What Just Happened
May 20 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Enotes
Please click the buttons below to access enotes regarding Denomination News. Enotes will be available here as soon as they are published.
Enote One: December 6, 2021
Enote Two: January 11, 2022
Enote Three: January 18, 2022
General Conference Update: April 27, 2022
Governing Board Enote: June 23, 2022
Governing Board Enote: January 16, 2023
Governing Board Enote: January 2, 2024
General Conference Enote: April 16, 2024
Upcoming Events
Frequently Asked Questions
Please note: Our FAQ section is under construction as we unpack the results of General Conference and make necessary updates. We appreciate your patience as we gather information about decisions that were made and what they may mean for Ebenezer.
Do the decisions made at General Conference impact the Focus 2030 vision and mission of Ebenezer?
Please note: Our FAQ section is under construction as we unpack the results of General Conference and make necessary updates. We appreciate your patience as we gather information about decisions that were made and what they may mean for Ebenezer.
No. Our mission has been and will continue to be transforming lives through Jesus Christ as we connect, heal, and bring hope to the world. We will also strive to live into our Focus 2030 vision for the future, which emphasizes loving God and loving others through worship, discipleship, community presence, and missional service.
Is the United Methodist Church, as some individuals and organizations have claimed, changing its theology to renounce the Bible’s authority or deny the Trinity?
Please note: Our FAQ section is under construction as we unpack the results of General Conference and make necessary updates. We appreciate your patience as we gather information about decisions that were made and what they may mean for Ebenezer.
No. These foundational Christian beliefs are cemented in the doctrine of the United Methodist Church as stated in the Articles of Religion and the Confession of Faith. Both are found in Part III of the Book of Discipline. These are essential to the teachings at Ebenezer Church.
Will Ebenezer get a gay pastor?
Please note: Our FAQ section is under construction as we unpack the results of General Conference and make necessary updates. We appreciate your patience as we gather information about decisions that were made and what they may mean for Ebenezer.
The chance of that happening is unlikely and would be influenced by the result of a church vote on preferences. When a church is aware that a pastoral change is going to happen, the District Superintendent meets with the Staff-Parish Relations Committee. Each church has a profile updated annually that describes various aspects of the church including context, history, makeup, size, financial condition, convictional stance, and theology, among other things. The needs and theological understanding of the local church are always considered by the Cabinet. (The Cabinet consists of the Bishop and District Superintendents.) Sending a pastor to “convert” a congregation or force an agenda is not healthy for the church nor for the pastor.
Will Ebenezer be forced to allow same-sex weddings at church?
Please note: Our FAQ section is under construction as we unpack the results of General Conference and make necessary updates. We appreciate your patience as we gather information about decisions that were made and what they may mean for Ebenezer.
No. There are no proposals before the General Conference to do so, nor have there ever been such proposals to force churches to host same-sex weddings.
How many churches in the Virginia Conference have disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church under Paragraph 2553 of the Book of Discipline?
Please note: Our FAQ section is under construction as we unpack the results of General Conference and make necessary updates. We appreciate your patience as we gather information about decisions that were made and what they may mean for Ebenezer.
The Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church currently has 875 churches and 261,484 members. Between October 2022 and October 2023, a total of about 75 clergy and 227 churches disaffiliated. The combined membership of these 227 churches represents 10.58% of the total membership of the United Methodist churches in Virginia.
Within the United States, estimates are that 23,500 churches remain United Methodist; roughly 7,286 chose to leave the denomination. Of those, 3,000 left to join the Global Methodist Church, and about 3,200 left to become independent or join another denomination. The full data is not yet complete. For more information on the status of all churches within the Virginia Conference, please visit the conference website at vaumc.org.
How does what is happening in the denomination impact Ebenezer?
Please note: Our FAQ section is under construction as we unpack the results of General Conference and make necessary updates. We appreciate your patience as we gather information about decisions that were made and what they may mean for Ebenezer.
Ebenezer is part of the United Methodist denomination, and as such, we are bound by the doctrine and policies of the larger denomination. When those policies change, that impacts the local church.
How did the Governing Board reach the decision to remain a United Methodist Church?
Please note: Our FAQ section is under construction as we unpack the results of General Conference and make necessary updates. We appreciate your patience as we gather information about decisions that were made and what they may mean for Ebenezer.
