Friday, January 3, 2020

Reaction to U.M.C. Split Proposal


No doubt many of you have seen news – reported by the secular press (many of which have reported incompletely or incorrectly) -- of a ”new” proposal to split the United Methodist Church in light of its continued debate over LGBTQ-related issues. The origin of this news is our own United Methodist News Service (UMNS), which shared the original story earlier today (Read the complete article HERE).

Officially titled “Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation,” this proposal is actually not “new,” but merely a further form of one of the four main proposals being considered for the United Methodist Church’s 2020 General Conference this coming May (Read about these four main proposals HERE). 

What makes this proposal different is the fact that it was worked out through the efforts of a professional arbitrator (Kenneth Feinberg), and has the blessing of a coalition of leaders from across ALL the various theological perspectives.  Traditionalist, Centrist, and Progressive leaders, along with Bishops from United Methodism around the globe, have all endorsed this proposal.  Of course, like all such proposals, it must still be approved by vote of the delegates of General Conference this coming May, and could be subject to modification during the conference debate time. What’s more is that some of the other proposals mentioned above might also be presented for approval.  

All this means that, unlike what some secular news feeds are reporting, this is merely one proposal among many that might be approved.   It is NOT a “done deal” yet.  Yes, it seems to have more momentum and more backing from more of cross section of our denomination than any proposal put forth to this point.  However, there is still a lot that must occur before this (or any other proposal) would become reality.

IF adopted, the key elements of this proposal would be as follows:

● The General Council on Finance and Administration of The United Methodist Church (GCFA) would provide $25 million, over four years, “to the traditionalist Methodist denomination established pursuant to this protocol.” The new denomination would give up further claims to United Methodist assets, including those of general boards and agencies.

● GCFA would escrow $2 million to help other potential new denominations.

● To support communities historically marginalized by racism, GCFA would allocate $39 million over eight years to strengthen Asian, Black, Hispanic-Latino, Native American and Pacific Islander ministries, as well as Africa University. Of that total, $13 million would come from funds the separating traditionalist denomination chose to forgo.

● After the 2020 General Conference, set for May 5-15 in Minneapolis, there would be a special General Conference for the remaining denomination. “The protocol also references a plan which calls for a special general conference of the post-separation United Methodist Church. The purpose of the Special Session would be to create regional conferences, remove the current prohibitions against LGBTQ persons, and to repeal the Traditional Plan,” said a press release from the negotiating group.

● A (non-U.S.) central conference would be able to choose with a two-thirds vote to affiliate with a new Methodist denomination. The vote deadline would be December 31, 2021, and if no vote is taken the conference remains in The United Methodist Church.

● An annual conference, whether in a central conference or U.S. jurisdictional conference, also could vote to affiliate with a new Methodist denomination. A vote of 20 percent or more at an annual conference session would be needed to have the disaffiliation vote, and a disaffiliation vote would have to pass by 57 percent. The disaffiliation vote deadline is July 1, 2021.

● The leadership body of a local church considering disaffiliation could determine a threshold of a simple majority or two-thirds for the vote on whether to separate. Decisions about disaffiliation must be made by December 31, 2024.

● A local church affiliating with another Methodist denomination “pursuant to the protocol” would keep its assets and liabilities.

● The pension plans of The United Methodist Church would remain in place for all current clergy and lay employees, even if they affiliate with another Methodist denomination under the protocol.

● Another important piece of the agreement is that signatories from ALL the theological perspectives agreed to suspend all administrative or judicial processes addressing restrictions in the Book of Discipline related to self-avowed practicing homosexuals or same-sex weddings beginning January 1, 2020 through the adjournment of the first conference of the post-separation United Methodist Church.  While this doesn’t prevent the filing of a complaint/charge related to officiating at a same-sex marriage or the “coming out” of a LGBTQ clergy, it does mean that such a complaint would not be processed until after General Conference 2020.

So, while it’s true that the more restrictive disciplinary language adopted by the 2019 General Conference technically went into effect a few days ago (January 1st), this part of this proposal effectively negates it. Even if it hadn’t, it would only affect us at McKendree if I or Pastor Ryan were to violate our Book of Discipline and officiate at a same-sex wedding.  At this point, neither of us will be doing that.

Read the text of the FULL PLAN HERE 

Read specific FAQs related to this plan HERE… 

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As to my own thoughts about this proposal as a whole… while I would be sad about the breakup of our UMC denomination, at the same time – if adopted – this proposal seems to have a lot of merit.  While I’m only now reading and researching it just like many of you, based on my initial reading, I believe this plan offers a practical and reasonable way to sustain the Wesleyan heritage and vibrant witness and mission of The United Methodist Church, while offering a graceful way for those who wish to depart the means to do so (along with start-up monies) and provisions for sustaining pension plans for clergy who may choose to align with a spinoff denomination.

While I (and I’m sure many of you) will continue to review this proposal (along with others that have been and will be presented), at present I welcome this as a constructive and positive initiative that may bear fruit later in May.  If enacted, it can help us to move beyond our current impasse and – in the words of an article I found helpful in interpreting the meaning of this plan -- “to release those whose hearts are with our hearts to make plain that the continuing United Methodist Church is striving in every way to be passionate followers of Jesus Christ, committed to the Wesleyan vision of Christianity, anchored in Scripture interpreted by tradition, experience, and reason, who energetically fulfill our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

In the meantime, I invite you patiently to wait and pray for God’s will and work through the General Conference in May 2020, and to join me in working through our church for the cause of Christ right here in Gwinnett County, so that the Holy Spirit would work within and through us to be “People. Doing Life Together.  Connecting all through Christ.”  Remember that God loves you and I do, too!

FOLLOW UP:
Watch an extensive Q&A interview with the developers of this proposal HERE...

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