"That they all may be one"
In 1844, George Williams founded the
first YMCA n London for the purpose of offering mutual encouragement in the
Christian faith. His goal: to establish "a work of sacrifice and service -
a work for young men, improving their environment, giving them victory over
their temptations and, above all transforming character through allegiance to
Jesus Christ." To belong a young man was required to be either "a
member of a Christian church" or to "give evidence of being a
converted character."
In 1869, a national YMCA convention
held in Portland, Maine, adopted what was called "the Portland
Basis/Test," which limited active membership in local Ys to members of
evangelical Christian churches. Criticized by many for excluding many different
people, the Portland Basis did signal that the YMCA would not create a separate
Christian church. Still, for the first 80 years, Ys were predominately
Protestant and largely excluded people of other faiths.
Though members of Protestant faiths
started the Y, many associations admitted Catholics as active members. As far
back as 1903, the Mexico City association demanded this practice be officially
sanctioned. When it was not, many YMCAs simply decreed that both Protestant and
Roman Catholic churches fulfilled the Portland definition of
"evangelical," a bold move for the times.
In 1931, the Y convention in Cleveland
formally eliminated the theological test of membership and abandoned
theological identification of any kind. Two years later, YMCA policy changed to
allow local Ys the freedom to open both membership and leadership roles as they
saw fit.
YMCAs are still based on
"Christian principles," as they create small caring communities in
each and every program, and give people the opportunity to live out their faith
and develop in spirit, mind, and body, YMCA leaders, members, and volunteers
make their communities better by giving significant amount of their time,
talent, and treasure. The Y brings together people from all backgrounds and all
walks of life as Jesus prayed in the New Testament passage found in the center
of the YMCA emblem, John 17:21, which states "that they all may be
one."
THE CLEVELAND
STATEMENT
"The Yong Men's Christian
Association we regard as being in its essential genius a worldwide fellowship
united by a common loyalty to Jesus Christ for the purpose of developing
Christian personality and building a Christian society."
We recognize and consider it healthy
that diversity exists among our Association in the manner in which this purpose
is to be achieved.
We welcome as members of our
Associations persons of all religious affiliations who wish to join and
cooperate in support of the Christian ideals and values for which we stand.
Each member is encouraged to be faithful to the teachings and practices of
his/her own church.
In giving effect to our Christian
ideals and values, our Associations offer to the men, women, boys and girls who
participate in their programs opportunities for experiences that will help
them:
·
To develop self-confidence and self-respect and an appreciation
of their own worth as individuals.
·
To develop a faith for daily living based upon the teachings of
Jesus, that they may thereby be helpful in achieving their highest potential as
children of God.
·
To grow as responsible members of their families and citizens of
their communities.
·
To appreciate that health of mind and body as a sacred gift and
the physical fitness and mental well-being are conditions to be achieved and
maintained.
·
To recognize the worth of all persons and to work for
interracial and inter-group understanding.
·
To develop a sense of world- mindedness and to work for
worldwide understanding.
·
To develop their capacities for leadership and use them
responsible in their won groups and in community life.
·
To appreciate the beauty, diversity and interdependence of all
forma of life and all resources which God has provided in this world, and to
develop an ethical basis for guiding the relationships of mankind with the rest
of God's natural community.
Edited 1/31/07