A History of the Christian Union

The CU has a colourful History, particularly in the past 15 years. To give a detailed historical overview would be very difficult and would be very long, thus this is only a brief overview of the Christian Union. It will cover the following:

• Relationship with the Student's Union

• Relationship with other Christian Societies

• Development of the Christian Union

Relationship with the Student's Union

As far as we are aware, until 2004, the Christian Union (CU) had a good relationship with the Student's Union. In 2004 however, the exec tried to pass the UCCF model constitution as there own. The Students Union (SU) did not like the CU's new constitution and so de-ratified the society. After many failed attempts at negotiation, the CU started to prepare a legal battle with the Students Union, with the aid of the Christian Institute. A letter was also sent to the university informing them of the problems. Well the SU did back down before it went to court, however between then and 2008, that constitution had been gotten rid of. When a new exec for the academic year 2009/10 arrived, they re-adopted the UCCF model constitution as their own. It was ratified on mass with all society constitutions. At the beginning of 2010, the Students Union exec became aware of what the constitution actually said and decided they didn't like it. Negotiations were held and the constitution amended as far as was viable, without losing what was necessary. As far as we are aware the union have accepted the revised version. Since 2008 (if not before) the relationship between the CU and the SU has been a strong one, with the exception of the constitution.

Relationship other Christian Societies

To the best of our knowledge, in the academic year 2000-01, there was one overall Christian Union. (There may have been other societies that target specific groups such as Christians in Sport). In 2001-02 there became two Christian Unions. One was known as Focus and the other as Hull University Christian Union. At some point between then and 2008, Hull University Christian Union became known as Fusion and Focus became known as Hull University Christian Union. In 2009, Fusion renamed itself as Love Hull Uni.

Hull University Christian Union is affiliated to UCCF and has a number of partner churches, where as Love Hull Uni is affiliated to Vineyard Church Hull only.

Although the CU has done joint events with Love Hull Uni in the past, on the whole they remain separate groups. Both support the fact that the other does evangelism, but not necessarily how it is carried out. Both societies are best described as being on neutral terms with each other rather than supportive or competitive.

The CU does however have a good working relationship with both Christians in Sport and Christian Medical Fellowship. In fact one of the members of CMF was on the exec of the CU in 2008-09. We have done joint events with both these organisations and we fully support them as they do us.

Development of the Christian Union

Because of the CU's rocky history in recent years, it has lost much of what it once was. It is for this reason that recent execs have been working hard to reshape the CU.

In 2008/09, the exec (of two) built up stronger relationships with other Christian Societies on campus as well as encourage new members to get involved in evangelism.

In 2009/10, the exec stated evangelistic events outside of Freshers' week, Events week and Christmas times. They also encouraged prayer within the CU. They also initiated the idea of Follow  Up courses (though not successfully)

In 2010/11, the exec has reshaped freshers' week so that it can reach more people. It has organized a more regular evangelism than just three times a year. It has restarted the CU weekend away so that it can strengthen relationships within the CU, shape the focus of the CU members and give great biblical evangelistic training. We rebranded our events week, so that a) it now has a theme which has a significant impact when it comes to publicity, and b) it was the most successful events week to date (or at least for a fair few years). We also developed strong relationships with many of the local churches including bringing new churches on board such as Vineyard.

We hope in 2011/12, the exec will help to develop the following:

• Outreach to international students

• Developed a good relationship with Love Hull Uni

• Develop follow up courses

• Prayer meetings

• Build upon events week & Freshers Week

• Develop the use of committees/creative teams

• CONTINUE TO DEVELOP THE CU TO THE GLORY OF GOD, OUT OF A LOVE FOR HIM