Key Points:
- The United Methodist Publishing House has decided to discontinue Korean and Spanish translations of the Book of Discipline unless alternative funding and distribution methods can be found.
- Korean and Hispanic/Latino leaders are voicing concern about the decision and its potential impact, saying it undermines the denomination’s efforts to be a global church.
- The Publishing House is inviting proposals for alternative solutions by Feb. 28.
The United Methodist Publishing House has announced it will cease publication of the Book of Discipline and Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation in Korean and Spanish, citing financial constraints and declining demand.
The decision, detailed in a letter from the Rev. Brian K. Milford, president and publisher, has sparked concern and disappointment among Korean and Hispanic United Methodist leaders and congregations.
For over 30 years, the Publishing House has provided these resources in Korean and Spanish to ensure accessibility for diverse congregations within The United Methodist Church, Milford said in the letter. However, a review of sales from 2017 to 2024 indicates stagnating demand, with fewer than 500 copies sold in each language, he said.
The financial strain of producing and distributing these translations, which amounts to an investment of about $116,000 from the Publishing House, has led to the decision to discontinue the translations unless alternative funding or innovative production and distribution methods can be found, he said.
The Publishing House is a self-supporting agency that relies on sales and does not receive funding from church giving. Central conferences, church regions in the Africa, Europe and the Philippines, have the authority to adapt parts of the Discipline and have long been responsible for producing their own translations with those adaptations.
Milford outlined possible alternatives for producing the Korean- and Spanish-language editions, including:
- Organizing volunteer translation teams;
- Offering digital versions for print-on-demand; and
- Securing financial subsidies from interested individuals and groups.
He has invited stakeholders to submit suggestions by Feb. 28, and viable proposals will be assessed for possible implementation.
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Korean and Hispanic United Methodist church leaders, who argue that access to the Book of Discipline in native languages is essential for discipleship, leadership development and church governance.
Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez, who leads the denomination’s Susquehanna and Upper New York Area, expressed deep disappointment, emphasizing that the Book of Discipline is foundational for the church’s mission and structure.
“Failing to publish the Book of Discipline in the native languages of our Korean and Latino siblings places an unfair burden on them as they navigate the historical changes enacted by the 2020/24 General Conference,” Burgos-Núñez said. General Conference is the denomination’s top lawmaking assembly.
“Hispanics are the fastest-growing group in U.S. Methodism,” he stressed. “This decision risks alienating those we’ve fought to retain amid disaffiliations.”
The denomination emerged last year from a period that saw about 25% of the individual congregations in the United States disaffiliate. General Conference had placed a provision in the Book of Discipline that allowed churches to leave for “reasons of conscience regarding a change in the requirements of the Book of Discipline related to the practice of homosexuality or the ordination or marriage of self-avowed practicing homosexuals,” as long as terms set by the congregation’s annual conference were met. The provision, adopted by General Conference in the 2019 special session, expired on Dec. 31, 2023.
The Rev. Lydia Muñoz, executive director of El Plan for Hispanic/Latine Ministry, said the Publishing House’s decision adds to the sense of erasure experienced by immigrant communities. She emphasized that ethnic plans, already operating with minimal budgets, should not be expected to fund translations themselves.
Muñoz also questioned whether the Publishing House’s budgetary priorities align with the church’s commitment to inclusion.
“We’re told to prove our belonging by funding translations ourselves, even as ethnic plans operate on shoestring budgets,” she said, questioning the budgetary priorities. “Is this how we dismantle racism?”
Korean leaders echoed the concerns.
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“Financial problems, shrinking budgets or staffing reductions will have a direct negative effect on ethnic communities, who will feel the pinch,” said Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, who leads the East and West Ohio conferences and serves as president of the denomination’s Korean Ministry Plan.
The Rev. Changmin Lee, senior pastor of Los Angeles Korean United Methodist Church and president of the Korean Association of The United Methodist Church, called the decision “shocking,” noting that the Discipline is vital for 240 Korean American congregations and over 800 clergy.
“Without it, our members cannot fully participate in the church’s governance,” he said.
Lee highlighted the critical role the Book of Discipline plays in uniting and guiding Korean-speaking congregations. He warned that the decision threatens to marginalize Korean-speaking members and called for an immediate reconsideration of the plan.
The Rev. Hyok-In Kwon, who translated the denomination’s revised Social Principles into Korean, described the Publishing House’s decision as “deeply regrettable,” particularly for first-generation Korean immigrants who rely on these translations for their understanding of church governance. He emphasized the translations’ symbolic value: “They affirm our place in the denomination.” Kwon serves as pastor of Korean United Methodist Church of Santa Clara Valley in San Jose, California.
The Korean and Hispanic communities are seeking ways to address the financial and logistical challenges posed by the decision.
The Rev. Paul Chang, executive director of the Korean Ministry Plan, expressed concern about the unilateral nature of the announcement, and he affirmed the Korean community’s willingness to share the financial burden. He suggested that the Korean Ministry Plan could commission the translation and distribution of at least 500 copies, providing partial financial support for the Publishing House’s expenses.
Several leaders have also proposed digital solutions, such as providing PDF versions of the translated Book of Discipline at reduced cost. However, many remain concerned that digital-only solutions may not fully address the accessibility needs of all congregations.
As the Feb. 28 deadline for proposals approaches, church leaders are urging the Publishing House to reconsider its decision and engage in broader discussions with affected communities.
The controversy highlights tensions as The United Methodist Church navigates post-disaffiliation restructuring. Leaders argue that cutting non-English resources undermines claims of being a global church.
Said Jung: “If the publishing is not done more intentionally, the result will be to set back our beautiful, multicultural, multiracial, multilingual United Methodist community.”
Kim is director of Korean and Asian news at United Methodist Communications. The Rev. Gustavo Vasquez contributed to this story. Contact them at 615-742-5470 or [email protected]. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free UM News Digest.
