As we wrap up this short series of podcasts it seems fitting that we do so with a focus on the value that brought us together in the first place. In this final installment of season one of For the Neighborhoods and the Nations we discuss the eighth core value of the UBIC that states, "We link with the larger Church."

In this episode:

0:00 Intro

1:16 A valued partnership

4:55 A closer look

6:53 Valuing connection

11:43 Discerning partnerships

17:51 Local partnerships

20:36 Historical roots of our connectedness

23:19 Final thoughts

Download For the Health of the Nation, a great resource provided by our partners at the National Association of Evangelicals

Core Value: We Link with the Larger Church

We value connections with Christians outside of the United Brethren family. We are not separatist in mentality or practice. Rather, we intentionally develop connections with other Christian denominations and groups which are similar in purpose and spirit, so that we can more broadly advance the work of the Great Commission and impact our world.

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For the Neighborhoods and the Nations is a new podcast of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. In this first season we're diving into a series of conversations on the 8 core values that define and unite United Brethren churches around the world. Discover a bit of the history of how they came to exist as well as their significance in shaping our churches, ministries and mission today.

Follow For the Neighborhoods and the Nations on your favorite podcast directory and share it with friends in your church.

Discover more about the Church of the United Brethren in Christ.

Read up on the Core Values we'll discuss this season.

Hosted by: Brian Biedenbach and Todd Fetters

Produced by: Summit City Studios

Music from #Uppbeat:

Paul Yudin, Quiet Flight

License code: N90JWVZJEVCRVAEF

With only two episodes left, we're nearing the end of this series on the the Core Values of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. But we are not quite done yet. In this episode, Todd and Brian have a fun and focused discussion on the seventh core value of the UBIC that states, "We esteem each other."

In this episode:

0:00 Intro

2:40 Esteeming each other

6:08 What happens to one matters to all

12:47 The example of the UB Youth Summit

25:09 The counsel of the brethren

We Esteem Each Other

We are a connectional church. As United Brethren people across the world, we recognize that what happens in any of our churches matters to each of us. We are concerned about the welfare of sister churches not only in the next town, but in other countries. From Central America to West Africa to the Far East to North America, we are part of each other. We help each other, we learn from each other, we esteem each other, and we cooperate with each other to accomplish more for the Kingdom than we could by ourselves.

In the same vein, we value “the counsel of the brethren,” meaning the collective wisdom and advice of our fellow believers. While individuals may not agree with the decision of a committee, commission or conference, or with a stand taken by the conference or denomination, unity demands that we respect that corporate view as the counsel of the brethren and follow it. We believe in holding each other accountable to the standards set corporately.

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For the Neighborhoods and the Nations is a new podcast of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. In this first season we're diving into a series of conversations on the 8 core values that define and unite United Brethren churches around the world. Discover a bit of the history of how they came to exist as well as their significance in shaping our churches, ministries and mission today.

Follow For the Neighborhoods and the Nations on your favorite podcast directory and share it with friends in your church.

Discover more about the Church of the United Brethren in Christ.

Read up on the Core Values we'll discuss this season.

Hosted by: Brian Biedenbach and Todd Fetters

Produced by: Summit City Studios

Music from #Uppbeat:

Paul Yudin, Quiet Flight

License code: N90JWVZJEVCRVAEF

Our core values state that we protect the family. In order to do so, we have to first define the family and recognize the crucial role of the family in the transference of faith from one generation to the next. In this episode, we explore the sixth core value of the UBIC to discover those answers and discuss a few practical ways we can protect the family.

In this episode:

0:00 Intro

0:33 Family gatherings (and a disclaimer)

3:42 Instituted by God

9:18 Train up a child

12:04 Defining the family

15:15 Protecting the family

23:50 How should we view one another (in the Church)

27:23 Wrapping up

We Protect the Family

God instituted the family as our main social unit, and it is within the family that children are to be created, nurtured, and trained. Families come in many forms, but all need to be regulated by God’s Word. A husband and wife must remain faithful and loving to each other, and faithful and loving to the children God has entrusted to them. We realize we must constantly resist the forces attempting to undermine the strength and integrity of marriages and families, and the design outlined for them in God’s Word: a married husband and wife, and any children they might have.

