The financial payments of the Term Sheet must be fully paid by December 31, 2023, for a congregation to disaffiliate. 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. This paragraph does not create a right nor a process for congregations to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church. As with any legislative motion, an Annual Conference can choose to accept or reject the motion. 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. How much is the stipend for Guides who lead the disaffiliation discernment process? If so, will they be offered an age-appropriate presentation about whats happening? If this is the case the church should move forward with discernment process. A total 421 congregants voted 295 voted to disaffiliate, but 126 voted to remain with the United Methodist Church fold. Specifically, be a vocal advocate to make sure: Minimum duration times are observed at each phase of the process. There are a number of reasons why churches may choose to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church. excerpt from a story by Heather Hahn, assistant news editor, UM News. Timeline - June through September 2022. Yes. You can learn more about the NAC3 team and plan here: https://www.umcna.org/postdetail/16513389 and watch their video below: We have documented many of our concerns with disaffiliation and joining the Global Methodist Church on our What are the Big Concerns page of our website. 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. United Methodist Foundation of North Carolina. 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. Your district superintendent can give you the most accurate information so your congregation can make its best decisions informed by the facts. Pastors are to continue to lead the congregation by doing no harm and refraining from leading the congregation in one way or another. The amendment will take effect on the date of disaffiliation. All court costs and GNJ legal fees related to disaffiliation or suits related to disaffiliation of the church. The United Methodist Book of Discipline outlines the process congregations may use to leave The United Methodist Church through disaffiliation (2553). Working through this process with the district superintendent is not only required in most conferences, but wise. Our role at Ask The UMC is to provide accurate official information about The United Methodist Church. Ratification of a churchs disaffiliation by a simple majority at annual conference. 1:41 Dozens of churches this week chose to disaffiliate themselves from the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. Property of the UMC is held in trust for the United Methodist mission and ministry. Our staff, Dr. Jim Dean, Pastor and Music Director Kathy Wiggins. 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. Discipleship Ministries and The Council of Bishops are developing resources to assist congregations in their discernment. Ask to be part of the Discernment Team. Ive watched your webinar for EPA conference and was surprised to find out that the term sheet may be revised as needed. 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. 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. The annual conference determines whether and when such transfer may take place. Only2553relates directly to disaffiliation. 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. Therefore, as terms were developed, they sought feedback from the Cabinet, Chancellor, Benefits Officer and Treasurer which are all required by paragraph 2553. 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. As a connectional church, United Methodists hold property in common. For example, the denomination has been grappling with the issue of ordaining gay and lesbian clergy for several decades, and some churches have left the denomination over this issue. However, it may be important for you to point out hidden or unforeseen costs inherent in disaffiliation such as: Interest and loan costs to fund money needed to comply with par. Looking for a staff member? Why arent superintendents leading the disaffiliation and covenanting process? One of the main reasons for disaffiliation among United Methodist churches is disagreements over theological issues. UMF remains your trusted partner in ministry. Openness to the movement of the Holy Spirit in ourselves and others. Disaffiliation - IGRC 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. 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. 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. Establishment of terms and conditions between the exiting local church and the conference board of trustees. Our special called church conference was held on January 23, 2023. It is not about a congregation changing its denominational affiliation. All BSA settlement contributions as apportioned by the GNJ Council on Finance and Administration (CFA). Well over 100 churches (out of our 650 congregations) are currently considering disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church. I am deeply concerned about the safety of the many members who want to stay with UMC. Classes for all ages at 9 a.m. On what grounds can they reject the request? 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. Any GNJ grants received in the present calendar year, and the past two calendar years. What is spiritual discernment? They are assisting a congregation to discern if it will disaffiliate from the UMC and GNJ. InDecision 1422, the Judicial Council affirmed another decision by Haupert-Johnson. 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. An address from Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church in Reynoldsburg, OH. Assuming the amendment process mentioned above is completed. Will professing members that are minors participate in the discernment process? The letter will identify dates for the Church Conferences and other pertinent information needed to prepare for the conferences. This is a matter of fairness, not punitive in nature. Notifications about the meeting are to go to all members as outlined and provided to the church. 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. 