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25 Jul

July 25, 2013 |

For the sixth year in a row, Huntington University has been listed among the “Top Colleges” in the country by Forbes. Out of the 650 schools ranked, HU was the only institution listed from the greater Fort Wayne area.

The rankings are based on five general categories: post-graduate success (which evaluates alumni pay and prominence); student satisfaction (which includes professor evaluations and freshman to sophomore year retention rates); student debt (which penalizes schools for high student debt loads and default rates); graduation rate; and nationally competitive awards (which rewards schools whose students win prestigious scholarships and fellowships like the Rhodes, the Marshall and the Fulbright or go on to earn a Ph.D). The rankings are compiled for Forbes by the Washington, D.C.-based Center for College Affordability and Productivity.

The rankings are available online.

18 Jul

July 18, 2013 |

2013-2015 UB DisciplineThe United Brethren Discipline has been updated with the 20-some revisions made during the 2013 US National Conference on June 27.

From this link, you can download the 2013-2015 Discipline in PDF and also view it online.

We do not print hard copies of the Discipline. Since it’s up for revision every two years, that’s not enough shelf-life to make it economically feasible. Since 2005, the Discipline has been available only in electronic form. But you can download it and print out a copy for your own use.

 

18 Jul

July 18, 2013 |

steve-jonesSteve Jones was elected on Tuesday, July 16, as the new president of the Missionary Church USA. Jones has been a church planter, pastor, and more recently, district superintendent in the Missionary Church.

The United Brethren denomination has had much affinity with the Missionary Church over the years. We occasionally trade pastors, and our ministers and laypersons have been trained at each others’ colleges.

The Missionary Church USA is headquartered in Fort Wayne, Ind. Today (July 18) they conclude their biennial national conference, using the same facility we used just two weeks ago–the Grand Wayne Center in Fort Wayne.

18 Jul

July 18, 2013 |

Dr. Paul R. Fetters (right), former dean of the Huntington University Graduate School of Christian Ministries

The word for today is “benediction.”

In the early Christian church, Zachariah’s song of praise for God’s blessing was identified in Latin as the Benedictus (Luke 1:68-79). In Latin, bene means good and dictus means word. Therefore, in English benediction is translated “a good word.”

At 16 years of age while yet a new convert to Christ, I was asked to “pronounce the benediction.” Little did I know what a benediction was or how to pronounce one. So, I just offered a closing prayer. Later, it was explained to me that a benediction is the last word at the close of the worship service–a blessing from God. God has the last word, and it is a good word.

Having taught this explanation in many college and graduate classes, I am discovering that not all worship leaders have been so instructed in this Christian liturgy of worship. Presently, could our familiarity with the Divine have caused us to ignore–even forget–this blessing from God?

Often, at the close of worship, I now hear the last word, “Have a good week.” I am sure those who leave a casino or race track may hear the same. Those leaving the pub, local restaurant, beauty parlor, barber shop, or auto dealership are encouraged by “Have a good week.” Or others hear its shortened form, “Have a good one.”

On occasions, I have heard a benedictory prayer. Then I hear the really last and seemingly the most important word that trumps all other last words:

“Be sure to stay for the money raising cookout in the parking lot.” Or, “Purchase your tickets for the Tin Caps ballgame at the Welcome Center.”

Personally, I prefer to leave worship with a good word from God ringing in my ears. Ministers ordained by God are privileged to offer God’s blessing upon the people. Benedictions? Yes! The Scriptures offer many.

“The Lord bless you, and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Amen.” (Numbers 6:22-26, NIV)

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.” (2 Corinthians 13:14, NIV)

17 Jul

July 17, 2013 |
Bishop Phil Whipple (right) recognizing Mike and Tamara Willis.

Bishop Phil Whipple (right) recognizing Mike and Tamara Willis.

On Sunday, July 14, Mike Willis was recognized for having served 30 years as senior pastor of Maple Grove UB church in Baltimore, Ohio. Mike is bi-vocational; he is also a postal worker. Mike and his wife, Tamara, were married in 1987 and have four children.

How many other currently-active United Brethren ministers have served this long in one place? Not many.

  • 35 years. Greg Reed has served at Morning Star Church (Kokomo, Ind.) since 1978–initially as associate pastor, and since 1990 as senior pastor.
  • 32 years. Chuck Malson has pastored Brown Corners UB church (Clare, Mich.) since 1981.
  • 32 years. Joe Cilone has pastored Pleasant Heights UB church (East Liverpool, Ohio) since 1981.
  • 30 years. Ken Smith has pastored the Cedar Chapel UB church (Big Laurel, Kent.) since 1983.

 

17 Jul

July 17, 2013 |

In June, 23 persons from across the denomination participated in short-term medical ministry in Honduras. The team spent a week conducting free medical clinics for persons in remote villages in the mountains outside of Tegucigalpa.

