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{{Short description|Religious organization based in the United States}}
{{Messianic Judaism}} {{Messianic Judaism}}
The '''Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations''' is an association of Messianic Jewish congregations and leaders formed to support formation and vitality of member congregations and ] (considered by most Christians and Jews to be a form of Christianity) worldwide. The '''Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations''' ('''UMJC''') is an international ] organization which supports Messianic Jewish congregations. The organization is based in Melbourne, Florida, US.


==Background== == History ==
The organisation grew out of the early ]. In the 19th century, Jews who converted to Christianity would normally join a Christian church. After World War II, many Messianic Jews decided to continue to identify as Jewish. As such, many new Messianic Jewish congregations appeared, especially across the US.<ref></ref> Some of these congregations came together to form alliances. One of these alliances was the UMJC.
The Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC) was formed in 1979 by nineteen independent Messianic Jewish congregations. There are currently about 80 associating congregations.


The ] (MJAA) was founded in 1915. In 1979, nineteen congregations broke away and formed the UMJC in ].<ref>Erwin Fahlbusch, Geoffrey William Bromiley, ''The Encyclopedia of Christianity, Volume 3'', Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, USA, 2003, p. 35</ref><ref> M. Avrum Ehrlich, ''Encyclopedia of the Jewish Diaspora: Origins, Experiences, and Culture, Volume 2'', ABC-CLIO, USA, 2009, p. 138</ref> The previous division has now been healed.<ref></ref>
The UMJC summarizes its mission of establishing, strengthening, and multiplying congregations for Yeshua (Jesus) among Jewish people with the phrase "Welcoming Messiah Home." <BLOCKQUOTE> Just as Yeshua first appeared among the Jewish people, so the movement for Messiah began among the Jewish people. Today, we are seeing this indigenous Jewish movement for Yeshua being reborn, and Yeshua again having a place among the Jewish people, as well as in many individual Jewish hearts. Together, we are welcoming Messiah home today, and preparing the way for the future welcome that ushers in his return: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord'" (Matt. 23:39).<ref>http://umjc.org/home-mainmenu-1/global-vision-mainmenu-42</ref></BLOCKQUOTE>


In 2010, there were 65 congregations in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Religion Census - Single-year report - all denominations - 2010 |url=https://www.usreligioncensus.org/report1.php?year=2010}}</ref> {{As of|2023}}, it has 70 congregations in 6 countries.<ref></ref><ref> Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations, , umjc.org, USA, retrieved October 22, 2022</ref> The President is Rabbi ].
], the General Secretary of the ] (IMJA), was a co-founder of the organization.


==Beliefs== ==Mission==
UMJC has the following missions;<ref></ref>
⚫ *To further the establishment, and growth of MJ Congregations worldwide.
*To be a voice for MJs worldwide.
⚫ *To provide a forum for the discussion of issues relevant to MJs
⚫ *To aid in the causes of Jewish people worldwide, especially in Israel.
*To support the training of Messianic Leaders.


To carry out this work, they have several programmes;
At its formation, the UMJC listed five primary objectives:
*Planters Program to establish new congregations.
*Internship Program to trains Bible school and seminary graduates.
*Humanitarian aid and scholarships.
*Continuing education programs to equip congregational leaders.


⚫ * To further the initiation, establishment, and growth of Messianic Jewish congregations worldwide.
* To be a voice for Messianic Jewish congregations and Messianic Judaism worldwide.
⚫ * To provide a forum for the discussion of issues relevant to Messianic Judaism and Messianic Jewish congregations.
⚫ * To aid in the causes of the Jewish people worldwide, especially in Israel.
* To support the training of Messianic Leaders.<ref>http://www.umjc.org/umb-mainmenu-105/our-vision-mainmenu-107</ref>


The UMJC is seen as emphasizing Jewish tradition, stressing the duty of MJs to keep Jewish traditions, such as circumcision and keeping kosher, as they are a part of God’s special calling for Jews.<ref></ref>
The UMJC is guided by a definition of Messianic Judaism, updated by the organization's delegates in 2005:

