Answer #1 (Stay UMC)
This is a very good question. We know that to remain United Methodist would mean that our church would continue toward our vision to be “A church community, helping people follow Jesus, and love one another!” To simply stay UMC means that the AUMC that you love and appreciate would remain the same. Our structure, beliefs, outreach and mission to “Love God, love neighbors, and make passionate followers of Jesus” would remain unchanged. To leave the United Methodist Church would mean that the congregation would need to decide a new focus, mission, vision, and values. It would mean that the church would need to process how to choose a new denomination or become independent in mission. Decisions of doctrine would need to be made as well as choices of how to receive new pastors, staff and church leadership. Questions of structure and church governance would need to be addressed. The current name of the church as well as the focus of the church would all be on the table for negotiation should the church choose to disaffiliate.
The current arrangement enables the church to be in a relationship of trust with congregations around the world. This structure of trust enables us to quickly respond to disasters and support other UMC mission agencies such as the Wesley Foundation, Huntingdon College, and Blue Lake Camp. Keeping our property in “Trust” enables our church to have the the ability to continue our form of self-governance as well as work within a covenant relationship with our Bishop and other UMC churches. John Wesley established the form of “Trust” in 1750s. Our Discipline as a church since 1784 has allowed space for churches to leave the denomination and it will continue to do so after Paragraph 2553 ends.
Answer #2 (Pro-Disaffiliation)
The current arrangement of keeping property in “Trust” ties the Church to a denomination that limits options for self-governance. This was Wesley’s way of controlling “rogue” churches. He never contemplated wholesale changes in Methodism. Without this Paragraph 2553 option, we would have to stay with the UMC regardless of their change in beliefs. Any option that we would take as a Church would leave our property in our name. That would ensure our ability to survive and thrive.