GENERAL CONFERENCE 2020 BRIEFING SUMMARY OF PRESENTATION
INTRODUCTION TO GENERAL CONFERENCE PRINCIPLES OF THE PROTOCOL SUMMARY TIMELINE PROCESS FOR FORMING A NEW METHODIST DENOMINATION PROCESS FOR ENTITIES SEPARATING TO JOIN A NEW METHODIST DENOMINATION PENSIONS FINANCIAL SEPARATION MORATORIUM PROMISE OF ARTICLE VI General Conference is comprised equally of clergy and lay delegates from around the world. The Book of Discipline states the body should consist of between 600 and 1,000 delegates with those apportioned by membership. In 2020, 862 delegates, elected by annual conferences, will be seated. Some 7,000 people will be involved in an enterprises that is fueled by volunteers. Since membership is increasing outside the United States, the number of international delegates is growing, while the number of U.S. delegates is decreasing. In 2020, 44 percent of delegates are outside the U.S., compared to 16 percent in 2000. EVERY PETITION MUST BE ACTED UPON
Primary source of legislation are petitions and proposals from churches, agencies and organizations. About 1,000 petitions are submitted every four years for consideration. Each petition may only address changes to one paragraph in The Book of Discipline. Petitions must be submitted 210 days prior to General Conference. Annual Conferences may submit petitions up to 45 days prior to General Conference EVERY PETITION MUST BE ACTED UPON
All valid petitions are required to receive a vote in legislative committee and all petitions approved by a legislative committee are to receive a vote in the plenary session. Concurrence – means Committee recommends approval Concurrence with amendment – means Committee recommends approval with changes Non-concurrence – means Committee does not recommend approval COMMITTEES Legislation is assigned to one of 14 committees which meet the first week to perfect legislation
Church and Society 1 – resolutions relating to General Board of Church & Society, except ¶161, 162 and 165
Church and Society 2 – petitions and resolutions related to ¶161 and 162
Church and Society 3 – petitions and resolutions related to ¶165
Conferences
Discipleship – petitions dealing with work of Discipleship Ministries
Faith and Order – Doctrinal Standards, Theological Task, Ministry for All Christians, Ordination and Membership COMMITTEES
Financial Administration – GCFA, Wespath and the Publishing House General Administration – Connectional Table Global Ministries – General Board of Global Ministries Higher Education/Superintendency – Board of Higher Education, Council of Bishops Office of Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns Independent Commissions Judicial Administration Local Church Ordained Ministry
THE MEDIATION TEAM
Bishop Yambusu and Central Conference bishops called the group together in July 2019 in Chicago
U.S. Bishops
Members of Central Conferences
Progressives, Traditionalists, Centrists representing a variety of groups in the UMC
No budget. All volunteer. No authority KENNETH FEINBERG
Deepwater Horizon, 9-11 Fund, TARP, Boeing, GM, Volkswagen, Hokie Spirit Fund Pro bono services – six days of mediation along with meetings between sessions COMMITMENT TO THE PROTOCOL
Groups will no longer support the plans they created Some separation is assumed Mediation Team will develop legislation to offer the 2020 General Conference Group will use best efforts to encourage all parties/groups to vote for Protocol legislation Those who choose to separate agree to bring no claims for additional assets of the UMC in the future OPPORTUNITY FOR THE UMC
A clear and hope-filled process that enables the UMC to continue while honoring and respecting those who separate
Enter a period of innovation, reform and renewal
Envision how we deliver general church ministry in the 21st century with an emphasis on evangelism OPPORTUNITY FOR THE UMC
Reform structures, systems and policies that perpetuate systemic discrimination in The UMC and offer ways to amplify historically marginalized voices
Grow the church – Expand our global witness in the world PRINCIPLES OF PROTOCOL LEGISLATION
Separation through creating New Methodist Denominations The United Methodist Church Remains intact and Boards and Agencies remain in place Continues as a global church Remains a “big tent” PRINCIPLES OF PROTOCOL LEGISLATION
Legislation boundaries are pre-separation UMC Did not want to impose rules on the New Denominations Did not want those separating to make decisions for the UMC Impact is that the Protocol legislation addresses only Articles III-V of the Protocol – processes and timelines for implementation; financial agreement terms and a moratorium by which complaints concerning human sexuality and same-sex weddings are held in abeyance beginning Jan. 1, 2020 through the adjournment of the first conference of the post-separation United Methodist Church LEGISLATIVE BOUNDARIES
