Disaffiliation Update January 12, 2020 Eric Hilton - Chair Gail - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Disaffiliation Update January 12, 2020 Eric Hilton - Chair Gail Aderhold Lee Penry Sue Fitzgerald Bo Sink Lee Koontz Agenda Background / Summary Common questions that have been proposed Proposed Separation Protocol in the
Eric Hilton - Chair Gail Aderhold Lee Penry Sue Fitzgerald Bo Sink Lee Koontz
❑ Background / Summary ❑ Common questions that have been proposed ❑ Proposed “Separation Protocol” in the media Jan 3, 2020 ▪ Questions? ❑ Proposed organizational structure for Mt. Pleasant ▪ Questions? ❑ Voting procedures January 19, 2020 ▪ Questions?
Scriptures as the authority over man’s beliefs and actions, Mt. Pleasant has petitioned the denomination to disaffiliate from them under paragraph 2552 of the Book of Discipline.
however accountability for un-biblical teaching and behavior was not put in place for Bishops who refuse to honor God’s word and the Discipline that they profess to uphold.
for UMC leaders, Mt. Pleasant has requested to leave the denomination and become an Independent church.
*$23,812 annually or $47,624 total (lump sum payment)
*includes apportionments, pension liability, legal fees, property transfers, etc.
disaffiliating to secure refinancing
steps of refinancing
all property and financial assets
it is not involved in our disaffiliation
allow Pastor Chris and his family to live there.
the legal lease contained in the UMC Discipline
the church agree that his ministry is fruitful and this is his calling
UMC will remain his
replace his current plan through the UMC
under a new lease agreement
▪ January 19th vote to petition Annual Conference to allow us to leave ▪ Petition Annual Conference to disaffiliate due by April 1 ▪ MTP submits application to the NC Secretary of State to form a new 501(c)3 non-profit religious organization. ✔ Approval period can take 3 - 6 months ▪ Discuss and approve the new organizational structure, and create an interim leadership group ▪ Loan refinance will proceed when the new legal entity is in existence ▪ June 2020 – Annual Conference meets and grants petition. Conference Trustees issue Disaffiliation Agreement and establish disaffiliation date
▪ Late summer 2020, MTP fulfills terms of Disaffiliation Agreement ▪ The following must occur before Conference will finalize disaffiliation: ✔ Loan refinance, deed and property transfers complete ✔ All apportionment and pension obligation payments made
independent as we understand the process today
▪ A mediated proposal offering a separation of Traditional and Liberal groups in the UMC to be presented at the General Conference (05/2020) ▪ This is only a Framework for a PROPOSAL, it is nothing more.
Worldwide, UMC Next Plan; which are already fully developed ▪ The Protocol will allow “Traditionalist” churches to leave and join the new Wesleyan Covenant Association (WCA), and retain their property ▪ Provision is made to grant $2 million for the formation of “other” Methodists denominations ▪ Liberal churches would remain in the UMC and have promised to repeal the “Traditional Plan” that was passed in 2019 ▪ UMC will pay $25 million to the WCA to start the new conservative branch of the UMC
▪ You can leave and keep your property free and clear:
Methodist denomination. But if you ever leave in the future then the liberal UMC can put a lien on your property for pension funds
▪ This is a settlement:
proposed at General Conference. The Judicial Council hasn’t evaluated it and ruled that it’s legal ▪ All of the UMC leaders agree with this, Traditional and Liberal
UMC leaders were present, which represent the largest block of the
✔ There is no guarantee it will pass at General Conference ✔ Unclear how the two branches of the Methodist church will relate to each other, especially related to pension costs. The pension liability of each Annual Conference moves with that conference wherever they go. ✔ Unclear if or how money will flow between the two organizations ✔ No Book of Discipline approved by the WCA released to review ✔ Do not know what apportionments would be required with the new group ✔ No details presented in the proposal specific to the separation, and the devil is always in the details
Conference will not carry a 57% majority vote to leave
▪ Follow the process as it unfolds over the next year, final votes not until July 2021 ▪ Evaluate the WCA structure ▪ Find an annual conference ▪ Work to decide all affiliation related changes ▪ May still have to refinance loan ▪ MTP Votes to leave ▪ Entire process would take minimum of 2 up to 4 years
▪ “Dan Dalton has developed a national reputation… representing clients in the areas of land use and zoning litigation with a special focus on religious denominational splits and property disputes, representing religious institutions throughout the country in cases related to [religious land use], as well as local churches seeking to separate from their mainline denominations while retaining their property using denominational trust clauses.”
Attorney recommendation after reading the Protocol:
by the UMC is more than fair from his experience Dan Dalton Zana Tomich
independent?
