PRESS RELEASE: November 4, 2022

Welcome to the new Florida Bishop

Vero Beach FL: The Wesleyan Covenant Association-Florida regional chapter (“WCA-Florida”) The WCA-Florida welcomes Bishop Tom Berlin to Florida. His assignment to the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC) came shortly after his election at the Jurisdictional Conference, held at the Lake Junaluska Retreat Center. Bishop Berlin has served the Virginia Conference since 1988, and was an endorsed candidate of his conference.

Rev. Jeremy Rebman, President of the WCA-Florida, says, “Bishop Berlin is taking leadership of the Florida Conference at what is obviously a difficult time. We are sympathetic to this fact. The UMC is in crisis, and tensions are high over separation. We call upon Bishop Ken Carter to earnestly work to negotiate a fair exit for churches who feel they must leave the UMC. This matter could be settled before Bishop Berlin begins leading the Florida Conference of the UMC. Bishop Carter could offer these churches the gift of moving forward in the direction God is calling them, and he could offer Bishop Berlin the gift of a fresh start with the fighting over.”

For over seven months now, the WCA-Florida has been asking Bishop Carter to negotiate with churches who feel they must leave because of the direction of the UMC. Many churches who wish to leave are unable to do so, given the onerous provisions of the Florida Conference’s disaffiliation process. Because these churches would be irreparably harmed by being forced to stay in the UMC, the WCA-Florida continues to advocate on their behalf. Rev. Rebman continued, "Should no agreement be reached with Bishop Carter, we extend the same invitation and request to Bishop Berlin. Please work with us. Let the fighting end. Allow churches to go in peace, so that we can all move on in the direction we believe God is calling us. Simply put, let us go!"

At the time of this release, many traditional Methodist pastors and churches in Florida have expressed concern over Bishop Berlin’s rhetoric in the past. At General Conference 2019, he compared the Traditional Plan, which sought to maintain our disciplinary and theological standards, to a virus. He said enacting the plan would be like, “Putting a virus into the American church that will make it very sick.” He encouraged delegates to abstain from voting for the Traditional Plan, comparing this to Africans overcoming Ebola by washing their hands. Rebman pressed, “This is a completely inappropriate and harmful analogy. However, as Christians, we believe in forgiveness. We invite Bishop Berlin to join us in seeking reconciliation through separation. As one of the signers of the Protocol, notwithstanding his withdrawal of support in June of 2022 for the Protocol, we hope this will be his intention as he begins his episcopal leadership in Florida."

Broader concerns have been raised as delegates from every jurisdiction in the US have elected Bishops who are committed to liberalizing the UMC. Rebman said, “The idea of a big tent in the UMC that could include traditionalist Methodists is over. It is long past time for those who hold to our biblical doctrine to take steps toward our new movement. We will uphold and contend for the faith once for all entrusted to us."

PRESS RELEASE: October 7, 2022

Advancing the Global Methodist Church in Florida

Vero Beach FL: This week, the Wesleyan Covenant Association, Florida Chapter (WCA-FL) is pleased to announce an exciting next step in the establishment of the Global Methodist Church (GMC) in Florida. The Rev. Nako Kellum, GMC Elder, has been appointed full-time as our Florida GMC Organizer.

Nako was born and raised in Japan as a Buddhist and became a Christian her senior year at Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo, which was founded by Methodist missionaries. She graduated Asbury Theological Seminary in KY with a MA in Christian Education and a Master of Divinity. She and her husband Edward served in Japan as tent makers until God called them to Florida 20 years ago. Nako has served as a UM pastor for 14 years in local churches in the Florida conference. She has a heart and passion for local churches. Her own small, home church in Japan nurtured her, leading her to seek sanctifying grace, and encouraging her to serve and respond to God’s calling. She and Edward have two daughters.

Rev. Jeremy Rebman, President of the WCA-FL, is certain this is a movement of the Holy Spirit. "God has given Nako an amazing faith, great discernment and a heart to see the new movement advance the Kingdom of God. God has called and gifted her for such a time as this.” Jeremy went on to say: “God is clearly on the move in the GMC and in Florida with the new appointment of Nako. Her passion for the local church is exactly the right fit to help organize and manage the explosive growth expected in Florida by GMC churches. We couldn’t be more excited for our state, the GMC and for Nako and her family.”

Florida joins 13 other full-time state GMC organizers (Link: https://globalmethodist.org/gm-organizers/) These positions are vital to the expansion of the GMC and the organization of what will become regional conferences in the GMC.

