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True Facts |
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- BWF was formed as a spontaneous movement following
the UCC Synod of 1977.
- In 1984, the movement became known as the
Biblical Witness Fellowship and enlarged its mission
to focus on local church renewal as well as reformation
of the United Church of Christ. It has been a
`recognized interest group' within the denomination
until such designation was abolished for all groups by
the Executive Council in 1995.
- In 1986, BWF launched a mission network connecting
Evangelical, UCC-rooted missionaries with local
churches. This network , known as `UCC Members in
Mission' is now a part of the work of `The Mission's
Renewal Network'.
- BWF members affirm the `Dubuque Declaration' as a
contemporary restatement of the truths embodied in our
historic creeds including the Nicean Creed, Apostle's
Creed, Heidelberg Confession, Kansas City Statement of
1957, and the Second Helvetic Confession of the Calvin
Synod. SEE BELOW
- The BWF has worked faithfully for the spiritual
renewal of local UCC churches and for the reformation of
the UCC by encouraging churches to remain in the
denomination, challenging the heretical movement away
from our Biblical faith to acculturated religion,
engaging in dialogue whenever possible, exposing the
moral and spiritual corruption which contributes to our
decline, and encouraging the work of faithful
seminarians, pastors and laity.
- Following BWF's formation in 1978, decline in the
UCC leveled off from an average of 27 churches 24,500
net member loss per year to 12 churches and 12,500 per
year. Since the breakdown of an historic dialogue in
1991 and a subsequent meeting at Beavercreek Ohio at
which many renewal churches signaled their loss of hope
that renewal could be achieved, decline has soared to 42
churches and 27,500 net member loss per year. The UCC
has declined in every year since it's formation.
- We are a movement, more than an organization and
therefore have a limited capacity for programming other
than the encouragement of faithful witness by committed
people.
- BWF maintains a scholarship fund to encourage
evangelical seminarians to remain in the denomination to
provide leadership.
- We work cooperatively with other renewal groups with
whom we share common roots, including the Evangelical
Association of Reformed and Congregational Christian
Churches, United Friends for Life, and
Focus Renewal Ministries. In 1996 BWF joined with 27
other mainline renewal movements and groups to form the
Association for Church Renewal which has brought
efforts for mainline renewal into nationwide unity and
cooperation.
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