Disaffiliation Discernment

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to God, and your paths will be straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

The Council of Bishops during its August meeting affirmed best practices for disaffiliation. The practices focus on the terms of disaffiliation, clergy leaving the denomination, and a discernment process. You will note that the best practices are for U.S. conferences because the newly added paragraph 2553 was added to The Book of Discipline as part of the traditionalist plan to address the disagreement in the U.S. about ministry with and by LGBTQ persons. The new paragraph is only in effect until December of 2023 and suspends the trust clause so that churches upon making payments may leave with their property. You may read the best Council of Bishop’s best practices and about disaffiliation here.

After the news of the postponed General Conference, Bishop John Schol wrote a series of letters to United Methodists of Greater New Jersey calling them to a time of engagement with the work of God and discernment about what is next. On this page you will find:

• Bishop Schol’s 3 letters to GNJ congregations
  • Letter 1 – Clarification why some congregations may disaffiliate| Spanish | Korean
  • Letter 2 – United Methodist values and beliefs for our present and future| Spanish | Korean
  • Letter 3 – The seven steps to follow for disaffiliation| Spanish | Korean
• Cabinet Covenant on The Way Forward 

Resources to assist congregations about understanding disaffiliation steps, requirements and church law.

• A discernment process – the process, steps and answers to your questions about disaffiliation
• Board of Trustees term sheet – the outline of the terms, payments and requirements for disaffiliation to be completed before a congregation may disaffiliate
• FAQ about Disaffiliation from the UMC and GNJ
• Paragraph 2553 of The Book of Discipline which gives permission for congregations to disaffiliate
• Judicial Council Rulings regarding disaffiliation

• Frequently Asked Questions can be reviewed and submitted here.
• Las preguntas frecuentes (FAQ, por sus siglas en inglés) se pueden revisar y enviar aquí.