The Plans

A gathering of all known "plans" for the future of The United Methodist Church to be presented to the 2020 General Conference.

Christmas Covenant and Connectional Table U.S. Regional Conference legislation relationship clarified

Press Release

The Connectional Table, The United Methodist Church

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March, 16, 2020

Chicago, IL — Over the past several weeks, the Connectional Table (CT) has received many questions about the relationship between the CT's U.S. Regional Conference (USRC) legislation and legislation referred to as the Christmas Covenant. To provide clarification, a statement has been released outlining the relationship between these two pieces of legislation. That statement and an explanatory chart can be found at: bit.ly/USRClegislation.

The Connectional Table works to steward the mission, vision and ministries of The United Methodist Church. For more information, please visit https://www.umc.org/en/content/connectional-table.

Media Contact: Georgia Whitney, Communications Consultant
773-714-1517 x4 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(From WMJM.org 5/3/19 most old links are dead)

Resources on the Four Plans for a Way Forward in the United Methodist Church

Many opinions are published on the Conference and the Plans and their consequences. We've posted a bunch here for your convenience.

Committee on Reference Approves 78 Petitions

The General Conference Committee on Reference has approved a total of 78 petitions for consideration by the Special Called General Conference February 23-26, 2019. All petitions submitted by the Commission on a Way Forward were approved, as was The Simple Plan and The Modified Traditionalist Plan. The petition which would dissolve the United Methodist denomination was ruled out of harmony, as were others which dealt with the episcopacy. UM Insight has this good article and a link to the petitions to be considered.

This summary compares proposals from various groups, in alphabetical order, about the structure of The UMC. It does not include proposals from individuals. Further details are in the documents and legislation. All proposals will be open for amendments at General Conference and may be subject to Judicial Council review. Updated on 2/25/2020.

PDF Chart from UMNews.

There have been developments in the submission of the Protocol legislation to GC2020.

Several Conferences are submitting the legislation (Feb. 7 UMNS article). Besides Michigan and Sierra Leone,both of which approved and forwarded it, the Philippines Cavite AC sent the Protocol Legislation unmodified along with the legislation for the Christmas Covenant. Also, Liberia made some crucial modifications to the legislation before sending it on (here's a commentary by Mainstream UMC's Mark Holland) and then the maker of the modification motion has regretted his submission (but he can't as an individual submit legislation himself now--it will have to be made as a floor/committee amendment).

Then the Africa Initiative, an African advocacy group supported by the Reform and Renewal Coalition (Good News, etc.), had a meeting in South Africa and after intense discussion, decided to support the Protocol legislation, but then urged amendments at GC2020.

Finally, the Institute for Religion and Democracy (IRD) executive director, Mark Tooley, has withdrawn his support for the Protocol.

Stay tuned!

By Gladys P. Mangiduyos and Sam Hodges
Feb. 13, 2020 | UM News

Related: Philippines Part 2: Protocol & Christmas Covenant Affirmed, by Mark R. Holland, February 17, 2020

The Philippines Annual Conference Cavite has endorsed and sent to the 2020 General Conference legislation for an amicable separation of The United Methodist Church — the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation.

The annual conference, meeting in regular session Feb. 12-14 in Tagaytay City, Philippines, also endorsed and forwarded the Christmas Covenant, another potentially key piece of legislation for the future of The United Methodist Church.

UM Church

Connectional Table and Christmas Covenant Legislation Clarified

Resources for Four Plans for a Way Forward

Resources on the Four Plans for a Way Forward in the United Methodist Church

Comparing plans headed to GC2020

Protocol developments

Conference acts on protocol, Christmas Covenant