9315 County Rd 7708, Troy, Alabama 36081, United States
PROTOCOL OF RECONCILIATION & GRACE THROUGH
SEPARATION
Statement of Principles
A. Whereas, The United Methodist Church and its members—after careful reflection,
discussion and prayer—have fundamental differences regarding their understanding and
interpretation of Scripture, theology and practice;
B. Whereas, The United Methodist Church at its February 2019 Special Session of the General
Conference in St. Louis did not resolve their differences specifically related to the full
participation of LGBTQ persons in the life of the Church;
C. Whereas, The United Methodist Church and its members are at an impasse, the Church’s
witness and mission is being impeded, and the Church itself as well as its members have
been injured;
D. Whereas, The United Methodist Church and its members have a deep desire to fulfill our
long-stated mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
E. Whereas, The United Methodist Church is committed to recognizing, respecting and
protecting the rights and personal dignity of every person, including people of all races,
sexual orientations, genders, national origins, ages, and social classes;
F. Whereas, the undersigned came together as an outgrowth of a consultation initiated by
Bishop John Yambasu and other Central Conference Bishops, and were asked to represent
various constituencies of the Church in reaching a gracious and dignified resolution of the
impasse;
G. Whereas, the undersigned propose restructuring The United Methodist Church by
separation as the best means to resolve our differences, allowing each part of the Church
to remain true to its theological understanding, while recognizing the dignity, equality,
integrity, and respect of every person; and
H. Whereas, the undersigned, in recognition of the regional contexts and divergent points of
view within the global United Methodist Church, propose separation as a faithful step with
the possibility of continued cooperation around matters of shared interest, enabling each of
us to authentically live out our faith;
NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, seeking to serve The United Methodist Church, hereby
agree as follows, to this Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation (“the
Protocol”):
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ARTICLE I: Agreement and Commitment to this Protocol
1. This Protocol is unanimously agreed to by each of the undersigned laity, pastors, and bishops
of The United Methodist Church. The undersigned further covenant to fully support this
Protocol and each other in our joint effort to seek its implementation. Each of the
undersigned also agree to recommend the Protocol’s implementing legislation to be voted
upon and adopted by the 2020 General Conference of The United Methodist Church.
2. The United Methodist Church and its members aspire to multiply the Methodist mission in
the world by restructuring the Church through respectful and dignified separation.
3. The undersigned will continue to work together to develop legislation to implement the
Protocol, to be voted upon and adopted by the 2020 General Conference of The United
Methodist Church. The undersigned will not challenge the constitutionality or legality of
legislation implementing this Protocol and will jointly and individually defend the provisions
of the Protocol and any enabling legislation in case of review by the United Methodist
Judicial Council.
4. The undersigned agree to use their best efforts to persuade any groups or organizations with
which they are affiliated to support the legislation necessary to implement the Protocol.
Consistent with the commitment in Article I, Paragraph 1, the undersigned will not
participate in or support legislation or other efforts that are inconsistent with the principles
and terms of the Protocol and the implementing legislation. They may support other efforts
to the extent that all signatories to this Protocol agree that such efforts are consistent with the
Protocol.
5. The undersigned agree that each of the provisions of this Protocol is integrated with and
integral to the whole and shall not be severable from the remainder of the Protocol. Further,
should any provisions of the Protocol be deemed illegal by either the United Methodist
Judicial Council or by civil courts, the entirety of this Protocol shall be considered null and
void.
6. The undersigned agree that they will bring no claims for, nor will they support any claims
for, additional assets of the post-separation United Methodist Church or any of the
denominations that will arise from this Protocol and will not be parties to such litigation.
ARTICLE II: Definitions of Terms
1. LGBTQ shall mean the community that includes several subsets of persons who share
similar discrimination because of their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
The letters of the acronym stand for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (a
non-binary, self-identifier).
2. Methodist denomination pursuant to this Protocol shall mean all Methodist
denominations created through this Protocol and The United Methodist Church.
3. Post-separation United Methodist Church shall mean The United Methodist Church
after the formation of new denominations under this Protocol.
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4. Protocol shall mean this agreement by which the parties hereto agree to support the
development and implementation of the legislation necessary to implement the terms of
the Protocol.
ARTICLE III: Process and Timeline for Implementation of the Protocol
1. To implement this Protocol, The United Methodist Church and its members will adopt the
following process and timeline for accomplishing restructuring:
a. Registration with the Secretary of the Council of Bishops of intent to form a new
Methodist denomination pursuant to this Protocol must occur not later than May
15, 2021.
b. Central Conferences may choose with a two-thirds vote to affiliate with a
Methodist denomination pursuant to this Protocol other than the post-separation
United Methodist Church. If a Central Conference does not vote, it remains a part
of the post-separation United Methodist Church. Such an affiliation vote shall be
taken no later than December 31, 2021.
c. Annual Conferences, whether in the Central or Jurisdictional Conferences, may
choose to vote on whether to affiliate with one of the Methodist denominations
pursuant to this Protocol. If an Annual Conference does not vote, it shall remain a
part of the post-separation United Methodist Church. In order for an Annual
Conference to consider affiliation with a denomination pursuant to this protocol
other than the post-separation United Methodist Church, a motion may be made
on the floor of an Annual Conference session to conduct such an affiliation vote.
