They are designed to ensure your congregations decision process is well-informed, healthy, and in keeping with all of the requirements set forth by the Book of Discipline and your annual conference. Dear Disaffiliating United Methodists: The pastors and lay members who are leading you to vote to leave the UMC tell you that your local church will remain the same as it always has been. This is a matter of fairness, not punitive in nature. The disaffiliation will be complete by December 31, 2022. Some churches may be anticipating a change in policies and rush to disaffiliate at the December 10 Annual Conference, but this is based on a unsubstantiated fear. Definition of Membership Non-professing members may attend the church conference without voice and vote. A drastic shift in exit costs InDecision 1421, the Judicial Council addressed two questions: Whether the sale of property can be completed before the conference votes and whether the conference board of trustees can enter into a nondisclosure agreement with a departing church. This trend has been particularly pronounced among churches in the southern and midwestern regions of the United States. Wise congregational leadership will choose not to schedule a church conference to vote on disaffiliation if there is uncertainty about that majority. What should United Methodist congregations know about disaffiliation? A total 421 congregants voted 295 voted to disaffiliate, but 126 voted to remain with the United Methodist Church fold. You can find the Discipleship Ministries resources here, bishops are prepared to pursue this outcome. There are other resources that may we may have that have not yet made it to this page. Your district superintendent can give you the most accurate information so your congregation can make its best decisions informed by the facts. Therefore, as terms were developed, they sought feedback from the Cabinet, Chancellor, Benefits Officer and Treasurer which are all required by paragraph 2553. My administrative board did not vote to proceed with discernment; there will be no vote to disaffiliate. The mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Another factor contributing to the disaffiliation of Methodist churches is the decline in membership. Can a congregation disaffiliate under paragraph 2548.2 of The Book of Discipline? No. God has important mission and ministry for the congregations of GNJ, and this will be the primary focus of GNJ over the next year. The Judicial Councils ruling said the disaffiliation process established by General Conference constitutes minimum standards, which do not preclude additional procedures and standard terms created by annual conferences, provided that the latter do not negate or violate the former.. Example: If the three-year average of all the church funds is $100,000 and 20% of the members vote against disaffiliation, the terms for disaffiliation include a $20,000 Missional Transitional Support. The decision to disaffiliate from the UMC must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the professing members of the local church present at the church conference. These issues have led to a divide within the denomination, with some churches and members advocating for a more progressive stance while others hold to a more traditional interpretation of scripture. However, there are also disaffiliated churches in other regions, including the Northeast and West. Yes. Nearly 700 persons participated in one of the four forums. It clears up some myths about the post-separation UMC and highlights some important differences laity need to be aware of. Prayer, scripture reading and the words of Jesus to center and root ourselves spiritually. 2201 E Hebron Pkwy. Bellview's church council voted, after a time of prayerful discernment to seek disaffiliation, to ask for a date for a special called church conference. Were here to help! We would prefer open ballot by show of hands to secret written ballot. With the postponement of the 2020 General Conference to 2024 and the announcement by the Wesleyan Covenant Association that it will launch the Global Methodist Church on May 1, 2022, we at Ask The UMC are receiving many more questions about disaffiliation. The North Alabama Conferences Discernment Process is designed to help congregations count the costs of disaffiliation. Read this blog post by long time Asbury Spiritual Formation and Wesleyan Studies professor, Steve Harper. The last day to begin the discernment process (initiated by calling your district superintendent) and be eligible for the December 10 called annual conference is September 1, 2022, according to information we have received from the annual conference. Only congregations that are seriously considering leaving The United Methodist Church (UMC) and GNJ. The United Methodist Churchs guidebook, called the Book of Discipline, states any congregation who chooses to disaffiliate will take ownership of the church property. There are a variety of ways to make decisions. While the Trustees, received input, ultimately it was their decision. What are the seven steps to the disaffiliation process? Lets take a look at two examples: Can our congregation receive a term sheet prior to the church council vote to engage in the discernment process?The disaffiliation passage in The Book of Discipline is a result of the current deep conflict within The United Methodist Church around issues of human sexuality. Copyright 2023 All rights reserved. If a church votes to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church, when will they know the payment amount? This must occur no later than December 31, 2023, for the congregation to disaffiliate. Our goals with this FAQ are to provide clarity and accurate information about the process of disaffiliation for those who may be considering it and to dispel confusion. A pdf detailing the recent history of the United Methodist Church, its merge and how that informs where we are today. This can be seen in the way that the UMC has struggled to articulate a clear and consistent message on social and political issues, which has left many members feeling confused and disconnected from the denomination. A commitment has been made by this team to honor and respect differing theological convictions of congregations and pastors in the continuing United Methodist Church, including in the appointment process. The following are significant milestones/durations to be aware of: Disaffiliation Discernment