In an effort to provide accurate information about the disaffiliations happening in the United Methodist Church, here is a series of questions being answered by "Ask The UMC," a "ministry of United Methodist Communications."
Ask The UMC: "Is the UMC Really...?" A series of articles aimed at clearing up misperceptions and misunderstandings. All are available here. Questions addressed are below....
Questions addressed in Part 1: This article focuses on matters relating to theology, pensions, and benefits.
- 1. Splitting at this time?
- 2. Asking traditionalists to leave the denomination?
- 3. About to alter its doctrine to deny the virgin birth, the divinity of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, or salvation through Christ alone?
- 4. Intending to change the Bible?
- 5. Allowing congregations that exit the denomination to continue to offer the same pension and health benefits programs to their clergy and staff?
Part 2: This article focuses on matters relating to human sexuality.
- 6. Immediately dropping all prohibitions related to human sexuality, now that the Global Methodist Church has been officially started?
- 7. Going to drop all prohibitions related to human sexuality at its next General Conference in 2024?
- 8. Going to require its clergy and clergy candidates to agree to offer same-sex weddings as a condition of candidacy, status, or appointment?
- 9. Ordaining drag queens and supporting worship of a “Queer God?”
- 10. Ignoring or refusing to implement the Discipline's statements, restrictions, and requirements regarding practicing homosexuals and same sex weddings?
Part 3: ...addresses the use of Paragraph 2548.2, changes in abortion statements, and payment of apportionments.
- 11. Able to allow congregations to sidestep the requirements of Paragraph 2553 in the Book of Discipline by using Paragraph 2548.2 as an alternative path to disaffiliation?
- 12. About to change its statement on abortion from life-centered to pro-choice?
- 13. Allowing local churches that refuse to pay apportionments (as the Wesleyan Covenant Association is now directing) to “get away with it”?
Part 4: More questions about disaffiliation
- 14. Allowing congregations that disaffiliate to retain their current appointed pastor or deacon?
- 15. Ending United Methodist Church memberships of those whose local church disaffiliates?
- 16. Permitting 10% of the professing members of a local church to sidestep conference requirements that a request for a called charge conference to vote on disaffiliation come from a church council or other leadership body of a local church?
Part 5: A variety of questions about voting, delegates to GC, "punishment," and appointments.
- 17. Asking all local churches to vote on whether to remain in The United Methodist Church or join the Global Methodist Church?
- 18. Allowing clergy and laypersons elected as delegates to General or Jurisdictional Conference to serve if they have disaffiliated?
- 19. Failing to punish those who violate the Discipline?
- 20. Forcing or going to force congregations that do not want a self-avowed practicing homosexual as a pastor or deacon to accept one?
Part 6: more questions about disaffiliation, and the effects of disaffiliation including property retention and legal counsel
- 21. Letting churches in multi-point charges retain their property, including parsonages, if the local church that actually owns the parsonage disaffiliates?
- 22. Telling local churches considering disaffiliation not to seek legal counsel?
- 23. Prohibiting disaffiliating local churches and United Methodist individuals from retaining assets in United Methodist foundations and credit unions?
- 24. Ending scholarships for students who are members of local churches who disaffiliate, or who may disaffiliate themselves?
Part 7: This article addresses matters relating to annual conference disaffiliation policies, the United Methodist Church’s settlement with Boy Scouts of America, and retired clergy whose charge conference membership is in a church that is disaffiliating.
- 25. Allowing annual conferences and their boards of trustees to set their own terms for disaffiliation over and above those set forth in Paragraph 2553?
- 26. No longer providing coverage under the settlement agreement with Boy Scouts of America for UMC congregations that disaffiliate?
- 27. Requiring retired clergy who hold charge conference membership in churches that vote to request disaffiliation to move their charge conference membership?
Part 8: This article addresses the disaffiliation process in central conferences and “extended” or “alternative” disaffiliation policies beyond 2023 in four annual conferences in the United States.
- 28. Saying that Paragraph 2553 does not apply in the central conferences?
- 29. Providing for a “disaffiliation bridge” between the end of 2023, when Paragraph 2553 expires, until whatever process the 2024 General Conference may approve becomes effective?
Part 9: This article addresses questions about the future of Paragraph 2553, annual conferences where disaffiliation under Paragraph 2553 is not permitted or discontinued, and what happens to non-disaffiliating clergy when the church to which they are appointed disaffiliates.
- 30. Going to extend the life of Paragraph 2553 at the next General Conference?
- 31. Prohibiting congregations from disaffiliating under Paragraph 2553?