Renew’s Leadership Commitment

Overview

As a leader in our church, you play a crucial role in making disciples of those God has entrusted to our church. We must take on this assignment in unity. To best protect and preserve the unity of our church family, together we affirm the United Brethren Confession of Faith, we agree to uphold key doctrinal positions, and we commit to living lives worth imitating.

Since we are a family of believers, this is not a contract one must sign but a commitment to each other and to God, who brought us and holds us together. Our prayer echo’s Paul’s direction to the church in Ephesians 4.

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”  - Ephesians 4.1-6

Confession of Faith

Renew Communities is a part of the United Brethren Family. As a people we ascribe to their Confession of Faith. The United Brethren Confession of Faith was adopted in 1815 and has never been changed. It states the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith, the core beliefs which United Brethren members have clung to since the denomination began.

The Triune God

In the name of God, we declare and confess before men that we believe in the only true God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; that these three are one–the Father in the Son, the Son in the Father, and the Holy Ghost equal in essence or being with both; that this triune God created the heavens and the earth and all that in them is, visible as well as invisible, and furthermore sustains, governs, protects, and supports the same.

Jesus Christ, the Son

We believe in Jesus Christ; that He is very God and man; that He became incarnate by the power of the Holy Ghost in the Virgin Mary and was born of her; that He is the Savior and Mediator of the whole human race, if they with full faith in Him accept the grace proffered in Jesus; that this Jesus suffered and died on the cross for us, was buried, arose again on the third day, ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God to intercede for us; and that He shall come again at the last day to judge the quick and the dead.

The Holy Spirit, Comforter and Guide

We believe in the Holy Ghost; that He is equal in being with the Father and the Son, and that He comforts the faithful, and guides them into all truth.

The Church

We believe in a holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.

The Holy Bible and Salvation

We believe that the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, is the Word of God; that it contains the only true way to our salvation; that every true Christian is bound to acknowledge and receive it with the influence of the Spirit of God as the only rule and guide; and that without faith in Jesus Christ, true repentance, forgiveness of sins, and following after Christ, no one can be a true Christian.

The Salvation Message

We also believe that what is contained in the Holy Scriptures, to wit: the fall in Adam and redemption through Jesus Christ, shall be preached throughout the world.

The Christian Ordinances

We believe that the ordinances, viz. baptism and the remembrance of the sufferings and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, are to be in use and practiced by all Christian societies; and that it is incumbent on all the children of God particularly to practice them; but the manner in which ought always to be left to the judgment and understanding of every individual. Also, the example of washing feet is left to the judgment of every one to practice or not; but it is not becoming of any of our preachers or members to traduce any of their brethren whose judgment and understanding in these respects is different from their own, either in public or in private. Whosoever shall make himself guilty in this respect shall be considered a traducer of his brethren, and shall be answerable for the same.

Doctrinal Positions

“The United Brethren in Christ Discipline” is the main organizational document for The Church of the United Brethren in Christ. It contains our rules of doctrine, our Constitution, our moral and social standards, and the by-laws which govern how we operate. The Discipline addresses these issues that are of high importance to our culture at this time and much more. We ask that you commit to upholding these doctrinal positions in your role as a leader in our church. 

Women in Ministry

We believe God pours out his gifts indiscriminately on males and females to be used for the sake of his church and his world. We believe that women’s roles should reflect the roles given to women in the New Testament. We believe that any mature Christian, male or female, can be used by God in leadership capacities within the Church community, including eldership and teaching. The United Brethren church does not discriminate in granting ministerial credentials on the basis of gender or race. For further reading, go to renewcommunities.com/this-is-renew.

Marriage and Sexuality

We believe that marriage is a sacred covenant between one male and one female. We believe that sex should only happen within a marriage relationship. We believe that everyone is created in the image of God, both male and female, and we should seek to live out our sexuality under Jesus and his Word.  

Our church is a place of understanding, healing, and hope, affirming the value of all persons while pointing them to Christ, the healer of all brokenness.

For further reading and a broader look at the United Brethren position on Human Sexuality, go to Chapter 5, “Family Standards,” within the UB’s Discipline found at ub.org/discipline/05-family-standards. A broader reading on the United Brethren’s understanding of Human Sexuality can be found at ub.org/events/nc2017/hstf-report.

Justice

We must not only seek the salvation of our fellow human beings but show genuine concern for their total well-being. We recognize our responsibility to victims of poverty, prejudice, injustice, and other forms of human suffering. The poor will always be among us, and we cannot ignore their plight; the Bible clearly states our obligation to those living in poverty. But there are many others, whether they are poor or not, whose situation requires our aid. They include persons in prison, immigrants, widows, orphans, the unborn, the disabled, the homeless, the elderly, and abuse victims. We also respond corporately to large-scale tragedies, giving sacrificially to help victims of natural disasters or social strife. Demonstrating social concern also involves raising our voices against injustice and prejudice. We stand against discrimination, slavery, and injustice, insisting that equal rights be granted to everyone. We advocate fairness in the workplace, in the courts, and in all other settings and seek the end of any discrimination based upon racial, national, economic, or social differences. We believe that social justice is found through King Jesus and his Kingdom. For further reading, see United Brethren’s Core Value #14 located at ub.org/international/2-core-values.

Live a Life Worth Imitating

Your life is the most important discipleship tool you have. People will follow you as you follow Christ. A leader should be actively seeking to follow Jesus with their whole life. A leader will actively pursue a relationship with Jesus and seek to hear his voice and respond to Him. A leader will seek to live within and under the local church (the people of God on mission together). This includes regular participation in worship gatherings, sacrificial generosity, and striving for unity within our church family. Finally, a leader should seek to live a life above reproach and consistent with scripture. For further reading, we encourage you to review some of the scriptures that have shaped this agreement, including 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:6-9, Romans 14:20-21, and 1 Thessalonians 5:12-19.