Process, Phase 1 (Notification) 1 month minimum, Disaffiliation Discernment Process, Phase 2 (Prayerful Discernment) 3 month minimum, Disaffiliation Discernment Process, Phase 3 (Church Conference) 10 day minimum notification. I know the pastor is part of the church council. Stay up-to-date on important announcements, events and more. of the process, the Annual Conference is able to reject the request to disaffiliate. The church court said the Alabama-West Florida Conference Board of Trustees acted unlawfully by closing sale on the property of a church before the annual conference voters ratified the disaffiliation agreement. If a congregation takes actions that have the effect of severing it from The United Methodist Church or uniting it with another denomination, apart from the guidance of the district superintendent and the requirements of the Discipline and the conference, the provisions of 2549.3.b to transfer all property and assets of the congregation to the conference board of trustees may come into effect. 2553 are not insignificant. It took about an hour and a half for congregants to vote. If this is not the case, please explain it better in the FAQ. That covenant outlines outlines how to honor one another and what information will be shared with the public and the broader church, and if there is openness to reunification in the future. If so, will they be offered an age-appropriate presentation about whats happening? Your district superintendent will help your congregation complete an intentional discernment process before a church conference to vote on disaffiliation is scheduled. Published 2:17 pm Tuesday, October 4, 2022. A vote was taken at the church on Monday evening (Oct. 3). There may be more cause for hope than you realize, but someone may need to stand up and make the case to stay United Methodist to activate others in your church inclined to remain United Methodist. Our beliefs, as a United Methodist Church. Working through this process with the district superintendent is not only required in most conferences, but wise. The trend of disaffiliation among United Methodist churches raises questions about the future of the denomination. Does Elevation Church Believe in Speaking in Tongues? What you may have heard or read about in another conference may not apply in yours. We will likely receive a new presiding bishop on January 1, 2023. Find out more information about events here! One of seven apportioned giving opportunities of The United Methodist Church, the General Administration Fund implements trustworthy administrative oversight, supports the legislative processes of the church and curates The United Methodist Churchs rich history. Ask to be part of the Discernment Team. On April 16, 2021, the Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church affirmed the constitutionality of this paragraph, paving the way for annual conferences to implement processes for disaffiliation. These questions have made it clear that there is a lot of confusion and misinformation in the church about this topic. Washington Daily News reached out to First United Methodist Church Reverends Ken Hall and Stephen Bazan for comment. What will the conference do to ensure the well-being of clergy serving in congregations that decide to disaffiliate but he/she/they decide to stay in the UMC? Waiting to disaffiliate could either provide better terms or prevent the possibility of an exit altogether. A bishop has only one vote on the matter. As an ex officio member of a committee, the pastor may vote on decisions before the body. Disaffiliation is complete only when all payments due are made in full, the annual conference has approved the motion of disaffiliation and the effective date of disaffiliation set by the annual conference is reached. Still have questions? At our first church meeting yesterday, many members expressed concern that the pastor and his leadership were giving only biased information on disaffiliation and joining GMC. A Missional Transitional Support that will be assessed by multiplying the three-year average of the total amount of all cash, bank balances, investments, endowments, and reserves by the percent of the votes against disaffiliation during the Church conference vote. The church council should first determine: do we as leaders of the congregation believe our congregation wants to leave The United Methodist Church. If you are the pastor and you are just beginning to explore these questions, contact your superintendent to ask for guidance about how to explore well and for detailed information about how the process of disaffiliation works in your annual conference. Now that First United Methodist Church has chosen to disaffiliate, they are in the process of joining the Global Methodist Church. Please provide details on the process that the two guides will follow as they assist us in the discernment process. Yet, at the end(?) It is not judging others (Matthew 7:1-2), but encountering Gods wisdom and understanding in others, the community of faith and ourselves for discerning Gods calling for the congregation and each of us individually. the Book of Disciplines new Paragraph 2553, The United Methodist Churchs centuries-old trust clause, Church court clarifies disaffiliation rules. The deadline for your church to be on the agenda for this called annual conference is December 1, and all financial payments must be submitted to the Conference Trustees and the treasurer by December 1. Several recommended activities of Phase 2 of the Discernment Process propose something like this. Are all pastors obligated to perform all weddings? 2553, Money needed to remove Cross and Flame logo, Future liability for potential Boy Scout lawsuits, Opportunity costs involved in using funds to disaffiliate rather than do ministry, Potential loss of income from congregation members who do not plan to follow local church into disaffiliation, Funding ministry and administrative efforts previously funded through United Methodist connectional giving. Your support of The General Administration Fund apportionment supports the legislative body of the denomination, the Judicial Council. General Conference could also fail to produce any exit or extend the expiration of par. Pastors and congregation leaders should start with a conversation with their District Superintendent who can help find the best option to accomplish the congregation's goal. Has there been any major change at a recent Board of Trustee meeting? Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Library to be dedicated in memory of admired principal, Bath to receive more than $20 million for wastewater expansion, New portrait added to courthouse honoring late attorney. Originally created by Reynoldsburg UMC in Ohio. For those laity and pastors in churches who wish to stay United Methodist and find themselves among those churches where disaffiliation is a live possibility, it can be a demoralizing experience. Bei der Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps verwenden wir, unsere Websites und Apps fr Sie bereitzustellen, Nutzer zu authentifizieren, Sicherheitsmanahmen anzuwenden und Spam und Missbrauch zu verhindern, und, Ihre Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps zu messen, personalisierte Werbung und Inhalte auf der Grundlage von Interessenprofilen anzuzeigen, die Effektivitt von personalisierten Anzeigen und Inhalten zu messen, sowie, unsere Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu entwickeln und zu verbessern. You may read the Judicial Council ruling here:ResourceUMC | Judicial Council Decision Number 1449. Each Guide will receive $500 per session; and an additional $500 will be paid to Guides who receive, review and ensure all documentation is in order for the creation of the congregations Term Sheet. Theological differences, declining membership, and a lack of clarity in the UMCs mission and purpose are all contributing to this trend. The reasons for this trend include disagreements over theological issues and concerns about the denominations organizational structure and decision-making processes. How Many Churches Were Damaged On The Bohol 2013 Earthquake, https://www.umnews.org/en/news/over-100-churches-have-disaffiliated-from-umc-in-recent-years, How To Become A Deacon In The Catholic Church. If a pastor or a sizeable portion of a congregation makes it clear they would like to leave, dont give up and be a cheerleader for others not to give up either. 2553 outlines the steps the congregation, the district superintendent, and the conference must take to request, meet the criteria for, and complete a disaffiliation from The United Methodist Church. It will be even more difficult to reach if you actively organize to make sure most everyone in your congregation and their family members are present during this critical meeting. It creates a right for congregations to request such transfer of property, and then only where local laws require the congregation's involvement in the transfer. This decline is due to a number of factors, including an aging population and a lack of younger members. No comity agreement exists between The United Methodist Church and the Global Methodist Church. There are two exceptions the pastor parish relations committee and the board of trustees. Stay UMC is a grassroots organization and is not involved in conference administration. Openness to the movement of the Holy Spirit in ourselves and others. These liabilities are explained above under the Term Sheet. *possible* specially called Annual Conference has been announced, https://www.umcna.org/postdetail/16513389, https://cdn.cokesbury.com/images/community/cokesburyportals/2016boderrata.pdf, https://www.umcna.org/files/tables/content/16410823/fields/files/6761ca70658d4a5990ad3f6a68531f76/faq-2022.pdf, https://www.stayumc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CalltoPrayerandDiscernmentFINAL.pdf. a decision to disaffiliate by a two-thirds majority of the professing members present at a church conference (not charge conference); the payment in full of two years of that congregations apportionment commitment as set by the conference; the payment in full of the congregations pro-rata share of the conferences pension liability, based on a formula approved by the annual conference. Notifications about the meeting are to go to all members as outlined and provided to the church. When all seven steps of disaffiliation are completed and the church makes all required financial payments. Our witness, as servants in the community. InDecision 1425, the Judicial Council also affirmed Devadhars decision that the New England Conference can require churches considering disaffiliation to go through at least an eight-month discernment process. What is Lent and why does it last forty days? These provisions require, at a minimum, three things: Annual conferences may add to these requirements, and some have done so. What is spiritual discernment? On what grounds can they reject the request? The costs to disaffiliate under par. The denominations Trust Clause remains in effect at all times. All deed restrictions must be followed by the disaffiliating congregation prior to disaffiliation. According to the United Methodist News Service, as of 2021, there are more than 100 churches have disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church. Advocate hosting a pastor or other leader to represent the benefits of staying United Methodist. Please read the guidelines thoroughly and make sure shortcuts are not being taken. The letter will identify dates for the Church Conferences and other pertinent information needed to prepare for the conferences. Missional Transitional Support the GNJ Trustees recognize that the bank balances, investments, endowments, and reserves in every congregation are the result of faithful tithing by every member of that congregation. A YouTube playlst where Rev. While the terms may remain the same, the amounts may change based on information that was not know at the time of developing the initial term sheet projection, changes in the market, items in the deed, outstanding loans and gifts from the annual conference that have not been paid, unpaid apportionment calculations and any other items that could not be calculated accurately at the time of preparing the initial term sheet. As with any legislative motion, an Annual Conference can choose to accept or reject the motion. This article will explore the reasons why Methodist churches are disaffiliating and the factors that contribute to this trend. The United Methodist Churchs top court released six decisions Feb. 9 related to a new provision governing how congregations can leave the denomination with property. Over 100 churches have disaffiliated from UMC in recent years., The United Methodist Church. The United Methodist churches that have disaffiliated are found across the United States, with the majority being located in the South and Midwest.