For the Neighborhoods and the Nations Church of the United Brethren in Christ USA

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