If supported by 20% of those voting at the Annual Conference session, an
affiliation vote must be conducted before July 1, 2021. In order to affiliate with a
Methodist denomination created under this Protocol other than the post-separation
UMC, the vote to affiliate must be supported by 57% of those voting.
d. Any local church desiring a different affiliation than the Methodist denomination
pursuant to this Protocol selected by its Annual Conference may conduct an
affiliation vote. If a local church does not vote, it remains part of the Methodist
denomination pursuant to this Protocol selected by its Annual Conference. If such
a vote occurs, the church council shall determine a voting threshold of either a
simple majority or two-thirds of those present and voting at a duly called church
conference in order for the motion opting for a different affiliation to be adopted.
A vote on a motion to opt for a different affiliation shall occur in a church
conference held not more than 60 days after the request for such a vote is made by
the church council. Such church conferences must be held in consultation with the
District Superintendent who shall authorize such church conferences to be
conducted. Decisions about affiliation by a local church pursuant to this Protocol
must be made by December 31, 2024.
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ARTICLE IV: Financial Agreement Terms of this Protocol
1. To foster this restructuring process, the following steps will be taken with respect to the
finances of The United Methodist Church:
a. Local Church Property, Assets, and Liabilities
i A local church that affiliates with a Methodist denomination pursuant to
this Protocol other than the post-separation United Methodist Church
retains its assets and liabilities. The Annual Conference of The United
Methodist Church to which the local church belongs at the time of
separation will not exercise its trust clause and shall release such local
church from the provisions of any and all trust clauses. The local church,
prior to its separation, shall be expected to maintain its connectional
responsibilities through the date of separation. At separation, such a local
church shall not be required to pay any sums to the Annual Conference
other than previously documented loans from the Annual Conference
which shall be repaid according to the terms of such loans.
ii In the event such local church (or its successor) subsequently chooses to
close, or a Methodist denomination pursuant to this Protocol with which
they affiliate ceases to exist, the property of such local church will be
subject to a lien in favor of Wespath on its assets in the amount of that
local church’s then proportionate share of future unfunded pension
liabilities.
iii Should a local church disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church and
not become part of a Methodist denomination pursuant to this Protocol, it
must comply with paragraph 2553 of The United Methodist Book of
Discipline.
b. Annual, Jurisdictional, and Central Conference Property, Assets, and
Liabilities
i The property, assets, and liabilities of Annual, Jurisdictional, and Central
Conferences shall be retained by those entities regardless of the affiliation
decision with a Methodist denomination pursuant to this Protocol that each
makes under this Protocol.
c. Financial Agreements
i. A total sum of $25M shall be paid by the General Council on Finance and
Administration over the ensuing quadrennium to the traditionalist
Methodist denomination established pursuant to this Protocol after it is
formed and incorporated.
ii. A total sum of $2M shall be escrowed by the General Council on Finance
and Administration for payment to potential additional Methodist
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denominations established pursuant to this Protocol after they are formed
and incorporated over the ensuing quadrennium.
iii. As an acknowledgment of the historical role of the Methodist movement
in systems of systematic racial violence, exploitation and discrimination,
and as a fair and just step in addressing the impact of such harms, a sum of
$39M shall be allocated by the General Council on Finance and
Administration in their budget recommendations over the next two
quadrennia to support communities historically marginalized by the sin of
racism. The goal of these earmarked funds shall be to strengthen ministries
by and for Asian, Black, Hispanic-Latino, Native American, and Pacific
Islander Communities, encourage the full participation of historically
marginalized communities in the governance and decision-making of the
church, and ensure that the vital work of training the next generation of
leaders by Africa University will be maintained. The Connectional Table
in consultation with the National Plans, the Program Agencies of the
Church, and the Council of Bishops shall be responsible for determining
and evaluating programmatic priorities in relation to these earmarked
funds. $13M of this sum represents a contribution from the post-separation
Traditional Methodist Denomination, made possible by their decision to
forgo receiving these funds and instead contribute them to this fund. This
$13M sum shall remain in the possession of and be administered by the
post-separation United Methodist Church for this purpose. In addition, the
post-separation United Methodist Church will contribute $26M for a total
of $39M over 8 years for this purpose. Churches which align with the
traditional Methodist denomination under this Protocol shall have the
option to participate in programs and grants which serve their respective
ethnic groups if they otherwise meet the requirements for such
participation through this 8-year period.
iv. The pension plans of The United Methodist Church will remain in place
for all current clergy and lay employees affiliated with The United
Methodist Church, regardless of the Methodist denomination under this
Protocol with which they affiliate. The undersigned support the existing
and proposed legislation submitted by Wespath that addresses assumption
of unfunded pension liabilities by Methodist denominations under this
Protocol, and the ability of the clergy who are associated with Methodist
denominations under this Protocol to continue to participate in pension
plans administered by Wespath. All other property, assets, or liabilities of
The United Methodist Church, including its general boards and agencies,
shall remain with the post-separation United Methodist Church and other
Methodist denominations under this Protocol shall have no claim or
entitlement to such property, assets, or liabilities.