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For the Neighborhoods and the Nations is a new podcast of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. In this first season we're diving into a series of conversations on the 8 core values that define and unite United Brethren churches around the world. Discover a bit of the history of how they came to exist as well as their significance in shaping our churches, ministries and mission today.

Follow For the Neighborhoods and the Nations on your favorite podcast directory and share it with friends in your church.

Discover more about the Church of the United Brethren in Christ.

Read up on the Core Values we'll discuss this season.

Hosted by: Brian Biedenbach and Todd Fetters

Produced by: Summit City Studios

Music from #Uppbeat:

Paul Yudin, Quiet Flight

License code: N90JWVZJEVCRVAEF

As followers of Jesus, we have a responsibility to live a lifestyle that reflects God to other people. While that can seem overwhelming and often quite intimidating, Todd reminds us that it is not an unreasonable ask nor is it an impossible task. In this episode, Brian and Todd discuss the fifth core value of the UBIC that states, "We preserve our Christian witness."

In this episode:

0:00 Intro

1:48 Impossible?

6:59 Beneficial and beautiful

17:51 Lifestyle and legalism

21:48 Seeking wisdom

29:30 Wrapping up

Defining Standards: Personal Convictions

Core Value: We Preserve Our Christian Witness

We believe that our lifestyles need to reflect God to other people. For that reason, we will make choices, sometimes stated through national conference moral and social standards, to behave in certain ways which identify us as Christians and protect the integrity of Christ’s church. These choices will vary from culture to culture, and may involve participating or not participating in certain activities. While we resist legalistic rules, we value a lifestyle which clearly honors Christ in the eyes of others, both Christians and nonChristians.

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For the Neighborhoods and the Nations is a new podcast of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. In this first season we're diving into a series of conversations on the 8 core values that define and unite United Brethren churches around the world. Discover a bit of the history of how they came to exist as well as their significance in shaping our churches, ministries and mission today.

Follow For the Neighborhoods and the Nations on your favorite podcast directory and share it with friends in your church.

Discover more about the Church of the United Brethren in Christ.

Read up on the Core Values we'll discuss this season.

Hosted by: Brian Biedenbach and Todd Fetters

Produced by: Summit City Studios

Music from #Uppbeat:

Paul Yudin, Quiet Flight

License code: N90JWVZJEVCRVAEF

The core value of demonstrating social concern, like the other values we have discussed on this podcast, has been baked into the fabric of our denomination from the onset. In fact, as early as the 1820s, forty years before the American Civil War officially began, the United Brethren embodied this value by taking a stand against slavery and giving voice to the dignity all people.

In this episode, Todd and Brian discuss the historical precedent and the modern relevance of the fourth core value of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ which states that we demonstrate social concern.

In this episode:

0:00 Intro

0:40 History

1:49 Genuine concern

5:45 Core value with action

12:33 Neighborhoods and Nations

18:02 Action steps

24:38 Issues vs individuals

Core Value: We Demonstrate Social Concern

We must not only seek the salvation of our fellow human beings, but show genuine concern for their total well-being. We recognize our responsibility to victims of poverty, prejudice, injustice, and other forms of human suffering.

The poor will always be among us, and we cannot ignore their plight; the Bible clearly states our obligation to those living in poverty. But there are many others, whether they are poor or not, whose situation requires our aid. They include persons in prison, immigrants, widows, orphans, the unborn, the handicapped, the homeless, the elderly, and victims of abuse. We also respond corporately to large-scale tragedies, giving sacrificially to help victims of natural disasters or social strife.

Demonstrating social concern also involves raising our voice against injustice and prejudice. We stand against discrimination, slavery, and injustice, insisting that equal rights be granted to everyone. We advocate fairness in the workplace, in the courts, and in all other settings, and seek the end of any discrimination based upon racial, national, economic, or social differences.

