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Ruling by the Court of Appeals of North Carolina. Detailed ruling reversing an earlier decision in favor of the conference in the matter of the closure of Fifth Avenue UMC. (Added 12-31-2024)
“NC Court of Appeals finds error in dismissal of Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church suit” via WECT. “The church took legal action against the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church in 2023 following its decision to close the 19th-century historic church. The congregation appealed the decision after a civil court dismissed the case in September 2023. The court opinion released today states the court committed errors by dismissing Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church’s claims for breach of contract, fraud, quiet title, judicial modification of trust, and constructive fraud.” (Added 12-31-2024)
“North Carolina Court of Appeals makes ruling of Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church lawsuit” via WWAY News. “The North Carolina Court of Appeals has made a ruling on a dispute between a church in Wilmington and its denomination over the ownership of certain real estate originally deeded to the church. The congregation of Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church has held services on the property since 1889.” (Added 12-31-2024)
“The Secret of the WCA Success! Rev. Jay Therrell, Former President of the WCA” via WCA. “In the United States, over 25% of the churches in The United Methodist Church were able to disaffiliate. With all the obstacles thrown at us, we freed millions of people to pursue Jesus according to the historic, orthodox faith. When compared to other separations in the Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Episcopalian denominations, well over double the number of churches and people were able to find freedom. It was historic!” (Added 12-31-2024)
“Quiet Quitting United Methodists – The Wesleyan Covenant Association Mission is Accomplished” by Scott Field via WCA. “Here’s one story of Quiet Quitting United Methodists who moved across the country and across denominations to find a church home… at least for now.” (Added 12-31-2024)
Overheard: The final service for First United Methodist Church, Clarksville, Tenn. was Dec. 29. For the immediate future, Church of the Resurrection, an ACNA church, is leasing the building. Here is the final bulletin which gives the reasons for closing as “doctrinal changes” that the congregation did not believe were biblical. (Added 12-31-2024)
“Centenary United Methodist Church held last service on West Friendly Ave.” by Karringtan Harris via WFMY (NC). “A decline in membership and declining resources were factors in the church deciding to sell its property to Cone.” (Added 12-31-2024)
“‘No longer outlaws.’ Many Fresno Methodist church members celebrate new LGBTQ+ rules” by Gisselle Medina via Fresnoland. “Methodist churches can now ordain LGBTQ+ clergy and perform same-sex weddings. In Fresno and Clovis, local congregations can pick and choose to practice the new legislation.” (Added 12-31-2024)
“Churches fight to stay open as attendance dwindles” by Steve Osunsami via ABC News. “Some of the oldest churches in the world have even turned into bars and nightclubs. However, another Atlanta church is taking a different route. Pastor Jasmine Smothers is saving the city’s First United Methodist church from closing with what she says is a “God-sized” plan. The most profitable thing they own is their land, and she’s using it to build more than 300 apartments in the high-rent city — most of which will become affordable housing.” (Added 12-30-2024)
“Historic Asbury United Methodist closes after nearly 150 years” by Joe Kohut via KNEP. “The Asbury United Methodist Church, located in the Greenridge section of Scranton’s north end, held its last Sunday service on December 29, 2024.” (Added 12-30-2024)
“Stripper Heels? Jesus in Drag? Methodist ‘Pastor’ Wears Insanely Blasphemous Vestments for ‘Drag Queen Sunday’” via Protestia. (Paywall). Coverage of the goings on at Allendale UMC in Florida. (Added 12-30-2024)
“Birmingham LGBTQ+ church members ‘cut off’ after sexual assault complaints” by Jessica Murray via The Guardian (UK). “A man was arrested in November after a number of former members of the congregation at Inclusive Gathering Birmingham (IGB) alleged they were subjected to inappropriate touching, groping and harassment during church services and social gatherings.” (Added 12-30-2024)
“Sad reality: Church closure is community’s loss” by Paul Wyatt via Perry County News. “The closure follows a vote by church members earlier this year, prompted by a decline in attendance and growing divisions over recent Methodist Church policy changes. Longtime members Lorene Eichmann and Gloria Beaston explained that the Susquehanna Conference’s decision to allow LGBTQ+ ministers and marriages led to a significant departure of congregants.” (Added 12-30-2024)
“Congregation plans move away from United Methodists” by Chris Sokoloski via Coastal Observer. This article on the disaffiliation of a local congregation is listed as the top article of the year in terms of readership in 2024. (Added 12-30-2024)
Tweet by Paul Lawler. “Christianity Today Ranks the forming of the GlobalMethodist Church as the 4th Most Significant Story of 2024.” Link. (Added 12-28-2024)
Drag Christmas Service Clip by Allendale United Methodist Church via YouTube. Drag Queens lip sync to Christmas songs at Allendale UMC. (Added 12-27-2024)
“West Philly’s Calvary United Methodist Church Gains Historic Status Amid Owner’s Fight to Stop It” by Jensen Toussait via BuckCoToday. “Tim Emmett-Rardin, the half-time pastor of Calvary, clarified that the church was only gathering information and had no plans to sell its [Tiffany] windows or the building. He, along with his congregation and the building’s owner, Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church, have opposed the nomination.” (Added 12-27-2024)
Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Motion for Summary Judgment via CourtsApp. “On December 23rd, the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference filed a motion for summary judgement in the case where over 50 churches are seeking more equitable terms to leave the United Methodist denomination. If the motion is denied, the case may move to trial in the spring of 2025.” (Added 12-27-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “…None of the separations that the Church has undergone since that one can compare in effect. And the separation of the UMC is hardly a blip on the chart. For us UMs today, it is traumatic. But history will hardly notice.” (Added 12-26-2024)
“New Details Emerge After Tuscaloosa Pastor Charged With Solicitation Of A Child” by Ryan Phillips via Patch. “Along with his previous work at Dauphin Way, Houston served as chair of the Capital Fund Campaign for Blue Lake United Methodist Camp in Andalusia — a Christian-focused camp established in 1952 that hosts conferences, private youth summer camps, retreats, family reunions, school groups, and other specialty groups. During his time as campaign chair, he was credited with raising $3 million in gifts and pledges, according to his blog, and was one of the 15 members of the United Methodist Central Conference Pension Initiative that raised $20 million to fund pensions for clergy outside the United States.” (Added 12-26-2024)
“Chinchilla United Methodist Church to close” by Christine Lee via Times-Tribune (PA). “The amount of money given to the church has also declined, with tithing as low as $200 a week, compared to more than $2,000 weekly in past years, Thorpe said… The church also received revenue from Abington Christian Academy, which had rented space in the building for nine years… In August, it sold the parsonage for $329,900, according to a deed filed with the county. But none of the efforts helped keep the church afloat… She believes the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the church’s waning attendance, as there were more people that came to church before the pandemic hit in 2020. The UMC Book of Discipline states a church is automatically transferred to the board of trustees of the conference the church is a part of if it closes. If the board chooses to sell the building, they are required to give consideration to other Methodist denominations and authorize the sale.” (Added 12-26-2024)
“Alabama West Florida Conference Sues Trustees & Pastors of Perdido Bay Methodist Church” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “These stories of United Methodist dysfunction don’t go away. Their leadership cannot seem to manage much grace. Rather, as churches try to walk away, they escalate. In this latest episode, a lawsuit has been filed, not just against a church, but against its leadership personally. This is a new low.” (Added 12-24-2024)
“Donations pour in after vandals strike Korean church” by Jen Balduf via Dayton Daily News. Community supports Korean UMC after a vandalism incident. (Added 12-24-2024)
“3 killed as Methodist violence flares in Nigeria” by Cynthia Astle via Baptist News Global. The editor of UM Insight writes for BNG on the violence in Nigeria. (Added 12-24-2024)
“Violence, funding battles, suspension: What to know about rising tensions for UMC in Africa” by Liam Adams via The Tennessean. [paywall, PDF requested] “A deadly clash in Nigeria this month between feuding Methodist groups that killed three and injured 10 roiled both the United Methodist…” (Added 12-24-2024)
“A New Wesley on the West Coast? John Mark Comer’s Call to Become Apprentices of Jesus” by Cambron Wright via Firebrand Magazine. “Wesley, like Comer, was also operating at times of great social upheaval. We often forget how profoundly the industrial revolution transformed Great Britain during the time of the evangelical revival of the 18th century…. To this kind of culture, a life of spiritual disciplines is highly attractive and deeply needed.” (Added 12-24-2024)
“Trumbull site, once home to Long Hill United Methodist, to house church that had been at synagogue” by Shaniece Holmes-Brown via CTPost. Snapshot of religious life in Connecticut: Long Hill UMC merged into Nichols UMC and leased its building to an Anglican Church that had been renting space in a synagogue (which is also for sale). (Added 12-24-2025)
“If Leaving the United Methodist Church is Not An Option, Then What?” via PDF. A United Methodist clergy, remaining anonymous due to possible reprisals, offers advice to local churches who feel stuck in the UMC. (Added 12-23-2024)
Overheard: A Nigerian pastor on WhatsApp: “There’s a sad news to us this evening, our pastor who’s in GMC Porthicourt [Port Harcourt] branch has been arrested and detained by police which Rev. Esther (#beumc and co) have brought a police on him this morning with the accusations that he brought a LGBTQ church (GMC) to the community and till now no one to help him please we seek for help from this great family.” (Added 12-23-2024)
“BREAKING NEWS ALERT: Did the WCA buy guns to shoot United Methodists in Africa?” by Scott Field via WCA. “The United Methodist Africa Forum, a progressive advocacy group aligned with United Methodist Church institutionalists, alleged in a December 18 press release that the Wesleyan Covenant Association is funding the purchase of guns to kill United Methodists in Africa. This is a reckless response to a deeply serious situation.” (Added 12-23-2024)
“Monday Morning PlainSpoken Live Stream (December 23, 2024)” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “Today I plan to speak about Perdido Bay Methodist Church Sued by Bishop Holston of Alabama-West Florida Conference.” (Added 12-23-2024)
