GC 2020 – A Postscript to the 100 Local Church Hurdle

Frank Holbrook 0 GC 2020

In response to yesterday’s post concerning the 100 Local Church threshold, found here,  I received an e-mail with the following observation: “I would guess that the Protocol is so structured because Wesleyan Covenant has the 100 church threshold and is actively creating their own Book of Discipline.”  At first blush this seems like a plausible explanation but I don’t think it holds up to scrutiny.

I read WCA postings, postings by other groups and various blog posts concerning the various groups working within the United Methodist Church. I have never understood membership in the WCA to equate to a vote for disaffiliation. In fact, I think that until recently the position of the WCA has been that it will work within the United Methodist Church. Consequently, I’m not convinced that under the Protocol’s proposed legislation a Local Church’s  membership in the WCA or a vote to join the WCA would satisfy the disaffiliation vote requirement.

If I’m mistaken, it would appear that organizations such as the Reconciling Ministries Network or UM-Forward could also argue that they have received “votes” from Local Churches in support of disaffiliation because Local Churches have joined these organizations. I don’t see how someone reading the language of the Protocol reasonably can reach such a conclusion.

Perhaps signers of the Protocol intended that membership in an organization such as the WCA would be used to satisfy the 100 Local Church threshold, but in my opinion such intent is inconsistent with the plain language of the Protocol’s proposed legislation.

Keep praying for GC 2020 and the work upon which it will soon embark.