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Wespath has also posted an informative FAQ about the impact of disaffiliation on continued ability to participate in the UMC's pension programs. These questions have made it clear that there is a lot of confusion and misinformation in the church about this topic. General Conference could also fail to produce any exit or extend the expiration of par. What is certainly the same across every conference, is that there are costs involved when churches disaffiliate, both for those leaving and for those who remain in the conference (either direct cost or indirect costs in the form of less available funds). The UMC Disaffiliation Requirements Timeline The Future with the Global Methodist Church To Contact StayUMC THE PROCESS In January of 2021, the Administrative Board established a leadership team to explore our relationship with our denomination. Since for this brief period of time, the Trust Clause is suspended, payments for the items listed in the Term Sheet are paid to ensure that past, present and future liabilities incurred by the congregation are paid. Research and resources compiled by other United Methodist churches. Under any process of disaffiliation, your congregation will want to avoid any situation in which you do not follow or appear not to follow the requirements as set forth by the Discipline and your conference. What is the Church's position on homosexuality? The Principles for Disaffiliation used by the Arkansas Conference call for a minimum three-month discernment period Please encourage your leaders and congregations to support the General Administration Fund apportionment at 100 percent. 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. 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. This disaffiliation process is a journey to find other Wesleyans who hold the same values of scriptural authority and Christocentric theology that we do. Definition of Membership Non-professing members may attend the church conference without voice and vote. Wise congregational leadership will choose not to schedule a church conference to vote on disaffiliation if there is uncertainty about that majority. One of the main reasons for disaffiliation among United Methodist churches is disagreements over theological issues. While the number of disaffiliated churches is relatively small compared to the overall number of United Methodist churches in the US, their departure does have an impact on the remaining churches. Recently, White's Chapel United Methodist Church in Southlake voted to go through with the disaffiliation process. Your church likely has a rich history in its connection to the United Methodist Church. Can they vote when voting on the discernment process? HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- More than 200 Methodist churches in Texas are looking to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church in a multi-step process that could receive official approval . The Annual Conference will be presented a motion detailing the names of the churches that have completed the discernment process, voted to disaffiliate, and have accepted the final term sheet for disaffiliation as presented by GNJs Board of Trustees. Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World, United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey, Pathways for Fruitful and Healthy Ministry, https://www.umc.org/en/content/ask-the-umc-who-has-voice-and-vote-in-a-local-church, ResourceUMC | Judicial Council Decision Number 1449, https://www.umc.org/en/content/articles-of-religion, https://www.umnews.org/en/news/bishop-urges-end-to-falsehoods-pivot-to-future, https://www.umc.org/en/content/ask-the-umc-what-should-united-methodist-congregations-know-about-disaffiliation, 2021 United Methodists of Greater New Jersey, Click here for FAQs in Spanish (updated version coming soon). (2021). Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. The provisions of 2553 expire on December 31, 2023 and shall not be used after that date. The Trustees took the additional step of receiving feedback from the Connectional Table and reviewing other terms from other annual conferences. Video here (starts at 40 minutes into presentation): https://vimeo.com/722681837#t=40m. Some require repayment in full of grants made to the local church. Ask to be part of the Discernment Team. 2201 E Hebron Pkwy. 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 Called Annual Conference in North Alabama for Disaffiliations is December 10, 2022, at 10 am. As a part of due diligence, appraisal of all local church properties by a certified appraiser is required. As we navigate the changes in the United Methodist denomination, we want to be sure we stay true to who we are, who God has called us to be, and our belief system. GNJ congregations are required to begin this process no later than September 30, 2022. How many times can a congregation vote on disaffiliation? For example, disaffiliation may lead to a decline in membership and financial contributions. Clergy persons who continue with The UMC and are appointed to a congregation that continues as a UMC congregation will their maintain membership in The UMC as a clergy person and participate in the appointment process as in the past. Can a congregation disaffiliate under paragraph 2548.2 of The Book of Discipline? No this is false. The pastor will receive a letter that can be shared with the congregation. The denomination is known for its strong emphasis on social justice and service, and it operates a number of mission programs both in the US and abroad. Section 2553 requires disaffiliation to occur on or before December 31, 2023. Spend time asking others in your church about milestones, shared moments of mission, and more that have been part of their legacy. Any unused portion of the administrative fee will be reimbursed to the disaffiliating church by or no later than 10 days after the disaffiliation date. The provision permits such disaffiliations through Dec. 31, 2023. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. That seems very wrong. The deadline for disaffiliations under par. A total 421 congregants voted - 295 voted to disaffiliate, but 126 voted to remain with the United Methodist Church [] It is more accurate to say that the United Methodist denomination left us a long time ago, and we are now finding our way to other, like-minded believers. This number is expected to increase in the coming years as more churches consider disaffiliation. Below is a list of strategies to get there. 