The Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline of the Global Methodist Church is intended to serve as a resource for all who wish to join in a “methodical,” practical, and warm- hearted pursuit of loving God and serving others as Jesus’ disciples in the world. Beginning with confessions rooted in Scripture and shaped by the great teaching of the Church universal, the Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline provides the essential structure for the Global Methodist Church from its official launch on May 1, 2022 until its convening General Conference twelve to eighteen months later. May it guide us in a new season of the church’s life as we make disciples of Jesus Christ who worship passionately, love extravagantly, and witness boldly.
Below is the current list of approved Course of Study Programs within the GMC.
Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor – https://truettseminary.baylor.edu/programs-centers/wesley-house-studies
United Seminary’s CTM Program https://united.edu/certificate-in-theology-and-ministry/
Ashland University’s The Calling Program https://seminary.ashland.edu/the-calling/
Wesley Biblical Seminary, Jackson, MS https://wbs.edu/programs/gmc/
As of July 1, 2022, the Global Methodist Church offers the Covenant Clergy Personal Investment Plan (Covenant PIP), a 403(b) defined contribution plan sponsored by the Global Methodist Church. A brochure accessible here provides information on clergy participation in Covenant PIP.
Eligible clergy will enroll for Covenant PIP by completing the spreadsheet/enrollment form according to these instructions.
Local churches may also participate in Covenant PIP for their lay employees. Churches would have a menu of three options from which to choose: 1) allow employees to make discretionary contributions from their pay; 2) the church matching the lay employee’s contribution, up to 5% of the lay employee’s compensation; or 3) contributing 5% of the lay employees’ compensation plus a match of the employee’s contribution up to an additional 5%. The process for enrolling lay employees is under development.
The Global Methodist Church’s logo brings together in its three circles the one God – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – who alone we worship. The circles intersect at the center of the cross of Jesus Christ, the symbol of our deliverance from our slavery to sin and fear of death. The outer circumference of the rings represents the globe. As a whole, the logo communicates God’s sending of the church into the world. The sky blue color reminds us that even though Global Methodists live all around the world, they are all united together in God’s great creation.
According to the IRS, “Churches that meet the requirements of IRC Section 501(c)(3) are automatically considered tax exempt and are not required to apply for and obtain recognition of tax-exempt status from the IRS.” (IRS Publication 1828) This applies to all GMC churches in the Heartland Conference and applies to federal non-profit status.
However, each church needs to ensure they have amended their articles of incorporation and filed and registered them within their respective state. This ensures you are registered as a not-for-profit corporation within your state and are automatically considered 501(c)(3).
The Global Methodist Church has partnered with Ministry Safe as our preferred partner to help meet the needs of churches and ministries to create preventative measures tailored to enhance the safety and protection of children, youth, and vulnerable adults.
The GM Church wants to be a movement that goes the extra mile to ensure every person is protected and experiences a safe environment when he or she participates in the ministries of local churches. The denomination strongly encourages every local church to sign up for MinistrySafe now. To sign up, go to www.ministrysafe.com/gmc. Click on “Become a MinistrySafe Member.” Complete the online form provided and enter the Discount Code “GMC2023.” Becoming a MinistrySafe member will enable local church leaders to access the full library of 70+ documents, forms and resources offered by MinistrySafe immediately. You can learn more about all that is offered by MinistrySafe by visiting the organization’s general site, but only sign up through www.ministrysafe.com/gmc in order to benefit from the special arrangement with the GM Church which avoids any membership fee for your local church.
The Global Methodist Church provides health insurance for eligible clergy and lay employees of local Global Methodist congregations in the United States through “HealthFlex.” Health insurance will also be available to approved extension ministries of the GM Church where the ministries elect to participate. HealthFlex is administered for the GM Church by Wespath. Coverage will begin on January 1, 2023.
Participants can choose from six medical plans, which are outlined here. In addition, there are three dental plans and three vision plans available.HealthFlex utilizes the nation-wide PPO network of Blue Cross/Blue Shield, their widest network.
Each local church/charge or approved extension ministry – wherever located – whose clergy or lay employees participate in HealthFlex will pay the same assessment depending on the coverage selected by each participant: Individual coverage is $841; Participant + 1 dependent is $1597; Family coverage is $2185. These are monthly rates. The rate the participant pays will depend on the plan that she or he chooses. Naturally, the more coverage purchased, the higher the cost. There is one plan that requires no contribution from the pastor. The rates can be seen here.
Participation is mandatory for full-time clergy with four exceptions: 1. Clergy who are bi-vocational or retired from another profession who have coverage through a current employer (not the church they are serving) or a previous employer (e.g., a teacher or Federal employee.) 2. Coverage through the spouse’s employer; 3. Coverage through military insurance (like TriCare); or 4. Coverage through Medicare or Medicaid. If the exception is granted, the church pays no health insurance assessment to the GM Church. A pastor who wishes to claim one of the exemptions must do so by completing this form. Please observe these instructions.
Direct questions to the GM Church’s Benefits Team at benefits@globalmethodist.org.
GuideStone Transition
On January 8, 2024, the Global Methodist Church announced that administration of health insurance, retirement benefits, and other benefits for its clergy and lay employees would move from Wespath Benefits and Investment to GuideStone Financial Services on July 1, 2024. Wespath will continue providing services through June 30. Our Benefits Team will periodically update Frequently Asked Questions about this transition. You are encouraged to consult the FAQs first. If after doing so you have questions, email benefits@globalmethodist.org.
The Church Plant Sponsor Guidelines are to help the sponsoring church of a church plant engage in intentional relationship building and establish accountable practices for the spiritual and practical benefit of the church plant. The list below contains themain areas that a sponsoring church should inquire about. The sponsoringrelationship is not limited to these areas and others may be added to fit thecontextual needs of the church plant.