Press Statement by Bishop Ande Emmanuel via Facebook. Comments on the conflict in Nigeria shared via Philip Bakari Auta in the UM Clergy Group. (Added 12-23-2024)
“Taraba : The crisis in Munga Doso is not connected with religion – GMCN Bishop” by Emmanuel Awari via Weekenders Magazine. “There has been a long time lingering chieftaincy dispute in that area, so people took the opportunity of the crisis between UMCN and GMCN to express their anger. The crisis is in connection with chieftaincy matters and lies for they are relying on lies and taking the advantage of such to achieve their aims and interest. The issue is not GMCN and UMCN, but it is on Traditional dispute which has been pending for long.” (Added 12-22-2024)
Liberia Annual Conference Discontinues Legal Suit against Suspended Pastors via PDF. A document indicating that the Liberia Annual Conference has dropped its legal suit against clergy it additionally suspended. (Added 12-21-2024)
Post via Western North Carolina Conference. “Check out the work of the LGBTQ+ Inclusion Team and the results of the survey shared at Annual Conference. Now, they’re inviting you to take part in a second survey to help discern the next steps on this journey toward inclusion. Your voice matters—let’s continue building a more inclusive church together!” (Added 12-21-2024)
“Global Methodist Church condemns killing of 3 UMC members in Nigeria” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “We are deeply grieved by the loss of life and the devastation that has occurred,” said the assembly. “We unequivocally decry the use of violence in any form and call on all people, Global Methodists and United Methodists alike, to act as agents of peace.” (Added 12-21-2024)
“Deadly Violence among Section of The United Methodist Church of Nigeria “very” Disappointing: Catholic Bishop” by Abah Anthony John via ACIAfrica. The schism in the Methodist Church, Bishop Maigida said, stems from divisions over LGBTQ inclusion, which he dismissed as “unbiblical and unnecessary”. “I don’t know why this discussion should even arise in the first place. Whatever it is, what does LGBTQ represent? What part of the Christian teaching does it represent? What kind of Christianity teaches that?” the Nigerian Catholic Bishop posed. (Added 12-21-2024)
“Bishop John Pena Auta Press Statement, December 21, 2024” via PDF. A Nigerian Global Methodist Bishop addresses the split with the UMC and recent violence in Munga Dosso. See also here. (Added 12-21-2024)
“Taraba: Chieftaincy tussle fueled crisis that claims 3 lives in Karim-Lamido LGA – Bishop” by Apex News Exclusive. “The Bishop who spoke through Rev. Simon Jatutu and Rev. Yayuba Baziel Yoila disclosed that there have been lingering chieftaincy dispute between the two Munga clans, adding that the people took the advantage of the crisis between UMCN and GMCN to express their anger.” (Added 12-21-2024)
“Anglican Archbishop and Driver Missing in Southeast Nigeria” via Morning Star News. Other denominations experiencing trouble in Nigeria currently. (Added 12-20-2024)
“Liberia: Fire Breaks Out at Parliament After Anti-govt Protests | Firstpost Africa” via YouTube. Liberia, a place of Methodist unrest, is also in the midst of significant political turmoil generally. (Added 12-20-2024)
“Just-In-Time Delivery: WCA Outlook Special Edition # 4 Keith Boyette, Founding President of the WCA” by Scott Field via WCA. Sharing an encouraging word from Keith Boyette as the WCA plans to cease most operations. (Added 12-20-2024)
“Retired Bishop Kulah Bags [sic] for Forgiveness” by Lincoln Peters via New Dawn Liberia. Report that retired Bishop Kulah has apologized for calling Bishop Quire a dictator and the worst bishop in the history of the church. (Added 12-20-2024)
“Three Die in Nigerian Methodist Conflict” by Dan Silliman via Christianity Today. “Four months after becoming an interim bishop for a new Methodist denomination, John Pena Auta is heading home to Nigeria with an overwhelming assignment. He has to find the words to stop the spiral of violence that has left three people dead and nearly a dozen homes burned.” (Added 12-20-2024)
“The Sermon I PREACHED That Made Me Catholic” by Keith Nester via YouTube. A former UMC pastor shares the sermon who made him Roman Catholic. (Added 12-19-2024)
“Pro-LGBTQ Nazarene Pastor Resigns Eldership to Avoid Trial” by Tony Mater via Ministry Watch. “I have resigned my credential as an Elder in the Church of the Nazarene,” Power announced in a Dec. 2 Facebook post. “Over a period of years, my thinking on human sexuality has changed to the point that I could no longer embrace the church’s position regarding LGBTQ+ members of the human family.” (Added 12-19-2024)
Press Release: “Assembly of Bishops of the Global Methodist Church Addresses Violence in Munga Dosa, Nigeria” via PDF. “The Assembly is actively working with Connectional Operations Officer, Mike Schafer, to coordinate efforts to gather information, address immediate needs, and provide support to those impacted. Bishop John Pena Auta has traveled to the region to gather firsthand information about what transpired. The Assembly is supporting and relying heavily on the expertise and leadership of its Nigerian bishops and leaders to navigate this situation and address the underlying issues contributing to the violence.” (Added 12-19-2024)
“United Methodist Africa Forum Celebrates Bishops’ Elections, Condemns Violence” via UM Insight. “UMAF strongly denounces any attempts by external organizations, including the Global Methodist Church (GMC), Wesleyan Covenant Association (WCA), and the Africa Initiative, to disrupt the unity and progress of the UMC in Africa. During the West Africa Central Conference gathering in Accra, Ghana, Rev. Jerry Kulah, representing the GMC, sought to influence the episcopal elections—a move that was both unwelcome and inappropriate.” (Added 12-19-2024)