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. Proposing that _____ United Methodist Church begin the disaffiliation process from the United Methodist Church, under the terms of 2553 of the current Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church which reads: "Basis - Because of the current deep conflict within The United Methodist Church around issues of human sexuality, a local Does the Annual Conference have to approve a Congregations disaffiliation? The disaffiliation plan offers a limited way to release congregations fromThe United Methodist Churchs centuries-old trust clause, which states that church property is held in trust for the benefit of the entire denomination. You may read the Judicial Council ruling here:ResourceUMC | Judicial Council Decision Number 1449. In other cases, churches have chosen to disaffiliate in order to reduce their financial burden and focus on their local community. There are two exceptions the pastor parish relations committee and the board of trustees. All unfunded retiree health care liabilities as apportioned by the GNJ Board of Pension and Benefits. A formal request does not commit the church to disaffiliation. 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. We cannot speak to the approach used by other conference Board of Trustees to discern and fully vet these costs, as our Trustees did. Waiting until the next General Conference could offer a less expensive option for churches to exit the UMC. (Concerns of disillusion of younger disciples). Creating space and time to listen deeply and contemplate. 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. 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. However, the pastor is the administrative officer of the church and, therefore, is an ex officio member of most committees of the local church. Based on the type of account agreement you have with UMF, youll need to amend your agreement(s) to reflect, among other things, the new name of your church. All BSA settlement contributions as apportioned by the GNJ Council on Finance and Administration (CFA). The Council of Bishops and Judicial Council Decision 1449 have affirmed2553, added by the 2019 special called General Conference, as the primary paragraph used for disaffiliation or separation. They have also recognized that there may be some instances where 2548.2 or 2549.3.b may apply to how property matters are addressed. No entity of The United Methodist Church is asking any congregation to disaffiliate or even consider disaffiliation. A vote was taken at the church on Monday evening (Oct. 3). First United Methodist Church in Washington will disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church. Several recommended activities of Phase 2 of the Discernment Process propose something like this. Find out more information about events here! Stay UMC can help you connect with someone in your area to speak. On what grounds can they reject the request? Copyright 2023 All rights reserved. No. Were here to help! Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. 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. 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 Annual Conference will provide information on the cost required to cover pension liabilities for previous pastors and release your church from the trust clause on its property. 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. Any outstanding loans as identified by GNJ Loan Board; CFA or the GNJ Board of Trustees. A sound discernment process may also be able to reduce harms that may be unintentionally caused by the results of the vote. My administrative board did not vote to proceed with discernment; there will be no vote to disaffiliate. Please help us to ensure that going forward, this will be a safe, fair and peaceful process. Read this blog post by long time Asbury Spiritual Formation and Wesleyan Studies professor, Steve Harper. Stay UMC is a grassroots organization and is not involved in conference administration. How much is the stipend for Guides who lead the disaffiliation discernment process? Any unpaid apportionments for the 12 months prior to the disaffiliation date, as well as an additional 12 months of apportionments. Our history, as part of the Whittier community. Another factor contributing to the disaffiliation of Methodist churches is the decline in membership. All clergy are to complete and submit their clergy profile and requests to the superintendent by the end of the year. My understanding is they are to discern whats best for them and have no vote. 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. Article 1Of Faith in the Holy Trinity There is but one living [], The second report to the Church Council by the Study Committee on disaffiliation. []. If an appointment is identified for the impacted pastor by June 30, 2024, any unused portion from this item will be reimbursed to the disaffiliating congregation by August 1, 2024. The 2019 Special Session of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church adopted a disaffiliation agreement allowing United Methodist churches to leave the denomination through the end of 2023 "for reasons of conscience regarding a change in the requirements and provisions of the Book of Discipline related to the practice of Spiritual discernment is setting oneself or the community apart for a time of deep listening for the Holy Spirits wisdom, insight and calling. Discipleship Ministries and The Council of Bishops are developing resources to assist congregations in their discernment. 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. What you may have heard or read about in another conference may not apply in yours. READ: Are Charismatic Churches Biblical Please read the guidelines thoroughly and make sure shortcuts are not being taken. Over 100 churches have disaffiliated from UMC in recent years., The United Methodist Church. Reposted here, with gratitude, for further learning and insight. InDecision 1422, the Judicial Council affirmed another decision by Haupert-Johnson. Only congregants who were members of the church were allowed to vote. The United Methodist Church is one of the largest Protestant denominations in the United States, with an estimated 7 million members. However, there are also disaffiliated churches in other regions, including the Northeast and West. Additionally, some churches have chosen to disaffiliate and become independent, non-denominational congregations. There, in the nation's fourth-largest city, 1,245 members voted to approve the disaffiliation, with 3% voting to oppose the split and another 4% abstaining. The questions become who leaves, how many people leave, and how to address the losses to the remaining congregation when they leave. When does a disaffiliating congregation officially end its relationship with the UMC and GNJ? We requested a presentation by someone who could explain the reasons for staying with UMC. The bishops are prepared to pursue this outcomeunder the authority of the Trust Clause should it be required. Ratification of a churchs disaffiliation by a simple majority at annual conference. Theprojectedterm sheet will be provided in the first disaffiliation discernment Special Called Church Conference session with the assigned Guide.