| PETITION
Regarding Apportionments
To the members of the 2000 General Conference of the United
Methodist Church:
We respectfully petition that ¶ 811.5 of The Book of
Discipline (1996) which now reads:
5. The apportionments for all apportioned general
Church funds, as approved by the General Conference, shall not be subject to reduction
either by the annual conference or by the charge or local church (¶ 612.1).
Be AMENDED by ADDING the following:
, except a local church shall be allowed to redirect one or
more apportionments of the general Church to United Methodist-related or other Christian
ministries, when the Charge:
a) Adopts by majority vote a resolution in which is declared the
opposition of that Charge Conference to programs, activities or statements made by
officials of any organization supported by a particular apportionment of the general
Church which are deemed to be contrary to the teachings of Scripture and The Book of
Discipline (1996) of the United Methodist Church;
b) Identifies the apportionment and the organization so opposed,
giving the reason(s) for such opposition, and identifies all organizations which the local
church shall support using such funds not paid to the apportionment; and
c) Certifies the local church’s opposition and desire to
redirect the apportionment(s) so identified by delivery of a copy of the resolution to the
District Superintendent at the Charge Conference.
¶ 811.5 as amended would then read:
5. The apportionments for all apportioned general Church funds,
as approved by the General Conference, shall not be subject to reduction either by the
annual conference or by the charge or local church (¶ 612.1), except a local church
shall be allowed to redirect one or more apportionments of the general Church to United
Methodist-related or other Christian ministries, when the Charge Conference or Church
Conference:
a) Adopts by majority vote a resolution in which is declared the
opposition of that Charge Conference to programs, activities or statements made by
officials of any organization supported by a particular apportionment of the general
Church which are deemed to be contrary to the teachings of Scripture and The Discipline
of the United Methodist Church;
b) Identifies the apportionment and the organization so opposed,
giving the reasons for such opposition, and identifies all organizations which the local
church shall support using such funds not paid to the apportionment; and
c) Certifies the local church’s opposition and desire to
redirect the apportionment(s) so identified by delivery of a copy of the resolution to the
District Superintendent at the Charge Conference.
Submitted by:
Rationale A
1. The United Methodist Church has become theologically diverse
with members holding many views concerning God, humanity, revelation, authority,
salvation, grace, atonement, worship, personal and corporate ethics, and the church, and
these views are often mutually exclusive in content and application.
2. The mission statements, goals, and strategies of some
agencies, boards, and commissions of The United Methodist Church are based on theological
views which do not reflect the views of significant segments of the church’s
membership.
3. The general agencies, boards, and commissions of The United
Methodist Church are funded by apportionments on local churches many of which find
themselves in significant disagreement with the views and policies of these agencies,
boards, and commissions.
4. The disparity of theological viewpoints between members and
national leadership is resulting in significant issues of conscience for many local
churches as they struggle with the requirement that they support The UMC organizations
whose mission and work substantially contradicts the mission and work of the congregation.
5. These issues of conscience are not rooted in misunderstanding,
intolerance, prejudice, personal ambition, or a desire for local church autonomy for its
own sake but are rooted in diverse theological views.
6. It is unloving and divisive to require a person or church to
financially support activities to which they are conscientiously opposed. The intent of
this petition is to help local churches who cannot in good conscience support the
activities or positions of some UMC organizations but wish to remain loyal to the United
Methodist Church.
7. This petition to the 2000 General Conference is a matter of
justice, fairness, and love among United Methodists.
Rationale B
1. The United Methodist Church has become theologically
diverse with members holding irreconcilable doctrinal differences regarding many views
concerning God, humanity, revelation, authority, salvation, grace, atonement, worship,
personal and corporate ethics, and the church; these views are often mutually exclusive in
content and application and in conflict with Scripture and United Methodist doctrinal
standards.
2. The mission statements, goals, and strategies of some
agencies, boards, and commissions of the United Methodist Church are based on theological
views which are in conflict with Scripture and are counterproductive to the overall
mission of the Church.
3. The general agencies, boards, and commissions of the United
Methodist Church are funded by apportionments on local churches, many of which find
themselves in significant disagreement with the views and policies of the
organizations they support.
4. The conflict of theological viewpoints between members and
national leadership is resulting in significant issues of Christian conscience for many
local churches as they struggle with the requirement that they support these UMC
organizations whose priorities and activities substantially undermine the faithful mission
and work of the congregation.
5. It is unconscionable to require a person or church to
financially support activities which they consider to be in opposition to Scripture and
the established standards of the United Methodist Church.
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