As the GMC Organizer, Nako will work with the newly formed Transitional Conference Advisory Team to establish the Florida Conference of the GMC. She will be available to share information about the GMC with pastors, laity, and churches. Nako will assist churches and pastors with joining the GMC, and she will also be facilitating the formation of new GMC Churches in Florida.

When asked about her new position, Nako said: “I am excited and honored to be serving as the GMC organizer in Florida! I was privileged to serve the Next Step Group which drew a blueprint for the GMC book of doctrine and discipline. It is great to see how God has brought us this far. I strongly believe that the vision God has given to the early Methodists, “to spread Scriptural holiness over the land” is still intact, and we are given an opportunity to follow God’s vision by the power of the Holy Spirit as the church. Please pray for me, the Transitional Conference Advisory Team, and the Global Methodist Church, that we will be following God faithfully.”

To contact Nako her email is: nkellum@globalmethodist.org or her cell is 239-297-2125

PRESS RELEASE: September 16, 2022

Vero Beach FL: The Wesleyan Covenant Association-Florida regional chapter (“WCA-Florida”) this week has been unusually quiet with a much lower count of incoming phone calls coming from church leaders. The legal action pending against the Florida conference of the UMC filed by the National Center for Life and Liberty (NCLL) on behalf of 110+ churches is in a holding pattern. The Florida conference has until mid next week to file their response to the lawsuit. According to a letter (link: https://www.flumc.org/newsdetail/a-letter-from-bishop-carter-on-the-recent-judicial-council-ruling-16617712) issued by Bishop Ken Carter on August 30, 2022, he indicates: “we will ask the state court to dismiss the lawsuit.”

Jeremy Rebman, President of the WCA-Florida, strongly urges all involved in the lawsuit, from churches leaders to Florida conference leaders, to pray for a peaceful end to the dispute NOW. “Lawsuits are springing up all over the country. Many churches are awaiting the results of the motion to dismiss to file their actions. Lawsuits can be expected to be seen in many other conferences within the United Methodist denomination. This legal action doesn’t need to continue. Bishops can and should let churches leave in a peaceful and equitable manner and not require legal action to achieve this fairness to churches.”

Pastor Tom Thomas, President of the Virginia WCA laments the legal action many of his Virginia conference churches have had to undertake in order to try to achieve a fair exit from the United Methodist denomination. “This is a sad and unfortunate time in our denomination’s history. The leaders of our conference have left our Virginia churches with no other options. I pray that our conference leaders will find a way to let our churches exit in an equitable fashion so that we can contend for our faith and join other like-minded churches in doing the same. Charging exorbitant exit fees prevents so many churches from leaving the denomination. I pray that is not the conference’s underlying intention.”

Rebman concludes with these words from Isaiah 52:11 & 12: “Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing! Come out from it and be pure, you who carry the articles of the LORD’s house. But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”

PRESS RELEASE: September 9, 2022

Vero Beach FL: The Wesleyan Covenant Association-Florida regional chapter (“WCA-Florida”) has been receiving and up-tick in the number of calls per week from church leaders wondering why the Florida annual conference leaders are speaking to churches and telling them that there is no rush to leave the UM denomination. Several district superintendents are using words like “abeyance” or “there is no rush” when asked by church leaders if their church should begin the process of exiting the UM denomination. Jeremy Rebman, President of the WCA-Florida, Strongly disagrees these directions from district superintendents. “Given the likely composition of the GC 2024 delegation, as well as the death of “The Protocol,” not only is wait and see the wrong message to give to churches, but it is likely to trap any church that genuinely wants to depart the UM denomination”.

He went on to explain that in the current disaffiliation agreement offered to Florida churches wanting to leave the UM denomination, each church must host a presentation by the Florida United Methodist conference. The leader of the conference, in most cases the district superintendent, typically presents reasons why the church should remain in the UMC. While the arguments given by the Florida conference representative might be debatable, the fact that presenters are saying that: “there is no rush, wait until the General conference 2024” Rebman says: “is misleading.”

Rebman points out that the Judicial council has recently ruled that paragraph 2548.2 of the Book of Discipline will no longer be honored as an exit strategy for churches wanting to depart the denomination. See the ruling here: (https://www.resourceumc.org/en/churchwide/judicial-council/judicial-council-decision-home/judicial-decisions/decision-1449)

The UMC’s own website umc.org has an article entitled “Is the United Methodist Church really…?” whereby they say that: “Paragraph 2553 remains the only paragraph in the Discipline authorizing a process for a local church to disaffiliate while retaining its property and assets.”

