With some congregations considering leaving The United Methodist Church or just wondering about its future, Ask The UMC offers a series of questions and answers to help clear up some common misperceptions or misinformation around disaffiliation. Graphic by Laurens Glass, United Methodist Communications.

United Methodists Communications operates a service called “Ask The UMC”. Below are links to a series of articles answering an increasing number of questions from congregations wondering about the future of The United Methodist Church and whether they should consider disaffiliating from it.  Some of these questions reflect widespread misperceptions or misinformation that some congregations are receiving as they discern their next steps. The articles are based on a variety of questions received multiple times through email, phone calls, and live chat. The way the questions are framed in these articles reflects the way they were most often asked. 

Is The United Methodist Church Really….? Part 1 (Theology & Pensions) This is the first in a series of articles to address misperceptions and misinformation about the future of The United Methodist Church and the process of disaffiliating from it. 

Is The United Methodist Church Really….? Part 2 (Human Sexuality) Ask The UMC responds to misinformation being spread about the policies of The United Methodist Church regarding human sexuality and whether they have changed or will soon be changed. 

Is The United Methodist Church Really….? Part 3 (Info on Para 2548.2) The third in a series of articles to address misperceptions and misinformation about disaffiliation and The United Methodist Church.

Is The United Methodist Church Really….? Part 4 (Facts About Disaffiliation) Ask The UMC continues to answer questions, address misperceptions, and counter misinformation about The United Methodist Church and the process of disaffiliation from it. 

Is The United Methodist Church Really….? Part 5 (Choosing between The UMC and the GMC; Representation at General Conference; Pastoral Appointments) Do we have to choose between The UMC and the GMC? What happens if an elected delegate disaffiliates? 

Is the United Methodist Church Really….? Part 6 (About The United Methodist Church, disaffiliation, and the effects of disaffiliation including property retention and legal counsel) Ask The UMC responds to more of your questions about The United Methodist Church, disaffiliation, and the effects of disaffiliation including property retention and legal counsel.

Is the United Methodist Church Really….? Part 7 (Includes matters related to the Boy Scout settlement, variations in disaffiliation policies from conference to conference, and what retired clergy need to do if the congregation in which they are active disaffiliates.) Ask The UMC addresses matters related to the Boy Scout settlement, variations in disaffiliation policies from conference to conference, and what retired clergy need to do if the congregation in which they are active disaffiliates.

Is The United Methodist Church Really….? Part 8 (Addresses the disaffiliation process in central conferences and “extended” or “alternative” disaffiliation policies beyond 2023 in four annual conferences in the United States) Ask The UMC explains why Paragraph 2553 does not apply in central conferences and describes extended or supplemental disaffiliation policies in four US conferences.

United Methodist Foundational Documents:
The Bible
The denomination’s Articles of Religion and Confession of Faith
The writings and sermons of John Wesley
The General Rules of the Methodist Church
The UMC – Mission Statement (Book of Discipline)
The UMC – General Church Structure
The UMC – Our Social Principles
The UMC – Our Christian Beliefs
The UMC – Sacraments