What is The Way Forward Commitee?
The Way Forward Committee is committed to providing transparency, factual information, and clarity to the Wightman Church congregation regarding the pivotal decision of separating from or remaining with the United Methodist Church. Guided by Christian love, we aim to present a comprehensive roadmap of options and their implications, empowering our congregation to make an informed and collective decision for the future of our church.
What is all this about?
What fundamentally is at work, since before COVID, is that there have been and currently are proposed numerous changes to the Discipline of our denomination at the General Conference sessions, not unlike years past. The next General Conference is in the spring of 2024 in Charlotte, NC.
The large number of changes being proposed could never be presented in this forum, but mostly commonly addressed are concerns of human sexuality issues and the relationship of those matters to the denomination – but note there are many other proposals as well. As to these changes, you will most likely find yourself in one of three categories: you are either in support of these changes, indifferent to there possibilities, or are opposed to the changes.
What is Discernment?
Discernment is a gift of deep intuition and insight. Discerning people can separate truth from fiction and know at a visceral level when people are being honest. Deeply sensitive and “tuned in,’ those with the gift of discernment are open to feelings, new ideas, and intuition as valid and credible information. Discernment is not irrational, but transrational-beyond empirical-knowledge.
From the United Methodist Church website
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Discernment is the living examples of Romans 12:2 (NIV)
For the purposes of the Way Forward Committee
DISCERNMENT IS:
- A period, or continuing lifestyle, of intercessory prayer to allow God’s will to be shown in and through your life and choices.
- Officially letting the SC Annual Conference know that we, of this congregation, need a time of prayerful consideration of the issues before us.
- That we as Christians allow our decisions to be guided by God’s will and we commit, through design and purpose of plan, to seek that wisdom.
- A time to educate ourselves on the issues at hand.
DISCERNMENT IS NOT:
- A vote to change affiliation or leave a denomination.
- A methodology of forced choices.
- A pathway forward or roadmap in itself
- A tool to judge others.
- The Timeline
The TImeline
A timeline has been established for Wightman. The timeline is driven largely by Conference required deadlines.
September 11 – The Wightman UMC Administrative Council offered direction to the Chair of the Way Forward Committee that the desire was for the Committee to discuss discernment and make a formal recommendation back to council.
September 19 – An agenda for the Way Forward Committee was published and circulated to the committee members that included that item/request.
September 24 -The Way Forward Committee met and adopted a motion to recommend that the Administrative Council enter into a time of discernment for the Wightman congregation concerning issues facing the denomination. The motion further asks that this discernment period begin as soon as possible. The motion was debated at length. This item was approved by the majority of the committee.
October 8 – A Called Administrative Council meeting took place on the afternoon of October 8. The purpose of the called meeting was to vote on the recommendation from The Way Forward Committee to go into a time of discernment to seek God’s guidance on the matter of separation from the United Methodist denomination beginning immediately. Paper ballots were distributed to council members with the results of 14 ballots for a time of discernment and 3 ballots voting against the recommendation. The recommendation was approved. Official notification was sent to the Greenwood District Superintendent.
November 19 – At the scheduled Administrative Council meeting a motion was made that the District Superintendent be contacted to schedule a Church Conference date in early February. A plan for education and communication was presented to Administrative Council. This includes the addition of a page on the website, scheduling of informed speakers to visit Wightman in January, and the continuing publication of information in the monthly newsletters.
December 3 – Questionnaires were distributed in the church bulletins and posted in each vestibule. These questionnaires will be used to formulate a series of questions to be presented to each speaker that will visit in January.
In January, Wightman will host two, face to face, sessions with subject matter experts to discuss the positions in regards to continue our affiliation with the United Methodist Church or to disaffiliate and become, or, associate with another entity.
January 14 –Rev. Michael Turner will give a presentation on the issues surrounding disaffiliation at 4:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.
January 21 – Rev. Cathy Jamieson of Grace UMC North Augusta will give a presentation on the issues surrounding disaffiliation at 4:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.
January 28 – Financial Implications Discussion at 4:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.
Please plan to be present at each of these sessions to hear the cases being presented. Proper discernment will be to examine both sides of the issue.
The Wightman congregation voted on Sunday, February 4, at 3:00 p.m. to separate from the United Methodist denomination.
An information-gathering session for our congregation will be held on March 24 at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary to learn about two options for Wightman to consider should separation from the UMC be finalized in June. Rev. Jody Flowers, pastor of Chapin Community Church will present for the Foundry Network. Immediate following, Rev. Erik Grayson, presiding elder of the Global Methodist Church, along with Rev. Michael Turner, of Mt. Horeb Church will present for the Global Methodist Church. Your attendance is strongly encouraged as we make our way forward together toward a new future.
The Administrative Council of Wightman United Methodist Church held a special called meeting Sunday, April 7, 2024 at 12:30 p.m. for the expressed purpose of voting on the future affiliation of Wightman, following the tally of the congregational votes on the matter.
The results of the congregational vote are as follows:
Global Methodist Church: 105
Forge/Independent: 41
Total Votes Cast: 146
After a review of the results and thoughtful, prayerful discussion, a motion was made that Wightman join the Global Methodist denomination. The motion was seconded and approved overwhelmingly, with two abstentions, thus confirming the sizable majority of the congregational vote.
The Process
Financial implications If Wightman Disaffiliates
The Way Forward Committee has secured an appraisal of all church properties. The property value returned at just over 2 million dollars. Why is this important? Because part of the disaffiliation process, should we opt for that pathway – is to pay the Trustees of the Annual Conference 10% of all assets. This information has been handed over to the Finance and Audit Committee for further study, preparation, and reply.