Xavier: Can UMC kick out heretical churches?

[bar Jonah]

I'm wondering, because of my and my ministry's awareness of so many heretical UMC churches... can the UMC kick them out? Make them remove that name/title/whatever? And if so, how does that process start?

We know a church here in Denver that has no business calling itself Christian, at all. What we saw there was so appalling... well, you've heard the story.

So, can this be done? Is it possible to "report" things like this? I'm curious.

[Teallaura]

I'm wondering, because of my and my ministry's awareness of so many heretical UMC churches... can the UMC kick them out? Make them remove that name/title/whatever? And if so, how does that process start?

We know a church here in Denver that has no business calling itself Christian, at all. What we saw there was so appalling... well, you've heard the story.

So, can this be done? Is it possible to "report" things like this? I'm curious.
Yes, it can be done. I'm not up on the exact procedure - I only have the 2000 Discipline - maybe Xavier has the 2004?

As for reporting, I'm not sure that a non-member would have standing (in fact I doubt it) but you can always bring it to the attention of the District Superintendent, or the Bishop. What, if anything, that would do (coming from a non-member) I honestly don't know - can't hurt to try.

[bar Jonah]

Yes, it can be done. I'm not up on the exact procedure - I only have the 2000 Discipline - maybe Xavier has the 2004?

As for reporting, I'm not sure that a non-member would have standing (in fact I doubt it) but you can always bring it to the attention of the District Superintendent, or the Bishop. What, if anything, that would do (coming from a non-member) I honestly don't know - can't hurt to try.
So, only people who are willing members of that church.... can report them. Boy, that makes sense. :rilol:

Wouldn't that kind of prejudice the point of the process? :shrug:

[Teallaura]

So, only people who are willing members of that church.... can report them. Boy, that makes sense. :rilol:

Wouldn't that kind of prejudice the point of the process? :shrug:

Not really, it's more analogous to the ability to bring a lawsuit - you have to have standing (have suffered some loss/injury in the case of a lawsuit). Similarly, foreign nationals do not have guaranteed access to the American courts - only citizens have that right (refusals are seldom exercised - and here I mean civil, not criminal law).

Like I said, I'm not 100% sure - I simply suspect (strongly) that you would have to be a member to bring formal charges - but calling the Bishop anyone can do. :shrug:

Edit: Oh, wait, I misunderstood you. Not congregation members but denomination members - you have to be a member of the UMC - not of the specific congregation - to bring formal charges (so I suspect).

[bar Jonah]

Not really, it's more analogous to the ability to bring a lawsuit - you have to have standing (have suffered some loss/injury in the case of a lawsuit). Similarly, foreign nationals do not have guaranteed access to the American courts - only citizens have that right (refusals are seldom exercised - and here I mean civil, not criminal law).

Like I said, I'm not 100% sure - I simply suspect (strongly) that you would have to be a member to bring formal charges - but calling the Bishop anyone can do. :shrug:

Edit: Oh, wait, I misunderstood you. Not congregation members but denomination members - you have to be a member of the UMC - not of the specific congregation - to bring formal charges (so I suspect).
Ah ha, I see. Interesting.


I'm surprised the UMC isn't more proactive in addressing this, considering their widespread reputation as a haven for witches and queers.

Interesting food for thought. I look forward to hearing from Havier, too.