“Incessant feuds divide Methodist Church of Kenya” via Kenya News Agency. This story relates to the original Kenya Methodist Church which was established directly from British Methodism and was never a part of the UMC. Shared here because both the GMC and UMC also operate in Kenya. (Added 12-19-2024)
“Former pastor, son of late Alabama justice, arrested for traveling to meet a child for sex” by Erica Thomas via 1819 News. “[James Gorman] Houston, 66, pastored First United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa and Dauphin Way United Methodist in Mobile. During his time in Mobile, he was accused of ethics violations but resigned and was not investigated.” See also 2010 article in 2010 about his resignation in AL.com. (Added 12-19-2024)
“Just-In-Time Delivery: WCA Outlook Special Edition # 3 Mission Accomplished!” by Scott Field via WCA. “Here is an encouraging word of appreciation from the Chair of the WCA Global Council, Elizabeth Chryst.” (Added 12-19-2024)
Statement on Violence in Nigeria by Absalom Nuhu (PDF). A clergy of the Global Methodist Church lists violent actions taken by BeUMC forces against the GMC in Nigeria. (Added 12-18-2024)
“3 people killed in Nigeria as Methodist branches clash” by Lauren Canterbury via World. “Government officials in September reportedly shut down churches in the village belonging to both denominations in an attempt to quell tensions.” (Added 12-18-2024)
“Pastoral Letter Addressing Plight of Migrants, Immigrants and Refugees” via UMC Council of Bishops. “Deplorably, racist, xenophobic, nationalistic, and anti-migrant hate speech has become standard rhetoric for many US politicians, including President-elect Donald Trump.” (Added 12-18-2024)
“Two young children die in Nigeria as violent row over LGBTQ+ church policies intensifies” by Sophia Perry via Pink News. An LGBTQ news source covers the violence in Nigeria. (Added 12-18-2024)
“Catholics, Methodists called to spread hope, pope says” by Cindy Wooden via Catholic Review. The upcoming celebration of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea is a reminder to Christians that “we profess the same faith, and thus have the same responsibility of offering signs of hope that bear witness to God’s presence in the world,” Pope Francis told leaders of the World Methodist Council. (Added 12-18-2024)
“Just-In-Time Delivery: WCA Outlook Special Edition # 2 The Power Behind the Scenes” by Scott Field via WCA. “You may not have been aware, however, of the “power behind the scenes”: The WCA International Intercessors Prayer Network. I asked Rev. Dale Shunk, team coordinator, to share some perspective on their vital ministry “behind the scenes” of the WCA mission.” (Added 12-18-2024)
“SC Methodist churches thought they had time to decide to stay or go. The door slammed shut” by Bristow Marchant via The State. “Even after the 2023 statewide United Methodist conference voted to complete the discernment period, the church continued to offer churches that considered leaving a way to depart amicably before its 2025 conference. But shortly after Ebenezer decided to start the process of splitting from the United Methodist Church, the national church shut the door on further exits.” (Added 12-18-2024)
“Bishop Jones Issues Response to Nigerian Violence Accusations” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken. Jones: “…What we do know is that this conflict is based in a long-standing family feud of over seven decades that has been heightened by the process of disaffiliation in Nigeria. Bishop John Pena Auta is attempting to travel to this region to learn firsthand what occurred, and we will share updates as appropriate.” (Added 12-18-2024)
Post by John Meunier via UM Clergy Facebook Group. “…As a matter of practice, imposing a super-majority on the General Conference to retain its authority appears designed to prevent the GC from exercising that power. The regions rather than the GC appear to be the centers of authority and power in the regionalized UMC.” (Added 12-18-2024)
“An Important Message Regarding the Violence in Nigeria” by Mike Powers via Mid South Conference. “I encourage you to read and share this information along with the comments shared by Rev. Chris Ritter which broadens our understanding of the conflict which pre-dates the creation of the GMC.” (Added 12-18-2024)
Post by Alexander Sabo via Facebook. “Statement from Bishops Jones and Bishop Pena Auta
Bishops of the Four Annual Conferences of the Global Methodist Church in Nigeria.” (Added 12-18-2024)
“Rockville church vandal sentenced” by Rockville Nights. “A Rockville man pled guilty last Friday to three charges related to vandalism at Faith United Methodist Church earlier this year… The Faith UMC Church Council announced this morning that it will donate the $711 in restitution it receives from Delaney to Rainbow Place Shelter in Rockville, in support of its work to open a shelter for unhoused LGBTQ youth. Faith UMC celebrated 60 years of worship in Rockville this past September.” (Added 12-18-2024)
“Historic Epworth United Methodist Church closing after 130 years in downtown Norfolk” by Jane Harper via The Virginian Pilot. “As the 11 a.m. service got underway Sunday at the historic Epworth United Methodist Church in downtown Norfolk, just a dozen people sat among the sanctuary’s many oak pews. That’s a pretty typical number these days, according to the church’s few remaining members. Some Sundays it’s even less than that. It’s because of those greatly diminished numbers — and the dire financial circumstances that come with them — that the 130-year-old church will close its doors. The last service is set for Jan. 5.” (Added 12-18-2024)
“Historic church in downtown Akron planning its final service” by Dave Nethers via Fox8. “A decision was made to merge the First United Methodist Church congregation with that of the flourishing Wedgewood Methodist Church about eight miles away in the Ellet Community.” (Added 12-18-2024)