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. And most require that the congregation complete a discernment process, guided by the district superintendent, before a church conference may be scheduled to consider disaffiliation. What we know: United Methodist disaffiliation in Oklahoma 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. All deed restrictions must be followed by the disaffiliating congregation prior to disaffiliation. For many congregations, this is not an easy threshold to reach. According to the United Methodist News Service, as of 2021, there are more than 100 churches have disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church. 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. The bishops are prepared to pursue this outcomeunder the authority of the Trust Clause should it be required. Another factor contributing to the disaffiliation of Methodist churches is the decline in membership. There are a variety of ways to make decisions. The Judicial Council has ruled that paragraph 2548.2 may not be used for disaffiliation. Exigent circumstances include, but are not limited to, situations where the property will no longer be used for the purposes of The United Methodist Church or the congregation is no longer in a position to maintain it for the denomination. 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. The decision to perform the ceremony shall be the right and the responsibility of the pastor. Therefore no one can require a UMC clergy person to perform a marriage ceremony. Disaffiliation of a congregation is not final until approved by the Annual Conference and the final term sheet fulfilled before December 31, 2023. Our history, as part of the Whittier community. If this is not the case, please explain it better in the FAQ. What are the financial requirements in the Term Sheet? 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). God has important mission and ministry for the congregations of GNJ, and this will be the primary focus of GNJ over the next year. This decline is due to a number of factors, including an aging population and a lack of younger members. The provision permits such disaffiliations through Dec. 31, 2023. And here's a few of many reasons why: + Some of your members will vote to stay in the UMC. 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 Disaffiliation Process | First Methodist Carrollton While paragraph 2553 authorizes the conference Trustees to develop the terms, they quickly realized that congregations leaving the denomination has a broad range of impact across the conference which they may not fully understand without obtaining feedback from a larger group and vetting the options. All property and congregational transfer costs including GNJ legal fees. They will lead the congregation through this season and the Church Conference will make its decision listening for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, not to decisions that represent the UMC. Pastors generally do not vote at church council meetings. 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 Clear lines of communication between the church and the district superintendent that show ongoing progress toward completing the processes set forth by the Discipline and the conference will help ensure as gracious a transition and outcome for all as all would desire. Whether your congregation is beginning to explore possibilities of disaffiliating or seems ready to take a vote, the first and most important step is for your pastor to contact your district superintendent. 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. The Deficiencies of Disaffiliation - United Methodist Insight The Oklahoma Conference Board of Trustees has approved a disaffiliation process for local churches. Disaffiliating from the UMC Only Costs Pennies on the Dollar by Jeremy Smith June 3, 2022 8:33 PM The news has been crowded with claims of piling on costs on disaffiliating churches and chants of "just let us leave!" repeated in Annual Conference chat rooms. 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. Yes. Holy conversation that listens to understand, responds with grace and respect for God and one another and recognizes that we are in conversation with one another and with God. Our witness, as servants in the community. The costs to disaffiliate under par. Successful Guides will be those whose theology or viewpoints are not detected by congregations in the discernment and decision process. A vote to disaffiliate is a vote to leave relationships with other people and institutions that have helped congregation members grow in Christ over the years. InDecision 1424, the church court affirmed Arkansas Conference Bishop Gary Muellers decision. 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. GNJ congregations are required to begin this process no later than September 30, 2022. What is the Church's position on homosexuality? A Term Sheet, which is developed by the GNJ Board of Trustees, is an agreement of the basic terms and conditions of the disaffiliation. This provision about property transfer is not about a vote for the congregation to disaffiliate or join another denomination. Waiting until the next General Conference could offer a less expensive option for churches to exit the UMC. Additionally, Jeff Greenway, a leader in the Wesleyan Covenant Association recently suggested that disaffiliating churches who go independent or join affliations of churches risk lacking Wesleyan connectionalism to accomplish their mission and theological drift into Reformed Calvinism amongst other risks. Approval for disaffiliation by at least a two-thirds majority of a churchs professing members present at the vote. Recently, the North Carolina Annual Conference published the process for clergy and churches to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church. But do the numbers match the rhetoric? The following is a summary of the financial items in the term sheet. What should United Methodist congregations know about disaffiliation? The sanctuary that can be seen today on West Second Street was constructed in 1898, and a year later it was dedicated to the United Methodist Church. The United Methodist Church (UMC) is a mainline Protestant denomination that has been experiencing a decline in membership and disaffiliation in recent years.