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v. The Council of Bishops of the post-separation United Methodist Church
shall offer to enter into ecumenical agreements with Methodist
denominations formed under this Protocol. Such ecumenical agreements
may include participation in Boards and Agencies, continuation of various
mission activities, or any other matters within the scope of ecumenical
agreements.
ARTICLE V: Moratorium
1. As one expression of reconciliation and grace through separation, the undersigned agree that
all administrative or judicial processes addressing restrictions in the Book of Discipline
related to self-avowed practicing homosexuals or same-sex weddings shall be held in
abeyance beginning January 1, 2020 through the adjournment of the first conference of the
post-separation United Methodist Church. Clergy shall continue to remain in good standing
while such complaints are held in abeyance.
2. The undersigned agree that if there are churches proposed for closure, the church and annual
conference shall delay final actions on closure of churches until after the 2020 General
Conference of The United Methodist Church, except in those situations where there are
exigent circumstances and/or a congregation has voluntarily discerned it is necessary to close
a church due to a lack of participation or financial insolvency.
ARTICLE VI: General Conference 2020
In order to enable all parties to transition to their preferred future, the Council of Bishops is
asked to work with the Commission on General Conferences and other church agencies to
accomplish the following:
1. The Council of Bishops requests a declaratory decision from the Judicial Council
regarding the constitutionality of the proposed legislation related to this Protocol to take
place prior to the opening session of the 2020 General Conference.
2. The Council of Bishops requests a report from the General Council on Finance and
Administration related to the financial impacts of this Protocol to be shared prior to the
2020 General Conference.
3. The Council of Bishops, working with the Commission on the General Conference,
identifies an appropriate time on the Agenda of General Conference for the Protocol and
any related implementing legislation to be presented.
4. The Council of Bishops will provide meeting space for those interested in creating other
expressions of a Methodist denomination pursuant to this protocol at the adjournment of
the 2020 General Conference session.
5. The Council of Bishops will call the first session of the General Conference of the postseparation
United Methodist Church to organize itself and, if such legislation has not
been passed, consider matters pertaining to the Regional Conference plan.
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6. The Council of Bishops will call the first session of the United States Regional
Conference to consider legislation related to changes in the adaptable portions of the
Book of Discipline including the repeal of Traditional Plan legislation and all other
portions related to LGBTQ persons.
ARTICLE VII: The Signatories to the Protocol
The undersigned persons, after voluntarily participating in multiple confidential mediation
sessions with mediator Kenneth R. Feinberg, agree to the terms of this Protocol and will
collectively and individually work to support adoption of the Protocol, including the
development of all legislation necessary to implement it.
December 17, 2019
Signature:
Bishop Christian Alsted, Nordic-Baltic Episcopal Area
Signature:
Rev. Thomas Berlin, representing UMCNext, Mainstream UMC, Uniting Methodists
Signature:
Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, New York Episcopal Area
Signature:
Rev. Keith Boyette, representing The Confessing Movement, Good News, IRD/UM
Action, and the Wesleyan Covenant Association
Signature:
Bishop Kenneth H. Carter, Florida Episcopal Area
Signature:
Rev. Junius Dotson, representing UMCNext, Mainstream UMC, Uniting Methodists
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Signature:
Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, Washington Episcopal Area
Signature:
Rev. Egmedio “Jun” Equila, Jr., Philippines Central Conference
Signature:
Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, Louisiana Episcopal Area
Signature:
Bishop Rodolfo Rudy Juan, Davao Episcopal Area, Philippines
Signature:
Janet Lawrence, representing Affirmation, Methodist Federation for Social Action, and
Reconciling Ministries Network
Signature:
Rev. David Meredith, representing Affirmation, Methodist Federation for Social
Action, and Reconciling Ministries Network, member of UM Queer Clergy Caucus
Signature:
Patricia Miller, representing The Confessing Movement, Good News, IRD/UM Action,
and the Wesleyan Covenant Association
Signature:
Dr. Randall Miller, representing Affirmation, Methodist Federation for Social Action,
and Reconciling Ministries Network
Signature:
Bishop Gregory Vaughn Palmer, Ohio West Episcopal Area
Signature:
Bishop John K. Yambasu, Sierra Leone Episcopal Area
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In addition to the above signatories, the following individuals participated in the initial meeting
convened by Bishop John Yambasu and other Central Conference Bishops in July 2019 and
consulted with the mediation team during the process:
Rev. Dr. Maxie Dunnam
Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli
Rev. Adam Hamilton
Rev. Dr. Mark Holland
Bishop Mande Muyambo, North Katanga Episcopal Area
Karen Prudente
Rev. Rob Renfroe
Rev. Kimberly Scott
Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers
Mark Tooley
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