CHARTER MEMBERSHIP
for Congregations and Ministries
Updated 10/26/2000

WHO MAY BE CHARTERED
An MBI Charter establishes voluntary Messianic Jewish fellowship. That fellowship in turn allows for accountability and unity among the people of G-d. The MBI Charter does not govern the internal operations of any group or ministry, however our office is ready to respond to any spiritual need of which we are called to help. Our charters are open to all Messianic ministries, congregations, home groups and schools which agree with our Statement of Faith and are not on our prohibited list below. The MBI Charter is normally exclusive; which means our Charter cannot be normally held while a ministry is associated with any other ministry organization, unless permission is granted. An exception may be requested through E-mail.

It is our desire to be an encouragement to all, however, not all ministries should be or can be chartered with Messianic Bureau International. Our calling has the Messianic Jewish priority of joining Messiah Yeshua and the Jewish people into unity. Even groups who consider themselves "Messianic" may not be chartered with MBI when they are not unified with that priority.

The following is a list of several movements, not necessarily all, who may not be chartered with MBI:

1. Yahwist or Sacred Name is not approved: Any group espousing that the Name of G-d must be said, written or performed in a unique way to be saved, or that the Name should be said usually and commonly, or that restrict the use of L-RD or G-d as acceptable usage. We also consider the use of "Yahweh" and "Yahshua" in light conversation to be disrespectful of the Most High and indicative of this movement. Why are we oppsed to all this? Because no one can say authoritatively how the actual Holy Name was or is pronounced, and our Messiah said we should say "Our Father" ("Avinu"), and no one should make up Hebrew words which are unknown to Hebrew speaking people, for such brings a reproach on the message of Messiah to them. Finally, the Hebrew way of saying our Messiah's name has been well known and accepted among Messianic and Israeli Jews as "Yeshua" or "Y'shua" for centuries and any other pronounciation is contrived.
2. Classical/Medieval Christian is not approved: Any group which honors Christmas, Easter or any other "christianized" pagan celebration. Also, any group which does not honor the seventh day Sabbath as the L-RD's holy day, or any group which teaches all animals are the same for consuming in G-d's sight. Finally, any group which denegrates or annuls the Torah and Hebrew Scriptures as saying they are no more in effect or that G-d no longer keeps His covenants with Israel.
3. "Two House" or "Ephraim and Judah" teaching as it is known is not approved: It is our experience that this emphasis in groups causes division and confusion within the Messianic movement. It is an opinion of prophetic interpretation that is not Torah (commanded to be followed by G-d). For more on this see Grafted in or Called Out?
4. Racial supremacy doctrine is not approved: MBI does not accept the concept of physical supremacy of any people, neither do we believe that heritage profits anything in comparison to knowing Messiah Yeshua as Adonai. This holds for all races, colors, and peoples, including Jewish. Once a person has come into the knowledge of Messiah Yeshua they have reached the pinnacle of personhood in G-d and have entrance into all the covenants. This hour's emphasis on the Jewish people is to complete the promises for the glory of G-d, not for the glory of persons.
5. Messiah as man alone is not approved: Any group which denies that Messiah Yeshua is G-d in the flesh, or that will not publically confess such, may not be chartered with MBI.

Any other factions that we cannot charter will be listed here as they are identified.

NOTE: The above exclusions in no way defames individuals or judges the salvation of those who join these movements. That is for Messiah only to decide, and judge our hearts as well. For example, we have good personal relations with many Catholics: we simply do not agree as a matter of faith with many of their institution's key beliefs, yet we cannot and will not judge their salvation as individuals. All that is said here is to define what MBI is focused on.

• MBI Chartered Congregations and Ministries
• MBI Charter Application

REGULATIONS
These are required of all chartered congregations and ministries, herein referred to as "MBI ministry or ministries."

1. Relationships. All MBI ministries shall attempt not to schedule or announce a special event that conflicts in schedule with another MBI ministry within 100 miles of the other MBI ministry. Regular services are excepted. If an MBI Governor resides within 100 miles of an MBI ministry, that MBI ministry should consult with the MBI Governor before scheduling an event or calling in a special guest minister. It is suggested that the MBI Governor of your region, be consulted before the calling of any non-MBI affiliated special guest minister.

2. All MBI ministries should inform another MBI ministry when they note an adherant moving from their ministry to the other.

3. Each MBI ministry in the USA should eventually obtain a Federal Form 99 Employee Identification Number (EIN) to be used in opening a bank account and all legal filings. This is NOT an IRS Tax Exemption. MBI ministries in Canada and other countries are should obtain the equivalent for their nation.

4. Each MBI ministry shall attempt to comply with all their State/Province statutes.

5. As of 9/22/2000 all MBI Chartered ministries shall be headed by an MBI Credentialed minister. MBI Charters before this date will lapse on 01/01/2001 if their leader(s) are not credentialed by that date.

6. Any ministry chartered with MBI has the responsibility of informing our office of any change which sets it in opposition to the faith or regulations of MBI. In such an event, an MBI ministry must return the certificate of charter to the MBI office. The leadership's MBI credentials may also be required depending on the circumstances, as determined by the Beit Din (Board of Governors).

7. All funds sent to MBI are non-refundable.

8. Application for MBI Charter or credential affirms the applicant's freewill agreement to all MBI statements of faith and regulations now and hereafter, and the applicant agrees to indemnify MBI from any litigation by the applicant.

9. These regulations may be amended without notice. Each MBI ministry is required to check this page regularly to make sure of compliance with MBI Charter regulations.

NOTE: The spiritual regulations of MBI are deterimined and settled by the MBI Board of Governors (four people), which act as the Beit Din of our organization. The practical regulations of MBI are determined and settled by the MBI Board of Directors (five people). MBI has people, male and female, Jew and non-Jew by heritage, which make up its leadership on all levels.