The team held five clinics, during which they saw more than 1600 patients. Along with treating a number of health issues, the team also dispensed eye glasses to more than 600 persons.

Using wordless books prepared by women from North American Women’s Missionary Fellowship groups, the team shared the gospel with each patient. Ninety-six commitments to Christ were made during the week.

The team was  led by Robert and Fonda Cassidy (right), from the Mount Olivet UB church in Mt. Solon, Va. They have led this annual short-term team for a number of years.

16 Jul

July 16, 2013 |

During the last part of June and early July, 18 persons from several UB churches in the United States participated in an English Camp in Kutno, Poland. The team worked with Donna and Arek Delik (right), church planters with Operation Mobilization in Kutno.

Forty students participated in the English Camp, learning and practicing conversational English through sports, music, crafts, and other activities. A closing program was held on the Saturday following the week of camp, and students were encouraged to invite their entire family to attend.

On Sunday morning following camp, 20 out of the 40 students attended worship services at the church plant in Kutno.

Donna and Arek have both expressed their appreciation for the team and great work they did in building relationships with the students and helping them feel more confident in speaking English.

16 Jul

July 16, 2013 |

Jonetta, one of the newest staff members of Global Ministries, has a ministry opportunity in a limited-access country. To enable her participation, she needs $4,000 for initial ministry expenses. Jonetta has limited resources available to her and is currently involved in intense training for preparation for ministry.

Global Ministries would like to encourage individuals and churches to prayerfully consider partnering with Jonetta to raise the necessary funds. Then she can begin this ministry immediately after her training period.

If you or your church would like to partner with Jonetta, please send checks made payable to Global Ministries with a note stating the donation is for the “Jonetta ministry fund.”

(We’re not using her full name for security reasons.)

09 Jul

July 9, 2013 |

UBCentral has followed the progress of Dan Paternoster, who was nearly killed last August when he was struck by a car as he rode his bicycle to work. Dan, a member of the denominational Executive Leadership Team since 2001, is a member of Fowlerville UB church in Fowlerville, Mich. He’s a veterinarian (his day job), and a pilot, not to mention a devoted husband and father.

Dan’s story is pretty amazing. A video was shown on June 27 at National Conference (shot by Kevin Mattison, on staff at Emmanuel Community Church in Fort Wayne, Ind.). Here it is. Churches are free to use this as a United Brethren story of grace, forgiveness…well, of so many things.

09 Jul

July 9, 2013 |

Steve Dennie (right), Director of Communications

During the recent US National Conference, the delegates approved a significant change to the local church Personnel Relations Team. The new statement says:

“Each church shall have a Personnel Relations Team. Its primary responsibility is to cooperate with the stationing committee in securing a new senior pastor when the need arises. The local board will determine the constituency of the Personnel Relations Team.

“Depending on its structure, a church may give the Personnel Relations Team responsibilities in related areas, such as the work and support of the senior pastor.”

So, what’s that all about? Let me explain.

Denominationally, we give churches the freedom to operate as they see fit, with as few restrictions as possible. During the past 20+ years, we have continually revised the Discipline (our manual of operations, sort of) to give churches additional flexibility in administering their own affairs. It’s become somewhat of a core value. And churches have appreciated it. We’re down to just three requirements for local churches:

  1. A local board (the highest governing body).
  2. Lay delegates (needed only every two years for National Conference).
  3. A Personnel Relations Team.

The Discipline previously stated a number of duties for the Personnel Relations Team, including:

  • Job descriptions for employed personnel.
  • The pastor’s salary and benefits.
  • Serve as a “conferring and counseling” committee to the pastor and other employed personnel.
  • Cooperate with the stationing committee in securing a new pastor.

Many churches prefer to divide some of those duties among different administrative entities—an elder board, finance committee, etc. Some larger churches employ a business manager or executive pastor who handles some of those issues. Is it really necessary to mandate this major administrative group, with these specific duties, for all churches?

No. From a denominational standpoint, we need a Personnel team for just one situation—finding a new senior pastor. A local church group must work through that process alongside the bishop and cluster leader. It doesn’t need to be a permanent group. A Personnel team could be formed when a pastoral transition occurs, and then disbanded.

All of those other responsibilities we heap on the Personnel team—that’s the church’s business. If the church wants to assign other responsibilities to a permanent Personnel team, they can. But it’s not necessary. Their choice.

So, the new statement adopted by the National Conference follows our philosophy of giving churches freedom and flexibility. Technically, a local church doesn’t need to have a Personnel Team except when a pastoral change occurs. We don’t even state who, or how many people, should be on the Personnel team. Let the church decide.

The National Conference approved the change without discussion. Passed right through.