Comparison of proposals to General Conference 2020

PLAN DOCUMENTS

https://indyplanumc.org/

NUMBER OF DENOMINATIONS

• 2-3 or more global denominations - traditionalist and centrist/progressive
• The UMC continues through the Centrist UMC.
• Other denominations may be formed by 50+ local churches or an annual conference(s).

WHO DECIDES WHAT

• Annual conferences, central conferences, clergy and bishops choose to join any new denomination.
• Central conferences may become autonomous.
• Local churches may choose a different denomination than their annual conference and retain property, assets and liabilities.

REQUIREMENTS

• Sets interim exemption from LGBTQ prohibitions for Centrist conferences, churches and clergy.
• Sets interim suspension of complaints and disciplinary actions related to LGBTQ bans for Centrist conferences, churches and clergy.
• Mandatory retirement for U.S. bishops waived until 2022.
• U.S. bishop elections may be postponed until 2021 or 2022.
• Central conferences elect bishops as determined by General Conference 2020.
• Trust clause suspended for denominations other than Centrist.

FINANCES/ASSET DIVISION

• Continuation of clergy pensions through each new denomination.
• Apportionments paid by all denominations through 2020.
• All denominations support funding for central conference ministries through 2024.

STRUCTURE
& AGENCY RELATIONSHIP

• All denominations develop their own structures, polity and governance.
• Wespath, UMCOR, UMW, UM Men, UMPH become independent to serve any denomination.
• Archives and History retains assets and liabilities and financially supported by each denomination. • All other agencies become part of the Centrist UMC with the option to serve other denominations. • Jurisdictional or annual conference institutions may change affiliation or become independent.

TIMELINE

• Effective at the close of General Conference 2020.
• Aug. 1, 2020 - Interim new alignment begins.
• Jan. 1, 2021 - Default alignment with Centrist UMC if no choice made by an annual conference. • Fall 2021 - Inaugural General Conferences held.
• Jan. 1, 2022 – New denominations fully established.
• 2028 - Opportunity to choose a denomination remains open.

PLAN DOCUMENTS

https://um-forward.org/the-new-plan

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.
• Annual conferences, central conferences, clergy and bishops choose to join any new denomination.
• Local churches may choose a different denomination than their annual conference and retain property, assets and liabilities.

REQUIREMENTS

• Establishes an immediate moratorium on charges, complaints and trials related to LGBTQ prohibitions.

FINANCES/ASSET DIVISION

• General church assets divided equitably.
• Provides for arbitration.
• Establishes financial investments in historically marginalized and vulnerable churches.

STRUCTURE
& AGENCY RELATIONSHIP

• 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.
• Prior to 2024 - Special General Conference held to approve a plan of separation. • Transition time for local churches extends until the Special General Conference.

PLAN DOCUMENTS

https://umcnext.com/legislation/

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.
• A moratorium on new or pending complaint proceedings and trials related to LGBTQ prohibitions takes effect at the close of General Conference 2020.

FINANCES/ASSET DIVISION

• General Conference includes grant funding for new denominations in relationship with The UMC in the 2021-2024 budget.

STRUCTURE
& AGENCY RELATIONSHIP

• 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.
• 2025 - Local church disaffiliation provisions expire.

PLAN DOCUMENTS

https://www.umc.org/en/content/connectional-table-approves-legislation-creating-new-us-structure

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).
• Amends Part VI, Chapter Four, of the Discipline to authorize and organize a U.S. regional conference.

FINANCES/ASSET DIVISION

• N/A

STRUCTURE
& AGENCY RELATIONSHIP

• N/A

TIMELINE

• 2021-2024 - Interim committee plans a new U.S. Regional Conference. • 2024 - New U.S. Regional Conference convenes.