FAQs - General

Q: Why should traditional Methodists consider leaving the denomination?

(The Book of Discipline currently holds traditional beliefs.)

A: While the current Discipline holds to traditional beliefs, there are alarmingly common and serious instances of disobedience to our doctrine and polity occurring across the connection, for which there is no accountability. Bishops and conference leadership, including our own conference leadership, are openly defying our mutual covenant, and enacting a liberal agenda General Conference refused to adopt.

Q: How can UM Churches depart the denomination?

(What are the options under the Book of Discipline?)

A: Churches can leave under paragraph 2553, which passed in the closing moments of the highly contentious 2019 General Conference. It allows churches to depart, but it is being unevenly, and in many cases, unfairly applied across the connection. It is highly expensive, and many conferences have added onerous and even impossible requirements. Churches could leave under paragraph 2548.2, which has been in the Discipline for decades. It allows for the negotiation of a comity agreement to enable churches to withdraw and transfer to another evangelical denomination. This provision of the Discipline is being challenged at the Judicial Council by the Council of Bishops. Unfortunately, many churches will be left with no other alternative but to seek a legal settlement.

Q: Why is it urgent that we leave now, instead of waiting for General Conference 2024?

(Time is of the essence!)

A: The Protocol for Reconciliation and Grace through Separation was negotiated and signed by a broad spectrum of UM leaders, including our Bishop, Ken Carter. It was our best hope for an amicable separation. However, key support for the Protocol has been withdrawn including by all of the progressive and centrist caucuses and signers of the documents. It will not pass at GC 2024. Paragraph 2553 sunsets at the end of 2023, and it is clear that many in UM leadership are actively working against any means of departure. Many annual conferences are urging a wait and see attitude. This is likely a dangerous strategy for churches that are wanting to leave the denomination.

Q: What is the unfunded pension liability, how is it calculated and where do those payment go?

(Payments to help fund the unfunded pension liability are required by most annual conference leaders for churches wanting to exit the denomination using par. 2553)

A: There are several ways of calculating this liability. However, the calculation being used in the UMC is the most expensive. This calculation is present pension assets minus pension obligations, assuming no further pension payments will be received, plus paying out to all surviving beneficiaries living to their maximum age expectancy.

PLEASE NOTE: When a church agrees to disaffiliate under par 2553 and pays their required pension liability, those monies received by the conference are NOT given to Wespath to be applied towards the “underfunding” of the pensions. Instead, it is kept by the conference.

Q: How else could the unfunded pension liability be handled?

(There are other options than full payment upon departure from the UM denomination)

A: The unfunded pension liability cannot be transferred to the Global Methodist Church since the Protocol has not been, and likely will not be, adopted. However, there are good options for securing any potential future funding needs. A promissory note could be secured from departing churches, backed by a lien on church property. I.E: value of a parsonage or acreage owned by the church. Churches could also secure a long-term, irrevocable letter of credit that could be available, should pension funds be needed.

Q: Why are 106 Florida UM Churches suing the conference?

A: Put simply, these churches have no other choice. Some churches might be able to depart by 2553, but most cannot. The financial requirements can be met by few, and they severely impact the ministry and missions of those churches. In Florida, unfair insurance requirements put departing churches at risk. To date, the Florida conference leadership has refused to negotiate an exit that would work for all churches who want to depart.

Q: Aren’t lawsuits between Christians forbidden in Scripture?

A: 1 Corinthians 6:1 says, “When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers!” (NLT). In context, we see that this is most likely about wealthy, powerful believers taking advantage of less powerful, less wealthy believers by using the courts to bully them. In the present matter, traditionalists have no power. The bishop has all the power. Since he will not work with us to resolve this dispute, there are no “other believers” we can go to in order to settle our dispute. Additionally, we certainly see the Apostle Paul availing himself of the secular legal system in Acts 25.

Q: Will departing churches still be able to support ministries such as the Children’s Home, UMCOR and UMVIM?

A: That will be the decision of every local church. The GMC encourages churches to partner with ministries who share their values and vision. It is likely that support for the Children’s Home will continue from departing churches.

Q: The WCA – FL has called upon the Bishop to allow churches to depart “in the spirit of the Protocol.” What does this mean?

A: We take “the spirit of the Protocol” to mean terms that are as similar as possible to the provisions of the Protocol. This would mean allowing churches to leave with their property and without the payment of exorbitant, unfair, and punitive fees. Churches would pay outstanding debts to the conference and no more. The voting threshold for church conferences would be set by the local church’s Church Council or Administrative Council at either simple or 2/3 majority .