Second Day of U.S./Canada Staff Conf. Sept. 29, 2012
At 9:00 a.m. the second day of conference began with Dr. James Rabchuck moderating. Pastor Teddy Hambekkides gave an opening message on Ephesians 2:14, Jesus removing the diving wall, making one new man out of the two (Jews and Gentiles).
Discussion followed on the meaning of the Apostle Paul talking about the dividing wall of hostility.
Dr. Joe mentioned what he observed by running a website (UBF friends) that is deep hostility that exists between those who left UBF and those who remain.
Dr. Jim talked about what Dr. Becky (the daughter of Missionary Isaac H. Kim) mentioning about conflicts other church organizations have. On hearing her, Dr. Jim asked Dr. Becky, "How many churches survive?" Apparently Dr. Becky said, "Not many." So Dr. Jim said we in UBF ought to make a lot of efforts for it is not an easy task.
Elijah Park said, "We need to admit that we are all sinners." Then he said, "We can remain humble."
But Sharon Schafer said, "Admitting one's condition as a forgiven sinner is not enough; we do need to make efforts to understand each other." She also said we not only need to acknowledge our own sin before God, but the church must have some way of dealing with corporate sin. She spoke of there being many individuals who are hurt and have no one in their fellowship to go to.
Dr. Abraham T. Kim said, "In UBF ministry many are Koreans who are in leadership positions so these 'Korean' leaders ought to take the initiative to open up dialogues.
Dr. Paul Hong quoted the Apostle Paul who said, "I am not ashamed of the gospel." He asked, "Are we ashamed of UBF?" He asked the same question to some of the shepherds in Toledo. Some said, "I am." Then Dr. Paul realized that in order for us not to be ashamed of being in the "UBF" ministry, we as an organization ought to be "Christ-centered." The walls of hostility do not go up all of a sudden. They keep being built up over time. To reconcile and thereby remove the walls of hostility, we need to pray a lot and then communicate.
Jacob Lee: in his house there is one TV. His grand-daughter likes to watch Dora. His son likes sports. Jacob the grandpa wants to watch something else. Since he loves his children, while his children insist on what they like to watch, he curbs his selfish desire, and let them watch what they like.
Dr. Joe mentioned, "When conflicts arise we need to resolve them upfront with honesty."
Pastor Mark Vucekovich said that our core motivation should not be business-mindedness like making people to be UBF members. Rather we need to lead people to Jesus Christ and his kingdom. When our motive is right, people feel it.
Shepherdess Deborah Ward said that many Koreans feel their way is superior. That does tend to feel oppressive and stifle motivation to co-work.
Then at 10 a.m. we took a break by singing Hymn 453 "Nothing but the Blood."
At 10:15 a.m. the meeting was reconvened.
Daniel Yang talked about 'hurt' on a personal or corporate level. On a personal level we need to ask God for his healing. On a corporate level, we need to set up a convention on the core values like mission statement.
Dr. Bento said, "It is not a good idea for a human shepherd to replace Jesus, for Jesus is perfect, a human shepherd is not. The hardest sin to overcome is legalism."
Dr. James Kim appreciated Dr. Joe and Dr. Bento talking about the "corporate" sins of UBF such as authoritarian's way of leadership.
Dr. Henry asked, "Okay, then what are we to do to solve the conflicts? For example what is the responsibility of a regional director?"
Dr. James said, "Since Dr. Samuel Lee passed way, a lot of people tend to be afraid of losing Dr. Samuel Lee's legacy. From now on we need to study the word God newly and use all the creativity God has given us."
Dr. Abraham T. Kim thanked for people participating and people's prayer for himself.
* Decisions made at the IEB (International Executive Board): Feb. 24, we met and decided how to allocate and distribute Christmas offerings. Terms of national directors: 4 years. National and chapter directors can be reappointed. Some chapter directors are founders, so if desired they can work as honorary directors. Bigger chapters are encouraged to form a pastoral body which by the way should not replace the chapter directorship. As of Dec. , 2012, total UBF sunday worship service was 8,641 (Korea accounting for about about 50%, then U.S. then Asia, etc.) Korea decreased in number, with U.S. and other parts of the world growing up in no.. Leadership development, transfer of leadership, and Raising second gens are important prayer topics. Overseas offerings savings: $4.3 million (all offerings from outside of the U.S.) - to be frozen for missionaries and staff members in dire need. From now on the board allowed the General Director to use part of the Overseas offerings.