“Main Street United Methodist Church to close in New Albany” via News and Tribune. “A historic New Albany church is closing after 174 years. Main Street United Methodist Church will present its final services…” [paywall] (Added 12-18-2024)
“Conservative UMC publication Good News magazine gets new life” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “The Institute on Religion & Democracy will keep Good News magazine operating as part of a program known as the John Wesley Institute, according to IRD President Mark Tooley.” (Added 12-18-2024)
“Deadly violence in Nigeria tied to United Methodist Church schism over LGBTQ policies” via Associated Press (as shared by NPR). “A religious schism has turned deadly in Nigeria, with a church member fatally shot and two young children killed as homes were set ablaze, according to United Methodist News Service.” See alternative headline: “Deadly violence in Nigeria linked to breakup of United Methodist Church over LGBTQ policies.” (Added 12-18-2024)
“Timeline for The Division within The United Methodist Church of Nigeria” via UMNS. A timeline of Nigerian United Methodism going back to 2004. (Added 12-17-2024)
“Three killed in conflict over church properties in Taraba” via The Daily Champion (Nigeria). “In his message to members, the Bishop of the Global Methodist Church Rev. Dr. Bishop John Pena Auta called on the faithful of Munga Doso in Karim Lamido Local Government Area to as a matter of urgency drop their bitterness and embrace sustainable peace in the best interest of brotherhood and development. In a statement by the Director of Communication, Ezekiel Ibrahim Maisamari said that Bishop John Pena equally was saddened with the news of the impasse that erupted between the two factions in the area advising the warring community to eschew all bitterness and embrace peace which is the panacea for development.” (Added 12-17-2024)
“John Wesley Institute Continues Good News Magazine” via Juicy Ecumenism. “There will be two significant changes, the first that the magazine will be completely focused on formation and catechesis, the second that it will be pan-Wesleyan, incorporating voices from across the tradition.” (Added 12-17-2024)
“Tuesday Morning Briefing Live Stream (December 17, 2024)” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “This morning I will be going over developments in Nigeria after Bishop John Schol of the UMC makes accusations that the blood of those killed in Munga Doso are pretty much on the hands of the GMC.” (Added 12-17-2024)
“Church Leader Calls On Gov. Kefas To Unseal Locked Premises” by TVC News Nigeria (YouTube). “The Newly Elected Bishop of United Methodist Church of Nigeria, Emmanuel Ande is appealing to Governor of Taraba state, Agbu Kefas to re-open the Church property sealed as a result of internal crisis to enable members to celebrate Christmas in their churches.” (Added 12-17-2024)
“Just-In-Time Delivery: WCA Outlook Special Edition # 1 A word of encouragement from our Africa Coordinator” by Scott Field via WCA. “…over the past weekend, reports have circulated about the outbreak of violence involving Methodists in Nigeria. Though there are accusations and allegations being made, the situation is not altogether clear. There is, to say the least, ongoing conflict between property claims of the UMC in Nigeria and the GMC’s retention of property as determined by the courts there. Beyond that, there is a third group of Methodists not currently associated with the GMC or the UMC. For a news report in a Nigerian national online newspaper, click here.” (Added 12-17-2024)
“Taraba: Warring Methodist Church factions clash leaves three dead” via Within Nigeria. “’There was a crisis in Karim-Lamido Local Government Council, which led to the killing of three people,’ he said…. According to him, six suspects have been arrested, and security forces have been deployed to prevent further violence…. The conflict, it was gathered, was not unconnected to the lingering leadership dispute between the UMCN and the GMC, which recently emerged as a breakaway faction.”(Added 12-17-2024)
“2 Siblings, Man Killed As Members of 2 Churches Clash in Taraba” by Adekunle Dada via Legit. “The Taraba state government sealed three UMCN churches in Munga-Dosso—UMCN No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3—to prevent a breakdown of law and order after the GMCN faction broke away…. The Nigerian Army has reportedly arrested 23 UMCN members following the violence.” (Added 12-17-2024)
Post via Taraba Reflect (Facebook). Includes photos of the homes and properties burned in Sunday’s conflict among Methodists in Nigeria. (Added 12-17-2024)
“Deadly Church Dispute: 3 Die In Taraba State Methodist Church Violence” by Chioma Osuji via Voice of Naija (Nigeria). “According to reports, the commotion started on Sunday in Munga Dasso village of Karim-Lamido local government council, when one group against the other unsealed a church building to hold service.” (Added 12-17-2024)
“3 United Methodists killed in Nigeria” by Evaline Chikwana via UMNS. Includes lots of background on Nigeria from a UMCN perspective and a quote from GMC Bishop John Pena Auta. (Added 12-17-2024)
“Two siblings, man dies as two churches clash in Taraba” by Charles Akpeji via The Guardian (Nigeria). “Police spokesperson Usman Abdullahi told The Guardian that the crisis occurred because some members of the GMCN unsealed one of the sealed church buildings for service.” (Added 12-17-2024)
