The Unity of the Brethren is governed by the synodical committee and decisions made at the biennial convention. The committee consists of an executive board appointed by convention, lay member representatives from each congregation, and all Unity of the Brethren pastors.
All congregations adhere to the beliefs of the Unity of the Brethren and operate within the Unity of the Brethren Constitution and Bylaws, but are individually governed by their own elected boards.
Our Polity...
Our History...
The Unity of the Brethren has its beginnings in Bohemia in the 1400s. On July 6, 1415 priest Jan Hus was martyred for his beliefs that the Bible should be in common language of the Czech people and that the cup should be available to all believers (parishoners were only allowed the bread). He spoke out against indulgences of the Catholic Church, insisting that salvation could not be purchased, but only obtained through Christ the head of the church. He was excommunicated, condemned, and burned at the stake. His followers formed the Unitas Fratum in 1457.
Following the Protestant Revolution, believers in the Czechlands were allowed to register with the Catholic Church as followers of Martin Luther or John Calvin. Hussites faced heavy persecution and many were condemned and put to death. Many of of them fled to Poland, some to Germany, and others continued to worship in secret.
In the 1850s, a group migrated to America, landing in Galveston, Texas. They organized their first church in 1864, in Wesley, Texas, where the original, painted church still stands today as a historical landmark. In 1903, several congregations united to form the Unity of the Brethren.
The Hussites were the first Protestant Christians. Their influence is seen in the reformative teachings of Martin Luther, John Calvin, Comenius, and many other reformative leaders. The Brethren have a rich history of preaching the Word and loving the people since 1415, and that tradition continues today. Though the Brethren denomination is small in number, it is overflowing in its mission to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Our Doctrine...
IN ESSENTIALS, UNITY
One of the emphases of the Unity of the Brethren from the outset has been upon the Bible as the sourcebook of all Christian truth. This emphasis placed it at the forefront of the Protestant Reformation movement. We believe that the Bible is not only to be regarded as the heart of God’s revelation of His person and purpose for His creation, but also as a standard for Christian faith and conduct. For this reason, translating the Word of God into everyday life continues to be a high priority for Brethren. Interpretation and application of scriptural truth to life, however, has been strongly influenced by that ancient motto of the Church, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, love.” Accordingly, we believe that it is essential for a Christian to believe in one God as revealed in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Secondly, we believe that God the Father offers in Christ, God’s Son, the only revealed way of salvation from the penalty and power of sin. Those who accept this grace by faith become members of the Body of Christ, the Church. It is this fellowship of believers, committed to the will and purpose of God as a means of giving glory to Christ, which serves as the visible form of the Kingdom of God on earth. We also believe that the Holy Spirit continues to be active in the world, particularly in the hearts of believers, communicating God’s presence, power, and purpose for a life of witness. We believe, furthermore, that it is essential for a Christian to believe in the glorious return of Christ, at the time appointed by the Father, to judge the world and to reward the faithful.
IN NON-ESSENTIALS, LIBERTY
However, we believe that full agreement is not essential among Christians in such matters as the way Christ is present in the sacraments, the elements used, the time and method of baptism, nor the system of church organization and government.
And IN ALL THINGS, LOVE.
Because of our oneness in Christ with all Christians through our common faith, and because we believe that Jesus established the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper as a special means of grace for all believers, we invite all Christians to come to the Lord’s Table with us in Holy Communion, regardless of denominational affiliation. We further believe that the Lord himself continues to serve as host at the Table which he established. And finally, we believe that it is urgent that all Christians work together in love. Jesus said: “If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.” (John 13:35) Working together with all Christians in a spirit of love has always been an important concern of Brethren as we labor together toward that common goal when “every knee should bow . . . and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)
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