Draft 5/2/23     

ARTICLE 4. EXPECTATIONS   

Adopted by Church Council: XXXXX, 2023      CBS796 

A.  Church Member

• 1.      Has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their life.
• 2.      Understands the two greatest commandments: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31
• 3.      Demonstrates the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5:22-23
• 4.      Celibate single living in their biological gender; or in a committed, faithful, lifelong marriage as one biological man and one biological woman.
• 5.      In agreement with and supportive of the beliefs and organization as outlined in these Bylaws.
• 6.      Observes Baptism and Communion as important sacraments in Christian living.
• 7.      A Member actively contributes their attendance, time, talents, and gifts to the ministry of the Church.
• 8.      A Member is classified as an Active Church Member and a qualified voting member.
• 9.      A Member on Sabbatical is a member who will be absent for more than six months but is expected to return as determined by the Lead Pastor or the Church Council Chair but is not a voting member until they have returned and declared their intention to stay.
• 10.  An Inactive Member is a member who 1. relocated out of the area, 2. joined another church and, 3. placed on inactive status for disciplinary reasons as determined by the Lead Pastor or the Church Council Chair, supported by Church Council, and whose status will be re-evaluated after a period of time. An Inactive Member is a non-voting member and may be deleted from membership rolls as determined from time to time by the Church Council.
• 11.  A Member may be subject to church discipline as applicable in Mathew 18:15-19. Church Council may agree to remove a Church Member.

 B.     Church Staff and Leadership Volunteers

• 1.      Paid church staff and those who serve as teachers, coordinators, small group or other leaders or facilitators, etc. must understand and agree to the Church Member expectations A1 to A5 as well as these Bylaws and complete the Volunteer Covenant form, whether they are official Church Members or not.  

 C.    Committee Member or Officer

in addition to Church Member expectations:

• 1.      Acts 6:2 Serves others in an official capacity in the church.
• 2.      Matthew 20:26–28 Jesus defined servant leadership: ‘Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’
• 3.      John 13:12–17 The Lord incarnate bent down and washed their feet, teaching them the true measure of leading by first serving others.
• 4.      1 Timothy 3:8–12 Worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much alcohol/substances, and not pursuing dishonest gain, keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience, first be tested, not malicious talkers, temperate, trustworthy, manage household well.  Note: A1-A5.
• 5.      Philippians 2:3–4 ‘Do nothing from selfish ambition but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ‘Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.’
• 6.      Ephesians 4:12. 'To equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.’
• 7.      Additional consideration should be given to the candidate’s spiritual gifts, church participation, temperament/personality, natural talents and learned skills, life experiences, and their heart’s call for the particular task to be assigned.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       D.    Church Council Member                                                                                                                            in addition to Committee Member expectations:
  
  
• 1.      1 Timothy 5:17 Rule over the church to lead or to attend to, a diligent caretaker, reprove those who err from the faith.
  
• 2.      Hebrews 13:17 Accountable for the spiritual life of the church.
  
• 3.      Acts 20:17–35, Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God.
  
• 4.      1 Peter 5:1-4 Feed the flock and watch out for the church in humility.
  
• 5.      James 5:14 Pray for the sick.
  
• 6.      Acts 6:2-4 Devoted to prayer and to the ministry of the word.
  
• 7.      1 Peter 2:25 The Lord Jesus Himself is “Shepherd and Overseer of your souls”
  
• 8.      Acts 15:1-2 Help settle disputes in the church. Decision makers.
  
• 9.      James 3:1 A position of responsibility, not to be taken lightly.
  
• 10.  1 Timothy 4:11- 6:2 things that he should command and teach.
  
• 11.  Acts 11:30 Handling of finances within the church.
  
• 12.  Titus 1:5-9 Appoint elders in every city.
  
• 13.  Church Council members are peacemakers, prayer warriors, teachers, leaders by example, and decision makers.
  
• 14.  1 Timothy 3:1–7 Above reproach, faithful, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent, gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money, manage his own family well, and in a manner worthy of full respect, not be a recent convert, have a good reputation with outsiders. Note: A1-A5.
  
• 15.  Titus 1:6–9 Blameless, faithful, control of family, not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain, hospitable, one who loves what is good, self-controlled, upright, holy, disciplined, hold firmly to the Word, encourage others, and  refute those who oppose sound doctrine.
  
• 16.  Experience in teaching, leading, facilitating, mentoring, e.g., small group, class, mentorees, etc.
  
• 17.  Has served on a Regular Committee.
  

 
                                                                            E.     Pastor                                             
                                       in addition to Church Council Member expectations:



• 1.      Ephesians 4:11-12 To govern the church along with the elders (or overseers, bishops) focused primarily on spiritual matters, edifying believers and equipping the saints to do the work of the ministry.
  
• 2.      1 Timothy 5:17 A double honor especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. The pastor is first a Church Council Member.
  
• 3.      2 Timothy 2:2 Teaching to the committed & faithful who would teach others also. Preserving the integrity of the gospel is one of the pastor’s highest callings.
  
• 4.      1 Peter 5:2 Feed the church, “feed the flock” with God’s Word and lead them in the proper way. The word pastor means “shepherd.
  
