One POWER. The. that makes us DISTRICT GATHERINGS. with Bishop James E. Swanson, Sr. MARCH 10-24, 2019

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "One POWER. The. that makes us DISTRICT GATHERINGS. with Bishop James E. Swanson, Sr. MARCH 10-24, 2019"

Mitchell Kennedy
5 years ago
Views:

1 LOVE GENEROSITY JUSTICE APPRENTICESHIP The POWER that makes us One DISTRICT GATHERINGS with Bishop James E. Swanson, Sr. MARCH 10-24, 2019 Mississippi Conference of The United Methodist Church

2 Important Points to Consider DISTRICT GATHERINGS SPRING 2019 with Bishop James E. Swanson, Sr. 1. A number of constitutional questions are pending review for portions of the approved legislation. 2. The 2016 Book of Discipline remains in effect today. 3. The 2020 General Conference will likely address many of these same questions and will seek to refine and/or clarify others. 4. In a polarized & divided world, can we model a different way forward when groups have differing beliefs? 5. We need to embrace this struggle because we will not legislate ourselves into a way forward. 6. Together we are more and we can do more in mission and ministry. Our connection strengthens and advances our mission to respond to God s call. 7. Our mission remains: To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. I m p o r t a n t D a t e s February 27, 2019 March 6-April 21, 2019 April 23-25, 2019 May 4, 2019 May-July 2019 June 5-8, 2019 January 1, 2020 May 5-15, 2020 December 31, 2023 Effective Date of Wespath Legislation Pauses for Lent Devotion Series ( Judicial Council Meeting Mississippi Conference Day of Mission Training Opportunities (Courageous Conversations & Productive Conflict) Session of the MS Annual Conference The Traditional Plan legislation takes effect General Conference (Minneapolis, MN) End Date of Disaffiliation [Graceful Exit] Option To read more about the 2019 Special General Conference visit:

3 AGENDA Host Church Welcome and Orientation...Host Church Pastor Musical Selections... Local Church Musicians Welcome and Opening...Bishop Swanson Overview of Administrative Legislation...David Stotts Conference Treasurer and Benefits Officer Overview of Tradition Plan Legislation...Bishop Swanson Important Dates Review Training Options Overview (See back of program) Transition to Breakout Session Rooms...James Mason Conference Staff Breakout Sessions (See map with corresponding color cards)...room Moderators Transition back from Breakout Sessions...Room Moderators Breakout Session Reports...Room Moderators Wrap Up...Bishop Swanson Communion...Host Pastor and Bishop Swanson Dismissal...Bishop Swanson Mississippi Conference of The United Methodist Church

4 HEALING THE WOUNDS THAT DIVIDE US TRAINING OPTIONS SUMMER 2019 OPTION 1 Courageous Conversations PURPOSE: Process the personal, theological, congregational and pastoral dimensions of GC2019 decisions. Receive some guidance about how to talk with their congregations. TIME COMMITMENT: Each group will spend three hours together; two sessions of 90 minutes each. DELIVERY: Distance Learning Web-based Zoom Meeting TARGET AUDIENCE: Three different sessions will be offered to three distinct groups: Group 1: For people wounded by the decisions made at GC2019. This group will be oriented toward supporters of the One Church Plan, Connected Conference Plan or Simple Plan. Group 2: For Traditional Plan supporters who wish to engage with progressives. How to engage and communicate around theological differences with sensitivity and integrity. Group 3: Traditionalist Plan supporters who are impatient and disappointed with the outcomes. COST: Per participant (To be determined) OPTION 2 Productive Conflict Training PURPOSE: Equip church leaders and members with tools to manage their own reactivity, think theologically and communicate effectively in the midst of conflict. Develop emotional intelligence skills to handle this and future conflicts. Builds on DiSC language beginning to be used in the Mississippi Conference. TIME COMMITMENT: Eight hours completed over six 90-minute sessions. DELIVERY: Distance Learning Web-based Zoom Meeting TARGET AUDIENCE: Church leaders and members across the theological spectrum. COST: Per participant (To be determined) OPTION 3 Train the Trainer: Productive Conflict and Courageous Conversations PURPOSE: Like Option 2. This option equips church leaders but also provides a full facilitation kit and other tools necessary to train groups in Everything DiSC Productive Conflict and use of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral. TIME COMMITMENT: 30 hours DELIVERY: TBD Either a series of distance learning sessions or two to three-day in-person workshop TARGET AUDIENCE: Church leaders capable of being effective trainers. COST: Per participant (To be determined) includes one professional facilitation kit per person. To indicate your interest in one or more of these training options, register for updates at:

5 2019 DISTRICT GATHERINGS FEEDBACK FORM Feel free to share your thoughts on the following questions in the space provide below or online at You can also register your interest in the summer training options. Completed forms can be given to your room moderator or any usher after dismissal. 1. What is most needed to support you or your church during this time? 2. A list of questions which you or your church still have related to the passed legislation. 3. A list of concerns or recommendations that you or your church have related to what was decided at GC2019. Optional Information o Yes, please send me more information about the summer 2019 training options. Name (Please print): Church: District: Phone: Mississippi Conference of The United Methodist Church

6 Welcome & Introduction Bishop Swanson 1 GC 2019 Administrative Changes David Stotts, CPA Conference Treasurer & Benefits Officer 2 v2 1

7 Main Administrative Objectives of GC Reduce the cost of pension to the local church and the conference because of clergy leaving the denomination for any reason. (Petition 90017) 2. Collect money through a church paid withdrawal contribution (penalty as referred to in the resolution) from churches who are leaving the denomination for any reason. Their funds are vital to the conference ability to pay the pension earned by our clergy. (Petition 90016) 3. Provide for a disaffiliation process for a set period of time for churches leaving because of the human sexuality issues. (Petition 90066) 3 Two Types of Pension Plans the difference is who is responsible for the risks of market and longevity The United Methodist pension program in the United States (jurisdictional conferences) is administered (not funded) by Wespath Benefits/Investments-formerly the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits. 1. Defined Benefit (DB)formula is driven with the market risk and longevity retained by the funding entity- in our situation the funding entity is the conference/local church. This would be a certain amount promised to be paid out in the form of an annuity-a set payment for a time certain. 2. Defined Contribution(DC)formula is a sum certain for immediate payment as earned. The participant retains the market risk and the responsibility to make it last their lifetime. 4 v2 2

8 UMC Pension Plan 3 Components 1. Pre-82 plan which was a defined benefit plan with the annuity based on an amount determined annually by the conference for the number of years a clergy served under that plan. 2. Ministerial Pension Plan (MPP) effective for service years and was funded as a defined contribution plan. 3. Clergy Retirement Security Plan (CRSP) for service years beginning January 1, 2007 is both funded as and paid out as a defined benefit and a defined contribution plan. 5 GC 2019 Pension Actions Wespath Petitions & v2 3

9 Payment of Pension for Clergy Who Surrender Their Credentials Petition What Did Not Change 1. Nothing changed for the clergy remaining in the United Methodist Church. 2. The MPP plan is a defined contribution so those funds will transfer to the UMPIP of the participant. Market Risk and Longevity continue to belong to the participant. 8 v2 4

10 What Did Change For Clergy Surrendering Credentials 1. Applies to Clergy surrendering their credentials under The Book of Discipline 2016 paragraphs 360 (relates to Board of Ordained Ministry-BOOM) & paragraph 1504 (relates to Wespath). Note that this is going forward. 2. Describes how pensions that have been earned are paid out to the clergy who are leaving the denomination. 9 Change in Petition Defined Benefit PRE-82: The annuity value will be converted to a cash balance based on an actuarially determined basis. CRSP DB: The annuity value will be converted to a cash balance based on an actuarially determined basis. NOTE: This causes the participant to have the market risk and the longevity risk of their money instead of the local church and annual conference. This ends the cost to the local church and conference for departing clergy. 2. United Methodist Personal Investment Plan (UMPIP) This is the savings vehicle that all of the annuity values above will be transferred to. This allows the participant to bear the longevity and market risk, not the conference. 10 v2 5

11 Other Items of Interest 1. The CPP Death Benefit is lost at the time of surrender of credentials whether active or retired. (Current benefits are $50,000 active clergy and $20,400 retired clergy) 2. If retired, the conference provided Post Retirement Health Benefit and the access to the conference Medicare supplement ceases.(at time of surrender of credentials) 3. All of this part was effective as of February 26, 2019 at the close of the Special Session of the General Conference. 11 Pension Covenant Contribution (Referred to a Withdrawal Penalty in the Resolution) Petition v2 6

