After decades of debate around issues of human sexuality in the United Methodist Church, the General Conference (which is the denomination’s highest lawmaking body) had the potential to vote on many items, including denominational separation plans, in May 2020. After being rescheduled three times due to COVID-19, the General Conference is now scheduled to meet in 2024. A new paragraph (numbered 2553) was added at a special 2019 session of the General Conference to the Book of Discipline (the book that governs the UMC’s operations) which provides a process for churches to disaffiliate from the denomination if they disagree with the UMC’s prohibitions on same-sex marriage and “self-avowed practicing homosexual” clergy, or actions or inactions related to these issues. The provisions outlined in that paragraph will expire on December 31, 2023. Many churches have entered a discernment process related to disaffiliation prior to that deadline.
In the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference, Bishop William McAlilly announced that there would be two special annual conference sessions in 2023 to allow churches who had followed all provisions of Paragraph 2553 and wished to disaffiliate, to do so. Those conferences will be held on May 22, 2023, and November 13, 2023. After the release of this announcement by Bishop McAlilly, a group of Franklin First UMC members approached the Franklin First UMC Church Council to review and vote on a resolution to enter a period of discernment during which the congregation would discuss and ultimately decide whether or not to disaffiliate from the UMC. This group, led by a church council member, presented their resolution at the February 2, 2023, Church Council meeting. The meeting was attended by 40 of the 42 voting members of the Church Council, as well as a number of other members of the congregation and of the community. After the presentation of the resolution to enter a discernment process, there was a lively discussion and debate among the presenters and the members of the Church Council which includes the pastoral staff. At the conclusion of this discussion, a member of the Church Council made a motion to delay a vote on discernment until after the completion of the 2024 General Conference. There was discussion regarding this motion and ultimately a vote was held on the motion to delay a vote on entering the discernment process. This motion passed with 31 “Yes” votes (77.5%) and 9 “No” votes (22.5%).
As a result of this motion and vote, Franklin First has decided not to enter into a formal discernment process and will remain affiliated with the UMC. The Council may consider additional motions on the matter in 2024.
Please feel free to reach out to me (mandymbarber@gmail.com) or Pastor Bryan (bbrooks@franklinfumc.org) should you have any questions related to the Council’s decision. While feelings run deep on this issue, I pray that our congregation can overcome any differences and continue seeking first the kingdom of God.
Faithfully,
Mandy Barber, Franklin First UMC Church Council Chair