Questions and Answers about University Bible Fellowship from a long-time member Last updated: 4/13/2008 The following questions and answers are intended to give the reader insight into the UBF ministry. If you have further questions, feel free to contact the author: Contact Info. 1. Who are you? My name is Brian Karcher. 2. How long have you been in UBF? I have been in UBF ministry for nearly 20 years. I began Bible study in the fall of 1987. 3. Where did you study the Bible? I studied the Bible in Toledo UBF, in Toledo, Ohio, USA. 4. Who is your shepherd? I studied one-to-one with Ed Schneider and also with Dr. Paul Hong. Above all, Jesus is my Good Shepherd. 5. What did you experience in UBF as a college student? As a college student, I experienced much grace and truth through Bible study. I made many friends who seemed to laugh a lot. I saw many people who had graduated and decided to devote their lives to college ministry. At each conference or meeting, I saw them serve tirelessly. I also experienced much challenge, as my weaknesses were pointed out. Many people prayed for me and gave me instruction on how to improve. My shepherds had a vision for me to be a spiritual leader in this generation. As a college student, I also participated in many Christmas dramas and dances, conference programs and projects, and enjoyed much fellowship with both senior leaders and junior leaders. 6. Do you know current UBF leaders? Yes, I know many UBF leaders to some extent. I have met and prayed with many leaders, including Sarah Barry and the late Dr. Samuel Lee. 7. Have there been movements against UBF? Yes, there have been at least three major groups of people who have organized against UBF since 1961. Some of their claims are valid. Some of their criticisms could not be accommodated while maintaining the spiritual heritage of UBF. One underlying theme I see is the desire to change UBF from a layman ministry to a more formalized, seminary type ministry. By reading some of the criticims of UBF, it would appear that they would have me denounce UBF and join the bandwagon of criticism. They paint a dark picture, as if UBF is a corrupt, unethical or evil organization with malicious intent. What should I say? Should I deny all that I've known and investigated and experienced to be true and in accordance with Scripture? Should I deny the genuine work of God that I've witnessed firsthand for so many years? Should I suddenly "open my eyes" and start interpretting the words and actions of people in UBF as if they had malicious, hidden, selfish motives? Should I suddenly feel all alone and as if all of UBF is against me, secretly out to destroy me? Should I be shocked at the events mentioned? Should I leave UBF because it is banned by some religious organizations? I think not. 8. Do you know people who have left the UBF ministry? Yes, I know quite few people who have left. Many of them were good friends and still are. Some left on good terms, some left on bad terms.  9. Have the UBF accounting practices been audited? Yes, the accounting practices of UBF, including bank accounts and handling of offerings, etc., have been recently audited by an independent firm. One comment was that although UBF uses "paper and pencil" methods, everything could be accounted for. The suggestion to use an electronic, dual-entry accounting system has been implemented. 10. Were you forced to marry? No, not at all. Many people prayed for me and my marriage. I knew my wife for about five years before marriage, though we never dated. Many people were involved in preparing the wedding, for which I am very grateful. It was a truly wonderful experience to give up dating during my college years and depend on God to send the best wife. I have now been very happily married since 1994 and have four wonderful children. 11. Why does marriage seem so strange in UBF? The most important decision you will ever make is to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, the one who died on the cross to atone for your sins and rose from the dead to give you a new life. The second most important decision in your life may very well be about marriage. In fact, marriage involves many decisions--who, what, when, where, why and how. In the world, and sadly, in many Christian ministries, the "who" is emphasized. Sometimes, the question of who to marry is focused on so much that the other questions are ignored. In UBF, I have observed that the question of why to marry and how to marry are emphasized. I believe that Biblically speaking, a young man or woman should focus on why and how first, while not neglecting the other questions. To an American today, with individualistic ideas and strong beliefs in personal choice, it will seem strange to have many people involved in a marriage. Sometimes UBF shepherds and missionaries have been overbearing in the marriage process. Yet still I praise God for those who have the courage and faith to choose to marry by faith for the glory of God!  12. Why do some people criticize UBF marriages, calling them "arranged"?  There may be many reasons for someone to criticize how marriage is handled. One reason might be that they personally experienced trouble before, during or after marriage. Another reason might be that they misunderstand the coworking that goes on during marriage preparation. Another reason may be the mistakes and sins of a leader or person trying to help someone to marry for God's glory. Another reason might be that they misinterpret the emphasis on living purely for God as some sort of authoritarian control. Yet another reason might be that they overlook or discount the Korean/oriental traditions, which normally do influence marriages in UBF.  13. What kinds of marriages have occurred in UBF?  Personally, I have seen several kinds of marriages take place. On the extreme side of things, Sarah Barry gave up marriage entirely in order to serve God. Some have even made decisions to marry without knowing the other person very well. On the other end of the spectrum, there are those who have married after an extremely immoral life and/or relationship. In these cases, their marriage was a time of repentance and a decision to start a new life. Most recent marriages, however, that I have observed and witnessed, were the result of much preparation, coworking and some type of courtship before marriage. 14. Is the marriage by faith principle unique to UBF?  