Information About the Discernment Process Concerning Possible Disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church

Information for Clergy

Process for Pastors Considering Withdrawal from The United Methodist Church

Those who have been called by God to serve the church are part of a sacred trust, and for those of us who have had the chance to serve through the United Methodist Church it is a call that unites us in a common ministry. We know that most clergy in the Arkansas Annual Conference have no plans on leaving the UMC, and we are grateful to each of you for your continuing leadership in our ministries, our programs, and above all our churches. In this time of transition we will continue to offer you our support and prayer.

While we long for all of our clergy to remain in our United Methodist Connection, we are also aware that some are engaging in deep reflection regarding the future of their ministry. The following information is designed to help pastors who are either currently appointed to a local church considering disaffiliation or are personally considering withdrawal from the UMC. With love and grace we offer the following information to help you understand the steps you will need to take if you do ultimately decide to withdraw from The United Methodist Church.

In Christ’s Service,
The Arkansas Conference Appointive Cabinet

Letter of Intent Online Form Concerning Future Relationship with the UMC

For those who intend to remain in the United Methodist Church and are currently appointed or assigned to a congregation that is also remaining United Methodist, you need do nothing out of the ordinary. However, if you are currently appointed to a church involved in the disaffiliation process or are personally considering withdrawal, no later than two weeks after a church conference vote to disaffiliate or as soon as you know your own intention, you should fill out this Letter of Intent Online Form concerning your current thoughts about your future ministry and membership with the UMC. This letter of intent makes no formal request; its purpose is simply to help the appointive cabinet better anticipate possible appointment needs.

Withdrawal Steps for Active Ordained Clergy Intending to Unite with Another Denomination (¶360.1)

For ordained clergy who wish to end your relationship with The UMC, ¶360.1 of The 2016 Book of Discipline provides the appropriate path:

1. Provide the Elder or Deacon Letter of Withdrawal to Unite with Another Denomination form and the Permission to Release Information to another Denomination form to your district superintendent on the date you intend to withdraw.
   
   1. For those serving a disaffiliating church, this should be the actual date of the church’s disaffiliation.
   2. For those not serving a disaffiliating church, this should be on the actual day you intend to withdraw.
   3. Your withdrawal is effective the date your letter is received, so pay careful attention to the timing issues stated above. (¶360.4; see also Judicial Council Decision 1055).
2. On your withdrawal date:
   
   1. Surrender your certification of conference membership to your district superintendent, who will deposit it along with your letter of withdrawal with the conference secretary and give notice of the same to the Arkansas Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. This will be reported by the Board of Ordained Ministry to the annual conference at its next session.
   2. Present to your District Superintendent your Ordination Certificate, upon which will be written the following: The Arkansas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church recognizes that (name) has withdrawn from conference membership and altogether from the ministry of The United Methodist Church.” If a certificate of ordination no longer exists, a letter will be presented to you by your district superintendent stating the same, to be signed by you and your superintendent. Once notarized, it will be given to you and a copy will be deposited with the conference secretary.

Withdrawal Steps for Active Ordained Clergy Intending to Serve an Independent Church (¶360.2)

1. Provide the Elder or Deacon Letter of Withdrawal from the Ordained Ministerial Office form to your district superintendent on the date you intend to withdraw.
   
   1. For those serving a disaffiliating church, this should be on the actual date of your church’s disaffiliation.
   2. For those not serving a disaffiliating church, this should be on the actual day you intend to withdraw.
   3. Your withdrawal is effective the date your letter is received, so pay careful attention to the timing issues stated above. (¶360.4; see also Judicial Council Decision 1055).
2. On your withdrawal date, surrender both your ordination certificate and your conference membership certificate to your district superintendent, who will deposit them along with your letter of withdrawal with the conference secretary, and give notice of the same to the Arkansas Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. This will be reported by the Board of Ordained Ministry to the annual conference at its next session.
3. Note that by choosing to be a clergyperson in an independent church without a denomination, you are surrendering your ordination and membership in The United Methodist Church. The credentialing then becomes the responsibility of the clergyperson and the congregation to which you choose to affiliate.

Withdrawal Steps for Active Provisional Members (¶327.6)

For provisional members who wish to discontinue your relationship with The United Methodist Church in order to unite with another denomination or independent church or (if joining an independent church) to terminate your membership in The United Methodist Church, ¶327.6 of The 2016 Book of Discipline provides the appropriate path.

1. Provide the Provisional Member Letter of Discontinuance and Withdrawal from the UMC form to your district superintendent on the date you intend to withdraw.
   
   1. For those serving a disaffiliating church, this should be the actual date of your church’s disaffiliation.
   2. For those not serving a disaffiliating church, this should be the actual date you intend to withdraw.
   3. Your discontinuance and withdrawal is effective the date your letter is received, so pay careful attention to the timing issues stated above. (¶360.4; see also Judicial Council Decision 1055).
2. Surrender your certification of commissioning, your conference provisional membership certificate, and your license for pastoral ministry to your district superintendent, who will deposit all three, along with your letter of Discontinuance and Withdrawal, with the secretary of the conference, and give notice of the same to the Arkansas Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. This will be reported by the Board of Ordained Ministry to the annual conference at its next session.

Withdrawal Steps for Active Licensed Local Pastors and Associate Members (¶ 320.1)

For Local Pastors or Associate Members who wish to end your relationship with The UMC in order to serve a disaffiliating church, ¶320.1 of The 2016 Book of Discipline provides the appropriate path: Discontinuance of a Local Pastor.

1. Provide the Local Pastor/Associate Member Letter of Discontinuance and Withdrawal from the UMC form to your district superintendent on the date you intend to withdraw.
   
   1. For those serving a disaffiliating church, this should be the actual date of your church’s disaffiliation.
   2. For those not serving a disaffiliating church, this should be the actual date you intend to withdraw the form in section 4.a below requesting withdrawal.
   3. Your discontinuance and withdrawal is effective the date your letter is received, so pay careful attention to the timing issues stated above. (¶360.4; see also Judicial Council Decision 1055).
2. Surrender your license for pastoral ministry certificate (if a local pastors) or your associate membership certificate (if an associate member) to your district superintendent, who will deposit it along with your Letter of Discontinuance with the secretary of the conference, and give notice of the same to the Arkansas Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. This will be reported by the Board of Ordained Ministry to the annual conference at its next session.
3. Understand that once you surrender your license and credentials you will resume lay status and are free to place your church membership in the local church of your choice. If you leave the UMC to serve as a pastor of a disaffiliated church you will need to meet the new denomination’s or church’s standards for credentialing, so be sure to check their credential requirements.

Withdrawal Steps for Retired Ordained Clergy and Retired Associate Members (¶357.5, 321.3)

¶357.5 in The Book of Discipline requires all retired ordained clergy members who are not appointed as pastors of a charge to hold membership in a charge conference. As a retired United Methodist clergy you cannot retain your credentials without having a charge conference in a United Methodist Church.

1. If you currently have your membership in a charge conference that is about to disaffiliate from the UMC, you will need to move your charge conference membership to another UMC if you intend to remain United Methodist by following the provisions of ¶357.5.
2. If you desire to withdraw from The United Methodist Church and unite with another denomination, you must follow ¶360.1. If you decide to withdraw from the United Methodist Church in order to join an independent church, you must use ¶360.2. The steps for withdrawing are those listed above for ordained clergy in full connection and associate members.