More than 30 local churches are headed to court in a lawsuit filed against the West Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, claiming that they were denied disaffiliation and given misleading information by the Conference.
(See last week’s article detailing the upcoming lawsuit here).
In the fall of 2024, The Institute on Religion and Democracy reached out to the West Virginia Conference seeking comment from incoming Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett regarding the disaffiliation process. It was our understanding that WV Conference had not been using section 2553 of the Book of Discipline to allow disaffiliation either before the December 31, 2023 deadline or after, instead working through a separate disaffiliation procedure. Because they were operating through the separate procedure, it was unclear whether WV Churches were still able to exit. Our understanding seems to be in agreement with what is being alleged in the lawsuit.
It was difficult to obtain a response from the Conference, and IRD’s request to speak with the bishop was declined. We were told that because of the “hectic” time surrounding her transition, questions would be submitted through Conference Director of Communications Bryan Beatty, who said that he would submit questions to the Bishop.
Here are the questions that were submitted:
1. Is there a current process in the WV Conference for churches who wish to disaffiliate? Other conferences are allowing disaffiliation despite the 2019 process in the Discipline having expired.
2. Since the WV Conference disaffiliations were not done through the Discipline’s expired 2019 process, is there an alternative process that is still open for churches who wish to leave?
3. What is your response to multiple laity that told me that they were told by clergy to wait until after General Conference to make a decision about leaving? In some cases, clergy told them that it would be easier to exit after Conference.
4. Is the Bishop concerned that statements like the one above from clergy have led to a breach of trust between clergy and laity?
5. What are options for laity and clergy who are uncomfortable with the changes made at General Conference?
6. What impact do you think General Conference will have on the WV Conference’s attendance/membership going forward?
7. Does the Bishop have a statement for laity and pastors who are grieving the decisions made at General Conference?
8. What are the options going forward for pastors in the WV Conference, who feel uncomfortable remaining in the UMC, particularly pastors made vulnerable by being close to retirement?
9. Has guidance been given to pastors as to how they should provide pastoral care to those grieving the outcome of General Conference?
10. Does the Bishop feel that the changes made at General Conference will in the long run benefit the UMC and its mission to make disciples for Jesus Christ?
Beatty responded, stating that he had “worked with Bishop Wallace-Padgett to review your questions, and she provided me this response to pass along to you.”
The answer is provided below in full:
“The 2019 disaffiliation process outlined in the Book of Discipline expired on December 31, 2023. The West Virginia Conference is following The United Methodist Church’s guidelines and does not have a separate disaffiliation process. Our Conference remains committed to providing clarity, support, and communication to our congregations as we move forward while understanding individuals’ needs and decisions on membership within our local churches.
Building and retaining trust remains a core value of our Conference’s leadership. We are here to listen, and offer opportunities for prayer, conversation, and discernment. The West Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church encourages laity and clergy alike to find support within their congregations and districts as we move forward with hope and a focus on mission and ministry in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
The Conference does not predict future General Conference decisions or long-term effects of the recent General Conference, but rather provides updates and facts as they are made available. Our focus remains on offering hope, healing, and meaningful ministry to all, so that congregations can continue to share the love of Christ throughout their communities and the world. We strive to provide a Christ-centered, Spirit-led United Methodist presence in West Virginia.
Our Conference has a helpful Frequently Asked Questions page that may answer a number of your questions at: https://www.wvumc.org/general-conference/.”
A follow up email was sent asking, “Can you clarify for me? It was my understanding that, rather than the normal disaffiliation process, the WV Conference had operated through a closure process. Is there a process by which churches can close and then purchase their buildings? If so, how many churches have participated in that process?”
That email never received a response.
The Conference response was disappointing, failing to clarify how WV disaffiliations would work, and showing a surprising lack of interest in pastoral care for those negatively impacted by the decisions of General Conference and the Conference’s handling of its disaffiliation process. What does seem to be clear is that the Conference has been unhelpful in providing information about its disaffiliation process both before and after the section 2553’s December 31st deadline.
More From IRD:
Seeking Disaffiliation, Churches Sue West Virginia United Methodist Conference
‘Petty and Vindictive’: West Virginia Sees United Methodist General Conference Aftermath
Reflections on My Closing United Methodist Church
Comment by Lawrence Kreh on February 3, 2025 at 1:29 pm
Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett is was very fair in handling the disaffiliation process in the North Alabama Conference. So much so that the Wesleyan Covenant Association sent a letter of appreciation for her leadership. More than half of UMC churches in the North Alabama Conference disaffiliated.
As she assumes oversight of the West Virginia Conference she is un a difficult position. As a UMC bishop she is inheriting a very different history created by her predessors. As a UMC bishop, she cannot directly undermine the actions of her colleagues and must represent the UMC in West Virginia. But given her history, I pray that she can find a fair way out of this mess.
As a footnote…
After the North Alabama disaffiliations were approved at Annual Conference with little opposition, she led a communion service, with both sides and sent them out in peace.
Not typical.
Comment by Wilson R. on February 3, 2025 at 2:16 pm
From what I’ve heard, the disaffiliations in the Tennessee Conference over a two-year period went pretty seamlessly as well. In spite of that, however, the rhetoric from many of the leavers was so venomous that a communion service with both sides could never have happened. They didn’t want to be at any table with anyone who kept the name United Methodist.
Comment by PFSchaffner on February 3, 2025 at 2:29 pm
West Virginia matters. According to some rankings, WV is, or at least was, the only state in which UMC was the single largest denomination.
Comment by JoeR on February 3, 2025 at 5:20 pm
The “Leavers” are not the problem. The games played by Bishops and DS’s in 2024 are the problem.
Comment by Bill Cockerham on February 3, 2025 at 5:44 pm
We were misled in West Virginia and anyone making statements to the contrary isn’t being honest. Using the excuse for not answering the questions so as not to undermine her predecessor is unacceptable. As usual Mountain folks say….that dog won’t hunt.
Comment by David Blanco on February 25, 2025 at 11:44 am
@Lawrence Kreh
Well said, brother, this needs to heard and known. Too many times we only focus and hear about what someone failed to do, but seldom do we also hear and know about what they did and how they did it.
If all I read was the above article about Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett, I may have had a different impression about her, but your comments shed light on the bigger picture, the whole story.