If a pastor is informed that a member has without notice united with a church of another denomination, the pastor shall make diligent inquiry. The Book of Discipline provides that members can be removed from the membership role if they "transfer, die or have withdrawn from membership."The ONLY way to be ENTIRELY removed from The UMC is transfer. This is grounded in our theology of baptism and membership. Hundreds of Biblebelieving churches are leaving the denomination after years of struggles over Scriptural truth and church discipline. We invite you to become a member of First United Methodist Church of San Diego (FUMCSD). Welcome to your new spiritual home! Southern Methodist University in Dallas tried to declare its independence after the church voted to ban gay weddings and clergy in 2019. Among other objections, the plaintiffs point to questions around gay marriage and LGBTQ members who wish to serve churches as clergy.