Continental director is to be called continental coordinator. Canada is a nation but itself is a continent. National director's title is to be called national coordinator.
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2012 Christmas offering is to be dedicated to remodeling Uganda Hospital for about $50k.
Feb. 10, 2012, Ethics committee was established to handle grievances or ethical problems that might arise. Members can raise legitimate questions which can be channeled through the committee where Dr. Agustin Sohn and Dr. Alan Wolf would be serving as the chair and vice chair, with Dr. John Armstrong working as a consultant.
We started the Midwest staff education program. About 40 staff members started studying theology.
Founders' day committee members were appointed: continued record of history by nations; preserve UBF core values; develop UbF theology; study theological questions. Dr. Jim said instead of the word preserve use the word examine. Dr. Charles Kim and Dr. Abraham K. Lee will serve as chair and vice chair. Other assistants were appointed. Oct. 11, 2013 there will be a one and a half day program on Founders day with theme "back to the Bible."
Junior staff meeting was initiated.
WELL coordinators and vision team were established. Dr. John Yoon and Dr. Mark Yoon work together. Building a working relationship among young people based on their own motivations is a bright thing to do.
This year they will have a two day Well meeting. Dec. 27-28, 2012.
First women conf. was initiated with Shepherdess Liz along with Christy Toh and Dr. Helen working together.
One year internship program started among the second gens like Sarah Little Lee and others.
Bible study material team meet with Dr. Mark Yang, and his colleagues. Thee are two teams: A and B. Both teams are meeting every week.
UBF archive committee was initiated with Ab. K. Lee volunteering. Any historically valuable materials will be directed to him, with Nehemiah Kim of Kwangjoo UBF coordinating.
Next, CME education is initiated in Europe by Dr. John Jun in July.
Dr. Abraham Kim works to support regions, with Kevin Alright working as an education staff, with Dr. Augustine working as a professor in theology. HQ and regions will have to work together, esp. in regard to the itinerant work schedule.
New Development of website: HQ hired a part time website manager, esp. to develop the 2013 Int'l conf. on line registration program. Dr. John Jun also developed a program where all senior staff members in each chapter can load up all of the teaching materials like messages etc. This will be a data bank for lectures, articles, etc.
End of Oct. leadership development conf. to come - Pastor Ron reported that Oct. 25-28 there will be a leadership development workshop. This time we will cover the second samuel, "You will shepherd my people" among people between 25-35 in age. We also will cover 2ti "A worker approved by God" in two lessons (2Ti 2; 3-4). Pastor Ron will work together with his coworkers. This time the program will be a workshop format with four themes: message, discipleship, purity, and spiritual gifts coming in four breakout sessions run by different leaders, aimed at producing leaders. Chapter directors ought to recommend along with a not more than one page testimony (my spiritual journey); the cost is $120 per person including food. Location - Chicago center. Those who come out of Chicago will be housed for free in housings around the Chicago center. For details check website: http://chicagoubf.org\discipleship
Pastor Mark talks about US.Canada staff conf. to be held in Pennsylvania next Feb. 2013, on Ephesians 3 (building a healthy community, maturity and relationships, etc.)
In regard to the Internal Bile conf. proposed program has been sent out, which is based on John 13, upper-room dialogue, title "So loved", for Jesus said love one another as I have loved you. We need to renew the love of Jesus in our hearts. This is the most important message young folks are in need of. The idea is not only to receive love but learn how to love, which are also intended to address key issues we have as a ministry. The program was developed over a period of four months. Last year one out of 4 was undergraduate student. So get the college students excited. A promotional video is going to be available, so students would start registering for the conf. so they would not be burdened to make the conf. fee one shot. The registration website will be opened next week. The point of arrival for attending the conf. will be Pittsburgh. International guests are encouraged to advise the staff the point of departure and the post conf. travel plan if they have any. This time there is no leaders or missionary conf. after the main conf. Local chapters are to communicate their ideas/suggestions to Pastor Mark.
Prayer topics:
- work together for our mission statement as well as core value; code of ethics; revise bylaws as needed;
- promote the quality of daily bread; senior staff participation is encouraged
- more silver ministers/missionaries going to isolated chapters and supporting are needed.
- nigeria bible center is leaking: $7,300; they also want to register the organization with the government costing about $10k.
Jacob Lee announced:
- he suggested two nights three day conf. program in the future.
Closing with Missionary Sam Zun praying.