This leaves churches that wish to exit the denomination with their property the option of using paragraph 2553 of the Book of Discipline as their exit strategy. That paragraph expires Dec. of 2023. Rebman concludes: “that this means when the General conference convenes in 2024, there will be no legislative exit options available for churches to use that wish to leave the denomination.”

Rebman adds to his disappointment in the Florida UM leadership statements, that: “not only will there be no remaining legislative exit ramps for churches wanting to leave the denomination by the GC 2024, that General conference will likely be more liberal and progressive than the GC of Feb. of 2019, when they last met.”

The General conference 2019 was widely characterized as shifting to the progressive side. The traditional Plan dealing with restating the traditional teachings of human sexuality passed by the conference by a vote of 438 yes votes (53 percent) and 384 no votes (47 percent). The general conference consists of delegates elected from their annual conferences on four continents. Half of the delegates are clergypersons and half are laypersons. Bishops preside at General Conference sessions, but do not vote.

“With more and more traditional churches and conservative pastors leaving the UM denomination daily, there will be fewer and fewer traditional delegates elected to attend the General Conference 2024.” What exit plan will be provided for churches wanting to leave if there are no exit plans available when the General Conference convenes in Feb. of 2024?”

Florida churches wanting to exit the UM denomination using paragraph 2553 are trying to follow the rules in the conference produced disaffiliation agreement. Rebman concludes with this urging: “I would encourage the leaders of the Florida conference to give a clear picture of reality when counseling churches in the disaffiliation process. Churches have looked to the Florida conference for leadership for decades. I would hope that church leaders could continue to find that in their leaders especially during these difficult times.”

PRESS RELEASE: September 2, 2022

Vero Beach FL: The Wesleyan Covenant Association-Florida regional chapter (“WCA-Florida”) confirmed it has now been over four (4) months since the WCA-FL partnered with the National Center for Life and Liberty (NCLL) and requested formal negotiations with Bishop Carter for fair and equitable terms of departure from the United Methodist Church. 

On Tuesday, August 30, 2022, Bishop Ken Carter posted a letter on the Florida conference website entitled “A Letter from Bishop Carter on the recent Judicial Council ruling.” In that letter, (link: https://www.flumc.org/newsdetail/a-letter-from-bishop-carter-on-the-recent-judicial-council-ruling-16617712) Bishop Carter announced that: “Our trustees, superintendents and the Episcopal office want to join in a dialogue with you to make this departure as painless, as graceful and as reverent as possible.” Jeremy Rebman, President of the WCA Florida, responded, “We would love to see this happen. This is what we have been asking for and praying for. To this point, the Conference has been unresponsive to our pleas to negotiate.” Rebman added, “Making demands that many churches cannot meet is not a dialogue.”

 “The provisions and requirements added to the Paragraph 2553 process are unfair, too costly and too onerous for the majority of the churches wishing to exit the denomination. I hope that the bishop is now signaling a willingness to ensure churches are not held hostage,” Rebman said.

This echoes the sentiment represented by the ever-growing list of signers on the recently penned proclamation entitled “Let Us Go.” Those signing the proclamation (found at www.letusgo.world) are asking respectfully and reverently for a dialogue with the UM leadership concerning a fair exit for those churches that: “want to freely and voluntarily be connected to other congregations in the Global Methodist Church.” The closing line of the proclamation is: “We call upon Bishop Ken Carter and our Conference leadership to let us go.”

Pastor Nako Kellum, who helped to pen the proclamation, is hopeful that Bishop Carter truly wants to: “extend an open hand of friendship to those churches and leaders seeking to disaffiliate.” Kellum went on to say: “the Lord is making a way when there is no way, and those traditional churches that feel trapped or held hostage certainly want to open a dialogue of negotiation.” Kellum concluded remarks on Bishop Carter’s announcement about “joining in a dialogue” with this prayer: John 17:17, “Sanctify them in truth your word is truth.”

Continued Gaslighting from Bishop Carter

We are disappointed that mistruth and manipulation are continuing to come from those entrusted with leadership over the UMC. Good faith negotiations could have already led toward a peaceful resolution of this conflict over churches seeking to depart the denomination over serious matters of conscience.

In his recent letter, Bishop Carter claims, “Somewhat ironically, it was leaders in the conservative wing of our church who originally wrote Paragraph 2553, perhaps as they envisioned it was progressives who would depart the church. Instead, the opposite is happening, and some conservative leaders are now claiming that Paragraph 2553 is too onerous.”

