Required Steps and Documents for disaffiliation under ¶2553

¶2553 provides that a local church may vote to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church 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.
 

Steps for Churches discerning disaffiliation

Talk with your District Superintendent to learn about the discernment process.

Complete the request form for “Local Church Cost of Disaffiliation Information”  found on the conference website at umcna.org.

Check local church deeds to make sure there is no reversionary language.
 

If a local church conference votes by 2/3’s majority present and voting to disaffiliate the following documents are required from the Local Church:

Email all documents together to disaffiliation@umcna.org.

Sign and complete the Disaffiliation Agreement during the church conference. The District Superintendent will retain the disaffiliation agreement following the church conference.

Write and submit a signed statement indicating that all existing debts, loans, and liabilities have been satisfied or transferred to the new entity. If paid include a receipt/ if transferred provide a document from the bank/financial institution documenting the transfer.

Provide a certificate of Insurance (COI) indicating that the Local Church’s general liability and excess insurance policy names the North Alabama Annual Conference as an additional insured. Generally, the insurance company will only provide the certificate of insurance for one year at a time so it will be necessary to do this annually for two (2) years.

Provide a Quitclaim deed prepared by Local church containing a legal description of real property to be transferred by release of the Trust clause.