Disaffiliation Process and Information

Background

The 2019 Special Session of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church adopted a disaffiliation agreement allowing United Methodist churches to leave the denomination through the end of 2023 "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.” 

The Conference Board of Trustees' Process and the subsequent Disaffiliation Agreement follow ¶ 2553. 

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Updated August 2023

Important Information for Those Considering Disaffiliation

• Q&A From Conference Board of Trustees (NEW Questions Answered)
• What Does It Mean To Be United Methodist
• Required Records from Disaffiliating Church for Archives
• Timeline for Disaffiliating Churches (NEW Document)

Disaffiliation Process and Disaffiliation Agreement Documents

As adopted in 2023 by the Conference Board of Trustees

• North Georgia Conference Disaffiliation Agreement
• North Georgia Conference Disaffiliation Process 

Notes

• Note that for clarity, noon on May 26 is set as date of record for membership for those churches included in the Cobb County Court Order. 

Resources

• Book of Discipline ¶ 2553
• Wespath: Clergy Withdrawals - Impact on Benefits when Surrendering Credentials
• Wespath: FAQs Regarding Church and Conference Disaffiliations
• Wespath: Detail Q&As for Conferences and Clergy
• Pension Liability as of April 1, 2023
• Local Church Status Report as Related to Disaffiliation (NEW)

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August 2023 Message from Bishop Dease

Bishop Dease Calls a Special Session for November 18

Bishop Robin Dease, episcopal leader of the North Georgia Conference, calls for a special session of the annual conference on Saturday, November 18, 2023, in accordance with ¶603.5 of the 2016 United Methodist Book of Discipline. The special session will be held at The Classic Center in Athens beginning at 10 a.m.
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May  2023 Message from Bishop Dease

Bishop Dease to Call a Special Session of the Annual Conference 

Bishop Robin Dease shares that she will call a special session of the North Georgia Annual Conference for Saturday, November 18. Once details are finalized, she will issue the formal call including time and location.
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