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Mrs Carol Myers and Rev Harold Myers
It was 1767, and an inter-denominational renewal movement
was sweeping through the colonies. Back then, Christians
would gather in what they called “Great Meetings.” These
were lively affairs. Several hundred people from all over
might spend several days hearing a string of stirring
speakers.
Isaac Long hosted a Great Meeting at his big barn in
Lancaster, Pa. Martin Boehm, a Mennonite preacher, told his
story of becoming a Christian and a minister. It deeply
moved William Otterbein, a German Reformed pastor.
Otterbein left his seat, embraced Boehm, and said loud
enough for everyone to hear, “Wir sind bruder.”
(Oh--we spoke German back then.)
Otterbein’s words meant, “We are brethren.”
Out of this revival movement came a new denomination, and
it took its name from Otterbein’s words: United Brethren in
Christ.
was sweeping through the colonies. Back then, Christians
would gather in what they called “Great Meetings.” These
were lively affairs. Several hundred people from all over
might spend several days hearing a string of stirring
speakers.
Isaac Long hosted a Great Meeting at his big barn in
Lancaster, Pa. Martin Boehm, a Mennonite preacher, told his
story of becoming a Christian and a minister. It deeply
moved William Otterbein, a German Reformed pastor.
Otterbein left his seat, embraced Boehm, and said loud
enough for everyone to hear, “Wir sind bruder.”
(Oh--we spoke German back then.)
Otterbein’s words meant, “We are brethren.”
Out of this revival movement came a new denomination, and
it took its name from Otterbein’s words: United Brethren in
Christ.
It All Started in a Barn
Tell Me More About These Guys
Boehm and Otterbein became our first two bishops. They
were real different.
Boehm was short, Otterbein tall.
Boehm was described as “plain in dress and manners.”
Otterbein, from a long line of distinguished ministers, was
cultured and well-educated.
Boehm lacked confidence in his speaking ability. Otterbein
exuded confidence. He commanded attention, while Boehm
could easily shrink into the background.
Otterbein and Boehm realized that, despite their many
differences--in theology, background, education,
personality, and even stature--they agreed on the basics of
the faith. These were the perfect guys to head a new church
which united diverse people from many backgrounds
around the essentials of the faith.
were real different.
Boehm was short, Otterbein tall.
Boehm was described as “plain in dress and manners.”
Otterbein, from a long line of distinguished ministers, was
cultured and well-educated.
Boehm lacked confidence in his speaking ability. Otterbein
exuded confidence. He commanded attention, while Boehm
could easily shrink into the background.
Otterbein and Boehm realized that, despite their many
differences--in theology, background, education,
personality, and even stature--they agreed on the basics of
the faith. These were the perfect guys to head a new church
which united diverse people from many backgrounds
around the essentials of the faith.
When Did the United Brethren People Become a “Denomination”?
We start the clock in 1767, there in Long's Barn. But it was a
loose movement for many years. As time wore on, they saw
the need for some organization and standards.
The movement spread to include a bunch of German
speaking churches in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and
Ohio. In time, the loose movement saw the need for
organization. In 1800, they began holding a yearly
conference for business and inspiration, which came to be
called "General Conference."
Just 13 ministers attended that first conference, which was
held in a house. They did two major things:
Adopted a name: United Brethren in Christ.
Elected Boehm and Otterbein as bishops. Both men, at
the time, were in their mid-70s.
The United Brethren church has the distinction of being the
first denomination to actually begin in the United States.
Other denominations existed at the time (Lutheran,
Reformed, Mennonite, and others), but they were
transplants from Europe. The United Brethren church was
truly Made in America.
loose movement for many years. As time wore on, they saw
the need for some organization and standards.
The movement spread to include a bunch of German
speaking churches in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and
Ohio. In time, the loose movement saw the need for
organization. In 1800, they began holding a yearly
conference for business and inspiration, which came to be
called "General Conference."