The Governing Board has been in prayer and discussion regarding this process for years. What we have concluded is that there is nothing preventing Ebenezer Church from continuing its mission and ministry. That is our main focus as a United Methodist Church. It’s that pure and simple. Hear more from Tim Manning, Co-Chairman of the Governing Board:
If the Governing Board thought that the vast majority of the congregation would want to leave the denomination, what would the process of disaffiliation be?
Please note: Our FAQ section is under construction as we unpack the results of General Conference and make necessary updates. We appreciate your patience as we gather information about decisions that were made and what they may mean for Ebenezer.
The Governing Board would contact the District Superintendent (DS), who would come to the church for a meeting with the Governing Board. If a church then chooses to proceed with the disaffiliation process, the draft of costs would be calculated upon the initiation of the spiritual discernment period. During this time of discernment, the church would widely publicize an upcoming vote within 120 days of the DS’s meeting. If more than two-thirds of church members present in person for the vote move to leave the denomination, the results would go to the larger Annual Conference for ratification. Once ratified, the church would need to begin the process of re-establishing itself, including finding new pastors, restructuring staff and leadership, discontinuing the Love Your Neighbor Network, and removing all references to the UMC.
Will Ebenezer take a congregational vote?
Please note: Our FAQ section is under construction as we unpack the results of General Conference and make necessary updates. We appreciate your patience as we gather information about decisions that were made and what they may mean for Ebenezer.
If the Governing Board of Ebenezer discerns that disaffiliating from the United Methodist denomination would be in the best interest of Ebenezer’s mission and ministry, that body would initiate the process. A vote would come later in that process.
Resources
Addressing Disinformation in the United Methodist Church
Virginia Annual Conference Resident Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson addresses disinformation about the United Methodist Church ahead of General Conference, which begins April 23 in Charlotte, NC. Click the button below to access her letter.
Ask the UMC Series: What is regionalization?
In this series, Ask The UMC explores the ways that regionalization already exists for central conferences and the opportunities it gives them, as well as the implications of enabling a greater degree of regionalization for United Methodists in the United States. You may access all articles in the series using the button below.
Virginia Conference Disaffiliation Statistics: 2022-2023
The Virginia Annual Conference held four Special Called sessions from 2022 to 2023 for churches who followed the disaffiliation process outlined in Paragraph 2553 from the Book of Discipline to be considered for ratification by the Annual Conference body. As a result, 227 local churches disaffiliated from the conference during this time.
The Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church currently has 875 churches and 261,484 members. A total of about 75 clergy and 227 churches disaffiliated; the combined membership of these 227 churches represents 10.58% of the total membership of the United Methodist churches in Virginia. Within the United States, estimates are that 23,500 churches remain United Methodist; roughly 7,286 chose to leave the denomination. Of those, 3,000 left to join the Global Methodist Church, and about 3,200 left to become independent or join another denomination. The full data is not yet complete. For more information, please go to the Virginia Conference website at vaumc.org.
2023 Virginia Annual Conference Reports
The 2023 Virginia Annual Conference was held June 15-17 at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, Va., with Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson as the officiating bishop. The conference theme, based on Acts 1:8b, was “United as One in Mission”. Click the link below to access the official report, including all proceedings, photos, a list of appointments, and more.
Andy and Linda Garlington served as Ebenezer’s lay representatives to the Conference. Their report is available at the button below.
AC 2023 Lay Representative Report
Ask the UMC Series: Is the United Methodist Church really...?
Ask The UMC has created a series of FAQs designed to help dispel false information and provide accurate answers to questions about the church’s official positions, disaffiliation, and what the future holds. You may access all of the questions and answers in the series using the button below.
What to expect at the next General Conference
After a four-year delay, the 2020 General Conference will take place April 23-May 3, 2024 in Charlotte, NC. Click below to access news and information from Virginia Conference Communications. New resources will be added weekly through early May.
VAUMC Skunk on the Table Episode Discusses Disaffiliation
Skunk on the Table is a video, podcast and article series with a focus on simple and clear conversations about topics of interest to the Virginia Conference and denomination.
In the second episode of the series, Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson shares her thoughts on disaffiliation, advice for churches considering disaffiliation, and encouragement to clergy and laity in the Virginia Conference to be boldly United Methodist and to focus on their ministry and witness. Click the button below to watch or listen to the full episode or read a recap of topics discussed.
