BECOMING AN AFFILIATED
AUTONOMOUS METHODIST OR UNITED CHURCH
¶ 548. When
conferences outside the United States that are parts of The United Methodist
Church desire to become an affiliated autonomous Methodist or
affiliated united church, approval shall first be secured from the
central conference involved and this decision be ratified by the annual
conferences within the central conference by two-thirds majority of the
aggregate votes cast by the annual
conferences.23
[FTN] 23. See Judicial Council
Decision 548.
1. The conference shall prepare a
historical record with reasons why autonomy is requested and shall consult with
the Commission on Central Conference Affairs (¶ 2201) on proceedings for
autonomy.
2. The Commission on Central
Conference Affairs and the conferences involved shall mutually agree on the
confession of faith and the constitution of the new church. These shall be
prepared with care and shall be approved by the
conferences.
3. Preparation of its
Discipline is the responsibility of the conference(s) desiring
autonomy.
4. Upon recommendation of the
Commission on Central Conference Affairs, when all disciplinary requirements for
affiliated autonomous relationship have been met, the General Conference through
an enabling act shall approve of and grant permission for the conference(s)
involved to become an affiliated autonomous Methodist or united
church.
5. Then the central conference
involved shall meet, declare the present relationship between The United
Methodist Church and the conference(s) involved dissolved, and reorganize as an
affiliated autonomous Methodist or affiliated united church in accordance with
the enabling act granted by the General Conference. The Commission on Central
Conference Affairs shall assist in this process and, when the plans are
consummated, report to the Council of Bishops. The proclamation of affiliated
autonomous status shall then be signed by the president of the Council of
Bishops and the secretary of the General Conference.
6. A plan of cooperation shall be
developed in accordance with ¶ 547.6 above.