Is The UMC Splitting?
Is the UMC Splitting?
FAQ on Current Events in Our Denomination
By Rev. Scott Gilliland
You may have seen stories or heard conversations about churches choosing to disaffiliate (aka: formally cut institutional ties with) The United Methodist Church (UMC). I have chosen to write this fairly concise–and hopefully informative–FAQ to address some of the more common questions/concerns I know have been swirling around in recent months and weeks.
Is the UMC splitting?
Short answer: No. Currently, some churches and pastors are leaving the UMC. Some are choosing to be independent/non-denominational, some are joining an existing Methodist/Wesleyan denomination, and some are joining a new denomination called the “Global Methodist Church” (GMC) which officially formed on May 1, 2022. The vast majority of UMC churches/pastors/people in the US will remain in the UMC.
Why are they leaving?
That’s a complicated question, but the fair answer I can offer is this: The kind of denomination or church that they wish to belong to is different–in important structural and theological ways–from the UMC. Most of the churches/pastors leaving have cited ‘strong traditional beliefs on human sexuality’ among their reasons for exit, and they wish to belong to a church/denomination that unanimously agrees with their traditional position.
Are all churches/pastors/people with “traditional” views leaving?
No. It is important to note that since our formation in 1968, the UMC has always been a big tent denomination where progressive, traditional, and centrist believers are welcomed and respected. John Wesley famously said, “Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike?,” and the UMC lives into that Spirit. I trust we will continue this big tent vision of the church, especially in a season of polarization and division in so many areas of our lives.
Why is this happening now?
Typically, it is not easy for churches to leave the UMC and also retain their property. We have a trust clause in our church law that essentially says church properties belong to the denomination, but in 2019, delegates gathered for a special global legislative session where a law was passed that specifically allows churches to disaffiliate and retain their properties so long as they meet certain financial obligations. It’s not a permanent change to our trust clause, however, and the window for churches to use this “exit ramp” will close at the end of 2023.
How will this affect AUMC?
We will not feel the effects of this season directly. We will remain in the UMC along with the majority of churches in the North Texas Conference (our regional area, a triangle that includes Dallas, Wichita Falls, and Paris, TX). Last I heard, 10 congregations in our entire conference have entered into an official discernment process regarding disaffiliation.
At AUMC, we will continue to welcome same-gender weddings into our Sanctuary, support our clergy as they officiate ceremonies on or off-campus, and support LGBTQIA+ candidates for ordained ministry, all in accordance with our congregation’s vote in 2019.
How will this impact the UMC’s presence outside the US?
It is hard to say at this time. I am prayerful that most of our siblings in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines (the regions of the world where the UMC has an official presence) will remain in the UMC. At this time, the only conference that has officially declared an intent to disaffiliate is Romania-Bulgaria (to my knowledge).
In closing, I’m grateful that in recent years, AUMC proactively engaged in the clarifying work to know who God has called us to be. This allows us to lead non-anxiously in uncertain times, and to know what faithful work is ours to do.