Just 13 ministers attended that first conference, which was
held in a house. They did two major things:
Adopted a name: United Brethren in Christ.
Elected Boehm and Otterbein as bishops. Both men, at
the time, were in their mid-70s.
The United Brethren church has the distinction of being the
first denomination to actually begin in the United States.
Other denominations existed at the time (Lutheran,
Reformed, Mennonite, and others), but they were
transplants from Europe. The United Brethren church was
truly Made in America.
Circuit Riders
The church spread west, into Ohio and Indiana. Circuit-
riding preachers, on horseback, carried the Gospel from
community to community, organizing churches and doing
whatever they could to tell people about Christ. Many of
them were farmers who traveled around preaching in their
spare time, sometimes supervising a circuit of up to 30
churches. Very dedicated people.
The early ministers were mostly farmers who traveled
around preaching in their spare time, without pay. A
preacher would travel for hours over rugged terrain on
horseback getting to just one meeting (not quite like hopping
in the car and going across town). He might oversee 30
churches spread over two counties. Very dedicated folks.
Back then, UB churches chose a “lay leader” to be in charge
of the church between the preacher’s visits. The day the
preacher came was always special and eagerly-awaited. Big
crowds would gather for the service, and many people might
commit their lives to Christ.
These highly-committed circuit-riding preachers served at
great sacrifice. The church grew rapidly under their
leadership.
riding preachers, on horseback, carried the Gospel from
community to community, organizing churches and doing
whatever they could to tell people about Christ. Many of
them were farmers who traveled around preaching in their
spare time, sometimes supervising a circuit of up to 30
churches. Very dedicated people.
The early ministers were mostly farmers who traveled
around preaching in their spare time, without pay. A
preacher would travel for hours over rugged terrain on
horseback getting to just one meeting (not quite like hopping
in the car and going across town). He might oversee 30
churches spread over two counties. Very dedicated folks.
Back then, UB churches chose a “lay leader” to be in charge
of the church between the preacher’s visits. The day the
preacher came was always special and eagerly-awaited. Big
crowds would gather for the service, and many people might
commit their lives to Christ.
These highly-committed circuit-riding preachers served at
great sacrifice. The church grew rapidly under their
leadership.
Now It’s in Writing
Back in 1789, Otterbein wrote a “Confession of Faith,”
which outlined the basic doctrines to be followed. A similar
Confession of Faith was adopted in 1815, and it’s never
been changed--not one word. (View the Confession of Faith)
In 1841, we adopted a Constitution. It’s been changed
maybe 20 times over the years
which outlined the basic doctrines to be followed. A similar
Confession of Faith was adopted in 1815, and it’s never
been changed--not one word. (View the Confession of Faith)
In 1841, we adopted a Constitution. It’s been changed
maybe 20 times over the years
How Long Did We Speak German?
In the 1700s, German immigrants accounted for one-third of
Pennsylvania’s population, and nearly everyone spoke
German in the state’s south-central counties (Lancaster,
York and others), where we started.
As German immigrants moved west, so did the church. But
around 1815, English began overtaking German.
Pennsylvania’s population, and nearly everyone spoke
German in the state’s south-central counties (Lancaster,
York and others), where we started.
As German immigrants moved west, so did the church. But
around 1815, English began overtaking German.
Oh Say What?
Francis Scott Key, who wrote “The Star Spangled Banner”
during a War of 1812 battle, was a United Brethren Sunday
school teacher.
during a War of 1812 battle, was a United Brethren Sunday
school teacher.
Paying the Pastor
As time passed, preachers were encouraged to do what
they do fulltime. The 1815 Discipline (our “operations
manual”) set the annual salary for preachers at $80 for
single ministers, $160 for married ones. The figures were
raised to $100 and $200 in 1837, and to $125 and $250 in
1853. How’s that for inflation?
Ministers barely scraped by, usually by farming or doing
other things on the side.
they do fulltime. The 1815 Discipline (our “operations
manual”) set the annual salary for preachers at $80 for
single ministers, $160 for married ones. The figures were
raised to $100 and $200 in 1837, and to $125 and $250 in
1853. How’s that for inflation?
Ministers barely scraped by, usually by farming or doing
other things on the side.
