CHAPTER 8
Administrative Divisions
¶301 Purpose
It is essential within the church as an institution to do all things “decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). It is also imperative to structure the organization so as to preserve the freedom of the church to respond to the mandate of Jesus Christ and the need and opportunity for ministry without unnecessary hindrance.
Therefore, the following organizational structure is established on the basic premise of assigning appropriate responsibility for policy and decision making, for review and control. Further, the structure assumes that appropriate and responsible boards will establish the procedure for analysis, planning, determining ministries, and writing personnel policies pertaining to persons under their appointment.
¶302 Administrative Entities
The church shall consist of the following administrative entities:
1. Preaching Point
A preaching point is a group of people holding services in a place outside the bounds of an existing United Brethren church, with the goal of eventually becoming a full-member congregation.
2. Appointment
A preaching point organized or not organized into a local church.
3. Local Church
A duly organized group consisting of adult members from ten or more resident families. A resident family must include at least one person who is a member of the church. The family must also meet at least one of these requirements: live within ten miles of the church, regularly contribute financially, or regularly attend services.
4. Mission District
One or more appointments or local churches outside of the United States which are administered by the UB Global Leadership Team.
5. Cluster
A group of 5-10 churches (ideally not more than seven churches).
6. Region
A geographic designation used primarily for representation purposes. The churches of the US National Conference are grouped into these regions:
a. West Region. All churches in Indiana and in all states west of Indiana, except for any states specified as part of a different region.
b. Central Region. All churches in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and the part of Pennsylvania north of Pittsburgh and west of Oil City.
c. North Region. All churches in Michigan.
d. East Region. All churches in Pennsylvania not part of the Central region, and in these states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and the northeastern United States.
7. Church of the United Brethren in Christ, United States of America
All United Brethren churches in the United States comprise the national conference known as the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA.
8. Church of the United Brethren in Christ International
All United Brethren national conferences and their mission districts are part of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ International.
¶303 Right to Books and Records
All persons selected for local church or denominational offices are entitled to immediate possession of all papers, documents, books, records, and minutes pertaining to that office. Predecessors shall turn over all such documents and records in their possession.