Pre-Separation UMC Post-Separation UMC
Agreement to separate Regionalization
Creation of criteria for new Removal of language/repeal of the denominations Traditional Plan st Financial agreement Commission for 21 Century Church Moratorium TO REMAIN UNITED METHODIST
No votes are required by an Annual Conference No local church required to vote unless the local church is a part of an Annual Conference that votes to separate and it wants to remain; or the Annual Conference chooses to remain and the local church wishes to separate TO FORM/JOIN NEW METHODIST DENOMINATION
Annual Conference must vote to separate with a vote of 57 percent or higher
New Methodist Denomination Must let the secretary of the Council of Bishops know of its intent to form by May 16, 2021 Must meet requirements for conditional qualification which allows it to “advertise” Must meet requirements for qualification before churches or conferences can affiliate KEY DATES – NEW METHODIST DENOMINATION
May 15, 2020 – Adjournment of General Conference. All provisions go into effect. Jan. 1, 2021 – Any New Methodist Denominations that have already been legally constituted may begin to function KEY DATES – NEW METHODIST DENOMINATION
Jan. 1, 2021 – Apportionments are set by and paid to, any New Methodist Denomination for those churches who have decided to align with it, unless the separation date is later May 15, 2021 – Deadline for registering intent to form New Methodist Denomination FORMING A NEW METHODIST DENOMINATION
Two Step Process Step 1 – Meet criteria for Conditional Qualification Step 2 – Complete Qualification STEP 1 – CONDITIONAL QUALIFICATION
Register intent with the Secretary of the Council of Bishops
Propose a distinct legal existence
Propose to follow doctrinal standards
Propose a definite and distinct ecclesiastical governance structure
Written expressions of intent from 100 United Methodist churches STEP 2 -- QUALIFICATION
Have a distinct legal existence Follow doctrinal standards Have a definite and distinct ecclesiastical governance structure Have 100 United Methodist churches that have voted to affiliate NEW METHODIST DENOMINATIONS
Pension liabilities Determination of whether the New Methodist Denomination is able to assume pension liabilities – if they are able, pension liabilities transfer to the New Methodist Denomination and stay with the church -- ¶2556.8c If not, then churches and Annual Conferences must pay it to Wespath with liens being attached until it is paid -- ¶2556.8c(4) Annual Conferences and local churches must relinquish all ecumenical relationships with other denominations NEW METHODIST DENOMINATIONS
Persons serving on Boards and Agencies and other United Methodist leadership roles must resign immediately upon their annual conference or local church voting to move to a New Methodist Denomination unless they move to a church that will remain in The United Methodist Church KEY DATES -- VOTING
July 1, 2021 – Deadline for annual conferences in the United States to vote to align with a New Methodist Denomination
Dec. 31, 2021 – Deadline for central conferences to vote to align with a New Methodist Denomination KEY DATES -- VOTING
July 1, 2022 – Deadline for annual conferences outside the United States to vote to align with a different Methodist denomination from that of their central conference
Dec. 31, 2024 – Deadline for local churches to vote to align with a different Methodist denomination than their annual conference or to disaffiliate VOTING
Central Conferences do not have to vote to remain in the United Methodist Church – 2/3 vote to form/join a New Methodist Denomination
Annual Conferences do not have to vote to remain in The United Methodist Church 20 percent of members to Annual Conference present and voting desiring a vote 57 percent must vote to join or form a New Methodist Denomination for the Annual Conference to separate VOTING
Local churches that disagree with the position of their Annual Conference may vote. The voting threshold to join a New Methodist Denomination will either be 50 percent plus 1, or 2/3 as established by the local church. KEY DATES -- TRANSITION
July 1, 2021 – Deadline for bishops to notify their authorities of a desire to align with a New Methodist Denomination
July 1, 2021 – Deadline for clergy in the U.S. to notify their bishop and other authorities of a desire to align with a different Methodist denomination than that of their annual conference KEY DATES -- TRANSITION
July 1, 2021 – Deadline for annual conferences in the U.S. to vote to align with a New Methodist Denomination
Dec. 31, 2021 – Deadline for central conferences to vote to align with a New Methodist Denomination KEY DATES -- TRANSITION
July 1, 2022 – Deadline for annual conferences outside the U.S. to vote to align with a different Methodist denomination from that of their central conference.
