Information on the Central Texas Conference Process for Disaffiliation

Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. and the Cabinet Address the Official Disaffiliation Process for the Central Texas Conference

Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. is working to lead CTC churches and clergy through whichever path they've prayerfully discerned is best as related to disaffiliation.

Bishop Saenz has publicly stated his desire to do all he can to assist churches and clergy move forward in whatever way they have prayerfully discerned is the best path for them. The Cabinet is in complete agreement and is actively supporting Bishop Saenz to establish an amicable and gracious process as quickly as possible. Conference leadership has been working on these procedures for the last several weeks and an announcement on the official process of disaffiliation is expected soon. 

• All disaffiliations will be handled at a Special Called Annual Conference meeting on Sept. 17, 2022, at Arborlawn UMC. Details regarding the Special Session of Annual Conference will be released following the June Annual Conference (June 12-14, First UMC Fort Worth).
  • The June Annual Conference will not address any disaffiliations. All will be moved to September. Churches already starting the disaffiliation process will not be adversely affected by the move to the September Special Called Annual Conference, including with respect to exit costs. 
  • The shift to the September Special Called Annual Conference is a result of the recent announcement of the planned launch of the Global Methodist Church on May 1, 2022. The Conference needs adequate time to properly address several issues that have arisen because of that announcement. Conference leadership also believes that some churches may need additional time to thoughtfully and prayerfully discern and discuss the issues. 

• Churches wishing to disaffiliate at the September Special Annual Conference must notify their District Superintendent in writing by June 1 (email or postal). This notification should come from the leadership of the church wishing to disaffiliate (Administrative Council or equivalent).
  • Notifications of disaffiliation received after June 1 may not be considered during the September meeting of the Annual Conference and will be addressed at the regular meeting of the Annual Conference in June 2023.

• The September Special Annual Conference will include a time to process the disaffiliations, worship together and bless each other as we begin to live into a new way of making disciples of Jesus Christ through our Wesleyan witness.