Christians in the Y have debated issues of religious diversity and inclusion from Day One 1844, their genius compromise was the famous Paris Basis in 1855.
The American Y’s in 1869 adapted the Paris Basis, a document they struggled with in regard to its inclusive spirit, and established an Evangelical Christian Test for young men’s membership, it became known as the Portland Basis.
A crucial decision was made, due to lived experience of serving members from a diverse Christian heritage; in 1931 at the YMCA Cleveland Conference they abolished the Portland Basis and crafted this statement which is in our YUSA Constitution:
The Young 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.
Constitution of the National Council of Young Men’s Christian Associations of the United States of America
The Constitution goes on to include these statements:
PREAMBLE:
We, the Young Men’s Christian Associations of the United States of America, with the desire of conserving all the values of our past and likewise of unifying and strengthening our work to meet the challenge of our time, hereby establish the following goals for our members and their constituents, and adopt this revised Constitution of the National Council of Young Men’s Christian Associations of the United States of America.
Constitution of the National Council of Young Men’s Christian Associations of the United States of America
the GOALS:
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 Christ, that they may thereby be helped 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 is
a sacred gift and that 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 intergroup understanding.
To develop a sense of world-mindedness and to work for worldwide understanding.
To develop their capacities for leadership and use them responsibly in their own groups and in community life.
To appreciate the beauty, diversity, and interdependence of all forms 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
Constitution of the National Council of Young Men’s Christian Associations of the United States of America
natural community.
These are powerful statements crafted to embody our values: responsibility to and honesty about our past and present, caring respect for all who are currently members – in ways inspired and instructed by Jesus Christ.
A regular and purposeful review of our YMCA Constitution, it’s purpose and goals, will go a long way in nourishing our roots in our history of extending Christ’s kingdom for all humanity, participating in the struggle and striving to fulfill Jesus’ prayer, “that all may be one.”
