What is Happening Now?
•New denomination – Global Methodist Church (GMC)
•Some churches are disaffiliating from United Methodist Church (UMC) to join the GMC
•Some churches are disaffiliating from UMC and joining other denominations, non-GMC and non-Methodist
•Some churches have decided they will remain UMC
•Some churches are still deciding what they will do
•The Texas Annual Conference has established Future Determination Task Force (FDTF), to help churches and ministers through the process
•Some churches are disaffiliating from United Methodist Church (UMC) to join the GMC
•Some churches are disaffiliating from UMC and joining other denominations, non-GMC and non-Methodist
•Some churches have decided they will remain UMC
•Some churches are still deciding what they will do
•The Texas Annual Conference has established Future Determination Task Force (FDTF), to help churches and ministers through the process
How Did We Get Here?
•UMC was founded in 1968 and has a rigorous process for doctrine
•The 1972 General Conference adopted Social Principles restricting support for homosexuality – in practice this has three elements:
•UMC pastor cannot officiate same-gender wedding
•UMC church cannot host same-gender wedding
•Non-celibate homosexual cannot be ordained or practice ministry
•Since then, efforts to remove these restrictions have been raised at every General Conference – and have failed by a 60/40 margin
•Some congregations and regions support greater inclusion regardless of these restrictions and have openly disregarded
•UMC will have a General Conference in 2024, and churches that remain UMC will apply the same rigorous approach to doctrine, when deciding any changes
•GMC is a brand-new denomination and will have to establish a similar process for doctrine and administration; what they say so far:
•They will be traditional and not progressive, on the social issue of homosexuality
•They want to reduce & enforce apportionments (funding of denomination by churches)
•There are also planned governance differences for the assignment of clergy, the terms of bishops, and the ownership of church property
•The 1972 General Conference adopted Social Principles restricting support for homosexuality – in practice this has three elements:
•UMC pastor cannot officiate same-gender wedding
•UMC church cannot host same-gender wedding
•Non-celibate homosexual cannot be ordained or practice ministry
•Since then, efforts to remove these restrictions have been raised at every General Conference – and have failed by a 60/40 margin
•Some congregations and regions support greater inclusion regardless of these restrictions and have openly disregarded
•UMC will have a General Conference in 2024, and churches that remain UMC will apply the same rigorous approach to doctrine, when deciding any changes
•GMC is a brand-new denomination and will have to establish a similar process for doctrine and administration; what they say so far:
•They will be traditional and not progressive, on the social issue of homosexuality
•They want to reduce & enforce apportionments (funding of denomination by churches)
•There are also planned governance differences for the assignment of clergy, the terms of bishops, and the ownership of church property
Why Does it Matter to Me and Us?
•At Westminster, our mission is to Love God, Make Friends, and Serve Others
•Love God: we need to inform ourselves, prayerfully consider, deepen our faith as we continue to spread God’s love to all in our community
•Make Friends: we need to be respectful and deliberate – parish members will have varying thoughts and concerns as we consider
•Serve Others: recognize that we should avoid impact to our community focus from this internally-focused decision; we are called to model Jesus to the world, and this could become a distraction
•Love God: we need to inform ourselves, prayerfully consider, deepen our faith as we continue to spread God’s love to all in our community
•Make Friends: we need to be respectful and deliberate – parish members will have varying thoughts and concerns as we consider
•Serve Others: recognize that we should avoid impact to our community focus from this internally-focused decision; we are called to model Jesus to the world, and this could become a distraction
What's Next? How Can I Learn More?
•Mitch Vervoort and Paul Fangman: to ask questions or share input
•Pastor Meredith: confidential questions or input, ministerial advice
We will continue to gather input between now and the meeting of the Texas Annual Conference in May 2023
For those interested in more information, please visit txcumc.org/FDTF and watch the three short videos below:
•United Methodist Church - https://youtu.be/W8hSY7N9-WQ
•Global Methodist Church - https://youtu.be/W8hSY7N9-WQ
•Other Affiliation Options - https://youtu.be/W8hSY7N9-WQ
Each is 5 minutes or less, minimal time investment and represents a good summary
•Pastor Meredith: confidential questions or input, ministerial advice
We will continue to gather input between now and the meeting of the Texas Annual Conference in May 2023
For those interested in more information, please visit txcumc.org/FDTF and watch the three short videos below:
•United Methodist Church - https://youtu.be/W8hSY7N9-WQ
•Global Methodist Church - https://youtu.be/W8hSY7N9-WQ
•Other Affiliation Options - https://youtu.be/W8hSY7N9-WQ
Each is 5 minutes or less, minimal time investment and represents a good summary