Remain in the United Methodist Church
As part of our congregation-wide discernment process, the Governing Board will decide whether a church-wide vote at a Called Church Conference is necessary to determine whether our church will remain in the UMC or exit the denomination. If they determine the vote is not necessary, then Canton First will continue as part of the United Methodist Church with no further action needed. If the Board determines a Church Conference vote is necessary, the motion for disaffiliation as prescribed by the Conference and Book of Discipline will be before the church. Two-thirds of the professing members who are present at the church conference must vote for disaffiliation for the church to exit the denomination. If the two-thirds threshold is not reached, then the church remains in the UMC.
Here are some things those choosing to remain with the United Methodist Church need to think about:
- Many pastors are considering leaving the United Methodist Church, so it is possible a local church that remains in the United Methodist Church could lose their current pastor in the transition.
- If a large number of conservative churches leave the United Methodist Church, how will that affect the future direction of the denomination?
Check out the resources below for remaining in the United Methodist Church:
*As resources become available for those remaining in the United Methodist Church, they will be listed below.
A Narrative for the Continuing United Methodist Church
Is The United Methodist Church really...? (Part 1) (umc.org)