• 5.      Titus 1:7 To be an example of truth, love, and godliness for God’s flock to follow.
  
• 6.      1 Timothy 4:12 the steward of God, he is answerable to God for his leadership in the church.
  
• 7.      Acts 11:30 Handling of finances within the church.
  
• 8.      The hiring of a Lead Pastor is outlined in the Lead Pastor Selection Procedure approved by Church Council.
  

 

Article X. Indemnification & Insurance

As discussed in our 3/15 Administrative Council here are selected sites for additional Internet research on the United Methodist Church and its future. Thanks to Jack Helmer for his work to compile this list.

Additional resources

https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/newsdetail/bishops-seek-ruling-on-whether-an-annual-conference-can-leave-umc-16387925  

03/08/22 Council of Bishops is requesting a declaratory decision from the Judicial Council on whether an annual conference can separate from the denomination under the provision of the Book of Discipline

https://firebrandmag.com/articles/the-politics-of-postponement-and-the-2020-general-conference

            03/08/22 The politics of postponement

https://juicyecumenism.com/2022/03/04/methodisms-prolonged-split/

            03/04/22 UMC prolonged split ramifications

https://www.westohioumc.org/conference/news/bishop-palmer-breathe-stay-mission-be-not-afraid

            03/03/22 Bishop Palmer: “{separation}will be undertaken with dignity and grace…I desire that none leave…we have journeyed together to bring that desire to be fulfilled with little or no fanfare but always with respect and love.”

https://wesleyancovenant.org/2021/12/20/dear-members-and-friends-of-the-wesleyan-covenant-association/

            03/03/22 Wesleyan Covenant Assn’s Sixth Global Gathering, Indianapolis

https://globalmethodist.org/resources/

            03/03/22 GMC video 1min11sec

https://globalmethodist.org/global-methodist-church-sets-official-launch-date/

            03/03/22 GMC will launch May 1

https://globalmethodist.org/about/#about-leadership-section

03/03/22 Transitional Leadership Council

https://resistharm.com/communications/a-message-to-the-umc-resist-harm/

03/03/22 UMC Resist Harm action movement: “hold in faithful abeyance anti-LGBTQ+ complaints related to the celebration of Christian marriage with LGBTQ couples and those related to the ordination and ministry of LGBTQ+ clergy.”

https://goodnewsmag.org/2022/03/04/on-the-further-postponement-of-general-conference/

            03/03/22 avoidance of UMC to allow disaffiliation

https://www.umnews.org/en/news/general-conference-postponed-until-2024

            03/03/22 alternatives to GC postponement

https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/newsdetail/general-conference-cancelled-16384635

            03/03/22 GC Postponed to 2024

https://juicyecumenism.com/2022/03/03/scripture-church-history-united-methodist-split/

            03/03/22 UMC issues leading to split

https://www.resourceumc.org/en/agencies/communications/church-and-conference-resources/people-of-god-campaign-new/beumc-messaging

            03/22 BeUMC Promotion of diversity

https://um-insight.net/in-the-church/umc-future/setting-the-record-straight-on-church-disaffiliations/

            02/10/22 Missouri disaffiliations

https://um-insight.net/in-the-church/umc-future/church-court-clarifies-disaffiliation-rules/

02/09/22 Annual conferences may develop additional procedures and standard terms (https://www.resourceumc.org/en/churchwide/judicial-council/most-recent-decisions)

https://um-insight.net/in-the-church/umc-future/church-disaffiliations-court-cases-mount/

            02/08/22 Disafiliation court cases are building  

https://www.westohioumc.org/conference/news/2022-annual-conference-be-held-virtually

02/04/22 West Ohio Annual Conf to be virtual June 2&3

https://um-insight.net/in-the-church/umc-future/up-to-a-third-of-general-conference-delegates-can-t-get-visa/

            02/04/22 “the outlook for holding General Conference this year does not look good”

https://um-insight.net/in-the-church/umc-future/ballistic-methodism/

            02/02/22 Progressive UMC

https://www.umnews.org/en/news/debate-about-church-future-heats-up

            01/26/22 Debates

https://juicyecumenism.com/2022/01/24/2021-north-central-jurisdictional-conference/

            01/25/22 10 Takeaways from the North Central Jurisdictional Conference

https://www.umnews.org/en/news/bishops-others-denounce-wcas-vaccine-plan

01/18/22 Bishops renounce WCA proposal to help foreign delagates attend 2021General Conference

https://juicyecumenism.com/2022/01/18/cindy-mcclendon-how-did-united-methodists-get-to-this-place/

            01/18/22 History of UMC progressivism since 1972 ® 50 years

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X03gY7HPr7Q&t=5357s

01/04/22 Rick Warren, Finishing Well, Church Leadership

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ1VMY20T20 Rod Martin, Keith Boyette

01/06/22 UMC So Baptist Developments

https://um-insight.net/in-the-church/umc-future/schism-in-united-methodism-is-the-ground-level-for-open-deba/