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For the Neighborhoods and the Nations is a new podcast of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. In this first season we're diving into a series of conversations on the 8 core values that define and unite United Brethren churches around the world. Discover a bit of the history of how they came to exist as well as their significance in shaping our churches, ministries and mission today.

Follow For the Neighborhoods and the Nations on your favorite podcast directory and share it with friends in your church.

Discover more about the Church of the United Brethren in Christ.

Read up on the Core Values we'll discuss this season.

Hosted by: Brian Biedenbach and Todd Fetters

Produced by: Summit City Studios

Music from #Uppbeat:

Paul Yudin, Quiet Flight

License code: N90JWVZJEVCRVAEF

The value of seeking the lost is at the heart of the UBIC having been a focus since the beginning as early church leaders called for people to come back to Jesus. In this episode, hosts Todd Fetters and Brian Biedenbach discuss the core value of seeking the lost and it's imperative nature for those who seek to live and learn the way of Jesus.

0:00 Intro

1:01 Biblical roots

4:43 Denominational focus

7:44 Evangelism and discipleship

13:20 How we live and learn the way of Jesus

20:30 3Story

25:43 Action steps

Core Value: We Seek the Lost

The United Brethren church began as a movement of people with a passion to reach lost people. They were willing to do whatever would bring people to Christ. As people accept Christ as Savior, we then lead them further down the road of discipleship, which includes baptism, training in righteousness, the use of spiritual gifts, and holy living.

We believe in a radical conversion which results in a transformed life. This goes beyond head knowledge, beyond church attendance, beyond practicing the sacraments. Christ’s presence in a Christian’s life is demonstrated by a lifestyle of faithfulness and obedience to God.

For more on 3Story living check out this video from our session at National Conference 2021.

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For the Neighborhoods and the Nations is a new podcast of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. In this first season we're diving into a series of conversations on the 8 core values that define and unite United Brethren churches around the world. Discover a bit of the history of how they came to exist as well as their significance in shaping our churches, ministries and mission today.

Follow For the Neighborhoods and the Nations on your favorite podcast directory and share it with friends in your church.

Discover more about the Church of the United Brethren in Christ.

Read up on the Core Values we'll discuss this season.

Hosted by: Brian Biedenbach and Todd Fetters

Produced by: Summit City Studios

Music from #Uppbeat:

Paul Yudin, Quiet Flight

License code: N90JWVZJEVCRVAEF

From that pivotal moment in Isaac Long's barn that Otterbein embraced Boehm and declared, "We are brethren," the value of respecting unity amidst diversity has been baked into the United Brethren Church. In this episode Todd and Brian discuss the roots of this core value as well as its significance for the Church today that's surrounded by such a divisive culture.

0:00 Intro

3:31 Historical context

7:12 Challenges

15:34 Unity in a world of extremes

19:24 Necessity of Union

30:14 Wrapping up

Core Value: We Respect Unity Amidst Diversity

The United Brethren church began with two very different men, Martin Boehm and William Otterbein, who realized that on the essentials of the faith, they were alike–that they were brothers in Christ. They differed in church background, in temperament, in stature, and in the finer points of theology. But when it came to the core of what it meant to be a Christian, they found unity.

This spirit has characterized the United Brethren church over the years. We prefer to allow diversity when it comes to worship style, Bible versions, military service, social and political action, church programs, method of baptism, end times scenarios, and other issues, as long as the positions taken do not clearly conflict with God’s Word or our Confession of Faith.

In the same way, we let churches and national conferences organize in the way they think will best fit their vision, needs, and culture. We don’t want our mission to be hindered by man-made structures. We also realize that a persecuted, underground United Brethren church will look much different from a United Brethren church in a free society, and that various cultural issues will cause further diversity. Our mission must take precedence over methods.

Yet amidst this diversity, we expect unity. We stand firm on biblical absolutes, allow freedom where the Bible allows freedom, and seek to maintain unity when disagreements arise.

