Chicago UBFChicago UBFMembership and OverseersMembership and Overseers

““Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because your care, watching over them—not because

you must, but because you are willing, as God you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will you will receive the crown of glory that will

never fade away” (1Pe 5:2-4).never fade away” (1Pe 5:2-4).

NORTH AMERICA UBF NORTH AMERICA UBF CHAPTER GUIDELINESCHAPTER GUIDELINES

Chapter GuidelinesChapter Guidelines

TABLE OF CONTENTSTABLE OF CONTENTS

6.6. Transitioning into a 20-Member Transitioning into a 20-Member Chapter with OverseersChapter with Overseers

Chapter GuidelinesChapter Guidelines

PROCESS OF RECOGNIZING LOCAL PROCESS OF RECOGNIZING LOCAL CHAPTER MEMBERSCHAPTER MEMBERS

A. It is good to start by asking A. It is good to start by asking regular Sunday worship attendants if regular Sunday worship attendants if they would like to become they would like to become committed voting members of the committed voting members of the ministry. If so, they can fill out a ministry. If so, they can fill out a membership application card. membership application card.

Chapter GuidelinesChapter Guidelines

B. The applicants then attend B. The applicants then attend membership classes in the local membership classes in the local chapter led by the local chapter chapter led by the local chapter leader and overseers (elders), and leader and overseers (elders), and commit to praying for the ministry commit to praying for the ministry and attending quarterly membership and attending quarterly membership meetings.meetings.

Chapter GuidelinesChapter Guidelines

C. Once the classes have been C. Once the classes have been completed, the membership completed, the membership applicants can be introduced to the applicants can be introduced to the congregation as new voting congregation as new voting members.members.

D. Invitation to membership and D. Invitation to membership and membership classes can be offered membership classes can be offered as needed by the local chapter.as needed by the local chapter.

Chapter GuidelinesChapter Guidelines

E. An example of the basic structure E. An example of the basic structure and content of the above mentioned and content of the above mentioned membership classes will be available membership classes will be available on the UBF North American website: on the UBF North American website: (http://www.ubfnorthamerica.org/) (http://www.ubfnorthamerica.org/)

As long as these basic contents are As long as these basic contents are covered, local chapters are free to covered, local chapters are free to develop and offer these membership develop and offer these membership classes however they see fit.classes however they see fit.

CHICAGO UBF HAS ELDERSCHICAGO UBF HAS ELDERS

Godly, committed men who pray for Godly, committed men who pray for the Chicago UBF ministry:the Chicago UBF ministry:

Dr. Augustine Sohn, Dr. Alan Wolff, Dr. Augustine Sohn, Dr. Alan Wolff, Jim Rarick, David Choi, Richard Choi, Jim Rarick, David Choi, Richard Choi, Dennis Miller, Daniel YangDennis Miller, Daniel Yang

Thank God for them!Thank God for them!

C.E. WEAR THREE HATSC.E. WEAR THREE HATS

World MissionWorld Mission• Meet with P. Abraham Kim to share Meet with P. Abraham Kim to share

world mission prayer topics and advise world mission prayer topics and advise North AmericaNorth America

• Meet with P. Mark Vucekovich to share Meet with P. Mark Vucekovich to share N.A. prayer topics and advise N.A. prayer topics and advise

Chicago UBFChicago UBF• Meet with P. Ron Ward to share Chicago Meet with P. Ron Ward to share Chicago

prayer topics and adviseprayer topics and advise

C.E. ELECTED BY N.A. C.E. ELECTED BY N.A. BOARDBOARD

Annual Members meeting in FebruaryAnnual Members meeting in February About 90 “Members” from North About 90 “Members” from North

America meet to hear reports and America meet to hear reports and pray for N.A. UBF ministrypray for N.A. UBF ministry

Legal owners of the ministryLegal owners of the ministry Elect 10 Elders who represent N.A.Elect 10 Elders who represent N.A. By default they also represent By default they also represent

ChicagoChicago

What is “membership” and why What is “membership” and why do we need it?do we need it?