The principles presented on this page may be foreign to many churches in America. But there are those who are seeking an alternative to the dating practices common among today's youth. The Purity Links below give some good references for finding such an alternative. Also, since the early 1990's, Johnathan Lindvall (www.boldchristianliving.com) has been the principal promoter of the "Doctrine of Bethrothal". He teaches that Christians should marry in a way similar to "marriage by faith" in UBF. He claims that most dating scenarios in America are really preparation for divorce, rather than marriage. I agree. Here are some links on his views as well as other links about purity before marriage: Bold Christian Living Potential Dangers of Dating Biblical Bethrothal Pure Freedom Friends First 15. Does UBF support abortion? Psalms 22:10 "From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother's womb you have been my God." (NIV) Absolutely not! Have I polled every single leader in UBF on this issue? No, but I can state that anyone, whether in UBF or not, who supports abortion is in violation of Scripture. 16. Is divorce rampant in UBF ministry? Not at all. Certainly divorce has occurred, as can be expected in a world-wide gathering of people. 17. What are you doing in UBF now? Since the summer of 2003, my family and I are forming a UBF house church ministry in Detroit, MI. Our first Sunday Worship service was held on February 8th, 2004. 18. Do you have any regrets about the years spent in UBF? No, not one regret. There have been struggles and problems, but the grace of God and the word of God were so abundant that I would not change anything that has happened. I would gladly go through all the same struggles and hardships if I knew that was God's path to bring me to this point. In my natural mind, I would like to have a perfect ministry and a perfect life, totally free from sin. But God promises such a life only in the kingdom of heaven. 19. What do you say about alleged malpractices by some UBF leaders? Currently, I have no personal issue with any UBF leader. I am not convinced that the current UBF leadership has anything to be ashamed of, nor do I think that they have any motive except to obey Jesus. Leaders and elders are not perfect, however. No Christian ministry was ever or ever will be a utopia, led by perfect leaders. If a leader or elder has a sin problem to be dealt with, I would suggest the following reading: Peacemakers Ministry 20. What can you say about the financial dealings of UBF? In Toledo UBF, my wife was the bookkeeper for several years. She transformed a spreadsheet system into QuickBooks, along with the help of an accountant. I was part of the offering counting team in Toledo almost every Sunday for many years. Every week, the offering was counted and deposited. Members were regularly informed of the general financial status. Major financial decisions were handled by a committee of elders, who met regularly. At the end of each year, we provided offering receipts to those who offered. We can verify that no money was misused or unaccounted for in Toledo UBF, one of the major US chapters. 21. What do you know about UBF's membership in the NAE? UBF was a member of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) in good standing for nearly 10 years, since 1995. In 2003, the NAE received a petition against UBF's membership, containing serious allegations and compelling evidence. None of the allegations were proven to be true, but since no defense was given, UBF's membership was terminated in March, 2004. I have communicated directly with Mr. Kyle Fisk of the NAE. In 2008, UBF responded to the allegations, applied again to the NAE, and was accepted: NAE Acceptance Letter UBF is also a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability: ECFA Profile for UBF Further endorsements can be found on the UBF USA website: UBF Endorsements 22. Why do you think no defense was given to the NAE? Matthew 27:11-14 "11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, 'Are you the king of the Jews?' 'Yes, it is as you say,' Jesus replied. 12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, 'Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?' 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge--to the great amazement of the governor." (NIV) 23. How would you describe UBF ministry in three words? Bible: The foundation of the ministry is one-to-one study of the Bible as the word of God to reveal Jesus as the Christ. John 20:30,31 "30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (NIV) Mission: The key activities in the ministry are centered around a life of mission to obey Jesus' world mission command. Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (NIV) Leadership: The long term ministry is about raising disciples of Jesus who are capable spiritual leaders in our generation and for generations to come. 2 Timothy 2:2 "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." (NIV) 24. Why do you continually renew your lifelong commitment to serve God through UBF ministry? 2 Timothy 3:14,15 "14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." (NIV) I renew my commitment because I know two things: 1) those from whom I learned the gospel and 2) the holy Scriptures. 25. What is "fishing"? Mark 1:17 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." (NIV) Fishing refers to inviting someone to study the Bible for the purpose of knowing Christ. Jesus called the first disciples to be "fishers of men". 26. Why is UBF ministry sometimes misunderstood? I have seen three main reasons: - Korean influence. South Korea and most oriental countries are very different from America and the western countries. Things like submission, obedience, discipline and authority are common in the East, but often seen in a negative light in the West. Ideas and opinions about government, marriage and social issues are vastly different. Christians from South Korea, therefore, will have an odd "taste" to Americans and the West. Yet it is this very thing that God uses when Christians from the East and the West gather together. The mixture of Korean and American cultures has created a powerful environment in our ministry. Not only this, but our ministry is worldwide, with thousands of members. We had about 2,500 attendants at our recent summer Bible conference. God has been using this unique, world-wide mix of cultures- African, German, Russian, Korean, Mexican, American, etc., to raise up Christians who are a good influence. Like salt, however, this influence is not welcome by everyone. - Bible study. Our ministry emphasizes Bible study. Some call us "Bible- thumpers", and rightly so. Over the years I have visited several churches. I noticed a major difference in UBF ministry. In UBF ministry Bible study is central, and a requirement, both the Old and New Testaments. - Holy life. It is no secret that our ministry does emphasize living a holy life, dedicated to God's mission. This pressure to be holy is too difficult for some people. Not everyone is called to the same mission as what God gave us. But when someone decides they do want to serve God in our ministry, they are encouraged and held accountable to live a holy life.