Dec. 31, 2024 – Deadline for local churches to vote to align with a different Methodist denomination than their annual conference or to disaffiliate
June 30, 2026 – Deadline for the completion of all local church separation agreements TRANSITIONAL OPERATION
Central Conferences, Annual Conference, or local churches that vote to separate will remain a part of The United Methodist Church until Jan. 1, 2021 or until their Separation Date (identified in their Separation Agreement), whichever is later. Six-month grace period for those separating to remove UM signage, etc. Separation Agreement provides releases and indemnities are effective as of the separation date TRANSITIONAL OPERATION
Clergy and lay members in Annual Conference or local churches that vote to separate shall resign positions on Boards and Agencies and their roles as Annual, Jurisdictional and General Conference delegates immediately upon the vote being recorded unless they move their membership to another church that is staying in The United Methodist Church. TRANSITIONAL OPERATION
Clergy wishing to cease their membership in the UMC to join a New Methodist Denomination Notify their DS, their bishop and the leadership of the New Methodist Denomination they wish to join They must then transfer to an Annual Conference joining that New Methodist Denomination TRANSITIONAL OPERATION
Clergy may serve in transitional appointments in a denomination other than the one they are joining through the transition period
Files will be moved to the New Methodist Denomination upon the written request of the clergy member who is transferring TRANSITIONAL OPERATION
Candidates for ministry – it is recommended that candidates who are in process be allowed to transfer to a similar point in the process for New Methodist Denominations Bishops remain in The United Methodist Church unless they notify the President of the Council of Bishops and the leadership of the New Methodist Denomination of their intent to join a New Methodist Denomination KEY DATES – FINANCIAL SEPARATION
Jan. 1, 2021 – Apportionments are set by, and paid to, any New Methodist Denomination for those churches who have decided to align with it, unless the separation date is later May 16, 2021 – Earliest date financial payment can be made to a New Methodist Denomination FINANCIAL ITEMS
Applies to central conferences, annual conferences and local churches that have chosen to separate from The United Methodist Church and join or form a New Methodist Denomination General Central conference and annual conferences maintain property, assets and liabilities Local churches maintain property, assets and liabilities FINANCIAL ITEMS
Separation Agreements Central conferences and annual conferences must enter into a separation agreement with GCFA that documents the legal separation Covers all of the local churches that will separate with the annual conference New Methodist Denomination is a party to the Separation Agreement SEPARATION PROCESS FOR LOCAL CHURCHES
Local churches that vote to separate and join or form a New Methodist Denomination that are in an annual conference that is remaining in The United Methodist Church: Retains all of its property, assets and liabilities Expected to meet pre-separation obligations (apportionments, direct-billed benefits, etc.) through its separation date Must enter a separation agreement between the annual conference of The UMC and the New Methodist Denomination No annual conference approval required Local church responsible for pension liability – whether paid or transferred SEPARATION PROCESS FOR LOCAL CHURCHES
Local church responsible for debts owed the annual conference Must have indemnification insurance Agreement must identify the separation date SEPARATION PROCESS FOR LOCAL CHURCHES
Local churches disaffiliating but not joining a New Methodist Denomination: Terms are established by the Annual Conference Board of Trustees Payment of prior year’s apportionments plus one more year Responsible for the pension withdrawal penalty Retain property FINANCIAL ITEMS
Employee benefits
New Methodist Denomination able to sponsor a spun off portion of the Clergy Retirement Security Program
New Methodist Denomination able to sponsor the voluntary employee benefits program FINANCIAL ITEMS
Central Conference Employee Benefits – determined by the central conference Pension Withdrawal Liability – transfers with the church to the New Methodist Denomination Council of Bishops may enter Ecumenical Agreements with New Methodist Denominations FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR NEW METHODIST DENOMINATIONS
$27 million over 4 years $25 million – Traditionalist New Methodist Denominations $2 million – other New Methodist Denominations GCFA responsible for making payments FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR NEW METHODIST DENOMINATIONS
