Deadline looms for Methodist churches considering disaffiliation

Jan. 15—More than 6 million members of the United Methodist Church across the nation — and 12.5 million worldwide — face an impending deadline on whether to part ways with the church and disaffiliate.

A church split has been simmering for years over same-sex marriage and the ordination of gay pastors. Although the official stance of the United Methodist Church does not endorse either, the church has turned a blind eye to congregations accepting gay marriage and gay pastors anyway — leading some traditional congregations to fear the church is headed that way.

A tentative agreement was worked out whereby congregations wishing to continue along a more conservative path could begin negotiations to separate and still retain the church facilities constructed on land held in trust by the UMC.

The official split won't happen until the summer of 2024, the next gathering of the church's General Conference. But regionally, disaffiliation decisions will need to be voted on at the WNC annual conference in June, thus the March deadline.

Congregations choosing to stay within the United Methodist Church will not need to take any action. Those disaffiliating can opt to join another denomination or join the Global Methodist Church being formed by the disaffiliating congregations.

So far, Francis Cove United Methodist Church on Crymes Cove Road in Waynesville is the only Haywood Methodist church that has voted on the issue. Twenty church members unanimously agreed earlier this month to disaffiliate with the mainline church, said Bill Yarborough, chairman of the church's board of trustees.

Yarborough said he has been studying the issue for the past two years after an agreement was announced on how to best part ways over differing biblical interpretations on same-sex marriage.

There are 22 United Methodist churches in Haywood County with a total reported membership of 4,687, according to records on file with the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church.

The disaffiliation guidelines set forth a process to follow and require that a vote to disaffiliate must carry by a two-thirds majority of the church membership.

Yarborough said a 2019 General Conference vote approved the process where congregations that were not in agreement with the tenets being followed by the church, particularly issues surrounding human sexuality, could disaffiliate.

"We feel like we haven't changed and the United Methodist Church has," Yarborough said, "and that we're not compatible with the connectional church as they like to call us. We intend to join the Global Methodist Church, which will be identical to what we're used to."

Conversations about the church's future have not been comfortable, Yarborough said.

"Can you imagine talking to a 90-year old woman about this?" he asked. "As far as loving everyone, we love all the same, but the Book of Discipline prohibits ordination of gay clergy or gay marriage and the United Methodist Church isn't living by that Book of Discipline."

Precedent set

In 2020, Waynesville First United Methodist Church held numerous church-wide meetings regarding the issue of same-sex marriage and the ordination of those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning (LGBTQ).

Ninety-one percent of the congregation approved a single-page identity statement crafted by the church leadership team that, among other things, stood for justice and equality for all nations, races, classes, cultures, gender identities, sexual orientations and abilities.

Though the stance was contrary to the UMC Book of Discipline, the Rev. Keith Turman of Waynesville First United Methodist Church said other Methodist churches had performed same-sex weddings and one church even ordained gay clergy. At the time, he said church leaders would do their best to facilitate a same-sex union if requested.

A path forward

Yarborough believes the decision to disaffiliate will be good for Francis Cove in several ways. The congregation will gain full control of the church facility and property, will have confidence the Book of Discipline will be followed as it has in the past and will be able to select its own pastor, he said. Currently the UMC conference assigns clergy to individual churches.

Yarborough fears that some churches may not be aware of the March 31 deadline to vote on disaffiliating with the UMC.

"There may be little churches that don't have a clue they can actually get their land and churches bought back, so if they did close, it is their property because disaffiliating will break the land trust agreement," he said.

Francis Cove United Methodist Church was built in the early 1950s with funds contributed by the Francis, Boone and other families who had been attending services at a community school.

"Preachers from several denominations were there, and it ended up being Methodist," Yarborough said, noting the church became United Methodist in 1968 when two Methodist churches merged.

Currently, the church shares a pastor, the Rev. Sharon Davis, with Shady Grove United Methodist Church. After the June conference vote on disaffiliation, Francis Cove will hire a part-time minister or use temporary pastors.

"Sometimes, we do use lay leaders," he added.

In addition to regular services and study/fellowship gatherings, Francis Cove members have a community garden on the property where produce is shared with families in the neighborhood or those using the services of the Bear Closet. It is also the home of a countywide effort to provide, free of charge, infant and children's needs to those who might not otherwise be able to afford clothing, equipment, diapers and other items.

The Bear Closet is a five-church effort with Beaverdam United Methodist, Elizabeth Chapel, Maple Grove UMC and Faith UMC. Volunteers and donations come from all churches, though Yarborough said this is a core group that has taken a special interest in the effort.

Those needing infant or other items for children 5 and under are invited to stop by Francis Cove between 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month.

Those with items to donate can call anytime to make an arrangement to drop them off by calling 678-332-7620.

Cash donations are also needed to buy items such as diapers or other specific needs of a family who calls to inquire about availability.

"It's amazing," Yarborough said. "When they get a call, those ladies pray that the item needed will come in, and it always does."