This form is a sample letter in Word format covering the subject matter of the title of the form.
This form is a sample letter in Word format covering the subject matter of the title of the form.
As far as the UMC hierarchy is concerned, disaffiliation is over. If you are UMC, you've been told to take it or leave it. In a few USA Annual Conferences, Bishops have announced that they will propose an exit path for churches in their area at the upcoming Annual Conference Session.
Book of Discipline: ¶215. Definition of Membership. Definition of Membership—The membership of a local United Methodist church shall include all people who have been baptized and all people who have professed their faith.
Factions within the denominations split over disagreements in theology, namely, how the church considers LGBTQ+ ministers and congregants. In Oklahoma, where the United Methodist Church was one of the most practiced beliefs in the state, more than 120 congregations voted to leave the church.
Churches that wish to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church should submit a letter requesting disaffiliation signed by 2-3 church officers to their District Superintendent (i.e., trustees, church council chair, finance, S/PPRC, etc.)
Going forward, churches will still be able to leave The United Methodist Church, just as they have through the years. Alternative exit pathways remain in the Book of Discipline, and annual conferences are actively using them.
A simple majority of Annual Conference members present, and voting is required to affirm disaffiliation. If the Annual Conference does not affirm the disaffiliation, the churches remain United Methodist.
A bishop has the remarkable authority to remove any pastor from an appointment. While ordained elders cannot be removed from ministry without due process, there are unofficially any number of “punitive appointments” available in an annual conference.
The United Methodist Church, with an estimated 10.4 million members, has current policies that are strongly against the LGBTQ+ community. However, many church leaders, including local pastors, welcome gays and s as church members and support their basic human rights.