Statement On St. Andrew's Disaffiliation Vote

Church votes on the issue per the Book of Discipline, vote passes with 98.6% of those in attendance

In October 2022, the Executive Committee of St. Andrew United Methodist Church announced its intent to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church outside of the process defined in the Book of Discipline (BOD). Since then, the North Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church has engaged in meaningful and productive conversations with St. Andrew’s leadership to ensure that the congregation has the opportunity to vote on the matter of disaffiliation and that St. Andrew’s covenantal commitments to the North Texas Conference and The United Methodist Church are upheld.

Since October, St. Andrew’s members have engaged in discernment work, including a Feb. 15 informational session with the church’s pastors and a representative from the North Texas Conference. Last night, St. Andrew’s members concluded this discernment period, gathering to vote on the issue of disaffiliation per the BOD. The vote passed with 98.6% of those in attendance voting to disaffiliate (859 for, 12 opposed).

Given the outcome of this vote, along with St. Andrew’s commitment to pay the necessary apportionments and pension liabilities and to honor the North Texas Conference’s terms for disaffiliation, Rev. Debra Hobbs Mason, North Central District Superintendent, and Rev. Andy Lewis, Assistant to the Bishop, affirm that St. Andrew UMC has met the requirements for disaffiliation and fully anticipate that when the North Texas Conference Board of Trustees meets on February 23, they will confirm St. Andrew's inclusion in the list of disaffiliating churches for Annual Conference approval at the March 4 Special Called Session.

Published: Wednesday, February 22, 2023