Untrained, but Effective
Most pastoral preparation occurred on-the-job. When you
expressed interest in becoming a minister, you were
promptly given a church--or more likely, a whole circuit of
churches. No classes on sermon preparation or theology.
Bishop Jonathan Weaver wrote about UB preaching in
general, “The preachers were lame in philosophy, and
knew nothing of the higher criticism, but on the cardinal
doctrines of the gospel they were giants. They would
preach on the judgment and future rewards or
punishments until one would think the day had come.”
During the first 60 years or so, only a couple bishops had
any college training. In fact, people with college education
were viewed with suspicion, because they might rely more
on their learning than on God.
But in the 1800s, we started a bunch of colleges. Unlike
most other colleges at the time, all of ours admitted
women. And Otterbein College in Ohio did something
unheard of: opened its doors to blacks. (The college
president’s home was a station on the Underground
Railroad, which helped slaves escape.)
expressed interest in becoming a minister, you were
promptly given a church--or more likely, a whole circuit of
churches. No classes on sermon preparation or theology.
Bishop Jonathan Weaver wrote about UB preaching in
general, “The preachers were lame in philosophy, and
knew nothing of the higher criticism, but on the cardinal
doctrines of the gospel they were giants. They would
preach on the judgment and future rewards or
punishments until one would think the day had come.”
During the first 60 years or so, only a couple bishops had
any college training. In fact, people with college education
were viewed with suspicion, because they might rely more
on their learning than on God.
But in the 1800s, we started a bunch of colleges. Unlike
most other colleges at the time, all of ours admitted
women. And Otterbein College in Ohio did something
unheard of: opened its doors to blacks. (The college
president’s home was a station on the Underground
Railroad, which helped slaves escape.)
Against the Grain
In 1821, forty years before Lincoln’s Emancipation
Proclamation, UBs took a strong stand against slavery.
The church people who owned slaves had two choices:
set them free, or let the church decide how long the slave
had to work to compensate the master for his
“investment.” But in no case could a member sell a slave.
Starting in 1837, slave owners couldn’t continue as
members.
This hard-line stance kept us from spreading into the
South, and brought persecution, including arrests and
killings, during the Civil War.
Proclamation, UBs took a strong stand against slavery.
The church people who owned slaves had two choices:
set them free, or let the church decide how long the slave
had to work to compensate the master for his
“investment.” But in no case could a member sell a slave.
Starting in 1837, slave owners couldn’t continue as
members.
This hard-line stance kept us from spreading into the
South, and brought persecution, including arrests and
killings, during the Civil War.
Wagons West!
In 1853, a denominational mission board was organized
under the cumbersome name “Home, Frontier, and
Foreign Missionary Society.” That year, we launched our
first missionary venture. A wagon train of UB
missionaries began traveling from Iowa to Oregon, where
they intended to plant United Brethren churches. There
were 38 oxen-pulled wagons, 98 persons, and 300 head
of cattle on the Oregon Trail. The trip took five months.
Quite a missionary venture!
Oregon Mission organized in 1855. By 1861, there were
nearly 600 members, with preaching occurring in 48
places. So in less than 100 years, the movement which
began in Long’s Barn had spread from coast to coast.
under the cumbersome name “Home, Frontier, and
Foreign Missionary Society.” That year, we launched our
first missionary venture. A wagon train of UB
missionaries began traveling from Iowa to Oregon, where
they intended to plant United Brethren churches. There
were 38 oxen-pulled wagons, 98 persons, and 300 head
of cattle on the Oregon Trail. The trip took five months.
Quite a missionary venture!
