Whenever possible, it is likely to your advantage to encourage a slow and deliberate process, rather than a quick, hasty decision. There are a variety of ways to make decisions. Please read the guidelines thoroughly and make sure shortcuts are not being taken. It clears up some myths about the post-separation UMC and highlights some important differences laity need to be aware of. The congregation will know before taking the vote at the . Across the world, United Methodist regional bodies called annual conferences are negotiating with churches that wish to withdraw from the United Methodist Church over issues including. The Guides will assist each congregation in discerning its future, not the desires of the Guide, GNJ or the UMC. The disaffiliation will be complete by December 31, 2022. Search by ZIP code or city/state to find a United Methodist Church near you. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. If a church votes to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church, when will they know the payment amount? A bishop has only one vote on the matter. You may read the Judicial Council ruling here:ResourceUMC | Judicial Council Decision Number 1449. About Us.. Votes about disaffiliation are never simply rational or financial. Successful Guides will be those whose theology or viewpoints are not detected by congregations in the discernment and decision process. When does a disaffiliating congregation officially end its relationship with the UMC and GNJ? Tel. Now that First United Methodist Church has chosen to disaffiliate, they are in the process of joining the Global Methodist Church. Research and resources compiled by other United Methodist churches. Recently, the North Carolina Annual Conference published the process for clergy and churches to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church. If this is not the case, please explain it better in the FAQ. I am deeply concerned about the safety of the many members who want to stay with UMC. Q What disaffiliation provision was affirmed in JCD 1385? 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. Will the Guides represent a particular theology or viewpoint about ministry with and by LGBTQ persons? And here's a few of many reasons why: + Some of your members will vote to stay in the UMC. Your district superintendent will work with your congregation at each step of the discernment process. For many congregations, this is not an easy threshold to reach. All deed restrictions must be followed by the disaffiliating congregation prior to disaffiliation. One of the main reasons for disaffiliation among United Methodist churches is disagreements over theological issues. Copyright 2023 All rights reserved. All unfunded retiree health care liabilities as apportioned by the GNJ Board of Pension and Benefits. Some churches feel that the denomination is too centralized and that decisions are made without adequate input from local congregations. Annual conferences cannot create comity agreements with other denominations. 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. InDecision 1422, the Judicial Council affirmed another decision by Haupert-Johnson. The policy is designed to make the process fair and transparent. 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. If Annual Conference rejects the request for disaffiliation will the conference reimburse the church any of the funds it spent to move forward with disaffiliation? All congregations and ministries of The United Methodist Church hold their property and assets in trust for the denomination, and specifically for the annual conference. If all of the above steps are completed by March 31, 2023, the Annual Conference will vote at its May 2023 session. No. It is acceptable to make one by simply cutting a slot in a cardboard box or we suggest purchasing one similar to this one found online. God has important mission and ministry for the congregations of GNJ, and this will be the primary focus of GNJ over the next year. All institutions have people on the extreme ends. This page was last modified December 28, 2022, Youtube Playlist of "Moving Forward" Lecture Series. 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. This deadline represents something of a gamble for many churches wishing to disaffiliate. The United Methodist Church (UMC) is a mainline Protestant denomination that has been experiencing a decline in membership and disaffiliation in recent years. Does the Annual Conference have to approve a Congregations disaffiliation? Will there be opportunity for the congregation to ask them questions and address any concerns prior to the church vote? The United Methodist Churchs guidebook, called the Book of Discipline, states any congregation who chooses to disaffiliate will take ownership of the church property. 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? The transfer of property may happen under an allocation, exchange of property, or comity agreement, provided that such agreement shall have been committed to writing and signed and approved by the duly qualified and authorized representatives of both parties concerned.. All court costs and GNJ legal fees related to disaffiliation or suits related to disaffiliation of the church. Some experts predict that the denomination may eventually split over theological and organizational differences, while others believe that the United Methodist Church will continue to evolve and adapt in response to the changing needs of its congregations. Spend time asking others in your church about milestones, shared moments of mission, and more that have been part of their legacy. What should United Methodist congregations know about disaffiliation? Any other fees and costs identified by the GNJ Board of Trustees including but not limited to the determination that a contribution is in order related to the congregations real property. 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. 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 . A sound discernment process may also be able to reduce harms that may be unintentionally caused by the results of the vote. 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 letter will identify dates for the Church Conferences and other pertinent information needed to prepare for the conferences. We would prefer open ballot by show of hands to secret written ballot. 2548.2, and, under some circumstances, 2549.3.bmay be sometimes also be involved to address related property issues. 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. What is needed for spiritual discernment? Will professing members that are minors participate in the discernment process? Notifications about the meeting are to go to all members as outlined and provided to the church. If your church is considering or has decided to leave the United Methodist denomination, its important to know that the Foundation can still manage your funds. 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. Absent such explicit instructions by the annual conference, however, there are no guarantees about what terms the trustees may offer, and the trustees are under no obligation to negotiate the terms they offer. There are a number of reasons why churches may choose to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church. While the UMC is facing challenges, it is important to remember that the church is a living organism that is constantly evolving and adapting to the needs of its members and the world around it. For example, disaffiliation may lead to a decline in membership and financial contributions. UMF remains your trusted partner in ministry. Please provide details on the process that the two guides will follow as they assist us in the discernment process. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. Doing the legwork of someone willing to speak to your congregation may make this offer difficult for your church leadership to decline. 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. This paragraph authorizes the presiding bishop and majorities of the district superintendents and the district board of location and building to declare that exigent circumstances exist that require immediate protection of the local churchs property. The effect of that declaration is the immediate transfer of all property and assets of a local church to the control of the conference board of trustees. Can a congregation disaffiliate under paragraph 2548.2 of The Book of Discipline? A vote was taken at the church on Monday evening (Oct. 3). Receive Communications and/or Join Our Support Lists! 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. This decline is due to a number of factors, including an aging population and a lack of younger members. 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. Following the worship service on Sunday, February 5,First Methodist Carrollton voted173 to 1 in favor of joining the Global Methodist [], Church family, Sunday was great! As a part of due diligence, appraisal of all local church properties by a certified appraiser is required. The district superintendent may have additional questions for you at that time to make sure you are working from accurate information and a clear sense of the congregations readiness for a vote. Were here to help! The Called Annual Conference in North Alabama for Disaffiliations is December 10, 2022, at 10 am. During an annual conference held this week in Athens, 70. 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. In order for a congregation to disaffiliate, the Annual Conference must approve the disaffiliation by a simple majority 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. Why are terms different from conference to conference? The Annual Conference must approve the disaffiliation for the congregation to disaffiliate. 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. 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. What is the Connectional Covenant? A total 421 congregants voted 295 voted to disaffiliate, but 126 voted to remain with the United Methodist Church fold. The committees role includes recommending compensation and benefits, conferring on ministry effectiveness, health and well-being and annually evaluating the pastor. 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.