United Methodist churches across the United States are being instructed to reject the proposed sexual abuse settlement plan that is part of the Boy Scouts of America’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.

In a series of hurried meetings, the governing boards of local congregations known as “charges” are being instructed by denominational officials to vote against the BSA plan. According to leaders of the Dallas-based North Texas Annual Conference, the rejection comes after months of confidential negotiations with BSA by 100 church attorneys and treasurers.

In one such North Texas meeting, Bishop Michael McKee told leaders of the region’s 80-church Metro District that the rejection was being pushed for two reasons:

- Insufficient recompense for the survivors of past sexual abuse by BSA leaders.

- Increased liability for United Methodist congregations that have sponsored Scout troops, past and present.

In addition, said Bishop McKee, the UMC was up against a Dec. 14 deadline for filing a legal response to the bankruptcy plan, which is scheduled to come before a federal judge before the end of the year.

“You don’t want this plan to pass because it would mean increased liability for your church,” Bishop McKee said at one point.