Members & Attendees Information
"Rule 1-150 Qualifications for Membership
In order to be, and remain, a part of UCGIA, all local congregations and
National Councils agree to adhere to the following standards...
3.
Abide by the decisions of the General Conference and the Council with
respect to matters of governance,
provided these do not conflict with local or national law."
| Websites | ||
| Council of Elders (COE) | The ruling body. All national councils are subject to the COE in matters of governance, direction, personnel and doctrine | |
| Home Office weekly updates | Includes the President's letter | |
| UCG (international) | The overarching site for all interested parties, members and attendees | |
| Members site | Information for members | |
| Australian site | National councils are in effect subsidiaries. They sign up to and adhere to the leadership of the COE, Constitution, Bylaws, Rules of Association, Fundamentals of Belief, the other doctrines, magazines, literature, policies, practices and the UCG way. This means that they are not completely independent but subject to the COE's authority | |
| General Conference of Elders | Meets annually | |
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Key Documents and Policies (NB Bylaw: "11.4 AUTHORITY TO INTERPRET GOVERNING DOCUMENTS The General Conference has final authority with respect to the interpretation and enforcement of the Constitution with respect to any controversy that may arise thereunder. The Council has final authority with respect to the interpretation and enforcement of these Bylaws and the Rules of Association and with respect to any controversy that may arise thereunder.") |
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| Constitution | The Governing document that can only be amended by the General Conference of Elders but interpreted by the GCE | |
| Fundamental Beliefs | The 20 most important doctrines (believe it or not, this includes Israel's identity). Can only be amended by the General Conference of Elders | |
| Bylaws | Can only be amended by the General Conference of Elders (but interpreted by the COE) | |
| Rules of Association | Can only be amended by the General Conference of Elders (but interpreted by the COE) | |
| Appeal Process |
Members and attendees have rights, not just obligations. The
Bylaws states: "8.10 RIGHT OF APPEAL All lay members of
UCGIA have the right to appeal any disciplinary or other adverse
actions or decisions against them to the Council, by following
the process of appeal approved by the Council or within the
Rules of Association." The Rules of Association states:"
Rule 4-120 Conflict
Resolution
Conflict resolution is important for the well-being of each
member of UCGIA. The Council has developed policies for the
resolving of conflicts among UCGIA members and the ministry.
These policies may be adapted, but shall be applied in principle
among all local congregations and National Councils of UCGIA.
The Council may adopt other policies and procedures regarding
conflict resolution as needed. All such polices are available
upon request from the Home Office or the Council. |
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| Home Office documents must be disseminated |
"Rule 4-100 Dissemination of Teachings All local congregations agree to participate in and support the development and teaching of doctrine for the edification of UCGIA and the proclamation of the gospel. This must be reflected by the National Councils providing their congregations access to key publications of the Home Office, including videos and periodic correspondence from the president, the Council and others. Local pastors in the U.S. also agree to properly transmit information and communication from the Home Office, the General Conference and the Council to the congregations that they pastor. All agree to participate in a process for the further development of methods that allow for effectively spreading and teaching the truth of the Bible, allowing for consideration of the cultural context of the countries in which they are located." |
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UCG Positions on Governance, Regions, Other Churches of God (not official UCG but based on their documents) |
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| Relationship of national councils to the COE | UCG's documents on this relationship proves that national councils are subordinate to the COE and Home Office | |
| Not the only true Church | Some are teaching that the UCG is the only true or right church and pushing members out for attending other groups | |
| Outline of Strategy for Church of God Cooperation | The various Churches of God are not growing. They are fragmented and not coming together or co-operating in some way to undertake a large End-Time Work. Is there a way that they can work together? Is there a strategy that can be used to this end? | |
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UCG Positions on
Spiritual Gifts, Utilisation of Members, Justice (not official UCG but based on their documents) |
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| Spiritual Gifts* | All ministers must work with members to identify their gifts and talents for use in the Body of Christ. No croneyism, nepotism, jealousy or sycophants (see extract from UCG's Constitution below*). | |
| Sermons and Bible studies on spiritual gifts | Collection of UCG sermons, articles, statements | |
| Justice | The Bible is clear about this | |
| UCG vs Non-UCG approach | Aligning with UCG rather than operating independently | |
| History of the Church in Australia (WCG) | ||
| History of the Australian Work | Lots of information | |
| History of the Church in Sydney | ||
*The
Constitution of the UCG states: "3.2 FUNCTIONS WITHIN THE CHURCH There is one
body, the Church, which is a spiritual organism. The Church has many members, to
each of whom God has bestowed a measure of faith through the Holy Spirit.
Through that Spirit, our Father has made us one in the Body of Christ, and,
individually, members one of another. He has given us gifts that differ
according to His will and has entrusted His Spirit to each of us so
that we might exercise those gifts with humility, gentleness and patience in
submission, first to Jesus Christ, and then to one another. By the
establishment of this Constitution, we acknowledge the truth of Scripture that
members serve in different functions within the Church, and that it is our
Father who determines each member’s function within the Church.
The Council of
Elder's role is “to provide oversight and guidance within UCGIA
for the preaching of the gospel, the
service and care of local congregations” (Constitution,
Article 1.2.5).