Oregon Mission organized in 1855. By 1861, there were
nearly 600 members, with preaching occurring in 48
places. So in less than 100 years, the movement which
began in Long’s Barn had spread from coast to coast.
Across the Ocean
In 1856, we expanded overseas for the first time,
starting churches in Sierra Leone, West Africa. We're
still there.
starting churches in Sierra Leone, West Africa. We're
still there.
Where’s Church?
Until the mid-1800s, we didn’t have many church
buildings. For instance, Virginia, home to some of the
earliest congregations, had just three church buildings
in 1850. An Ohio conference, after 40 years, had just
one church building. Meetings were held in homes,
barns, schools, or outdoors. The concern was
outreach, not membership and pretty buildings.
But as more congregations erected buildings, the
Discipline addressed the matter in 1837. “Let all our
meeting houses be built plainly and neatly, with free
seats, and not more expensive than necessary.”
Churches couldn’t build until they’d raised two-thirds
of the cost.
buildings. For instance, Virginia, home to some of the
earliest congregations, had just three church buildings
in 1850. An Ohio conference, after 40 years, had just
one church building. Meetings were held in homes,
barns, schools, or outdoors. The concern was
outreach, not membership and pretty buildings.
But as more congregations erected buildings, the
Discipline addressed the matter in 1837. “Let all our
meeting houses be built plainly and neatly, with free
seats, and not more expensive than necessary.”
Churches couldn’t build until they’d raised two-thirds
of the cost.
The Church Divides
By 1889, the United Brethren church had grown to
over 200,000 members. It had six bishops, plus a full-
blown denominational structure. But trouble was
brewing.
The controversy centered around the desire to make
three changes in the Constitution. And since the
amendment procedure spelled out in the Constitution
made it almost impossible to change the Constitution,
the denominational leaders decided to just ignore the
Constitution and make the changes anyway. They
essentially adopted a new Constitution in an
unconstitutional way, along with a new Confession of
Faith.
Only one of the six bishops opposed these changes.
His name was Milton Wright. He, by the way, had two
sons named Wilbur and Orville. You might have heard
of them.
Wright led our group--maybe only 10,000 people, a
definite minority--away from the larger body. They
stuck to to the original Constitution and Confession of
Faith. But beyond that, they were very much starting
over. They had no Headquarters, no colleges, no
publishing house. Most of the congregations which
sided with Wright lost their property to the larger
group, which many courts recognized as the
legitimate owner of all church property.
Under Bishop Wright’s capable leadership, these
churches reorganized. The United Brethren church of
today is descended from them.
over 200,000 members. It had six bishops, plus a full-
blown denominational structure. But trouble was
brewing.
The controversy centered around the desire to make
three changes in the Constitution. And since the
amendment procedure spelled out in the Constitution
made it almost impossible to change the Constitution,
the denominational leaders decided to just ignore the
Constitution and make the changes anyway. They
essentially adopted a new Constitution in an
unconstitutional way, along with a new Confession of
Faith.
Only one of the six bishops opposed these changes.
His name was Milton Wright. He, by the way, had two
sons named Wilbur and Orville. You might have heard
of them.
Wright led our group--maybe only 10,000 people, a
definite minority--away from the larger body. They
stuck to to the original Constitution and Confession of
Faith. But beyond that, they were very much starting
over. They had no Headquarters, no colleges, no
publishing house. Most of the congregations which
sided with Wright lost their property to the larger
group, which many courts recognized as the
legitimate owner of all church property.
Under Bishop Wright’s capable leadership, these
churches reorganized. The United Brethren church of
today is descended from them.
What Happened to the Other Group?
For a while, two denominations used the name
"Church of the United Brethren in Christ." In 1946,
the other “United Brethren” church merged with the
Evangelical Association to form the Evangelical
United Brethren Church. So once again, there was
only one Church of the United Brethren in Christ. The
EUBs merged with the Methodist Church in 1968 to
form the United Methodist Church.