Overheard: “I reached out to [redacted awaiting permission to share] to see if I could get an accurate report on what transpired in Nigeria this past Sunday in the violent confrontation which resulted in destruction of property and loss of life in the community which Bishop Emeritus Johnwesley Yohanna is from. This is what he shared with me: ‘A violent clash erupted in the Bishop John Wesley community, also known as Munga Doso. The community comprises the Munga tribe, who have historically experienced family and clan disputes over farm ownership. A longstanding feud, spanning over seven decades, exists between a particular family and that of Bishop John Wesley. This animosity originated in the era of their grandfathers and has been passed down to their children. Despite Bishop John Wesley’s refusal to engage in these clan hostilities, the issue persists. Bishop Yohanna had previously succeeded in uniting the two families, but some individuals still harbor resentment. The majority of the community, including Bishop Yohanna’s family, are on one side, while the aggrieved clan constitutes the minority. Notably, the entire community worships at the same United Methodist Church denomination. Following the recent exit of UMCN members to the Global Methodist Church (GMC), the majority of church members and the community joined the GMC. However, the few aggrieved clan members, driven by the longstanding family dispute, refused to join the GMC. They perceive the GMC as a “John Wesley project” and have chosen not to align with it. In Taraba State, UMC and GMC, were ordered to close due to the perceived crisis of UMC within the state. Recently, desperate village members of John Wesley, eager to access their church building for Christmas carols, reopened the church. This action was met with violence from the few aggrieved UMC members, who attacked the GMC members. The ensuing chaos resulted in the death of one person, whose affiliation (UMC or GMC) I have yet to confirm. The clash also led to the destruction of property but I am sure now the situation is under control now with also the intervention of the Nigerian military.’” (Added 12-17-2024)
Overheard via WhatsApp: On the violence in Nigeria: “Truly it started from [separate] issues but the church matter has contributed, when I saw the post I called some of my colleagues (WATS Student’s) in Munga Doso to find out what is going on. The brother now told me that is a long time issues, from 2011 between their families which includes our former Bishop Johnwesley and the family [that] are against them. This issue became very much after GMC has taken over the church. Now the other family members couldn’t go to GMC because of the long time issues in the family. The fight would’ve started [two weeks ago] but bishop has been at home pleading with the two families, but after he on Saturday the next day which was yesterday. And the boy’s from the other family attack some GMC members because when they were worshipping together in UMCN before the coming of GMC in June this year they planted rice in the church farm land, so the other family members couldn’t agreed for the rice to be harvested and the GMC said the rice will get spoiled in the farm, why not let’s come together and harvest it then share it to one another? The UMC said “No!” So on Saturday the GMC members went to the farm and started the harvest. On hearing [about this], some UMC members went and burned down two GMC [family homes] and shot one man on his leg while people are still in service around noon. After coming out from the church, some GMC members related to the victims went to take revenge, which at the support the kill one of the people who come to burn down their houses. But my prayers: Let there be peace in that community. Meanwhile, My fellow GMC family in Nigeria and beyond, please don’t limit God in all we do. Why do we put so much interest in materials things as if God who gave us the money to build and acquire these things is no longer with us? Please let move on and believe only him alone he will make the way to us. Thank you.” (Added 12-16-2024)
Post by Bishop John Schol via Facebook. “This past Sunday, a group of people associated with the Global Methodist Church with weapons entered the Bwoi United Methodist Church in the Village of Bunkabu, Taraba State, Nigeria and shot and killed 27-year-old Masoyi Elisha and wounded 10 others. Later 11 homes of United Methodists were set on fire, killing two children in one of the homes, ages 2 and 4… While there were some homes set on fire belonging to GMC families, we admonished United Methodists who did this in their anger. The United Methodist Church in Nigeria will work with the families of the GMC whose homes were damaged to restore their homes. We expect the same restitution by the GMC and while lives cannot be brought back, we expect that you will apologize to the families and make restitution to the families whose loved ones were killed.” (Added 12-16-2024)
Post via GMC (Facebook). “The Assembly of Bishops of the Global Methodist Church has released an official statement addressing reports of violence in Nigeria. We mourn the loss of life, condemn violence in all its forms, and call upon all Methodists to serve as agents of peace.” (Added 12-16-2024)
“Three killed in clash between Methodist Church factions in Taraba” by Charles Akpeji via The Guardian (Nigeria). “Three people have been confirmed dead following a violent clash that erupted between worshippers of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN) and the Global Methodist Church (GMC) in Taraba State.” See also here. (Added 12-16-2024)
“John Wesley Institute Continues Good News Magazine” via John Wesley Institute (YouTube). Plans to continue Good News Magazine under the umbrella of the John Wesley Institute. (Added 12-16-2024)
“General Council on Finance and Administration Approves Spending Plans and New Quadrennial Goals” via GCFA. The Board unanimously approved a total of 23 general Church spending plans, which consists of general agencies receiving apportionments, GCFA, and the Episcopal Fund. Information on these plans can be found here. (Added 12-16-2024)
“Other Actions” via UMNS. Sidebar Article: GCFA cuts off all funding to Côte d’Ivoire. Agencies research merger. Grants issued to annual conferences to cover litigation with churches.