No payments before May 16, 2021, when all New Denominations have registered with the Secretary of the Council of Bishops
$39 million over eight years to those marginalized by the sin of racism in the United States and colonialism MORATORIUM
Moratorium on administrative and judicial processes related to LGBTQ matters No new complains will be processed and no time limits will be assessed Complaints that are in process will be suspended and held in abeyance Moratorium remains in place until the first General Conference after separation is completed ARTICLE VI OF THE PROTOCOL
Article VI of the Protocol contained a list of action items for General Conference 2020 that included: Declaratory decision regarding constitutionality of the Protocol legislation Report from GCFA related to financial impacts of the Protocol Time on the agenda for the Protocol ARTICLE VI OF THE PROTOCOL
Provide meeting space for those interested in creating other expressions of a Methodist denomination Call first General Conference of the Post Separation UMC Call first session of the United States Regional Conference (should Connectional Table proposal pass) ARTICLE VI OF THE PROTOCOL
The goal with Article VI was to address establishing a regional governance structure and removal of Traditional Plan language as well as other references to LGBTQ and same sex marriage. The path identified for doing that in the Protocol was not well-thought out. The legislation needed to establish a regional governance structure, repeal the Traditional Plan, remove the harmful language and kick off the reform of The United Methodist Church is already before the General Conference should delegates wish to pursue it prior to separation IMPACT ON THE LOCAL CHURCH
Pastors still have the authority for whom he/she will marry
Local churches will still have the authority over the use of its church buildings
Conference Boards of Ministry retain the authority to evaluate the gifts and graces of candidates for ministry WORLDWIDE & CONTEXTUAL U.S. Regional Conference What is a regional conference?
The U.S. Regional Conference THE TABLE CONNECTIONAL will comprise the current U.S. jurisdictions and the geographical boundaries congruent with the territory of U.S. annual conferences. It will not change the role and authority of U.S. jurisdictional conferences, including the election of bishops. What is the goal?
The goal is to ease the burden THE TABLE CONNECTIONAL of U.S. legislation on General Conference and give U.S. churches parity with those in central conferences.
Having a USRC will reduce the amount of time spent on U.S.- centric issues at General Conference. • General Conference Petitions – Many pertain largely or exclusively to UMC in the U.S. • U.S. Church Why Needed? – No venue other than General Conference for U.S.-specific legislation • Clergy benefit plans incorporated by reference into Discipline • Plan amendments by General Conference Important for U.S. clergy plans are designed for… U.S. Clergy Benefit Plans Examples of U.S.-Focused Petitions from 2016 Some U.S.-Focused Book of Resolutions Examples A Changing Church Efficiency Because the U.S. church has no venue other than the General Conference to handle legislation, U.S.-specific petitions dominate GC time.
Consistency This work is consistent with the work on the General Book of About a U.S. Discipline, and creating a U.S. regional conference will allow Regional the U.S. to work on adaptable portions. Fairness U.S.-specific legislation burdens central conference Conference delegates with issues outside their purview
Preservation The USRC would NOT change the role or authority of the U.S. jurisdictional conferences. A long history...A long General Book of Discipline. of Book General a by proposedwork adaptable do the to churches forU.S. way finda to 2013 on Matters since Conference Central Committee Standing the with working TableConnectional The been has
THE CONNECTIONAL TABLE A collaborativeA process... conferences and and as wellconferencesthe as:U.S., groupsand from central individuals with conversations in engaging by proposal the vetting thoroughly We spent the last quadrennium . . . . . Conference Generalthe on Commission Bishops of Council Counsel Legal DCM’s Wespath
THE CONNECTIONAL TABLE Creating a U.S. Regional Conference—2 STAGES • Create a committee of the General Conference called the U.S. Regional Committee. Stage I • Function as both a contingency and an interim THE TABLE CONNECTIONAL plan.
The formation • U.S. Regional Committee of a U.S. would comprise all the GC Regional delegates elected by the Committee annual conferences in the U.S. and one clergy and one lay from each central conference. • This committee would have legislative function and could consider all petitions pertaining to the operation, governance, witness, Stage I and ministry of The United Methodist Church in the United
States that are adaptable according THE TABLE CONNECTIONAL to ¶¶ 101 and 543.7.
