United Methodist Church Ends Disaffiliation Policy, Advances Regionalization Efforts

The United Methodist Church has concluded its focus on disaffiliation, marking the end of a policy that allowed congregations to leave the denomination under certain conditions. Delegates at the General Conference voted 516 to 203 to remove Paragraph 2553 from the Book of Discipline, which had been added in 2019. This paragraph enabled churches to disaffiliate for reasons of conscience related to homosexuality, provided they met specific procedural and financial criteria. The removal signifies a shift away from the policy that had been used by about a quarter of U.S. churches.

Lonnie Chafin, a delegate from the Northern Illinois Conference and chair of the Conferences legislative committee, emphasized that the decision would ensure Paragraph 2553 no longer appears in printed editions of the Discipline. “It’s time to speak of how we come together and share the love of God,” he said, reflecting the intent behind the change. The move aims to foster unity and focus on communal worship rather than division.

Alongside the disaffiliation policy’s removal, delegates approved a reaffiliation policy by a vote of 629 to 96. This policy allows churches that previously left the denomination to rejoin. The decision underscores the church’s commitment to reconciliation and the possibility of renewed fellowship among congregations.

The General Conference also adopted the final regionalization petition, which aims to grant church regions equal standing in decision-making processes. This proposal received support from 593 delegates to 139. Regionalization is seen as a step toward more balanced representation and shared governance within the denomination.

Despite these developments, theological conservative groups such as Good News, Wesleyan Covenant Association, and Africa Initiative expressed opposition. These groups had previously advocated for extending and expanding disaffiliation policies and resisted regionalization. However, their legislative goals did not succeed, indicating a broader consensus among delegates to move forward with regionalization and reaffiliation.

The disaffiliation policy, which allowed over 7,600 U.S. churches to leave before its expiration, was a significant point of contention. The policy was introduced in 2019 to address concerns over the denomination’s stance on human sexuality. While some parts of Europe adapted the Discipline to allow disaffiliation, the U.S. policy was limited in scope. The end of this policy reflects a collective decision to prioritize unity and communal responsibility.

The removal of Paragraph 2553 and the adoption of regionalization and reaffiliation policies mark a pivotal moment for the United Methodist Church. These changes aim to address internal divisions and promote a more inclusive and collaborative approach to church governance. As the denomination moves forward, the focus remains on fostering a spirit of reconciliation and shared purpose.

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