licensed ministers in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA, and lay people elected by the members of every congregation throughout the national conference. The laypersons shall be members of a local church within the national conference for a minimum of five years immediately prior to their election.

2. The national conference is to be held every two years. All officials elected by the national conference shall be members ex officio of the national conference, the bishops to be considered presiding officers.

(Delete item #3 in Article I of the Constitution.)