What Is Going On in
The United Methodist Church?
Recently, Pastor Jodie has received many question like: "What’s going on with the United Methodist Church? Is there a split happening? Are we going to need to vote on something?"
To help people understand it all, she has compiled some Frequently Asked Questions and provided the answers below.
[Additionally, She will be hosting a Question & Answer Session during the Sunday School hour on April 23 in the fellowship hall. If you have more questions and/or would just like to learn more, please join us!]
IS THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SPLITTING?
No. The term “split” implies that there is a negotiated agreement within the denomination to divide assets and resources. No such agreement has been made in The UMC, and the denomination has not split, broken, or made any changes. The earliest point at which such an agreement could be made would be at the next General Conference in 2024. General Conference is the global governing body of The UMC, and the only body that can speak and make decisions about the UMC.
A more accurate term is “splintering.” What is happening is that some “traditionalist” leaders have decided to create their own denomination (the Global Methodist Church). Leaders of that denomination and other unofficial advocacy groups, such as the Wesleyan Covenant Association, are encouraging like-minded United Methodist congregations and clergy to disaffiliate or formally separate from The UMC denomination and join their denomination instead.
A more accurate term is “splintering.” What is happening is that some “traditionalist” leaders have decided to create their own denomination (the Global Methodist Church). Leaders of that denomination and other unofficial advocacy groups, such as the Wesleyan Covenant Association, are encouraging like-minded United Methodist congregations and clergy to disaffiliate or formally separate from The UMC denomination and join their denomination instead.
HAS THE UMC CHANGED ITS CORE BELIEFS OR DOCTRINAL STANDARDS?
No. The doctrinal standards of the United Methodist Church have remained the same. We believe in the Trinity, the Incarnation, the Resurrection. We hold to the Apostles’ Creed. We read the Bible, we pray the Lord’s prayer, we practice means of grace and the sacraments.
HAS THE UMC ALTERED ITS DOCTRINE TO DENY THE VIRGIN BIRTH, THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST, THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST, OR SALVATION THROUGH CHRIST ALONE?
No. All of these positions are bedrock in the doctrinal standards of The UMC, more specifically in the Articles of Religion and the Confession of Faith. These cannot be altered without a 2/3 vote of the General Conference followed by a 3/4 aggregate approval of all annual conferences of The UMC worldwide.
IS THE UMC INTENDING TO CHANGE THE BIBLE?
No. The UMC has no official translation of the Bible and has never sought to alter the Bible at all. United Methodists have always had a variety of views about how to interpret specific passages of Scripture and likely always will.
IS THE UMC ASKING “TRADITIONALISTS” TO LEAVE THE DENOMINATION?
No. The requests for disaffiliation are coming largely from “traditionalist” leaders, encouraging “traditionalists” to leave the UMC and join the Global Methodist Church.
WHAT ARE THE STEPS FOR A CONGREGATION TO TAKE IF THEY DESIRE TO WITHDRAW, SEPARATE, OR DISAFFILIATE FROM THE UMC DENOMINATION?
The Holston Conference is utilizing a process of separation based on ¶2553 of the BOD. The Local Church will obtain full ownership of real property upon completion of the process of disaffiliation and final vote of the Annual Conference. This process must be completed by December 31, 2023, when ¶2553 of the BOD expires. The following are the steps in the disaffiliation process:
- Signed Affiliation/Disaffiliation Request from the Local Church.
- Minimum of 3 months spiritual discernment process.
- Called Church Conference Vote. (2/3 majority of members present & voting required)
- Payment of Local Church Obligations: tithes, liabilities for current & following year, unpaid tithes, unfunded pension liability, unpaid clergy & lay benefits.
- Completion of title search, survey of property, list of assets, list of debts, information regarding pending or current lawsuits, proof of insurance for property, proof of continuing health insurance for staff, documentation for endowments and trusts.
- Majority vote of the 2023 Holston Annual Conference to approve the local church’s disaffiliation.
WHAT’S HAPPENING ON APRIL 22 AT THE CALLED ANNUAL CONFERENCE?
The purpose of the called Special Session of the Annual Conference will be to process qualified requests for disaffiliation under ¶2553 of the United Methodist Book of Discipline (BOD). The Conference will be held at Central United Methodist Church in Knoxville, TN on Saturday, April 22, 2023 starting at 10:00am.
A subsequent called Special Session of the Holston Annual Conference in the last quarter of 2023 will be considered for the purpose of processing qualifying requests for disaffiliation under ¶2553 if there are churches that are not able to complete the disaffiliation process prior to the April 22, 2023 Special Session.
A subsequent called Special Session of the Holston Annual Conference in the last quarter of 2023 will be considered for the purpose of processing qualifying requests for disaffiliation under ¶2553 if there are churches that are not able to complete the disaffiliation process prior to the April 22, 2023 Special Session.
WHAT HAPPENS IF A LOCAL CHURCH IS NOT ABLE TO COMPLETE THE DISAFFILIATION PROCESS PRIOR TO DECEMBER 31, 2023?
Because ¶2553 has a validity expiration date, the disaffiliation process will automatically terminate if a local church is not able to complete the process prior to December 31, 2023. However, the Holston Invitation Team and the Conference Trustees are committed to offering a fair, non-punitive, gracious exit beyond the expiration of ¶2553 until December 31, 2024.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A CHURCH DISAFFILIATES? DO THEY AUTOMATICALLY JOIN ANOTHER DENOMINATION?
No. When a congregation has completed the disaffiliation process, it is, from the standpoint of The United Methodist Church, an independent congregation. It may choose to remain independent. Or it may choose to join any other network, association, or denomination that is willing to receive it under the terms that network, association, or denomination may set. The choices are many, not limited solely to the Global Methodist Church.