Membership involves a commitment Membership involves a commitment to/covenant with a body of believers to/covenant with a body of believers (community) (Ro12:4-5,10; 1Co12:27; (community) (Ro12:4-5,10; 1Co12:27; Eph2:19)Eph2:19)

It helps us grow in our relationship with Jesus, It helps us grow in our relationship with Jesus, in his image, as we serve one another in his image, as we serve one another (Jn13:14; Eph4:13,15; 1Pe4:10)(Jn13:14; Eph4:13,15; 1Pe4:10)

It fosters spiritual accountability (Jas5:16; It fosters spiritual accountability (Jas5:16; 1Jn1:9)1Jn1:9)

A local chapter should develop its own A local chapter should develop its own “covenant” statement for its members“covenant” statement for its members

Local Chapter MembershipLocal Chapter Membership Those interested in becoming members fill Those interested in becoming members fill

out a form and take membership classes out a form and take membership classes (classes led by pastor and overseers & (classes led by pastor and overseers & offered as needed)offered as needed)

When completed, a prospective member When completed, a prospective member adopts the local chapter’s covenant and adopts the local chapter’s covenant and his/her name is added to the active rollhis/her name is added to the active roll

The active membership roll is kept on file in The active membership roll is kept on file in the church office and updated regularlythe church office and updated regularly

When members move away, their names are When members move away, their names are removed from the rollremoved from the roll

Membership ClassesMembership Classes

1)1) The Gospel: Accepting & Sharing It (if the The Gospel: Accepting & Sharing It (if the applicant is not ready for this, the rest of applicant is not ready for this, the rest of the process should be put on hold)the process should be put on hold)

2)2) Christ as Lord: Part 1 (Personal Life)Christ as Lord: Part 1 (Personal Life)3)3) Christ as Lord: Part 2 (Life in Community)Christ as Lord: Part 2 (Life in Community)4)4) Discipleship: Being a Disciple of Jesus and Discipleship: Being a Disciple of Jesus and

Making Disciples of JesusMaking Disciples of Jesus5)5) World Missions: A Biblical SurveyWorld Missions: A Biblical Survey6)6) Giving: Why, how, and various kinds ofGiving: Why, how, and various kinds of7)7) Accountability (Discipline and Conflict)Accountability (Discipline and Conflict)8)8) What is UBF? (UBF North America history What is UBF? (UBF North America history

video, overview of current ministry, video, overview of current ministry, discussion of core values)discussion of core values)

Membership meetingsMembership meetings All local chapter members need to gather at All local chapter members need to gather at

least quarterly to review what’s been least quarterly to review what’s been happening in the ministry, both spiritually and happening in the ministry, both spiritually and financially (agenda published in advance; financially (agenda published in advance; treasurer, then pastoral staff, give reports)treasurer, then pastoral staff, give reports)

A recording secretary (also a member) A recording secretary (also a member) appointed to record the meeting minutes; an appointed to record the meeting minutes; an overseer appointed to presideoverseer appointed to preside

2/3 of the members on the active roll need to 2/3 of the members on the active roll need to be present at any meeting for it to be validbe present at any meeting for it to be valid

Pastor/overseers can call for a special Pastor/overseers can call for a special meeting at any time (for important decisions)meeting at any time (for important decisions)

Who is an “overseer” and why Who is an “overseer” and why do we need them?do we need them?

An overseer is a representative of and a shepherd for An overseer is a representative of and a shepherd for the congregation, and a partner with the pastor the congregation, and a partner with the pastor (1Pe5:1ff)(1Pe5:1ff)

Apostle Paul appointed overseers after he started Apostle Paul appointed overseers after he started churches (Acts, Timothy, Titus)churches (Acts, Timothy, Titus)

In this role even a younger person can grow in In this role even a younger person can grow in responsibility and co-working, and can be spiritually responsibility and co-working, and can be spiritually equipped to minister to others (1Ti4:12)equipped to minister to others (1Ti4:12)

Overseers are Overseers are stewardsstewards who pray for, teach, give to who pray for, teach, give to and protect people in the ministry (Ac20:28)and protect people in the ministry (Ac20:28)

Overseers support the pastor and his family and are a Overseers support the pastor and his family and are a body to which he is accountablebody to which he is accountable

Who can be an overseer?Who can be an overseer?