:The Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC) envisions Messianic Judaism as a movement of Jewish congregations and groups committed to Yeshua the Messiah that embrace the covenantal responsibility of Jewish life and identity rooted in Torah, expressed in tradition, and renewed and applied in the context of the New Covenant. Messianic Jewish groups may also include those from non-Jewish backgrounds who have a confirmed call to participate fully in the life and destiny of the Jewish people. We are committed to embodying this definition in our constituent congregations and in our shared institutions. "<ref>http://umjc.org/resources-mainmenu-101/documents-mainmenu-110/doc_download/14-defining-messianic-judaism</ref>

Messianic Judaism is a religious identity which maintains a belief in both Hebrew and Christian scripture.<ref>http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/13707616.html?refer=y</ref> The UMJC holds an annual international conference and numerous regional events, including conferences and forums for younger Messianic Jews. The UMJC actively helps to start Messianic congregations in various Jewish communities.

==Opposition to the UMJC==
Jewish religious movements are nearly unanimous in their rejection of "Messianic Judaism" as a form of Judaism, referring to such practice and belief as "Hebrew Christianity." <ref name = "HebChris">{{cite web|url = http://www.jcrcny.org/library/spiritual-deception/meeting-challenge.html| title = Meeting the Challenge: Hebrew-Christians and the Jewish Community| accessdate = 2010-05-07| year = 2007| work = http://www.jcrcny.org| publisher = Jewish Community Relations Council| quote = <small>Jewish religious leadership has declared Hebrew-Christians as completely separate and disassociated from the Jewish community.</small>}}</ref>


==References== ==References==
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== External links == == External links ==
* * {{Official|https://www.umjc.org}}



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Latest revision as of 22:38, 20 October 2024

Religious organization based in the United States
This article is part of a series on
Messianic Judaism
Messianic Judaism
Theology and practice
Religious texts
Related movements
Opposition

The Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC) is an international Messianic Jewish organization which supports Messianic Jewish congregations. The organization is based in Melbourne, Florida, US.

History

The organisation grew out of the early Hebrew Christian Movement. In the 19th century, Jews who converted to Christianity would normally join a Christian church. After World War II, many Messianic Jews decided to continue to identify as Jewish. As such, many new Messianic Jewish congregations appeared, especially across the US. Some of these congregations came together to form alliances. One of these alliances was the UMJC.

The Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA) was founded in 1915. In 1979, nineteen congregations broke away and formed the UMJC in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The previous division has now been healed.

In 2010, there were 65 congregations in the United States. As of 2023, it has 70 congregations in 6 countries. The President is Rabbi Barney Kasdan.

Mission

UMJC has the following missions;

  • To further the establishment, and growth of MJ Congregations worldwide.
  • To be a voice for MJs worldwide.
  • To provide a forum for the discussion of issues relevant to MJs
  • To aid in the causes of Jewish people worldwide, especially in Israel.
  • To support the training of Messianic Leaders.

To carry out this work, they have several programmes;

  • Planters Program to establish new congregations.
  • Internship Program to trains Bible school and seminary graduates.
  • Humanitarian aid and scholarships.
  • Continuing education programs to equip congregational leaders.


The UMJC is seen as emphasizing Jewish tradition, stressing the duty of MJs to keep Jewish traditions, such as circumcision and keeping kosher, as they are a part of God’s special calling for Jews.

References

  1. Chosen People website
  2. Erwin Fahlbusch, Geoffrey William Bromiley, The Encyclopedia of Christianity, Volume 3, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, USA, 2003, p. 35
  3. M. Avrum Ehrlich, Encyclopedia of the Jewish Diaspora: Origins, Experiences, and Culture, Volume 2, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2009, p. 138
  4. Christianity Today website
  5. "US Religion Census - Single-year report - all denominations - 2010".
  6. UMJC website, Retrieved 2023-06-12
  7. Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations, OUR HISTORY, umjc.org, USA, retrieved October 22, 2022
  8. GuideStar website
  9. Kesher Journal website

External links

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