GC 2020 – The Plain Grace Plan Executive Summary

Frank Holbrook 1 GC 2020

 

Here is an Executive Summary of the Plain Grace Plan.  Hopefully, you’ll find it helpful.

 

The Plain Grace Plan (“PGP”) was developed to provide General Conference 2020 with an option allowing peaceful separation from the United Methodist Church. The plan focuses on the means of multiplying witness and not the underlying disputes between members who have honest good faith disagreements about doctrinal and social positions; this disagreement is most clearly manifested in the current debate over human sexuality.  Unlike some other approaches, the PGP does not create expressions based on the human sexuality issue.  Critically, unlike other plans it allows new expressions to adopt their polity and doctrine BEFORE an Annual Conference (“AC”) or local church receives an invitation to join; this is probably the single biggest distinction between the PGP and other proposals.   Unlike other plans, it also allows two additional periods in 2026 and 2027 for ACs and local churches to either join a new expression or reaffiliate with the United Methodist Church.

 

The plan is based on the concept of “Gracious Affiliation”. Gracious Affiliation is different than “Gracious Exit”. Gracious Affiliation encourages unity, but the unity it encourages is between expressions as part of the church universal. Graceful Affiliation also insures connectionalism among those churches forming a new expression. The product of Gracious Affiliation is a new expression known as a Full Communion Expression (“FCE”).  The Gracious Affiliation Process begins at the close of GC 2020 and ends on 12/31/2028.

 

An FCE commits to entering into a Full Communion Agreement with the United Methodist Church that will remain in full force and effect through 12/31/2028.  The Full Communion Agreement requirements are the minimum requirements currently set out in the Book Of Discipline at ¶431.  One clarification is included: “By recognizing the validity of each other’s offices of ministry, neither the United Methodist Church nor the Full Communion Expression shall be required to automatically accept transfer of any clergy or Bishop; the United Methodist Church and Full Communion Expression shall maintain the absolute right to determine qualifications for transfer of clergy and Bishops. ” ¶ 431A 2.

 

In addition FCEs must enter into a Gracious Affiliation Agreement (“GAA”) and Dispute Resolution Agreement (“DRA”).

 

The GAA provides ongoing missional support and impacts the asset division that occurs in the 2029-30 time frame.  By entering into the Gracious Affiliation Agreement an FCE expression commits to supporting certain existing ministries during part or all of the transition period (See below).  By complying with the GAA a FCE is allowed to participate in the plan for asset division.  If FCE fails to provide agreed to missional support, it is not allowed to participate in framing the asset division plan but still receives share of assets minus any financial obligation still owed. ¶431F  The rationale is that departing FCEs helped frame missional priorities and they should support those priorities through a reasonable transition period.

DRA provides a process for mediation and arbitration. If a disputes arises, the parties ar required to mediate the dispute and if they cannot reach an agreement then the dispute will be submitted to arbitration.  GCFA to draft the standardized agreement.  Agreement also will be agreed to by local churches leaving an AC. ¶¶431B, 431C, ¶678, ¶679

 

How does the Plain Grace Plan affect the United Methodist Church ?

 

The United Methodist Church is not dissolved, it remains intact.   Neither its clergy nor Bishops are “reassigned” to a new expression.

 

United Methodist Church will enter into a Full Communion Agreement with each qualifying new expression that has achieved the status of FCE.

 

The PGP recognizes that the United Methodist Church will be changing throughout the time frame of the plan.  By virtue of separation, GC 20224 and 2028 will be required to address changes that may occur.  GC will NOT be required to take further action on PGP after 2020; the plan is in place in 2020 and is enforceable via the Full Communion Agreements which bind both the UMC and the FCEs.

 

New expressions commit to continued support certain budgeted line items for ministry through 2028 – a) that portion of the World Service Fund used to support Central Conferences, b) that portion of the Episcopal Fund representing salaries, housing and office expenses to support Bishops in Central Conferences, c) the Black College Fund; d) the Africa University Fund; e) General Commission on Archives and History; and f) the General Administrative Fund (GCFA).  ¶431F 2.

 

New expressions commit to support  certain budgeted line items for ministry through 2024: a) the General Board of Church and Society; b) the General Board of Discipleship; c) the General Board of Global Ministries; d) the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry; e) the General Commission on Communication; f) the United Methodist Women; g) the General Commission on Religion and Race; h) the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women; and, i) the General Commission on United Methodist Men through 2024. ¶431F 3.

