What is the real reason Bethany and other churches are seeking disaffiliation from the UMC?

by Ginger Goodin

Bethany leaders have given many reasons for their recommendation to disaffiliate from the UMC but have neglected to state that the fundamental motive is opposition to gay marriage and gay clergy. 

Since the UMC is on a path to remove barriers to gay marriage and gay clergy and is not enforcing current restrictions on clergy performing gay marriages or ordination of gay pastors, the denomination has offered churches that disagree a way out. It’s called ¶2553 of the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, passed by the General Conference and upheld by the Judicial Council in 2019. Here’s the exact wording:

"Because of the current deep conflict within The United Methodist Church around issues of human sexuality, a local church shall have a limited right, under the provisions of this paragraph, to disaffiliate from the denomination for reasons of conscience regarding a change in the requirements and provisions of the Book of Discipline related to the practice of homosexuality or the ordination or marriage of self-avowed practicing homosexuals as resolved and adopted by the 2019 General Conference, or the actions or inactions of its annual conference related to these issues which follow."

¶2553 gives the annual conferences authority to develop the specific requirements for churches in their jurisdictions. Our Annual Conference, the Rio Texas Conference, has prepared guidance that Bethany is following. Under that guidance the only reason a church in the Rio Texas Conference can claim an exit from the UMC is their disagreement over gay marriage and gay clergy. 

For example, Bethany is required by the Rio Texas Conference to prepare a statement, “articulating theological and missional foundations in seeking disaffiliation for reasons of conscience related to human sexuality.” Where is Bethany’s statement? Will the congregation see this statement before voting?

Further, the disaffiliation agreement that would be executed by the church and the Rio Texas Conference contains this language:

• Church Conference Vote. At least two-thirds (2/3) of the professing members present at a church conference of Local Church must vote to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church “for reasons of conscience regarding a change in the requirements and provisions of the Book of Discipline related to the practice of homosexuality or the marriage of self-avowed practicing homosexuals as resolved and adopted by the 2019 General Conference, or the actions or inactions of its annual conference related to these issues which follow.”

There is no mention of this fundamental basis for disaffiliation in the first two videos posted by the leadership. When we vote, we are voting to disaffiliate because of our objection to the direction of the UMC on removing barriers to gay marriage and gay clergy. Every voting member should be clear about what their vote really means. 

It’s important for all voting members to understand that the real reason for the discernment process and vote is the opposition to full inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community in the life of the church. 

Our leadership’s recommendation to disaffiliate from the UMC means the future semi-independent Bethany will be founded on discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community and denial of the full benefits of their church membership. 

This is counter to the community of unconditional love that we value at Bethany.