Membership at UBC:WHY?
This fall UBC (we) will have our first official annual general meeting as a Registered Organization. in anticipation of that we had a short meeting after our Sunday June 24 church service to talk about what that means:
We are registered as a religious charity in Canada.
Being a legal entity gives us number advantages
We are recognized by the government. Urban Bridge Church has a legal standing and a collective voice. Also, as a charity we are able to issue receipts. Being a registered religious charity also has some legal responsibilities. Three important conditions are. We are required to have a constitution. We are required to have a formal membership. We are required to have a yearly Annual General Meeting (AGM). They leave the details to our governing organization, the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. The PAOC provides us with a constitution which we agree to abide by. The constitution gives the details of membership, general meetings and other things.
The constitution also lays out some
a. Legal & Moral expectations for membership
b. Commitment & Accountability to one another
c. Sets standards for Attendance/financial/emotional/spiritual commitments
d. Defines our accountability and commitment to affiliation to the PAOC
Why would you consider becoming a member?
1 To formalize your commitment and relationship with the UBC registered religious charity?
2 To enter into a formal relationship of accountability with the UBC community
In this relationship we are not only responsible for our own actions we are also accountable for the actions of others. We are no longer just personally responsible but we must become accountable to others who share in the responsibility. This requires a new level of honesty and authenticity, not simply an internal honesty but a greater level of outward honesty.
As church members we take on responsibility for what Urban Bridge Church is, and what Urban Bridge Church does. UBC has the same expectation in belief and behaviour for anyone who is a part of our church
However, the accountability is different for formal church membership.
Do you need to be a formal member to be a part of this church? No, everyone is welcome and everyone who feels they belong does belong. This kind of commitment can happen whether we formalize it or not, in fact, many of us have already said in our actions “I will be responsible for my part in Urban Bridge Church.†By your actions you are saying “I belong.â€
For voting purposes there are only two reasons that require one to be a part of formal membership
1 - If the church buys and sells land.
2 Or if you wish to be part of the leadership council of UBC
What about Our Church constitution
UBC supports the spirit of the theology and lifestyle criteria in the constitution.
We may not necessarily agree with every detail and point but we agree to live in harmony with it, like affiliating with a political party.
The challenge with this constitution is the style of the writing and the world view implied
The writing style is rather exclusive rather than inclusive
The world view appears to be us versus them Rather than, we are in this together and in process on an agreed direction.
. Our value of grace says;
“We extend open arms to everyone. No matter who you are or where you’re from, what you think or what you’ve done you are always accepted in this community. We aspire to live God’s example of forgiveness and acceptance.â€
If you think you belong to UBC then you belong
And if you think you belong then you will have a say in this community
If you want to formalize your relationship then take the constitution read the fundamental and essential truths, extend grace to the style and world view implied accepting the spirit of the document.
If you can live in harmony with the theology and agree with the lifestyle criteria – call me.
If you can’t, that is also good because you get to have a coffee on me and we can chat about it.