✔ Yes, for the time being the leadership believes it best take advantage of the existing Disaffiliation Process and wait until the changes in the Methodist structure settle before considering any affiliation with another group ✔ This starts with our statement of beliefs:
✔ A new structure must be based on the Biblical offices of leadership and the requirements of North Carolina corporations
several things:
✔ Honor Biblical mandates for spiritual leadership ✔ Allow our church to grow and get people involved in our ministries ✔ Provide accountability for leaders ✔ Provide a balance of authority to keep any one person or small minority from controlling the church as a whole ✔ Create a structure that can survive for decades to come after we pass away
▪ Minimize change while aligning better with Biblical instruction ▪ Incorporate ideas of other successful independent churches ▪ MTP must abide by the laws of North Carolina incorporation ✔ The Administrative Council is the legal entity fulfilling this role ▪ Create more accountability of leaders to the church ▪ Request more congregational input on selection of leaders
▪ Pastor Chris is our only Elder ▪ Nominating committee elected by the Administrative Council nominates Committee chairs based on spiritual gifts and callings ▪ Slate of officers elected annually at charge conference ▪ 3 year term limits on offices ▪ All ministerial and administrative tasks handled by Administrative Council ▪ Pastor Chris is the sole gate-keeper for spiritual matters
▪ The Bible calls out two specific, separate offices in the church: ✔ Elder and Deacon
▪ The Bible also mentions spiritual gifts of administration and divides leadership into 3 groups with 3 unique areas of focus:
✔ Each of these offices have unique roles and qualifications.
▪ Congregation nominates and elects members for the elder council and administrative council. (More transparent and clearer than today) ▪ Elder council nominates Deacons and the Administrative council votes to select candidates. (Nominations committee today)
▪ Maximum term for any office is 3 years (No change from today) ▪ Mandatory 2 years off from any elected position before re-election is
▪ There is a process in the bylaws dealing with removal of any leader in the
▪ The administrative council handles all of the finance, building/grounds, legal, insurance, etc. matters (No change from today) ▪ Deacons handle the ministerial functions, children’s ministry, outreach, missions, C2, etc. (Change in name only, same roles exist today) ▪ Elders handle pastoral supervision and care, spiritual guidance, interacting with new members, mediating issues, guarding against poor teaching and theology. (This provides help for Pastor and accountability for pastoral staff)
⮚What are the roles of women in the proposed structure?
▪ Biblically, women served in all ministerial roles except the role of elder
✔ Phoebe, Mary, Martha, Mary Magdaline, Dorcas, Lydia, Priscilla, Junia, Tryphena, Tryphosa ▪ The Bible only restricts one role to men: the Elders, spiritual shepherds of the church.
▪ God created men and women with equal worth and unique roles to compliment each other, with specific God-given roles in the home and in the church ▪ Women will continue to serve in the same ministerial capacities that they serve
✔ Deacons, Administrative Council Members, Teachers, Children’s Ministers, Youth Ministers, etc. ▪ Consistent with Mt. Pleasant’s core belief of submitting to Scripture, the role of elder would be filled by men
▪
for re-election
▪ Administrative council will prepare annually and submit to the congregation for approval
▪
the legal paperwork and get the new organization established ▪ After disaffiliation, the existing leaders will automatically roll into similar roles in the new organization for at least one year to provide a stable transition ▪ Elder candidates will be nominated and approved by the congregation if they meet the criteria in Titus 1 and I Timothy 3
▪ No, the Book of Discipline regulates this process and does not allow absentee voting, “early voting” or proxy votes
▪ Any baptized, professing member can vote, regardless of age ▪ Those who have formally received membership to the church can vote
▪ This was added to allow you a statement of “belonging”, to say you want to pledge membership to the new organization
membership?
▪ Yes, there will be a simple process for you to contact the Administrative Assistant (Felecia Motsinger) to change your membership
▪
No, that is not the intent
▪
Upon disaffiliation, the entity of Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church will cease to exist
▪
All current members will need to request their membership be moved to the new organization, or to another church
▪
This is necessary so that everyone who joins affirms the new Statement of Beliefs and the Organizational Structure that they are joining
▪
Time will be allocated for this to happen
▪ Expectation is to proceed quickly ▪ District Superintendent Representative will preside over the vote ▪ Arrive in FLC, receive ballot, time of prayer and vote ▪ Votes to be tallied immediately following and present unofficial results ✔ There will not be an open forum or time of discussion at the vote`
▪ The Disaffiliation team wants to thank everyone for their support, prayers, interest and the input that you have given us. ▪ We have worked very hard to be open, honest and timely in
decisions possible. ▪ We want you to vote as the Holy Spirit leads and as God’s Word would guide.
Eric Hilton Lee Penry Gail Aderhold Bo Sink Sue Fitzgerald Lee Koontz