“Bishops forgo pay raises to shore up funds” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “The United Methodist Church’s ministries are dealing with deep budget cuts. That includes bishops, who are trying to help bolster the Episcopal Fund by going without a salary increase next year. The board of the denomination’s finance agency approved the bishops’ request as well as much smaller spending plans next year for the denomination’s agencies.” (Added 12-16-2024)
“COB seeks prayers for peace in Nigeria” via UMC Council of Bishops. “In this season of Advent, The Council of Bishops calls all United Methodists to pray after the Bwoi United Methodist Church in Bunkabu, Nigeria, was attacked in its building. Three United Methodists were killed; a 28-year-old by gunfire and two young children when a fire was set to their home.” (Added 12-16-2024)
Post by Mark Tooley via Facebook. “Great news! “Good News” magazine, published 57 years for evangelical United Methodists, now joins our John Wesley Institute as resource for wider pan-Wesleyan community! Here’s our video announcement plus word from Good News board below:” (Added 12-16-2024)
“Are There Folks Who Oppose Homosexuality But Support Same-Sex Marriage?” by Ryan Burge via Graphs About Religion. “He told me he was fine with the state permitting two men or two women to get married, but he still firmly believed that homosexuality was sinful. His position was simple: marriage is a legal contract, and the government can set the terms of such an arrangement. But churches can choose to solemnize those unions—or not—based on their view of the scriptures.” (Added 12-16-2024)
“Woman pees in police cruiser after running over grave stones: Report” by Laurel Stone via WKBN. “Police were dispatched to 2001 Ohltown Mineral Ridge Road, the address of Ohltown United Methodist Church, around 3:30 a.m. Friday for reports that a vehicle went off the roadway. Police told First News this is the second crash at the cemetery within a week.” (Added 12-16-2024)
“Pope to Methodists: Reconciliation is a ‘task of the heart’” by Devin Watkins via Vatican News. “Pope Francis greets a delegation of the World Methodist Council, and encourages ecumenical efforts ahead of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.” (Added 12-16-2024)
Post by Bishop John Schol via Facebook. “We have learned that there was a fight between Global Methodist Church and United Methodist Church members at a United Methodist Church in the Northeast Conference located in Taraba State, Nigeria. There was gun fire, and it is reported two people were killed. We offer our prayers for the families of those who died. We grieve for those who died and their families. We will do all we can to support the families regardless of which denomination they are from.” (Added 12-16-2024)
“Monday Morning Briefing (December 16, 2024)” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). Review of recent troubles in Nigeria. Also, discussion of the exit of Embrace Church in Sioux Falls, SD, formerly one of the UMC’s largest congregations. (Added 12-16-2024)
“The new battleground for Methodists is in Africa” by Cynthia Astle via Baptist News Global. “United Methodists’ new battleground centers in Africa, where annual (regional) conferences are beginning to vote on regionalization, the structural change granting greater local autonomy that progressive leaders in the U.S., the Philippines and Western Europe hoped would placate those still opposed to LGBTQ inclusion.” (Added 12-16-2024)
“GMCN Denies Bankruptcy Claims, Threatens Legal Action Against Rev. Dopah” by Emmanuel Awari via Summit Post (Nigeria). “The Global Methodist Church Nigeria (GMCN) has strongly refuted claims of bankruptcy made by Rev. Dr. Micah Dopah, Director of Connectional Ministries of the United Methodist Church (UMC), describing the statement as baseless and defamatory. Speaking at a press briefing in Jalingo, the GMCN Bishop, Rev. Dr. John Pena Auta, represented by the Conference Superintendent, Rev. Yayuba Baziel Yoila, condemned the allegations and disclosed plans to pursue legal action against Rev. Dopah.” (Added 12-16-2024)
Post by Dan Alheri via Facebook. “Reports are emerging of a violent clash between members of the Global Methodist Church and the United Methodist Church at a United Methodist Church in the Northeast Conference, located in a rural part of Taraba State, Nigeria. Eyewitnesses claim that the altercation resulted in gunfire, leaving two people dead. The Taraba Upto-Date News team is working to confirm the identities of the victims.” See also post by Bishop Ande Emmanuel. (Added 12-16-2024)
“If You’re Willing, There Is Another Way” by Clayton Farmer via UM Insight. “As a United Methodist, I’ve had many “only you know” moments in recent years. It’s no secret that our church is navigating a period of deep conflict and widespread apathy, leaving many of us feeling exhausted and uncertain about the future of our churches. If God were to ask us today, “Can these bones live again?” our most honest answer would echo the exasperated response Ezekiel gave so long ago: “Lord God, only you know.” (Added 12-16-2024)
