A proposal providing financial accommodations for churches which wish to part from the United Methodist Church has recently been reported in the media. As the denomination strives to find a path forward with the issues of LGBTQ marriage and ordination, many ideas are being formulated across the denomination. Some of these ideas will be proposed as legislation during the upcoming General Conference meeting, which will be held in May of 2020. The General Conference is a world-wide governing body which meets once every four years.
Recent reports in the media have been sounding alarms, using terms such as “Pending Church Split.” But the proposal that is causing so much buzz in the media is only one of many proposals. It is entitled “Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation,” (Read Here) and it’s far from “Pending.” Currently, it doesn’t have the legal standing to even be submitted to the General Conference.
To answer concerns about this particular proposal, the bishop of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference (which covers all of New Jersey and parts of Pennsylvania and New York), held a series of telephone conferences with clergy and laity. During the call, Bishop John Schol addressed a series “Frequently Asked Questions” regarding this proposal.
The bishop stressed that this is a proposal, one of many that might be considered; nothing has been decided. There is no “pending church split.” The Bishop encouraged church leaders to continue in our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ by showing His love through acts of mercy.
To read the Bishop’s answers to the “Frequently Asked Questions”, click this button: FAQ
The Greater New Jersey Conference (GNJ) is one of the most diverse in the world. As just one example of how we are continuing to unite in Click this button for Details: Rise Against Hunger The following video describes our “Rise Against Hunger.”
mission, New Jersey United Methodists across the state are setting aside Saturday March 21 to pack a total of 500,000 meals which can be distributed to the needy of our state. We are expecting that at least 3,000 people will participate.
