Currently the Ionia United Methodist Church, standing at 3rd and Vine in Ionia, has no welcoming signage. One of several churches in the area who have dis-affiliated from the United Methodist Church, the church is in transition. All items, sign included, with the familiar "Cross and Flame" have been removed as the congregation prepares to become part of the Global Methodist Church on 1 July 1.
In recent days, the media has reported on the split in the United Methodist Church. The split is real and it has had an impact on all United Methodist Churches in the area. Those reports seem to emphasize human sexuality as the reason for the split.
Issues surrounding the LBGTIQIA community are the "presenting symptom" of disaffiliation. Indeed, there are issues with drag queens, homosexual marriages and bishops in practicing homosexual relationships. But, the paragraph of the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church used for the disaffiliation process is Paragraph 2553. That paragraph only references human sexuality as the reason for disaffiliation. Thus, it could seem the reason churches are leaving the United Methodist Church relate only to human sexuality. This is not entirely true.
Those called "traditionalist" or "conservative" who are leaving the United Methodist Church (UMC), are also concerned with what they see as a lack of adherence to the Book of Discipline (BOD). The BOD is the "rule book" of the UMC. Traditionalists wonder why the DOB is not being followed, given it has been repeatedly upheld in General Conferences of the denomination. This is one of the roots of disaffiliation.
Further, there is concern with the liberal drift in theology traditionalists see in the denomination. One liberal trend they note is a lack of respect for and even disrespect for the Bible and its teachings.
Traditionalists or conservatives believe the Bible in its entirety is God's Word and has applications for all. A concern for them is the trend they note in the denomination which deems some sections of the Bible as applicable to all, but other sections as only applicable to a certain time or place, and yet other sections as not even being God's Word. This is another root of disaffiliation.
Another cause for concern is belief surrounding Jesus Christ. Not all in the denomination are seen as maintaining a strong belief in the divinity of Jesus, in his dual role of being both human and divine. There is also a concern caused by the liberal view the resurrection of Christ was not a physical resurrection. More roots of disaffiliation.
Finally, traditionalists believe the denomination is not maintaining an absolute belief that Jesus is, as he said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) They see a drift to the idea that God can be found though other traditions and other ways with Jesus not essential for salvation. Yet another root of disaffiliation.
The roots of disaffiliation are tangled. One or more may be important in some congregations and not at all important in others. These issues and concerns may not even be found in some United Methodist Churches. These roots are seen as trends, concerns and issues in areas and portions of the large denomination. They are some of the reasons United Methodist Churches in Jewell County have left the denomination. The story of one church follows.
The Ionia United Methodist Church began the journey to disaffiliation some years ago with talks, meetings and a visit to a lawyer. The movement did not continue. The congregation did not begin to seek disaffiliation in earnest until the summer of 2022.
After months of prayer, discernment and meetings, a Special Session Church Conference for Disaffiliation was held on February 5, 2023, with District Superintendent Karen Rice-Ratzlaff. The votes were counted and it was reported the vote had reached more than the two-thirds majority needed for disaffiliation.
Continued meetings, prayer and discussion resulted in a February 26, 2023, congregational decision to affiliate with the Global Methodist Church. This new denomination was launched on May 1, 2022. It is founded on traditional methodist theology with a mission of making "disciples of Jesus Christ who worship passionately, love extravagantly, and witness boldly."
Finally on March 36, 2023, the Ionia congregation voted to change their church's name to the "Ionia Community Church." The name, as Ann Colson said "is what we always have been."
An application was submitted to the Global Methodist Church requesting membership in the denomination on May 2, 2023. The application was accepted on May 8, 2023.
On May 31, 2023 the disaffiliation request of the Ionia United Methodist Church in Ionia, Kansas, was approved by a Special Session of the Great Plains Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. The Great Plains Conference is composed of churches in the States of Kansas and Nebraska.
A vote of 655 to 29 approved the disaffiliation requests of 96 congregations in Kansas and 59 congregations in Nebraska. Other area congregations granted disaffiliation are: Beloit, Burr Oak, Cawker City, Glasco, Glen Elder, Jewell Trinity, Republic, Rose Valley and Webber, Previously, Esbon had been granted disaffiliation.
Some of the congregations granted disaffiliation will also become Global Methodist Churches. Others will not affiliate with a denomination and continue worshipping as independent churches.
The disaffiliation for the Ionia congregation becomes official on July 1, 2023, and the Ionia Community Church will have its first worship service on July 2, 2023.
To go along with the new name and new denomination, the church will be meeting at a new time. Beginning on July 2, Sunday Morning Worship services at the Ionia Community Church will be held at 9 a.m. with Sunday School to follow worship.
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