This is a recycled falsehood that has been long been discredited by direct participants in the General Conference passage of Paragraph 2553. Beth Ann Cook, who brought the legislation before GC 2019, says in her article, “Hypocrites and the Golden Rule,” "The proposal to offer a gracious exit was not intended for liberals … it was genuinely intended as a fail-safe for whoever could not remain in the UMC.  We all went into that special session knowing that some people would feel, as a matter of conscience, that they could not remain UMC after that vote... I selected the “Taylor” plan as the minority report, even though I did not like some aspects of it, because I felt it had the best chance of passing.  Taylor was NOT authored by a Traditionalist; I felt that anything authored by a traditionalists would have no chance of getting the necessary traction.”

Bishop Carter also fails to enumerate the onerous and unfair provisions our Florida Conference has added to the requirements of the Paragraph 2553 legislation. In addition, Bishop Carter chooses not to mention that the same GC 2019 passed legislation that reinforces our sexual ethics. Is he going to ignore that one while enforcing 2553?

We call upon Bishop Carter to end this unnecessary conflict and let us go under fair and equitable terms.

www.LetUsGo.world

PRESS RELEASE: August 25, 2022

Vero Beach FL: The Wesleyan Covenant Association-Florida regional chapter (“WCA-Florida”) Mid-week, the Judicial council of the United Methodist church ruled that: “the process in paragraph 2548.2 may not be used as a pathway for local churches to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church.” WCA Florida President Jeremy Rebman was disappointed by this ruling and expressed frustration with the Judicial council. He said: “this ruling is puzzling to me to say the least. I remember that the special called General Conference of the United Methodist church back in 2019 specifically referenced the use of paragraph 2548.2 as a means for churches to exit the denomination. This is the last and most recent general conference of the UMC. The UMC seemed to think it was a viable option for churches to use as an exit in 2019. What has changed? My guess is the large number of churches that wish to consider leaving the UM denomination has changed their way of thinking.”

Rebman went on to say that he was angered at the Judicial council suggesting that the Council of Bishops could determine what is or is not a legitimate denomination. "I can’t seem to find that authority anywhere,” Rebman said. “As far as I know, a denomination that consists of a leadership structure, has clergy, polity, doctrines, and 100’s of churches, that operates under one tradition and one guidebook, in this case The Bible, and who’s members believe all the words of the Bible, not just some words, is a denomination. That describes the newly formed Global Methodist church. So, to my way of thinking, the Global Methodist Church is a denomination!”

Rebman was pleased however that at least the ruling was issued this week. He qualified his statement by saying: “I disagree with two main points in the Judicial Council’s ruling this week; their restrictive ruling on paragraph 2548.2 and their newfound authority to deputize the UMC’s Council of Bishop’s to unilaterally declare what is or is not a denomination. However, in communications with the Florida annual conference, they have said they wanted to wait for the ruling from the Judicial Counsel before making decisions re: paragraph 2548.2. The Judicial Council’s ruling has been issued. So, we at the FL WCA take our Bishop and annual conference leaders at their word.” 

Rebman went on to say: “The Bishop and Florida conference leadership has full discretion now to negotiate with churches that wish to leave the denomination and contend for their faith. We look forward to beginning to negotiate a fair and amicable exit for that ever-growing number of traditional churches.” Rebman concluded by stating that he prays daily for all involved in the United Methodist turmoil. He closed by stating Hebrews 12:14 “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

PRESS RELEASE: August 19, 2022

Vero Beach FL: The Wesleyan Covenant Association-Florida regional chapter (“WCA-Florida”) This week three (3) council members of the Florida chapter filed formal charges against the leadership in the Florida conference of the United Methodist church. The complaints stem from the June 9, 2022, executive clergy session of the Florida Annual Conference. During that conference, the Board of Ordained Ministry submitted multiple candidates for commissioning as provisional elders and deacons. During a lengthy debate, it was brought to Bishop Carter’s attention that three of the candidates recommended for commissioning by the Florida Board of Ordained Ministry did not meet the ordination standards because they were self-avowed, practicing homosexuals. Bishop Carter did not rule the candidates out of order. Instead, he proceeded to allow two separate votes on them. Paragraph 304.5 of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church (2016) as amended in 2019, clearly states, “The…Board of Ordained Ministry shall not approve or recommend any person for candidacy, licensing, commissioning, or ordination who does not meet the qualifications.