 

Proposed operational plans must be submitted to GC 2024 by the following: a) the General Board of Church and Society; b) the General Board of Discipleship; c) the General Board of Global Ministries; d) the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry; e) the General Commission on Communication; f) the United Methodist Women; g) the General Commission on Religion and Race; h) the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women; and, i) the General Commission on United Methodist Men.  This dovetails with the end of their missional support from the FCEs.  This allows these boards, commissions and agencies the opportunity to establish a working relationship with the new FCEs and understand what ongoing relationship they may have and ongoing support they may receive. ¶725

 

Annual Conferences are required to adopt Gracious Affiliation Agreements for local churches within the boundaries of the AC at their regular 2021 annual conference.  These set terms for local churches who vote to join a FCE.  By adopting form agreements, AC has approved exit of local churches who later vote to leave.  Agreements require local churches to adopt Gracious Affiliation Agreement entered into by their chosen FCE, including the DRA.  GC cannot dictate provision of the agreements but GCFA is required to prepare a form agreement that an AC may use if it so chooses.  ¶674

 

ACs may adopt gracious reaffiliation agreements in 2021 for churches that wish to remain a UMC when their AC votes to join a FCE.  These would be needed if the AC remains a UMC AC and an adjacent AC joins a FCE – the reaffiliation agreements would allow local churches to join the remaining AC. ¶674

 

Annual Conferences are potentially required to hold two Special Called Conferences, one in 2021 and one in 2022. ¶675, ¶677

 

The 2021 Special Called Conference is to select representatives who may attend new expressions’ organizing conferences.  GC cannot legally require an AC to employ a particular process but a suggested safe harbor process is provided.  Representatives are selected by a caucus method which is intended  to insure representatives are generally doctrinally aligned with the new expression.  An Annual Conference is not required to fund travel expenses for representatives. ¶675

 

The 2022 Special Called Conference is required only if Annual Conference receives an invitation to join a FCE.  If an invitation is received process for considering invitation is outlined.  GC cannot legally require an AC to employ a particular process but a suggested safe harbor process is provided. Simple majority vote is used to determine question of joining.  Same process may be used at Annual Conferences in 2026 and 2027 if a later invitation to join is received during set time frames.  All AC and local church transfers are compete by 2027. ¶677

 

After initial transfers, UMC has a quiet period where ACs and local churches may not transfer. ¶677 4.

 

ACs and local churches may reconsider initial decision during 2026 and 2027. ¶680

 

A simplified process is created for local churches to join an FCE or reaffiliate with the United Methodist Church. ¶248A.  Modeled after ¶248 it shortens the time frame for a vote and uses a simple majority for the decision.

 

The Trust Clause remains in effect until asset division occurs and adjustments are made for any monetary deficiencies owed by an FCE.  Asset division is impacted by any amounts a FCE may still owe under the GAA. ¶674, ¶679, ¶2554 ¶2555  A similar process is used for AC assets.  ¶2554

 

GAA funding comes to United Methodist Church from each FCE.  When the FCE has met its net missional support, all local churches within the FCE are released by the UMC from the trust clause and the trust clause is transferred to the FCE. ¶2555  Net missional support insures that an FCE is not held to a higher standard of financial support than is generally received from the UMC. ¶431F.

 

How does the Plain Grace Plan treat FCEs?

 

FCEs are co-equals with the UMC.  The ecumenical relationship is defined by the Full Communion Agreement, GAA and DRA. The United Methodist Church has no ongoing control over the polity or doctrine of the FCE.  The United Methodist Church is NOT an umbrella organization to which the FCE answers.

 

The New expressions are formed no later than June 30, 2022.  This provides adequate time (two years) for a new expression to form but does not leave the process open for an indefinite time.  If people are serious about forming a new expression then they need to be prepared to act within the time frame provided. ¶431D

 

With the exception of adopting a Common Core, new Expressions have complete control over their polity and doctrinal standards. ¶431D 4.

 

Although theACs are entitled to send delegates to the organizing conference, new expressions will have the ability to select enough at-large delegates to allow an FCE  to form consistent with the founders’ vision. ¶431D 2.

 

The organizing conference can be conducted using remote sites and remote voting.  This reduces the expenses of insuring Central Conference participation in an organizing conference.  431D 3.: “In order to facilitate Organizing Conferences’ use of democratic processes, such conferences may employ technological alternatives to in-person conferences, including, but not limited to, multiple geographic sites (including remote sites participating via simulcast). Organizing Conferences may employ electronic voting (including remote electronic voting). Such voting methods and procedures are solely the responsibility of the Qualified New Expressions.”

 

The common core is minimal:  “The Apostles’ Creed, the Articles of Religion and Confession of Faith, the General Rules, the Wesley Hymns and a Connectional Way of Life that includes Superintendency, Itineracy, and Conferencing.” ¶431B

 

While adopting the common core the PGP expressly states “However, Superintendency, Itineracy, and Conferencing shall not be required to comply with the standards set forth in the United Methodist Church Book of Discipline; a New Expression shall have the right to modify each of those Wesleyan systems by adoption of its own standards.” ¶431B

 

FCEs have full ability and authority to adopt any enhanced accountability provisions they deem appropriate. ¶431D 4.

