PLEASE WATCH PRIOR TO THE TOWN HALL ON APRIL 11
The
following two videos with the congregation, requesting that they watch both
prior to the town hall meeting:
- Question and Answer Session with Bishop Graves of the Alabama West Florida Conference from March 2022: https://vimeo.com/692845793
- The Episcopal Address from Annual Conference 2022: https://vimeo.com/731370534?fbclid=IwAR0bQjz4BDHYQ421c9VieFpaPjXobpK2_vEAhvh65Jw47hykCTEtGYEoYSg
GENERAL INFORMATION:
The “Process” for UM churches to disaffiliate from the UMC - posted on Alabama-West Florida Conference Website: https://www.awfumc.org/disaffiliation.
A link to the UMC’s general church webpage – “What should United Methodist congregations know about disaffiliation.” - https://www.umc.org/en/content/ask-the-umc-what-should-united-methodist-congregations-know-about-disaffiliation
A link to our own Bishop Grave’s letter addressing new AWF Trustee Information pertaining to disaffiliation - https://www.awfumc.org/newsdetail/17224481
A link to the AWF website on those churches that disaffiliated at the call Annual Conference held on November 12, 2022 - https://www.awfumc.org/newsdetail/alabama-west-florida-conference-ratifies-disaffiliations-in-special-called-session-17122081
Grace UMC, of Cape Coral, Fla., has created one of the most helpful information pages. It includes a helpful videos from their very widely respected pastor, Jorge Acevedo and their District Superintendent. https://www.egracechurch.com/disaffiliation/
Rev. Chris Ritter has compiled a compendium that includes up-to-the-minute weblinks to news regarding the UMC. It can be a rabbit hole. The sources he draws from are extremely broad. However, if you want to dive deeper than what is presented here, check it out. https://peopleneedjesus.net/2022/12/28/um-fallout-a-compendium/
If you are into podcasts, Changing Churches Podcast is hosted by Dr. Rob Couch, Senior Pastor of Christ UMC in Mobile, Alabama. It can be accessed at the link below or found on any podcast platform. There are several episodes that may be helpful, including the following: The Future of the Methodist Church with Rev. Jeff Greenway
The Future of the United Methodist Church with Rev. Tom Berlin
Navigating the Waves of Disaffiliation with Dr. Chris Ritter
INFORMATION GIVING A BACKGROUND OF HOW WE GOT HERE AND RECOMMENDING DISAFFILIATION:
(There are no UMC official sanctioned articles recommending disaffiliation.)
- An excellent video where former UMC Bishop Scott Jones (Texas) conducts a town hall meeting at a large church in his conference and answers many pertinent questions from lay people on the future of the UMC and disaffiliation. We have used Bishop Jones’ material extensively in our church. This town hall was widely distributed as one of the best and most informative held on explaining disaffiliation to the laity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdYtHOtvl3I&t=982s Sorry it’s 57 minutes, but well worth the time. (NOTE: Bishop Jones has withdrawn from the UMC after retirement and has joined the GMC.)
A series for 6 videos by Rob Renfroe, long-time UMC pastor (President of Good News Magazine, Discipleship Pastor – Woodlands UMC in Texas, and author/speaker) – Rob’s videos are excellent in giving a background from a traditional viewpoint on how the UMC got to where it is today (he does promote movement to the Global Methodist Church – GMC) – they are 11-15 minutes each: 1)“The United Methodist Church is Divided and Dividing” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g48onYSqg0
2) “Our Differences Regarding the Bible” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P35XdF873NQ
3) “Our Differences Regarding Jesus” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNpmGxE8D88
4) “Our Differences Regarding Sexuality” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjOd-fOgAJI
5) “Why It’s Time for Traditionalists to Leave” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw5Y4fMRJtQ
5) “Where Should We Go?” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzAVdE9wqY0
INFORMATION ADVOCATING SUPPORT FOR STAYING IN THE UMC OR AT LEAST WAITING UNTIL AFTER THE 2024 GENERAL CONFERENCE TO DISAFFILIATE:
- A link to a letter from our own Bishop David Graves released January 10, 2023, supporting waiting until after the 2024 General Conference to consider disaffiliation - https://www.awfumc.org/newsdetail/a-word-from-bishop-graves-this-is-not-a-business-deal-17261468
- A series
of rebuttal videos by Adam Hamilton (Senior Pastor at Resurrection UMC in
Kansas) arguing why UM churches should stay in the UMC:
1) “Why UMC: A Response to Rob Renfroe” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62qtzyBVCv8&list=PLYx1IY4ptubjGvzbjKkJ8otHGHAht5EXn
2) “Love of Scripture: A Response to Rob Renfroe” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=us12L0Tsw_c&list=PLYx1IY4ptubjGvzbjKkJ8otHGHAht5EXn&index=2
3) “Committed to Christ: A Response to Rob Renfroe - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK7-_cTdawU&list=PLYx1IY4ptubjGvzbjKkJ8otHGHAht5EXn&index=4
4) “Human Sexuality: A Response to Rob Renfroe” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI0Keo9h5E8&list=PLYx1IY4ptubjGvzbjKkJ8otHGHAht5EXn&index=3
5) “A Future With Hope: A Response to Rob Renfroe’ - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbNchQ-V4GE&list=PLYx1IY4ptubjGvzbjKkJ8otHGHAht5EXn&index=5
6) “Moving Forward With the UMC: A response to Rob Renfroe” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIfuxxowtXI&list=PLYx1IY4ptubjGvzbjKkJ8otHGHAht5EXn&index=6
INFORMATION ON AFFILIATION OPTIONS:
Global Methodist Church
Governance - https://globalmethodist.org/what-we-believe/
Process for Joining - https://globalmethodist.org/the-process-for-congregations-to-join-the-global-methodist-church/
2 separate comparisons between the UMC and the Global Methodist Church (attached).
Informational Session at First UMC, Cullman (The presentation on the GMC by Rev. Vaughn Stafford really begins at 46:02.) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWnEorlihc4
Free Methodist Church
An invitation to affiliate - https://fmcusa.org/wp-content/uploads/Affiliation-Process-5-13-21-General-Audience.pdf
History - https://fmcusa.org/history
Wesleyan Church
Beliefs & Core Values - https://www.wesleyan.org/about/our-beliefs
South Coastal Assimilation document (attached)
Comparison of UMC & Wesleyan Church (attached)