01/22 Disaffiliation depends on the Bishop, some of whom are taking negative intimidating action on outspoken members/clergy re: keeping one UMC and preventing split rather than separation

https://juicyecumenism.com/2021/12/21/no-more-asbury-grads-in-post-separation-umc-psumc/

12/21/21Pastor Bryan Bucher of the West Ohio Conference, Westwood UMC, Cincy

‘Centrist’ Leader: No More Asbury Grads in Post-Separation UMC (psUMC)!

https://www.umnews.org/en/news/church-exits-covid-lead-to-steep-budget-cuts

            12/03/22 Recommended budget cut by 1/3 beginning 2023 to 407M, disaffiliations will accelerate cuts

http://www.ncjumc.org/ncj-202/1-summary/ see tabs on Bishop Bard’s Ruling of Law, Delegates commitment to LGBTQIA+, Covenant and Grace Letter, etc.

12/01/2021 hold off action re LGBTQIA+

https://www.umnews.org/en/news/judicial-council-to-review-church-exit-rules

            11/22/21 Deciding exit rules

https://www.umc.org/en/content/bishops-agree-on-narrative-for-the-continuing-umc

11/08/21 On November 4, the Council of Bishops overwhelming approved A Narrative for the Continuing United Methodist Church. the North Central Jurisdiction voted to affirm the document.

JH: “Correct in essence but insult in reality.” (Russian proverb)

https://www.westohioumc.org/conference/news/narrative-continuing-united-methodist-church

            11/04/21 West Ohio Conference Bishop Palmer: I commend the following for your prayerful reflection and earnest conversation.

https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/files/websites/www/a+narrative+for+the+continuing+united+methodist+church...._.pdf

            11/04/21 A Narrative for the Continuing the UMC

https://www.acalltograce.com/

            11/11/21 NCJ Delegates statement to be inclusive and allow differences to disaffiliate in grace

https://www.acalltograce.com/ hold off action re LGBTQIA+, pursue Protocol

11/02/21 GC expected to be ‘delayed by Covid’

https://religionnews.com/2021/11/22/united-methodist-meeting-to-consider-split-is-still-on-for-now/

11/21 Gen Conf keeps postponing the vote

https://juicyecumenism.com/2021/12/21/no-more-asbury-grads-in-post-separation-umc-psumc/

https://juicyecumenism.com/2021/11/01/adam-hamilton-on-methodist-future/

http://eastcobbnews.com/mt-bethel-church-allowed-to-retain-methodist-leader-in-lawsuit/ 2021/11/15

http://eastcobbnews.com/mt-bethel-umc-asks-for-disaffiliation-vote-in-counterclaim/ 2021/10/08

https://juicyecumenism.com/2021/07/14/methodist-bully-bishop-escalates-north-georgia-crisis-for-love/

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2021/july/umc-leave-church-methodist-split-lgbt-conference-protocol.html          +++

07/2021, 89 disaffiliations (31,000+ UMC churches & 54 Conferences in the US) in 2020 thru June 21 under varying financial conditions set by the leadership in the involved Conferences.

https://www.umnews.org/en/news/exiting-congregations-face-hefty-price-tag

            06/13/19 Exit costs, old but notes financial considerations

https://www.westohioumc.org/conference/2021-recommendations-update

06/07/21 Recommendation tabled: consider requests for ordination and conference membership without prejudice toward a candidate’s sexual ordination or gender identity

https://www.resourceumc.org/en/churchwide/judicial-council/judicial-council-decision-home/judicial-decisions/in-re-petition-for-declaratory-decision-from-the-council-of-bishops-re4

            04/25/19 ¶ 2553. Disaffiliation of a Local Church Over Issues Related to Human Sexuality—

https://www.umnews.org/en/news/churches-across-theological-spectrum-exiting

            04/19/2021 Exits

https://wesleyancovenant.org/2021/04/15/departing-the-united-methodist-church/

04/16/2021 WCA Keith Boyette Exiting UMC

https://www.resourceumc.org/en/churchwide/judicial-council/judicial-council-decision-home/judicial-decisions/memorandum-1407

04/16 2021, UMC Judicial Council, Memorandum Number 1407 Petition for Declaratory Decision from the Council of Bishops Concerning the Constitutionality of Proposed Legislation Implementing the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation

Without a General Conference meeting with discussion, motions, amendment and votes, the “Protocol” becomes a nonissue. Other Decisions/Memorandums about the same time are also interesting but show little promise for Protocol progress.

https://juicyecumenism.com/2021/01/21/why-united-methodist-church-splitting/

01/21/21 Lack of enforcing BoD discipline (esp. sexuality/marriage vs. Biblical teaching)

https://www.umnews.org/en/news/ohio-pastor-charged-with-disobedience

10/17/17 Rev. David W. Meredith, Cincinnati, same sex marriage, charged, listed 1/19/22 West OH Conference website, still pastor

GMC Transitional Book of Doctrine and Discipline 10/2021 (103 pages)

https://globalmethodist.org/what-we-believe/

UMC Book of Discipline 2016 (998 pages) & UMC Book of Resolutions 2016 (873 pages)

https://www.cokesbury.com/book-of-discipline-book-of-resolutions-free-versions