Passed during the same legislative assembly the church law allows congregations to exit with property for reasons of conscience related to homosexuality if they meetcertain requirements. What you may have heard or read about in another conference may not apply in yours. These items are included by action of the General Conference and items added by the Board of Trustees with input from the Cabinet, Treasurer and Chancellor. Key Resources Book of Discipline paragraph 2553 For more information see, https://www.umc.org/en/content/articles-of-religion, https://www.umnews.org/en/news/bishop-urges-end-to-falsehoods-pivot-to-future. The pastor meets with the committee, but cannot be a voting member. This divide has led to a number of churches leaving the UMC to join more conservative denominations that align with their beliefs. 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. The Global Methodist Church was established earlier this year in response to the United Methodist Church becoming more progressive in their views on allowing LGBTQ+ members of clergy and performing wedding ceremonies for gay couples. Only congregations that are seriously considering leaving The United Methodist Church (UMC) and GNJ. What is a professing member? We are not encouraging any congregation to do so, either. READ: Are Charismatic Churches Biblical While the United Methodist denomination is in a state of change, its important for you to know that your Foundation remains firmly grounded in helping you achieve the dreams God has placed on your heart. A formal request establishes key contacts for disaffiliation communication between the church and Conference, and provides the church with initial disaffiliation information (including financial obligations related to disaffiliation). Is it fair to increase Shared Ministry apportionments or draw from GNJ designated funds to cover this cost? You can also reach out to any of the people listed on this page. Therefore, as terms were developed, they sought feedback from the Cabinet, Chancellor, Benefits Officer and Treasurer which are all required by paragraph 2553. 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. The Council of Bishops has noted that Judicial Council Decision 1379 requires that any motion to disaffiliate must to be approved, reach a two thirds majority of the professing members present and voting at the church conference. The lower thresholds to request a transfer of property named in 2548.2 do not apply as a valid vote to request disaffiliation. Video here (starts at 40 minutes into presentation): https://vimeo.com/722681837#t=40m. Will professing members that are minors participate in the discernment process? What will the congregation vote on to disaffiliate? If you are not the pastor or other designated contact person, you will want to talk with your pastor or designated contact person about any questions or concerns about the process. While it was assumed that most United Methodists would remain in a denomination of some sort, there was awareness that a few might seek an independent status. The annual conference may only consider such a request after the presiding bishop and the majority of the district superintendents and the district board of location and building have given their consent. The Judicial Council has ruled that paragraph 2548.2 may not be used for disaffiliation. While the Trustees, received input, ultimately it was their decision. The GNJ terms include requirements of paragraph 2553 and any costs incurred by GNJ. What are the seven steps to the disaffiliation process? Why arent superintendents leading the disaffiliation and covenanting process? This can lead to a sense of isolation and frustration among churches, which can contribute to their decision to disaffiliate. Search by ZIP code or city/state to find a United Methodist Church near you. In the case when a church votes to disaffiliate and it is not to a unanimous vote, the Missional Transitional Support help the members who want to stay with GNJ have a path to transition to a new place of worship. It will never be the same. If all of the above steps are completed by March 31, 2023, the Annual Conference will vote at its May 2023 session. How do you feel about local ghost stories and legends? The disaffiliation plan offers a limited way to release congregations from The United Methodist Church's centuries-old trust clause, which states that church property is held in trust for the benefit of the entire denomination. A process for disaffiliation was established by the 2019 General Conference of The United Methodist Church. UMF remains your trusted partner in ministry. Originally created by Reynoldsburg UMC in Ohio. This disaffiliation process is a journey to find other Wesleyans who hold the same values of scriptural authority and Christocentric theology that we do. 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. What is the Church's position on homosexuality? This article will explore the reasons behind this trend and provide an overview of the number of churches that have disaffiliated in the US. This is a fast-moving, evolving situation and there are many moving parts. Any outstanding loans as identified by GNJ Loan Board; CFA or the GNJ Board of Trustees. All unfunded retiree health care liabilities as apportioned by the GNJ Board of Pension and Benefits. (919) 836-0029 - Fax (919) 836-0092. Theprojectedterm sheet will be provided in the first disaffiliation discernment Special Called Church Conference session with the assigned Guide. It is then signed by the local church pastor and the chair of the local church Board of Trustees. That seems very wrong. A $3,500 administrative fee to defray the cost of the discernment and disaffiliation guides that will be used by the GNJ cabinet and the board of trustees to facilitate the process. The Woodlands United Methodist and Faithbridge, two large traditional churches near Houston, both voted Aug. 7 for disaffiliation, while a third large church, Wildwood, adopted a resolution to stay in the denomination. 