WHAT ABOUT CHURCHES WHO DESIRE TO REMAIN IN THE UNITED METHODIST DENOMINATION? DO THEY HAVE TO VOTE TO STAY?
No. Churches that do not wish to engage in the disaffiliation process will remain United Methodist and do not need to vote. Only churches wishing to disaffiliate will need to vote on leaving once they have finished the discernment process.
On March 21, 2023, the Church Council of First UMC unanimously agreed that First UMC would not enter into the discernment process for disaffiliation. This decision was not required, but the Church Council felt that it made a statement about our congregation’s desire to remain UMC.
On March 21, 2023, the Church Council of First UMC unanimously agreed that First UMC would not enter into the discernment process for disaffiliation. This decision was not required, but the Church Council felt that it made a statement about our congregation’s desire to remain UMC.
WILL THERE BE ROOM FOR ME AT FIRST UMC?
YES! First UMC is committed to making space for different opinions and understanding. Our differences make us stronger, more thoughtful, and deepen our faith and commitment to God and each other. While there are many unknowns about the future, one thing we can be confident in: our mission to make more and better disciples will be our focus now and until Christ’s return. If that’s your mission, too, then there’s room for you here.
CAN A CHURCH OR PASTOR BE MEMBERS OF BOTH THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AND ANOTHER DENOMINATION, SUCH AS THE NEW GLOBAL METHODIST CHURCH?
No. There is no provision in the Book of Discipline or citation from the Judicial Council for a United Methodist church to also be in another denomination. When a local church disaffiliates, the Judicial Council has made clear all of its members depart the denomination with it. “Disaffiliation... under ¶2553 involves both church membership and property... the membership departs from The United Methodist Church.” From the standpoint of The UMC, it is not possible to be a member in The UMC and a member in another denomination (or an independent church) at the same time. A clergy cannot hold credentials in The UMC and another denomination. If a lay person or clergy person joins another denomination, their membership in The United Methodist Church is terminated.
WHAT IF A CHURCH DISAFFILIATES, AND SOME MEMBERS DO NOT WANT TO?
If the church where a person holds their membership is disaffiliating, that person can find a new UMC to call home, or they can move their membership to the local district office as a “placeholder” while looking for their next church home.
IF A CONGREGATION JOINS ANOTHER DENOMINATION, CAN THEY RETURN TO THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH?
Yes, there are existing processes in the Book of Discipline that can be used to allow a congregation to re-affiliate with The United Methodist Church.
IS THE UMC IMMEDIATELY DROPPING ALL PROHIBITIONS RELATED TO HUMAN SEXUALITY, NOW THAT THE GLOBAL METHODIST CHURCH HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY STARTED?
No. The creation of the Global Methodist Church has no bearing on the existing policies of The United Methodist Church. The policies of The United Methodist Church are set by its General Conference. The General Conference is the only body that can change them. The General Conference is scheduled for April 23 – May 3, 2024, at Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
IS THE UMC GOING TO DROP ALL PROHIBITIONS RELATED TO HUMAN SEXUALITY AT ITS NEXT GENERAL CONFERENCE IN 2024?
Probably not. The 2024 General Conference will likely consider legislative proposals that would drop several existing prohibitions. The key words are consider and proposal. The General Conference must consider all legislative items it receives. All legislative items before a General Conference are proposals only. They have no force unless a General Conference approves them.
All of these kinds of proposals have come before General Conferences in the past. And all have been defeated, every time. At present, there do not appear to be enough shifts in the makeup of the delegations to the General Conference in 2024 to conclude that any of these proposals will pass.
All of these kinds of proposals have come before General Conferences in the past. And all have been defeated, every time. At present, there do not appear to be enough shifts in the makeup of the delegations to the General Conference in 2024 to conclude that any of these proposals will pass.
IS THE UMC FORCING OR GOING TO FORCE CONGREGATIONS THAT DO NOT WANT A “SELF-AVOWED PRACTICING HOMOSEXUAL” AS A PASTOR TO ACCEPT ONE?
No. It remains a chargeable offense in The United Methodist Church to be a clergyperson or candidate for the clergy who is a “self-avowed, practicing homosexual.” Bishops are forbidden to appoint those found through the complaint process to be “self-avowed, practicing homosexuals”. This has been the case since 1984. Thus, the likelihood that any congregation in most conferences could receive a “self-avowed, practicing homosexual” person as its pastor or deacon is close to zero. Bishops already work to appoint clergy to congregations for a match that is likely to work for years to come. Should the Discipline at some point in the future permit “self-avowed, practicing homosexuals” to serve as clergy, bishops are most likely to appoint them to congregations where they would be welcomed and avoid appointing them where they would not.
WILL THE UMC REQUIRE ITS CLERGY AND CLERGY CANDIDATES TO AGREE TO OFFER SAME-SEX WEDDINGS AS A CONDITION OF CANDIDACY, STATUS, OR APPOINTMENT?
No. There are no proposals before the next General Conference to do so, nor have there ever been such proposals. The UMC Book of Discipline has never and cannot require a clergy person to perform any wedding.
SHOULD WE BE WORRIED ABOUT THIS?
I am not worried about The United Methodist Church, and I am not worried about First United Methodist Church. I trust in the Lord, and I love our church. I am thankful and hopeful about how God is at work here at First UMC in the heart of downtown Johnson City. I believe our awesome God is doing amazing things with us and through us! I continue to believe that The United Methodist Church has a unique and strong theology of God’s grace, rooted in scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. I believe our commitment to Jesus and our passion for making disciples that transform the world is unlike any other denomination. I am proud to be and to stay a United Methodist.
