Comparison of proposals to General Conference 2020
The upcoming General Conference made national headlines this month when the Council of Bishops shared a press release regarding a proposed plan of separation for the United Methodist Church.
Although several news media outlets reported the story as if the proposal was conclusive, the proposed protocol is far from being finalized. If delegates do vote to consider the protocol, it will be one of many plans brought before General Conference delegates in May.
Ask the UMC and UM News developed the following summary to compare reorganization proposals that were submitted by Sept. 18, 2019, the deadline for consideration.
Plans are listed in alphabetical order, and plans from individuals were not included in the comparison. All plans will be open to amendments during General Conference and may be subject to Judicial Council review.
For details, visit www.resourceumc.org/en/content/gc2020-proposed-plans.
“NEW DENOMINATIONS” (INDIANAPOLIS PLAN)
PLAN DOCUMENTS |
|
NUMBER OF DENOMINATIONS |
• 2-3 or more global denominations - traditionalist and centrist/progressive |
WHO DECIDES WHAT |
• Annual conferences, central conferences, clergy and bishops choose to join any new denomination. |
REQUIREMENTS |
• Sets interim exemption from LGBTQ prohibitions for Centrist conferences, churches and clergy. |
FINANCES/ASSET DIVISION |
• Continuation of clergy pensions through each new denomination. |
STRUCTURE |
• All denominations develop their own structures, polity and governance. |
TIMELINE |
• Effective at the close of General Conference 2020. |
“NEW EXPRESSIONS WORLDWIDE”
PLAN DOCUMENTS |
|
NUMBER OF DENOMINATIONS |
• 4 global denominations - traditionalist, moderate, progressive and liberationist • The UMC dissolves. |
WHO DECIDES WHAT |
• A transitional council develops a plan of separation. |
REQUIREMENTS |
• Establishes an immediate moratorium on charges, complaints and trials related to LGBTQ prohibitions. |
FINANCES/ASSET DIVISION |
• General church assets divided equitably. |
STRUCTURE |
• New denominations determine their own policies, structure and processes. • General agencies become independent 501(c)3 organizations. |
TIMELINE |
• Effective at the close of General Conference 2020. |
“NEXT GENERATION UMC”
PLAN DOCUMENTS |
|
NUMBER OF DENOMINATIONS |
• 1 or more - The UMC remains intact with options for new Methodist denominations that continue in relationship with the UMC. |
WHO DECIDES WHAT |
• Congregations, clergy and conferences determine affiliations. |
REQUIREMENTS |
• Removes LGBTQ prohibitions and Traditional Plan additions. |
FINANCES/ASSET DIVISION |
• General Conference includes grant funding for new denominations in relationship with The UMC in the 2021-2024 budget. |
STRUCTURE |
• Creates a U.S. regional conference and a U.S. Regional Committee of the General Conference. • A special commission proposes a new constitution and governance structures. |
TIMELINE |
• Aug. 1, 2020 - Commission on a 21st Century Church begins work. • Fall 2023 - Special General Conference meets. |
“U.S. REGIONAL CONFERENCE”
PLAN DOCUMENTS |
|
NUMBER OF DENOMINATIONS |
• The UMC remains intact. |
WHO DECIDES WHAT |
• Until a U.S. regional conference is formed, an interim committee of the General Conference handles U.S. matters. |
REQUIREMENTS |
• Requires constitutional amendments (2/3 majority vote by General Conference and annual conference members). |
FINANCES/ASSET DIVISION |
• N/A |
STRUCTURE |
• N/A |
TIMELINE |
• 2021-2024 - Interim committee plans a new U.S. Regional Conference. • 2024 - New U.S. Regional Conference convenes. |