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For the Neighborhoods and the Nations is a new podcast of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. In this first season we're diving into a series of conversations on the 8 core values that define and unite United Brethren churches around the world. Discover a bit of the history of how they came to exist as well as their significance in shaping our churches, ministries and mission today.

Follow For the Neighborhoods and the Nations on your favorite podcast directory and share it with friends in your church.

Discover more about the Church of the United Brethren in Christ.

Read up on the Core Values we'll discuss this season.

Hosted by: Brian Biedenbach and Todd Fetters

Produced by: Summit City Studios

Music from #Uppbeat:

Paul Yudin, Quiet Flight

License code: N90JWVZJEVCRVAEF

The first core value of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ states that "We adhere to the Confession of Faith," (scroll down for the full text of this core value). But what is our Confession of Faith? What does it state? And how long has it existed?

Discover more about that along with a few practical ways to engage this value in your church, small groups and family.

In this episode:

0:00 Why this? Why now?

2:30 The Confession of Faith

8:53 Adherence

13:28 Sorting

16:34 Unifying

17:57 Action steps

Core Value: We Adhere to the Confession of Faith

The United Brethren Confession of Faith, adopted in 1815, states the core doctrinal beliefs to which all United Brethren conferences, churches, and members must adhere. On many theological and social issues, people of equal Christian commitment and insight may interpret the Bible differently, and we allow room for that. But when it comes to the simple statements contained in the Confession of Faith–on God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Church, the Bible, salvation, and the ordinances–we do not allow diversity. As such, it is our denomination’s key unifying document, our line in the sand which must not be crossed.

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For the Neighborhoods and the Nations is a new podcast of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. In this first season we're diving into a series of conversations on the 8 core values that define and unite United Brethren churches around the world. Discover a bit of the history of how they came to exist as well as their significance in shaping our churches, ministries and mission today.

Follow For the Neighborhoods and the Nations on your favorite podcast directory and share it with friends in your church.

Discover more about the Church of the United Brethren in Christ.

Read up on the Core Values we'll discuss this season.

Hosted by: Brian Biedenbach and Todd Fetters

Produced by: Summit City Studios

Music from #Uppbeat:

Paul Yudin, Quiet Flight

License code: N90JWVZJEVCRVAEF

In this first episode, hosts Brian Biedenbach and Todd Fetters offer a high level overview of the Core Values of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, internationally. Discover what those eight Core Values are, how they came to be and why they are significant.

In this episode:

0:00 Meet the hosts

5:09 Why the title

6:54 The Core Values

10:36 Where they came from

16:40 Why are we talking about them now

24:09 Action steps

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For the Neighborhoods and the Nations is a new podcast of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. In this first season we're diving into a series of conversations on the 8 core values that define and unite United Brethren churches around the world. Discover a bit of the history of how they came to exist as well as their significance in shaping our churches, ministries and mission today.

Follow For the Neighborhoods and the Nations on your favorite podcast directory and share it with friends in your church.

Discover more about the Church of the United Brethren in Christ.

Read up on the Core Values we'll discuss this season.

Hosted by: Brian Biedenbach and Todd Fetters

Produced by: Summit City Studios

Music from #Uppbeat:

Paul Yudin, Quiet Flight

License code: N90JWVZJEVCRVAEF

Join Brian Biedenbach and Todd Fetters for this new podcast by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. In this first season we're diving into a series of conversations on the 8 core values that define and unite United Brethren churches around the world. Discover a bit of the history of how they came to exist as well as their significance in shaping our churches, ministries and mission today. This trailer episode is just a preview of what's to come and we'd love to have you join us for the ride.

Be sure to follow For the Neighborhoods and the Nations on your favorite podcast directory and share it with friends in your church.

Discover more about the Church of the United Brethren in Christ.

Read up on the Core Values we'll discuss this season.

Hosted by: Brian Biedenbach and Todd Fetters

Produced by: Summit City Studios

Music from #Uppbeat:

Paul Yudin, Quiet Flight

License code: N90JWVZJEVCRVAEF