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. Over 100 churches have disaffiliated from UMC in recent years., The United Methodist Church. The language of 2548 permits either a vote of the charge conference or of a church conference to request transfer of property to a church of another denomination. Openness to the movement of the Holy Spirit in ourselves and others. Ask to be part of the Discernment Team. This phenomenon is not unique to the UMC and is happening among other mainline denominations as well. Your district superintendent will work with your congregation at each step of the discernment process. (n.d.). Read this blog post by long time Asbury Spiritual Formation and Wesleyan Studies professor, Steve Harper. The District Superintendents will be working with the GNJ congregations who are discerning their pathway to future mission and ministry as we emerge from the pandemic. The decline in membership has led to financial difficulties for many churches, as they struggle to keep their doors open and maintain their facilities. The Missional Transition Support 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. We will likely receive a new presiding bishop on January 1, 2023. *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. The following is a summary of the financial items in the term sheet. Additionally, the UMC has been criticized for its bureaucratic structure, which can make it difficult for churches to navigate and get the support they need. Any unpaid apportionments for the 12 months prior to the disaffiliation date, as well as an additional 12 months of apportionments. Prior to the disaffiliation date, a local church shall pay to the Annual Conference any unpaid apportionments for the 12 months immediately prior and an additional 12 months of . This is a good and sensitive question. In that ruling, the church courtalso spelled outthat any disaffiliation must include: The new Judicial Council rulings cover decisions of law that bishops made during the 2020 and 2021 annual conference seasons. Waiting to disaffiliate could either provide better terms or prevent the possibility of an exit altogether. PDF Basic Questions and Answers FAQ Related 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. A congregation that discerns it wants to vote on disaffiliation will vote on legislation based on 2553 of The Book of Discipline which states: Because of the current deep conflict within the UMC around issues of human sexuality, a local church shall have a limited right, under the provisions of this paragraph, to disaffiliate from the denomination for reasons of conscience regarding a change in the requirements and provisions of the Book of Discipline related to the practice of homosexuality or the ordination or marriage of self-avowed practicing homosexuals as resolved and adopted by the 2019 General Conference, or the actions or inactions of its annual conference related to these issues which follow. 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. This decline is due to a number of factors, including an aging population and a lack of younger members. How much is the stipend for Guides who lead the disaffiliation discernment process? That's okay! God has important mission and ministry for the congregations of GNJ, and this will be the primary focus of GNJ over the next year. Print and distribute this side-by-side comparison of the UMC and future GMC which was developed by the Texas Annual Conference Future Discernment Team. Your Foundation remains firmly grounded in helping you achieve the dreams God has placed on your heart. While the number of disaffiliated churches is relatively small, their departure does have an impact on the remaining churches and raises questions about the future of the United Methodist Church. The provision permits such disaffiliations through Dec. 31, 2023. Will there be opportunity for the congregation to ask them questions and address any concerns prior to the church vote? So while it may be possible for your congregation to exit under this paragraph and have some property and assets when you do, the risks of greater costs or the entire loss of property and assets are substantial. Copyright 2023 All rights reserved. United Methodist Foundation of North Carolina. Whenever possible, it is likely to your advantage to encourage a slow and deliberate process, rather than a quick, hasty decision. These provisions require, at a minimum, three things: Annual conferences may add to these requirements, and some have done so. Our history, as part of the Whittier community. The 2019 Special Session of the General Conference of the UMC adopted paragraph 2553 in the Book of Discipline - Disaffiliation of a Local Church Over Issues Related to Human Sexuality. If two-thirds of those members choose to leave GNJ, the remaining one-third will need to support to establish new or fund existing ministries for these members to join. We are not encouraging any congregation to do so, either. The NAC3 team has been clear that these agreed-upon processes belong to the conference trustees, who are elected by the annual conference and represent diverse points of view. Days after the Global Methodist Church launched in May, the Wesleyan Covenant Association's Florida chapter announced 107 churches were disaffiliating from the United Methodist Church and. The committees role includes recommending compensation and benefits, conferring on ministry effectiveness, health and well-being and annually evaluating the pastor. During an annual conference held this week in Athens, 70. Our witness, as servants in the community. Clarify please. Your awareness of the contents of the following documents may be critical in being an advocate for a fair process during the Discernment Process and any effort to stay United Methodist: Newly added par.

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