• The committee would process The formation legislation that is U.S. Region – of a U.S. Adaptable in nature. The Regional Committee would not develop any new legislation. All legislation Committee approved by the Committee would also need to be approved by the General Conference plenary. • Create and organize a U.S. Regional Conference to convene following the GC2024. Stage II • Again, the U.S. Regional
Conference would include the THE TABLE CONNECTIONAL U.S. jurisdictions, which would continue with the same The formation jurisdictional powers and duties of a U.S. and the same geographic Regional configurations. Conference (USRC) • Requires constitutional amendments. • It is important to note that, if the U.S. Regional Conference legislation is Stage II passed and the constitutional amendments
ratified by annual THE TABLE CONNECTIONAL conferences, the U.S. Regional Committee would The formation be interim and might never of a U.S. need to convene. Regional Conference • If the U.S. Regional (USRC) Committee does convene, it would cease its work at the formation of the U.S. Regional Conference. Other Proposals... Other • • governance. governance. some sort of envisionsregional Protocol,Protocol the though the like proposals other upon dependent not is legislation The restructuringthe church. The CTfor a plan not is legislation
THE CONNECTIONAL TABLE SOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION
The Protocol – www.gracethroughseparation.com New Denominations of United Methodism (The Indianapolis Plan) – http://indyplanumc.org New Generation UMC (UMC Next) – https://umcnext.com/legislation New Expressions Worldwide (UM Forward) – https://um-forward.org/the-new- plan SOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION
Christmas Covenant (Philippines) -- https://www.umnews.org/-/media/umc- media/2019/12/19/20/51/christmas-covenant-document.ashx
U.S. Regional Conference (Connectional Table) -- https://bit.ly/usrclegislation
Comparison Chart of the various plans -- https://cdnsc.umc.org/-/media/umc- media/2020/01/09/19/07/General-Conference-UMC-Plans-Chart-V6
YOUR HOMEWORK
Surround the General Conference, our delegates, our Bishop, our leaders, your pastor, your church, and our Conference in prayer. Include Bishop Beard and our delegation in your weekly public prayers. Consider organizing or joining in a prayer vigil during General Conference. Participate in the Upper Room’s 40 Days of Prayer for General Conference (www.umcprays.org). YOUR HOMEWORK
Invite one of our elected delegates to discuss the proposed legislation and its possible impacts. Our delegates can be found at: www.igrc.org/delegation . A good summary chart of the possible plans of reorganization or separation can be found at: https://cdnsc.umc.org/-/media/umc- media/2020/01/09/19/07/General-Conference-UMC-Plans-Chart-V6 YOUR HOMEWORK
Get information from trusted and capable news sources. Be aware that sometimes groups will provide information that is meant more to persuade than inform, so always be prepared to check claims and assertions. Additionally, many non-church sources do not fully understand the complex and democratic nature of our denomination’s decision making, so be aware that they may make inaccurate assumptions. A good source is United Methodist News (www.umnews.org) or the Official Website for General Conference (www.resourceumc.org/en/churchwide/general-conference-2020). Additionally, check for updates through our Illinois Great Rivers Conference Current and website (www.igrc.org/news). YOUR HOMEWORK
Help your congregation get ready by equipping leaders with the tools to have difficult and courageous conversations. We don’t always discuss controversial topics in church, especially when we know that we have differing perspectives. Having these conversations will take trust and preparation. Scott Hughes has provided some helpful resources on courageous conversations at: (www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/helping-your-congregation-get-ready-for- general-conference). Additionally Kaleidoscope Institute has a helpful guide to creating respectful communications (www.kscopeinstitute.org/free-resources). YOUR HOMEWORK
Remember that only General Conference can change our denominational structure or Book of Discipline and that no changes will be in effect until the dates set for implementation by General Conference itself. Our current Book of Discipline’s polity is still active and authoritative. YOUR HOMEWORK
Finally, manage your own anxiety. No matter what decisions are reached, the church will still be striving to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The good news of God’s love in Jesus Christ will not change even if the denominational organization does.