Comments on: Honorable Mention

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 11:28:29 +0000

“Some secret reformers in UBF tried to convince me to stay and help them secretly reform UBF. I said no.” — Wise decision. “Sneaky” or “secret” reform is not the way, even though some UBF members advocate it. It never happens anyway, and even if it worked, it would not be the right way to deal with problems as a Christian. We should solve problems openly, clearly and fundamentally. It’s very ironic that UBF leaders advocate such sneaky ways while at the same time they always demand “making a clear decisions of faith”.

By: briank

briank — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 00:47:05 +0000

Now I receive numerous emails saying (in essence) “Please don’t talk to me. God bless you, but no one wants to hear what you have to say. None of our coworkers want to receive your emails.”

The last time I checked, this blog had over 3,000 unique people reading from around the world in the past 7 months. The highest volume is from cities with major UBF chapters. So I guess someone is interested in my articles :)

By: briank

briank — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 00:42:50 +0000

After this process, Chicago leadership tried to convince me to stay and find some role. I said no.

Other leaders in UBF told me to just be a rogue chapter, and do my own thing. I said no.

Some secret reformers in UBF tried to convince me to stay and help them secretly reform UBF. I said no.

Our hope is only in redemption, not reform or destruction. Our family found a good grace-centered Bible-believing church locally in July 2011. We’ve not stopped going and I’m beginning to serve there.

By: briank

briank — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 00:41:35 +0000

Hi David, Yes that is correct, I resigned as director of Detroit UBF in 2011. There is no formal procedure because UBF expects every member to remain a UBF member for life, and to never resign your post. To resign has historically meant “you are dead to the world and going to hell”. Now in 2012, it just means “God bless you, don’t talk to us anymore”. So maybe that is the result of 50 years of reform :)

My process was this:

1. I asked some questions and raised some issues (via a conference report) after observing some problems for several years and hearing the stories of coworkers in UBF who confided in me (April 2011)

2. I received a rather harsh verbal rebuke immediately

3. I asked more questions via email and phone

4. I received very harsh emails (at this point it became clear I would not be welcome in UBF unless I stopped asking questions about past and current events that troubled me)

5. After numerous attempts at dialogue (which ended in “shut up and go away” commands), I could no longer find any role in UBF.

6. The 50th anniversary material was published (June 2011)

7. I could not accept the new direction in the 50th Anniversary material, and told others about it.

8. I decided to make it clear that I left UBF and resigned permanently. I had hours of in-person meetings (even with Sarah Barry) and phone calls and emails. So I sent email to over 200 UBF leaders saying I resigned (August 2011).

So that is the 4 month “process”.

By: david bychkov

david bychkov — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 07:39:06 +0000

hey, Brian! Pastor Ron mentioned that you’ve resigned as a director. What does it mean that you’ve resigned? Was it a formal procedure? Did anyone from leadership (like pastor Ron)try to stop you or something?
Thanks.