“We have filed separate complaints against the executive committee of the Florida Board of Ordained Ministry for violating the ordination standards of The United Methodist Church and against Bishop Ken Carter for not ruling the candidates in question out of order” said WCA-FL President Jeremy Rebman.

This complaint was filed within minutes of the announcement by the global WCA that they are ending the self-imposed moratorium on filing charges against leadership in the Methodist denomination. They agreed to withhold filing complaints back in January of 2020 while the Protocol for Reconciliation and Grace through Separation (the Protocol) was being supported by the bipartisan group of sixteen (16) signers. 

In June of 2022, progressive signatories, and centrist endorsing organizations to the Protocol announced they were no longer supporting its adoption. In their announcement, they stated, “…we can no longer in good faith support the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace through Separation or work towards its adoption at the next General Conference.” Once this group of signers went back on their word and withdrew their support for the Protocol, the WCA global council announced it would end its cooperation with them on withholding the filing of charges against violators of the Book of Discipline. “It is a sad time for the entire United Methodist denomination” said WCA-Florida president Jeremy Rebman. “We had hoped that this coalition of men and women of faith would hold together and lead a graceful and equitable exit for traditional churches that wish to leave the UM denomination.”

Rebman also noted that what used to be undertones and whispers from many serving in the Florida conference leadership is now being stated plainly. This is a reference to a July 26, 2022, interview (link: https://tinyurl.com/3tevaww2) with the Ledger where Bishop Ken Carter, the bishop of Florida and Western North Carolina, was quoted as saying: “I have also, as a bishop, sought to strengthen churches across the labels of conservative or centrist or liberal,” he said. “And I don't like the labels, but I've sought to be fair across the spectrum of kinds of churches. And while I believe in our traditional, orthodox faith that's rooted in the Scriptures, I also have always believed that we have to adapt our doctrine and our Scriptures to changing life circumstances that people have.” 

“This way of thinking is at the heart of the division within the United Methodist denomination,” Rebman said. “So-called progressive Christianity believes we must adapt our beliefs and the Bible itself to accommodate modern culture. We believe that God’s Word is eternal, and that God uses His Word to transform us according to the truth. We do not change the Word to suit ourselves or to gain the approval of the world. In the confusion and turmoil of our broken world, we offer the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” He went on to point out that the interview took place before the 60+ Western North Carolina traditional United Methodist Churches filed their legal process against Bishop Carter and the administration of the United Methodist church conference. That legal filing occurred late last week.

After announcing the filing of charges against Bishop Carter and against the Florida Board of Ordained Ministry today, Rebman offered this prayer: “Lord, by your Spirit, guard our hearts and minds, that we would not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but instead, would be transformed by the renewing of our minds.” He concluded with the now famous plea of many traditional churches throughout the United Methodist denomination: “Let us go!”

PRESS RELEASE: August 12, 2022

Vero Beach FL: The Wesleyan Covenant Association-Florida regional chapter (“WCA-Florida”) This week the Western North Carolina WCA chapter sent a legal demand to the United Methodist leadership in an effort to provide an exit for their churches wanting to leave the United Methodist denomination. They facilitated the sending of pre-suit negotiation requests on behalf of 40+ Western North Carolina churches. Bishop Ken Carter is the resident bishop of Florida as well as the bishop of the Western North Carolina Conference. 

Jeremy Rebman, President of the WCA Florida stated: "it is another sad day for the United Methodist denomination. Members in the churches in both conferences, under the helm of Bishop Carter, had hoped and prayed that Bishop Carter would see his way, in the spirit of the “Protocol” (Protocol of reconciliation and grace through separation) of which he is an original signer, to negotiate a fair and equitable exit for traditional churches in Florida and in Western North Carolina in order to leave the denomination.

Back in May of 2022, the 106 Florida churches began the same legal journey now initiated by Western North Carolina. Soon thereafter, the Florida WCA chapter launched the website LetUsGo.world to join like-minded traditional churches together as they struggle with their leadership in their United Methodist conferences to negotiate a fair and reasonable exit for traditional churches. The website has been collecting names on a proclamation stating the desire to negotiate an exit for churches and let them go!

The Western North Carolina Wesleyan Covenant Association chapter (“WNC WCA”) President Pastor Kari Howard said: “The WNC WCA chapter is just beginning the legal disaffiliation process and churches of all sizes are joining in, side by side to contend. We are very excited to take advantage of the LetUsGo.world petition with all that it offers to promote our joint cause, organized by states for easy access, where we can learn from and encourage one another. We are grateful for the leadership of the FL WCA for their efforts to keep us connected even in the midst of conflict. It is nice to join like-minded churches as we earnestly “contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.” We thank God for FL organizing our brothers and sisters globally to contend for God’s Word!”

