Clergy Withdrawal Process

No. The Judicial Council ruled in 1993 that The Book of Discipline has no provision allowing an ordained United Methodist clergy to hold membership simultaneously in another denomination.

The Certificate of membership and certificate of ordination are distinct and tangible documents. 

One’s ordination and conference membership are two different aspects of a clergyperson’s relationship with the United Methodist Church. The expressions of those aspects have changed over the years by virtue of action taken by The General Conference. 

Before 1996, clergy were ordained Provisional Deacons and Ordained Elders. Certificates were issued with each status. In 1996 the General Conference made changes to The Orders of Ministry. These changes resulted in clergy being commissioned as Provisional Deacons/Elders, Ordained Deacons/Elders, and Received into Full Connection. Eventually, separate certificates were issued with each status.

Depending on when a clergy person entered into relationship with the Annual Conference will determine what certificates they have and what certificates they need to submit. Those most recently ordained likely have a Certificate of Conference Membership separate from their Ordination Certificate.

Clergy withdrawing to unite with another denomination keep their Certificate of Ordination and surrender their Certificate of Conference Membership to the Conference Secretary.

Clergy withdrawing from the Ministerial Office must surrender to the Conference Secretary their Certificate of Ordination and, where applicable, their Certificate of Conference Membership.

Submit a written request to withdraw, noting in the letter that you can not locate your original certificate. Additionally, Additionally, complete and submit the second page (including notarization) of the withdrawal request to the Conference Secretary (grays@nccumc.org).

The withdrawal letter and certificates are received by the Conference Secretary and reported to the Office of Clergy Life and the Executive Clergy Session of the NC Conference.

The effective date of withdrawal is the date of the letter of withdrawal.

Records/files are not shared with other Denominations.  Upon request of the clergy person, The Office of Clergy Life can submit a letter of status and standing to other Denomination Officials. Clergy designated as in “good standing” have completed Sexual Ethics Training, are current with Course of Study requirements [applies only to Local Pastors], and are not under formal Complaint.

The effective date of the withdrawal marks an immediate change in the relationship between the clergy and congregation. Those who withdraw can no longer serve as a pastor of a United Methodist congregation nor reside in a United Methodist parsonage. 

Clergy on the Conference health insurance plan at the point of withdrawal from the NC Conference can continue on the Conference plan for up to 18 months on continuation coverage with full cost being paid by the participant.

Coverage on the Conference life insurance plan will end on the last day of the month of the effective date of the clergyperson’s withdrawal.

Wespath Benefits and Investments manages pension benefits for the UMC and has provided Frequently Asked Questions about the continuation of benefits for clergy who withdraw from the UMC. All questions about pension benefits (except the Transition Fund for NC Conference participants) should be directed to Wespath. 

Wespath Benefits and Investments manages pension benefits for the UMC and has provided Frequently Asked Questions about the continuation of benefits for clergy who withdraw from the UMC. All questions about pension benefits (except the Transition Fund for NC Conference participants) should be directed to Wespath. 

For clergy participating in the Transition Fund, previously accrued benefits are held in the participant’s Personal Investment Plan (PIP) account. Benefits already earned are already held in the PIP and will remain in the participant’s account. Any requirements of the PIP apply to Transition Fund benefits in the PIP, including retirement eligibility, plan loans, plan withdrawals, etc.

The Transition Fund is a plan of the NC Conference for NC Conference participants. If a Transition Fund member is no longer a member of the NC Conference, s/he is no longer eligible to participate in the Transition Fund and will be terminated from future participation in the Transition Fund. All benefits previously earned and invested in the participant’s PIP will remain with the participant.

NC Conference retirement health insurance benefits are provided for clergy who retire from ministry in the NC Conference. If a clergyperson does not retire from the NC Conference, the clergyperson is not eligible for retirement health insurance benefits through the NC Conference.

If a clergyperson retires from the NC Conference and receives benefits, those benefits will continue throughout retirement as per plan provisions. If a clergyperson does not retire from the NC Conference, s/he is not eligible for retirement health insurance benefits. A clergyperson who previously retired from the NC Conference will continue the benefits already being received through plan provisions.

Spouses of clergypersons who retire from the NC Conference or who have previously retired from the NC Conference will continue to receive benefits as per the plan provisions. Spouses of clergypersons who do not retire from the NC Conference will not be eligible for retirement health insurance benefits.

Wespath Benefits and Investments manages pension benefits for the UMC and has provided Frequently Asked Questions about the continuation of benefits for clergy who withdraw from the UMC. All questions about pension benefits (except the Transition Fund for NC Conference participants) should be directed to Wespath. 

A clergyperson who previously retired from the NC Conference will continue the benefits already being received through plan provisions.

Wespath Benefits and Investments manages Comprehensive Protection Plan (CPP) benefits for the UMC and has provided Frequently Asked Questions about the continuation of benefits for clergy who withdraw from the UMC.

Regarding benefits through the Comprehensive Protection Plan (CPP), Wespath Benefits and Investments manages CPP benefits for the UMC and has provided Frequently Asked Questions about the continuation of benefits for clergy who withdraw from the UMC. Regarding benefits offered through the NC Conference outside of CPP, eligibility for benefits is defined by policies set by the Annual Conference through the Joint Committee on Clergy Medical Leave. Eligibility is defined as including those appointed to Clergy Medical Leave. If a clergyperson is no longer appointed to Clergy Medical Leave, medical leave benefits through the NC Conference are no longer available. 

According to plan provisions as approved by Annual Conference, moving expense reimbursements are available for clergy continuing under appointment in the categories approved in the Moving Expense Policy of the Report of the Council on Finance and Administration. Clergy who withdraw are not continuing under appointment and are, therefore, not eligible for moving expense reimbursement. Clergy who retire are eligible for reimbursement at rates set in the Moving Expense Policy for retirement moves.

According to The Duke Endowment, this gift is restricted to retired clergy of The United Methodist Church. Surrendering credentials would forfeit receipt of this grant.