12 Pension Covenant Contribution (Referred to a Withdrawal Penalty in the Resolution) Changed in Petition Disaffiliating churches should pay a pension contribution toward their covenant made in prior years. 2. The conference unfunded liability will be determined by Wespath. It will be computed on a market basis. 3. The local church s fair share will be determined by the conference, using a method such as the local church s current mission share index. 13 Pension Covenant Contribution (Referred to a Withdrawal Penalty in the Resolution) Changed in Petition 90017(continued) 4. Applies to all changes in relationships to the UMC through closure, abandonment, or release from the trust clause under The Book of Discipline 2016 paragraphs 2548 and 2549 whether or not subject to trust clause found in paragraph This is a change to the current Book of Discipline 2016 and will remain in effect unless changed by a future General Conference. 14 v2 7

13 GC 2019 Disaffiliation 15 Four Petitions Were Presented Graceful Exit petition was rejected as was the term. The process changed to disaffiliation Ottjes Disaffiliation was rejected Boyette Disaffiliation was rejected Taylor Disaffiliation was passed with amendments but may still be flawed. 16 v2 8

14 Taylor Disaffiliation Petition as amended 1. Local churches who disaffiliate have until December 31, 2023 to follow this process -only for the human sexuality reason approved at GC Disaffiliation requires a 2/3 affirmative vote of professing members in attendance at the church conference. 3. Conference Trustees handle the disaffiliation (amended from the Bishop handling the process). 4. Apportionments are required to be paid for the current year plus one additional year. 17 Taylor Disaffiliation Petition as amended (continued) 5. Pension covenant contribution previously discussed must be paid. 6. Once payment has been made by the disaffiliating church, the trust clause shall be released by the conference trustees. The disaffiliating church then is able to retain its property. 7. Constitutionality is uncertain. A Judicial Council ruling is expected in April As of now, our Mississippi established process continues for church members desiring to leave for any reason other than human sexuality stand of the UMC as adopted at the 2019 GC. Under our process, all of the property (real and personal) must be purchased. 18 v2 9

15 Traditional Plan Legislation Overview Bishop Swanson 19 Constitutional Review The Constitution of the United Methodist Church was adopted in 1966 by the General Conferences of The Evangelical United Brethren Church and The Methodist Church. It is included in The Book of Discipline. The Bruster Amendment passed at GC2019 and referred all Traditional Plan petitions to the Judicial Council for a ruling on their constitutionality at its next meeting on April 23-25, v2 10

16 Clarifying definition of homosexuality The definition of self-avowed practicing homosexual now includes people living in a same-sex marriage, domestic partnership or civil union, or is a person who publicly states she or he is a practicing homosexual (Petition 90032). 21 Ordination of Clergy The current 2016 Book of Discipline remains in effect so self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not eligible for ordination in the United Methodist Church. 22 v2 11

17 Episcopal Responsibility of Bishops 1. Bishops are prohibited from consecrating bishops who are self-avowed practicing homosexuals even if they have been elected. 2. Bishops are prohibited from commissioning or ordaining those on the deacon or elder track if the Board of Ordained Ministry (BOOM) has determined the individual is a self-avowed practicing homosexual (Petition 90036). 23 Board of Ordained Ministry (BOOM) BOOM members must certify to the bishop that they will uphold The Book of Discipline in its entirety previously unconstitutional (Petition 90037). Judicial Council review requested by the Council of Bishops (COB). 24 v2 12

18 Qualifications for Ministry The District Committee on Ministry (DCOM) and Board of Ordained Ministry (BOOM) shall not approve or recommend persons who do not meet the qualifications after full examination and the bishop shall rule any unqualified candidate so recommended out or order (Petition 90043). Judicial Council ruling requested by COB. 25 Complaint Process Bishops can only dismiss a complaint if it has no basis in law and the reason for dismissal is shared with the complainant-the person who brought the complaint (Petition 90044). 26 v2 13

19 Just Resolutions (Disciplining Clergy) 1. Just resolutions must state all identified harms and how they will be addressed to the complainant (Petition 90045). 2. Every effort should be made for just resolution to be agreed upon by the complainant (Petition 90046). 27 Minimum Penalty The minimum penalty for someone convicted of conducting ceremonies or same-sex weddings is: First offense: one-year suspension without pay Second offense: termination with loss of credentials. Petition v2 14

20 Church Appeals A local congregation can appeal decisions based on egregious errors of law (Petition 90047). 29 Important Dates, Training Options and Breakout Sessions James Mason, Conference Staff 30 v2 15

21 31 Wrap Up Bishop Swanson 32 v2 16

22 Additional Online Information 33 v2 17

District Superintendent Manual

a general agency of The United Methodist Church EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2017 District Superintendent Manual Table of Contents Introduction... 1 Section 1 Overview of Benefit Programs and Enrollment... 2 Clergy