"We hope to launch state tabs on our LetUsGo.world site in the coming weeks. Unfortunately, we expect to see other conferences across the county initiating similar legal action against their leadership. The state tabs on LetUsGo.world will serve to house their stories of their conflicts as they “contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people” as stated by my fellow President Pastor Kari Howard so beautifully” Rebman said.

Rebman concluded with this call to action and prayer: “Dear Lord, you are loving, forgiving and good. We know that your love is abounding to all who call to you. Let us all call to you in unity."

PRESS RELEASE: August 4, 2022

Vero Beach FL: The Wesleyan Covenant Association – Florida Regional Chapter (“WCA-Florida”) is scrambling to visit as many churches as they can in the next month in order to satisfy their requests for information about exiting the UM denomination. “When the Methodist General conference got postponed til 2024, we knew our work to educate churches would ramp up, but we didn’t expect the onset of requests” said Jeremy Rebman, President of the WCA-Florida.

“The requests for documents, in-person presentations and general questions has increase ten-fold in the last few weeks. We praise God that churches are realizing that time is of the essence if exiting the Methodist denomination is the direction the church wishes to take” Rebman concluded.

The announcement and launch of their new website, LetUsGo.world just a couple of weeks ago has also fueled the desire of churches to learn more about the exiting process which is outlined in the Methodist Book of Discipline.

"We are thankful that 1000’s of people are signing the petition at LetUsGo.world so that like-minded traditional Methodists can let their voice be heard to their Methodist conference leadership. There is comfort in knowing and sharing our stories about the hardships being created by Methodist annual conferences across the country; said WCA FL Council Vice Chair Pastor Nako Kellum.

“We are hearing more and more horror stories from other conferences where their annual conference leadership is imposing near impossible tasks that must be completed in order to exit the United Methodist denomination. All the more reason to support your brothers and sisters in Christ and lend your support and signature to the proclamation at LetUsGo.world”; said Rebman.

Pastor Kellum has been asking for churches to pray for their conference leadership but also to request an amicable agreement for separation in a respectful but firm fashion. She concludes by saying: “Bishop Carter has been saying he continues to support the Protocol of reconciliation and grace through separation (“The Protocol”) to which he was an original signer back in December of 2019. My prayer is that he will echo his continued self-proclaimed support of the Protocol by finding his way to negotiate a fair and reasonable agreement for those churches in Florida & Western North Carolina that wish to exit the denomination but aren’t able to pay exorbitant exit fees. Bishop Carter, Let us go!”

PRESS RELEASE: July 29, 2022

Vero Beach FL: The Wesleyan Covenant Association – Florida Regional Chapter (“WCA-Florida”) confirmed it has been over three (3) months since the WCA FL team partnered with the National Center for Life and Liberty and requested formal negotiations with Bishop Carter. The legal team requested that the Florida annual conference leadership begin to negotiate terms under paragraph 2548.2 that allows churches to leave the denomination. “While we didn’t expect an immediate response, we are dumbfounded that the Florida leadership apparently has shown no desire, to date, for allowing churches to utilize a paragraph of the Book of Discipline that has been used many times since its inception back in 1948” said Jeremy Rebman, President of the WCA-Florida.

“Our work here at the Florida chapter of the WCA remains steady and consistent; fielding calls every day from traditional churches in Florida wanting to leave the United Methodist denomination,” Rebman said. WCA FL treasurer Chris Akers added: “our donations and funding remain strong, praise God. Churches feel like they have been backed into a corner by the Florida leadership and they see the FL WCA as their teammates in this dispute.” 

In order to aid other states in their disputes with their United Methodist leadership, the FL WCA is announcing that their new website, LetUsGo.world will soon contain STATE TABS. These prominent tabs will be utilized by state WCA chapters to post their legal battles, upcoming lawsuits, and other news regarding their disputes with their leadership in the denomination. All these disputes stem from the United Methodist leadership not allowing churches to depart the denomination and contend for their faith as they are being lead to do. Hence the website’s name, LetUsGo.world!

"We are talking to multiple chapters of the WCA and are learning just how necessary a central clearing house is needed to host information about the legal battles ahead for the United Methodist leadership," Rebman said. One chapter President, who asked to remain anonymous until their legal process officially begins said: "It is a great idea to have the legal disputes and news about exit negotiations all in one site. We are grateful for the leadership of the FL WCA for spearheading this effort. God is on the move!”

