Many United Methodist churches are asking “What is all this talk about disaffiliation?” The question is asked because of actions at the United Methodist Church General Conference called Special Session in February 2019. The General Conference passed legislation (known as ¶ 2553) allowing congregations to “disaffiliate” from the United Methodist Church if the congregation was in disagreement with the Church’s stance on homosexuality. Though the UMC’s official positions on the ordination of homosexual clergy and same-sex marriage remain unchanged, the paragraph has been broadly interpreted to allow congregations who do not currently disagree with the Church’s position to depart because some areas of the Church have ignored the Church’s official position and have ordained homosexual clergy, consecrated homosexual bishops and allowed same-sex marriage in UM congregations.
Many UM congregations have already utilized ¶ 2553 to disaffiliate. Others are asking for more information. The purpose of these brochures is to provide basic information to those congregations who have reached out to the Evangelical Methodist Church with questions concerning UM disaffiliation. We are not experts on United Methodist polity, but in an effort to minister to questioning congregations, we provide this basic information to aid local congregations in their discernment.
Click here to view a brochure designed as a guide for churches desiring UMC DISAFFILIATION
Click here for answers to some FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about the EMC