FAQ from the North Texas Conference
Click the button below to read “Fact vs. Fiction: Clarifying Common Misstatements” from the North Texas Conference of the UMC.
Christmas Covenant FAQ's
We Are the UMC Video
Click the button below to watch the new We Are The UMC video.
United Methodist News Service
UM News is the official source of comprehensive information and news about the United Methodist Church. You may access UM News using the button below.
What is the United Methodist Church's position on homosexuality?
Please click the link below to learn more about the United Methodist Church’s beliefs regarding homosexuality.
UMC Denominational Structure
Please click the button below to view a chart of the United Methodist Church organizational structure.
Mission Rivers District
The Mission Rivers District is made up of 136 United Methodist churches and is led by the District Superintendent. You may access the Mission Rivers District website using the button below.
Virginia Annual Conference
The Virginia Annual Conference (VAUMC) is made up of 1,100 United Methodist churches in Virginia and is led by the Bishop. You may access the VAUMC website using the button below.
Southeastern Jurisdiction
The Southeastern Jurisdiction is made up of United Methodist churches from Virginia, south to Florida, and west to Tennessee and Mississippi. It is led by the Council Bishops. You may access the Southeastern Jurisdiction website using the button below.
General Conference
The General Conference is made up of five Jurisdictions in the United States, plus Central Conferences in Africa, the Philippines, and more. It is led by Elected Delegates. You may access the General Conference website using the button below.
General Conference 2024
The delayed 2020 General Conference will take place April 23-May 3, 2024 in Charlotte, NC.
General Conference Legislative Recap
Click the button below to see a recap of major decisions made at General Conference.
General Conference News
Click the button below to access the United Methodist News page with information about major developments at General Conference.
What Just Happened
We invite you to gather on Monday, May 20 at 7:00 PM as we share What Just Happened at the United Methodist General Conference, which takes place April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, NC. Our pastors and Governing Board will review the results of the Conference and discuss what they mean for Ebenezer Church. We also hope to have a General Conference delegate from Virginia on hand to share their experience. What Just Happened will also be livestreamed at live.ebenezerumc.org. Registration is not necessary unless you require KidzCare Nursery during the event.
You can submit questions in advance using the button below. For more information, please contact B.J. Priest using the form below.
Addressing Disinformation in the United Methodist Church
Virginia Annual Conference Resident Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson addresses disinformation about the United Methodist Church ahead of General Conference, which begins April 23 in Charlotte, NC. Please click the button below to access her letter.
What to Expect at General Conference
Click the button below to access the General Conference official website, which includes a comprehensive guide to the General Conference background, schedule, pending legislation, press releases, and more.
General Conference Official Website
The Virginia Annual Conference of the UMC has also created an informative General Conference 2024 page on its website. Click the button below to connect to the page and access the following:
- Links to the General Conference official website, United Methodist News Service, and Virginia Conference Delegation
- Infographics that explain the purpose of General Conference
- Videos and podcasts about issues facing delegates at the General Conference
- General Conference news and information from United Methodist News
- General Conference FAQ’s
Other helpful links:
- Guide to General Conference
- Guide to Prayer for General Conference
- Major Legislative Topics
- United Methodist News
- General Conference Infographic
- General Conference Livestream
How Does the General Conference Work?
Looking for a brief explanation of how General Conference makes the decisions it does? Ask The UMC has produced a primer on the legislative process. Click the button below to access the document.
Ask the UMC...What's New for General Conference 2024 Series
A newly published section of the Advance Daily Christian Advocate contains additional petitions and updated reports for United Methodist delegates to consider as they prepare for General Conference. Ask the UMC has prepared a series of articles entitled What’s New for General Conference 2024? to provide an overview of the changes.
Part 1Â explores the proposed general church budget.
Part 2Â looks at the various petitions that seek to re-start a process of disaffiliation and expand it across the worldwide church.
Part 3 addresses newly submitted legislation regarding higher education and ordained ministry from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and the Alabama-West Florida Conference.
Exploring General Conference - Free Training Course
Exploring General Conference is a free online course that explains the historical roots, legislative processes, and happenings that make General Conference an important function of The United Methodist Church. Click the button below to access the course curriculum.
The Road to General Conference Infographic
Kim Johnson, General Conference delegate and Northern Virginia District Director of Communications, has created a helpful infographic to explain the purpose of General Conference and more. Click the button below to view the entire four-page document.
The Road to General Conference