The site also allows UMC pastors, laity and all churches that feel trapped and rejected by their conference to feel inspired by others on the site that are signing onto the proclamation. “The community spirit is alive and well by means of the proclamation at the website LetUsGo.world. “Akers said.

Rebman concluded with 1 Thessalonians 5:11 “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing” “That is our mission with LetUsGo.world. That is our fervent prayer!”

PRESS RELEASE: July 22, 2022

Vero Beach FL: The Wesleyan Covenant Association – Florida Regional Chapter (“WCA-Florida”) confirmed it has been twelve (12) weeks since the WCA FL team partnered with the National Center for Life and Liberty and requested formal negotiations with Bishop Carter. They respectfully requested that he negotiate an agreement for churches that wish to leave the denomination amicably, utilizing par 2548.2 of our Book of Discipline. “We are saddened that as of this writing we have not heard from our Florida conference leadership. We are, however, excited to report that more and more Florida churches are signing up for this process in an effort to contend for the faith entrusted to us,” said Jeremy Rebman, President of the WCA-Florida.

Rebman went on to say: “We know that many traditional UMC pastors, laity and churches feel trapped and alone right now. We have clearly been rejected by our conference.  We are seen as an impediment to their new liberal agenda. There is an unwillingness on the part of UM leaders to work with churches that cannot afford to depart under 2553, and yet, desire to be released. Therefore, we are launching a new website that will enable us to come together and speak with one voice."

Rebman’s team has designed a new website, LetUSGo.world, to allow folks who believe the whole Bible is the inspired Word of God and believe that we should follow the current UMC Book of Discipline, to sign their names and stand together.

LetUsGo.world is offered to everyone who wants to sign their name in support of churches being able to depart the UMC in a way that is possible and fair for all churches who wish to leave.  

LetUsGo is designed to let the United Methodist leadership know all signers are eager to end the fighting and partner with Methodist organizations where we share like-minded goals and missions.

Rebman concluded by saying that: “We promise to report the number of signatures to you from time to time and celebrate milestones. Remember, you are not alone as you contend for our faith. We only want our United Methodist Leadership to agree to Let us go!”

PRESS RELEASE: The One Hundred and Six Churches that Filed Suit Respond to Bishop Carter’s Misleading Open Letter Sent to the Conference | July 20, 2022

[The National Center for Life and Liberty] 

[CLEARWATER, FL, JULY 20, 2022] — Bishop Carter released a statement in response to the one hundred and six United Methodist churches that filed suit against the Florida Annual Conference. In that statement, he gravely mischaracterized the lawsuit and the intentions of the churches. He did not address the numerous fiduciary duty allegations in the lawsuit, but instead, tried to blame the churches for the Conference’s financial mismanagement.

The Wesleyan Covenant Association released a statement that clarified its position: "The Discipline continues to be selectively enforced to the detriment of traditionalists, our traditionalist churches, and our faith commitments. For decades we have been in fervent prayer, sought compromise, and desired negotiation – all to no avail. We have patiently endured, only to see promises, vows, and polity broken to suit those in power.”

In his open letter, Bishop Carter claimed the departing churches would harm Methodism and the conference; however, The Protocol, negotiated and supported by Bishop Carter and others, would have provided the same basic framework for separation sought by the churches through this litigation.

The Bishop and the Trustees are demanding sums of money as a precondition to leaving the Conference that are not required by The Discipline, not supported by any audited financials, and are far in excess of what the smaller churches could possibly pay. This tactic is designed to make it impossible for these churches to leave the Conference. Bishop Carter and the Conference have flatly rejected every alternative method of resolution offered by the churches, further evidencing the oppressive purpose of these actions.

The WCA statement went on to say that “our prayers are for everyone involved to experience grace and reconciliation through a fair and just separation. There is no need for continued fighting. Since the Bishop continues to proclaim his support of the Protocol, let us use it as a guide to depart. This act would embody a heart of peace. We call upon Bishop Ken Carter and our Conference leadership to let us go.”

Speaking for the Annual Conference and Bishop, the Chancellor categorically has refused any negotiations forcing the churches to seek relief from the court. The churches hope the Bishop will reconsider for the good of everyone involved in this situation before a Florida jury has to make a final determination.