Any member in good standing who has the Any member in good standing who has the respect of fellow members and desires the respect of fellow members and desires the “noble task” (1Ti3:1)“noble task” (1Ti3:1)

Only one overseer per family (not both Only one overseer per family (not both husband and wife)husband and wife)

Not the treasurer or church staffNot the treasurer or church staff Not the pastoral staff (technically, the Not the pastoral staff (technically, the

pastor is not an overseer but attends the pastor is not an overseer but attends the meetings, contributes and has a vote)meetings, contributes and has a vote)

Selection of OverseersSelection of Overseers

Step 1: Pastor privately discusses with various Step 1: Pastor privately discusses with various members his thoughts on potential overseersmembers his thoughts on potential overseers

Step 2: Pastor privately confirms if the nominees Step 2: Pastor privately confirms if the nominees are willing to take the roleare willing to take the role

Step 3: Pastor announces the nominees in advance Step 3: Pastor announces the nominees in advance of a meeting to the members for their prayerful of a meeting to the members for their prayerful considerationconsideration

Step 4: Members have a chance to communicate Step 4: Members have a chance to communicate any concerns about nominees to the pastor/current any concerns about nominees to the pastor/current overseersoverseers

Step 5: At a membership meeting, new overseers Step 5: At a membership meeting, new overseers are publicly voted in by the membersare publicly voted in by the members

Number and term of overseersNumber and term of overseers

Chicago UBF has a special place in UBF Chicago UBF has a special place in UBF ministry as the Headquartersministry as the Headquarters

Chicago UBF/HQ Work together in many Chicago UBF/HQ Work together in many ways to serve world missionways to serve world mission

Elected elders should represent both to Elected elders should represent both to some extentsome extent

Also represent all campus ministries and Also represent all campus ministries and church ministrieschurch ministries

Term of overseers: three yearsTerm of overseers: three years

Overseers’ MeetingsOverseers’ Meetings Monthly Meetings: First Tuesday of each month at Monthly Meetings: First Tuesday of each month at

7:00 p.m.7:00 p.m. Pastoral staff set an ongoing educational program for Pastoral staff set an ongoing educational program for

themselves and overseersthemselves and overseers Pastoral staff share honestly about both ministry and Pastoral staff share honestly about both ministry and

personal concerns, share ministry planspersonal concerns, share ministry plans Overseers participate in educational program, share Overseers participate in educational program, share

honestly about both personal and ministry concernshonestly about both personal and ministry concerns Treasurer invited to report as neededTreasurer invited to report as needed Chairman appointed to preside over the meetingsChairman appointed to preside over the meetings Overseers & pastoral staff vote on decisions regarding Overseers & pastoral staff vote on decisions regarding

ministry direction, personnel and financesministry direction, personnel and finances Overseers communicate these decisions to membersOverseers communicate these decisions to members

Practical work of overseersPractical work of overseers

““able to teach” (1Ti3:2; 2Ti2:24)able to teach” (1Ti3:2; 2Ti2:24) Promote “sound doctrine” (1Ti1:3,10; 4:16; Promote “sound doctrine” (1Ti1:3,10; 4:16;

2Ti4:3; Tit1:9: 2:1)2Ti4:3; Tit1:9: 2:1) Be a good example among members Be a good example among members

(1Pe5:2-3; 1Ti4:12)(1Pe5:2-3; 1Ti4:12) Visit/pray for the sick (Jas5:14-15)Visit/pray for the sick (Jas5:14-15) Visit/pray for those who need Visit/pray for those who need

counseling/discipline (Mt18:16)counseling/discipline (Mt18:16) Work hard to help & give to the weak Work hard to help & give to the weak

(Ac20:34-35)(Ac20:34-35)

ResourcesResources Membership MattersMembership Matters by Chuck Lawless (Southeastern by Chuck Lawless (Southeastern

Baptist Seminary Dean)Baptist Seminary Dean) ““I Am A Church Member”: Discovering the Attitude I Am A Church Member”: Discovering the Attitude

that Makes the Differencethat Makes the Difference by Thom S. Rainer (CEO of by Thom S. Rainer (CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources) and LifeWay Christian Resources) and Simple ChurchSimple Church co- co-author (2007 Christianity Today book award for author (2007 Christianity Today book award for pastors/leaders)pastors/leaders)

9Marks Journal9Marks Journal series on Church Membership, Disciple- series on Church Membership, Disciple-Making, Lay Elders & Church Discipline by Jonathan Making, Lay Elders & Church Discipline by Jonathan Leeman (elder at Capitol Hill Baptist)Leeman (elder at Capitol Hill Baptist)

Biblical EldershipBiblical Eldership booklet by Alexander Strauch (elder booklet by Alexander Strauch (elder at Littleton Bible Chapel, CO)at Littleton Bible Chapel, CO)

Sticky TeamsSticky Teams by Larry Osborne (lead pastor, North by Larry Osborne (lead pastor, North Coast Church)Coast Church)

marshill.com/membership/covenantmarshill.com/membership/covenant