TOPIC

What is the source of this document’s information?

Governance?

Theology and Doctrines?

Restrictive Rules?

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

All ¶ citations are from the 2016 (updated in 2019) United Methodist Book of Discipline (BOD). The earliest the BOD could be changed is 2024. Anything other information used is also cited.

The only body that can set official policy and speak for the denomination is the General Conference. The General Conference is an international body of nearly 1,000 delegates that meets every four years. The delegates are elected by annual conferences (at annual conference sessions) to attend General Conference. They represent all annual conferences around the world. Half of the delegates are laity (non-clergy members), half are clergy. https://www.umc.org/en/content/general-conference

"United Methodists profess the historic Christian faith in God, incarnate in Jesus Christ for our salvation and ever at work in human history in the Holy Spirit.... the basic measure of authenticity in doctrinal standards, whether formally established or received by tradition, has been their fidelity to the apostolic faith grounded in Scripture and evidenced in the life of the church through the centuries.” (See also Part III, Doctrinal Standards and Our Theological Task p. 47-91 2016 Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church.)

Section III. Restrictive Rules ¶ 17 Article I. – The General Conference shall not revoke, alter, or change our Articles of Religion or establish any new standards or rules of doctrine contrary to our present existing and established standards of doctrine. ¶ 18. Article II. – The General Conference shall not revoke, alter, or change our Confession of Faith. ¶ 21 Article V. “The General Conference shall not revoke or change the General Rules of Our United Societies.”

GLOBAL METHODIST CHURCH

All ¶ citations about the Global Methodist Church is based on the latest draft of the Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline of the Global Methodist Church. This Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline is not approved yet so changes continue to be made. Nothing is definite until the GMC’s first General Conference which according to their website will be in 12-24 months. Anything other information used is also cited.

The Transitional Leadership Council is a 16-member body charged with the task of creating the Global Methodist Church. For more information go to https://globalmethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/TLC-Members-Intro.Crossroads.-JAN192022.FINAL61.pdf

101. Our Heritage of Faith. 1. As a Wesleyan expression of Christianity, the Global Methodist Church professes the Christian faith, established on the confession of Jesus as messiah, the Son of God, and resurrected Lord of heaven and earth. This confession, expressed by Simon Peter in Matthew 16:16-19 and Acts 2:32, is foundational. It declares Jesus is the unique incarnate Word of God, and He lives today, calling all to receive Him as savior, and as the one to whom all authority has been given.

¶ 109. The Restrictive Rule. In continuity with our Wesleyan heritage, the governing body of the Global Methodist Church shall not revoke, alter, or change our Articles of Religion or Confession of Faith, or establish any new standards of rules of doctrine contrary to our present existing and established standards of doctrine.