PRESS RELEASE: July 15, 2022

Vero Beach, FL: The Wesleyan Covenant Association – Florida Regional Chapter (“WCA-Florida”) confirmed that 106 Florida United Methodist Churches have filed lawsuits against the Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church (“UMC”) after invitations to negotiate an amicable exit were ignored and rejected by the Florida annual conference. 

This lawsuit has been forced upon these traditional churches, which represent almost 20% of the 560 United Methodist Churches in the Florida Conference, as a result of Bishop Ken Carter’s unwillingness to negotiate a fair and equitable agreement for churches to depart the denomination. 

This growing list of churches wanting to leave the UMC are eager to align with the new Global Methodist Church (“GMC”) which launched on May 1, 2022. 
“It is more than a shame that Bishop Carter has chosen not to negotiate with churches who desire to depart. He has repeatedly expressed his support for the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation (‘the Protocol’), which he helped to negotiate and signed. This proposed legislation would have allowed for an amicable separation of the UMC. Yet Carter insists on forcing churches to exit by an onerous and expensive process that many, perhaps most churches cannot accomplish. These churches are merely asking for an exit that is “in the spirit of the Protocol” which is a phrase the bishop frequently uses,” said Jeremy Rebman, President of the WCA – Florida. 

Rebman went on to say, “General Conference 2020 was postponed for the third time, this time to 2024. Also, in a recent statement by 1/3 of the signers of the Protocol, those signers renounced their commitment to support the passage of the Protocol. This means that traditional churches have lost their long-awaited avenue to peacefully exit the UMC. Additionally, the continued disobedience to and selective enforcement of our denominational covenant contained in the Book of Discipline by denominational leaders, and the continual degrading of traditional Methodists within the Conference, leave traditional churches no other option if they want to live out and contend for their orthodox faith — they sadly must leave the denomination.” 

Rebman is asking for your prayers as this legal process proceeds over the next few weeks. “We pray for the softening of hearts within the leadership of the Florida Conference. We pray that they will bless traditional Florida churches by allowing them to depart amicably, without paying exorbitant amounts of money that would all but collapse most churches. This was what the Protocol called for; this is what Bishop Carter signed onto when signing the Protocol. This is what we pray will result from the legal action taken today. Let us go!” 

The Wesleyan Covenant Association (“WCA”) is a global connection of local churches, laity, clergy, including regional chapters that seeks to partner with like-minded orthodox Christians who hold to Wesleyan theology and seek to build a new Global Methodist Church.

One Hundred and Six Churches File Suit Against the Florida Annual Conference for Egregiously Breaching their Fiduciary Duties | July 14, 2022

[The National Center for Life and Liberty] 

[CLEARWATER, FL, JULY 2022] — One hundred and six United Methodist churches filed suit in Bradford County in the State of Florida today against the Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. The lead plaintiff is Grace United Methodist Church in Lawtey, Florida, founded in 1822 as a Methodist Episcopal church.

Grace United Methodist Church has been told that they cannot leave the United Methodist Church unless they pay the Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church a lump sum amount representing the current and future liabilities of the Florida Annual Conference. Grace United Methodist Church’s members, like so many of the other plaintiffs’ members, have paid for and have maintained these church properties through funds raised in their local churches.

The lawsuit alleges that the “Council of Bishops and [Bishop Kenneth Carter] . . . [refuse] to "to abide by and enforce the doctrinal positions in the Book of Discipline, effectively shifting the theology in the practice of The UMC despite the Book of Discipline explicitly rejecting the doctrinal positions it encourages and allows." 

Attorney David Gibbs III, lead attorney for the churches, stated, "I am appalled at the behavior of the Florida Annual Conference and their complete indifference to the harm that they are inflicting on these churches and their disregard for Florida law. We are confident that a Florida jury will remove the Conference's hold on these churches' properties, releasing them from this oppression.”

The lawsuit alleges that the “[Florida] Annual Conference has taken the position that it is entitled to keep [Grace United Methodist Church’s] Property—which was owned and paid for . . . long before The UMC and the Annual Conference ever existed—unless Grace . . . pays a substantial payment of money as unilaterally determined by the Annual Conference Defendants.”

The churches tried to settle this matter with the Florida Annual Conference. Speaking for the Annual Conference and Bishop, the Chancellor categorically refused any pre-suit negotiations forcing the plaintiffs to seek relief from the court. The churches believe the court will invalidate the trust clause releasing their properties due to the fact that the Florida Annual Conference, Bishop Carter, and Treasurer Craig Smelser are egregiously breaching their fiduciary duties.