 

FCEs may adopt a constitution if they so desire, but are not required to do so. ¶431D 4.

 

To participate in Gracious Affiliation new expressions must agree to enter into an 8 year Full Communion Commitment ¶431B

 

No vested right by clergy or Bishops to transfer to a new expression, they must be invited to join the FCE. ¶431A, ¶678 3., ¶678 4.  It is important to remember that the United Methodist Church will continue to exist so there is no need to insure that clergy or Bishops have a guaranteed landing spot.  No clergy will be forced to join a new expression that they do not support, no FCE will be required to accept clergy who oppose their doctrine or polity.

 

Time period for inviting annual conferences and local churches to join a new expression is limited to three periods. ¶¶677, 678, 679.

 

How does the PGP affect the Global Church?

 

Treats non-US local churches, ACs, Central Conferences, clergy and Bishops the same as it  treats US counterparts.

 

Encourages participation of Central Conferences in organizing conferences by use of technological innovation. ¶431 D 3.

 

Provides funding support through 2028 for Central Conferences and non-US Bishops through missional resource funding.  ¶431F 2.

 

How does the Plain Grace Plan address human sexuality issues?

 

Does not take any stance on human sexuality issues.

 

Leaves human sexuality issues, including marriage and ordination, to be decided by FCE.  The initial decision may be made at an FCE’s organizing conference and as a regular item of business for FCEs thereafter. ¶431D 4.

 

Does not use human sexuality issues as the litmus test for dividing the UMC or creating new expressions.  FCEs form with human sexuality being a part of their doctrinal standards, not the sole driving force for the creation of the FCE.  The PGP assumes that the divide within the UMC is much larger than merely the issue of human sexuality.

 

How does the Plain Grace Plan address accountability issues between the UMC and a FCE?

 

PGP does not address accountability issues within the UMC arising from the current Book of Discipline.  That will probably be the subject of various petitions submitted by other individuals.

 

It insures initial compliance by FCEs with the common core by allowing ONLY those new expressions that adopt the common core to issue invitations to join to ACs and local churches. ¶431D 4. “Notwithstanding anything in this sub-paragraph, a Qualified New Expression that fails to adopt provisions sufficient to fulfill the intentions listed in ¶431B before June 30, 2022 shall cease to be a Qualified New Expression and shall not be entitled to the benefits of status as a Full Communion Expression nor to employ the procedures available to Full Communion Expressions. A Gracious Affiliation Agreement may not be employed by a local church seeking to join an expression of Methodism that is not a Full Communion Expression.”

 

It attempts to insure compliance with the FCE agreement by tying participation in formulating the plan for asset division to compliance with the missional resource funding under the GAA. ¶2554 1. “To qualify to participate in Agency and Institution Asset Valuation and formulation of the Agency and Institution Asset Distribution Plan, a Full Communion Expression shall have paid at least two thirds of its Missional Invoice Amount for each fiscal year through December 31, 2028; nonetheless, a Full Communion Expression that fails to make such payments shall be allocated its share of Agency and Institution assets in the Agency and Institution Asset Distribution Plan.”

 

How does the PGP deal with local churches that just want to leave now?

 

The PGP provides a new “Gracious Exit” provision modeled after the Gracious Exit adopted at GC 2019. ¶2553

 

It does not have a human sexuality limitation.

 

It has a very short window and expedited process.

 

It requires same process required under ¶2553 that was enacted at GC 2019.

 

New ¶2553 was included in the PGP dues to uncertainty about whether existing ¶2553 will be struck down by Judicial Council due to findings of improper voting.

 

How does the PGP deal with Pension Issues

 

Adopts a modified version of Wespath’s proposal from GC 2019 for pension funding owed by a FCE. ¶1510

 

Since United Methodist Church clergy and Bishops do not automatically transfer to FCE, pension issue is one consideration for clergy or bishops who wish to transfer. ¶678.  Benefits are converted.

 

Authorizes Wespath to create and offer pension plans for FCEs. ¶1510

 

FCE pension plan funds are not part of the UMC investment pool since FCEs may adopt varying social principles.  The social principles affect available investments per the existing Book of Discipline:   ¶1504.15 “The general board is encouraged to invest in institutions, companies, corporations, or funds that make a positive contribution toward the realization of the goals outlined in the Social Principles of the Church, subject to other provisions of the Discipline, and with due regard to any and all special contracts, agreements, and laws applicable thereto. Among the tools the general board may use are shareholder advocacy, selective divestment, and advocacy of corporate disinvestment from certain countries or fields of business.”  FCEs may adopt varying social principles on issues such as human sexuality, abortion, Palestine, Israel, etc.