"Church of the United Brethren in Christ." In 1946,
the other “United Brethren” church merged with the
Evangelical Association to form the Evangelical
United Brethren Church. So once again, there was
only one Church of the United Brethren in Christ. The
EUBs merged with the Methodist Church in 1968 to
form the United Methodist Church.
The United Brethren Church Today
In 1897, a denominational headquarters and a
publishing house were established in Huntington,
Ind. So was a denominational college: Huntington
University .
Throughout the 1900s, the United Brethren church
continued developing and expanding. Much of the
growth has come overseas. Before the division of
1889, we had mission work in Sierra Leone, a small
country in West Africa. We retained that work. But a
number of other foreign mission fields have been
added.
In 1932, we opened a school in Canton, China. World
War II and the communist takeover of China
disrupted that work, but the work was reborn in
Hong Kong, where we now have nine churches.
In 1944, mission work began in Jamaica. A couple
years later, we launched mission work in Honduras,
which today is our fastest-growing conference
anywhere. The work in Honduras led to
establishment of a mission in Nicaragua in 1969,
which in turn launched into Costa Rica and
Guatemala.
We have 15 established churches in India, all of
which began in the 1980s as an offshoot of the
medical work of a missionary couple. Nearly all of
the church members are converts from Hinduism.
The vision of Hong Kong Conference led to the
opening of a new mission in Macau in 1987. Macau
is a Portuguese colony about 40 miles from Hong
Kong; in 1999, it reverted to the control of China (as
Hong Kong did in 1997).
In addition, cross-cultural ministries have begun in
North America, starting with a Chinese congregation
in New York City in the mid-1980s. We now have
churches in the United States that are
predominantly Jamaican, Hispanic, and African.
In 2005, the worldwide United Brethren fellowship
welcomed two new national conferences: Mexico,
and the Philippines.
In 2006, a new mission district opened in Germany,
consisting of immigrants from Sierra Leone. The
Sierra Leone National Conference oversees this new
mission district.
In 2010, a tenth national conference joined the
international United Brethren church: Guatemala.
They were officially accepted on January 12, 2010,
during the international General Conference meeting
in La Ceiba, Honduras.
publishing house were established in Huntington,
Ind. So was a denominational college: Huntington
University .
Throughout the 1900s, the United Brethren church
continued developing and expanding. Much of the
growth has come overseas. Before the division of
1889, we had mission work in Sierra Leone, a small
country in West Africa. We retained that work. But a
number of other foreign mission fields have been
added.
In 1932, we opened a school in Canton, China. World
War II and the communist takeover of China
disrupted that work, but the work was reborn in
Hong Kong, where we now have nine churches.
In 1944, mission work began in Jamaica. A couple
years later, we launched mission work in Honduras,
which today is our fastest-growing conference
anywhere. The work in Honduras led to
establishment of a mission in Nicaragua in 1969,
which in turn launched into Costa Rica and
Guatemala.
We have 15 established churches in India, all of
which began in the 1980s as an offshoot of the
medical work of a missionary couple. Nearly all of
the church members are converts from Hinduism.
The vision of Hong Kong Conference led to the
opening of a new mission in Macau in 1987. Macau
is a Portuguese colony about 40 miles from Hong
Kong; in 1999, it reverted to the control of China (as
Hong Kong did in 1997).
In addition, cross-cultural ministries have begun in
North America, starting with a Chinese congregation
in New York City in the mid-1980s. We now have
churches in the United States that are
predominantly Jamaican, Hispanic, and African.
In 2005, the worldwide United Brethren fellowship
welcomed two new national conferences: Mexico,
and the Philippines.
In 2006, a new mission district opened in Germany,
consisting of immigrants from Sierra Leone. The
Sierra Leone National Conference oversees this new
mission district.
In 2010, a tenth national conference joined the
international United Brethren church: Guatemala.
They were officially accepted on January 12, 2010,
during the international General Conference meeting
in La Ceiba, Honduras.