Dear Central Family,
Recently, a group of traditional UMC Bishops, advocacy group leaders and clergy from across the globe announced plans for a new Methodist denomination. I was honored to be a member of this group. More than two dozen diverse UMC leaders, who share core theological beliefs and a compelling vision for a new Methodist denomination, gathered in Atlanta Mar 2-4 to further outline plans for the new denomination. You can access more information here.
The UMC has reached an impasse. The next General Conference (GC) will be held May 5-15, 2020. A Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation (the Protocol Plan) was developed by major leaders from the progressive, centrist, and conservative wings of the church. This protocol calls for an amicable separation into two denominations – a post-separation UMC, primarily for those with a centrist and progressive view, and a new traditional denomination. If the Protocol Plan for
Separation passes GC, a new Methodist denomination (yet to be named) will incorporate that same month. Clergy and churches will be invited to join.
Several years ago, a group of conservative UMC leaders met with Anglican and Presbyterian leaders who previously went through denominational splits to learn all they could. One of their main recommendations was to have a denomination in place and ready to launch and not get “to the drawing board” late. These conservative UMC leaders have been working diligently to have a denomination ready to launch when a plan for separation occurs. In May 2020, if the Protocol Plan is approved, that
time will arrive, and plans are in place and ready.
News and social media report that the UMC denomination is separating because of the debate over gay marriage and human sexuality. This is part of the reason for division, however conservative pastors and theologians will say the divide goes much deeper. Those of us who hold an orthodox theology say there are two major reasons the UMC denomination is proposing to move forward with multiple expressions of faith (1) Christology and (2) the primacy of Scripture. I can no longer stay in a
denomination with those who do not, first and foremost, profess Jesus as Lord. And, I cannot remain in a church with Bishops and clergy who deny and question basic, foundational tenets of the Christian faith and are not held accountable.
God is birthing a new denomination. The new denomination is committed to prioritizing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior – that is the main mission. The new denomination will adhere to the primacy and authority of scripture. The new denomination is committed to be a global church focused on evangelism and spreading the gospel and planting churches throughout the U.S. and the world. The new denomination will require clergy and Bishops to preach and teach the core doctrines of the
Christian faith as contained in the Apostle’s and Nicene Creeds.
Please continue to pray for our church as we move forward. These are difficult times for our denomination, but God is faithful and good. God will continue to bless the “people called Methodists” as we move forward proclaiming the name of Jesus Christ and “spreading scriptural holiness” throughout the globe. My prayer is that both the new Methodist Denomination and the post-separation UMC will be blessed by God and go on to thrive and accomplish great ministry
forGod’s kingdom. Central will as well!
In Christ,