“Historic Norfolk church founded in 1850 set to close in January” by Patriceia Beckford via 12NewsNow. “The next steps for conference leadership will be in listening to community needs and identifying spaces in the Norfolk area where the United Methodist mission and ministry would best serve in the future,” Madeline Pillow White, the Virginia Conference Director of Communications, told 13News Now. (Added 12-16-2024)
“United Methodist Implosion: A Summary of 2024” by Church History Stories (YouTube). “Where does the United Methodist Church stand as 2024 ends? This summary captures the dramatic shifts: over 3,000,000 members lost globally across the U.S., Africa, and Europe, including 1.2 million in the U.S. alone during 2023, alongside a wave of church closures from 2019-2024. Explore the reasons behind these losses, the impact of disaffiliations, and what it all means for the future of the UMC. A concise overview of a pivotal moment in the church’s history.” (Added 12-16-2024)
“Conservative Church Monikers Honestly Explained” via Ready to Harvest (YouTube). At 9:50, Tom Lambrecht is quoted on the meaning of the term “traditionalists.” (Added 12-16-2024)
TikTok by @YourCalvinist. Highlighting Rushing Kimball, the pastor of Broadway UMC in Orlando, FL for his controversial drag persona. (Added 12-14-2024)
“TARABA CHURCH CRISIS: Warring parties in fresh battle for control of headquarters” by Victor Gai via The Nation (Nigeria). “Meanwhile, the crack in the general church has led to the emergence of three distinct groups with two bishops.” (Added 12-14-2024)
Video Post via Liberia UMCTV (Facebook). An interview with Bishop Quire following the West Africa Central Conference. (Added 12-13-2024)
“Methodism in Europe – A Conversation with Vatroslav Župancic” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “I wanted to speak with Vatroslav because I think it is important for folks in America to do our part to understand the different contexts in which Christianity is working to minister to the people of various parts of the world. A previous conversation with Daniel Topalski of Bulgaria was helpful in getting some needed theology and history. Vatroslav builds on a similar foundation. Those who watch this segment will grow in knowledge of the history of Europe, a somewhat different portrait of the strengths of the Methodist heritage than what is commonly said in America, and a better knowledge of how to pray for our brothers and sisters in Europe.” (Added 12-13-2024)
“United Methodist Church In Nigeria Refutes Same-Sex Marriage Allegations” via AIT (Nigeria). “The development has led to a breakaway faction, while those who remained in the United Methodist Church adopted the regionalisation ideology, which allows the church in African nations to reject the acceptance of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer community, in line with the laws and constitutions of their countries.” (Added 12-13-2024)
“Remarkable People 2024: Rev. Andy Oliver, Allendale UMC” by Nadine Smith via Watermark. “Simply managing the old order will not lead to a new future. Offering charity without transformation will not bring beloved community any closer. We need a new social order where the most vulnerable are centered — that will bring our collective liberation.” –Rev. Andy Oliver (Added 12-13-2024)
“General Commission on the Status and Role of Women elects new general secretary” via North Alabama UM Conference. “The Rev. Stephanie York Arnold, an ordained elder in the North Alabama Conference of The United Methodist Church has been elected to serve as the general secretary for the denomination’s General Commission on the Status and Role of Women (GCSRW), effective, March 1, 2025.” (Added 12-13-2024)
“Norfolk’s Epworth United Methodist Church closing after 130 years of service” via WTKR. “The coastal Virginia district of United Methodist Church will take over the handling of the church. In other words, our utilities, our security system— everything that’s necessary to keep the building intact—they will become like the trustees of the building,” she said. The church will officially close in June at the Virginia annual conference of the Methodist Church, in which case, that will revert to the Virginia conference.” (Added 12-13-2024)
“Duke Endowment announces historic $5 billion in upcoming grants on centennial anniversary” via The Duke Chronicle. In line with James B. Duke’s original “vision of using philanthropy to enrich lives and strengthen communities in the Carolinas,” the new grants will be made in support of “child and family well-being, health care, higher education and rural United Methodist churches and communities.” (Added 12-12-2024)
“Bishop Quire Heads the West Africa College of Bishops” via New Dawn (Liberia). Bishop Quire was recently elected as the president of the West Africa Central Conference College of Bishops. (Added 12-12-2024)
“Black denomination upholds stance against same-sex marriage. A gay pastor in its ranks seeks change” via Associated Press. “When the African Methodist Episcopal Church, arguably the world’s largest independent Black Protestant denomination, held its quadrennial General Conference in Ohio in August, among the agenda items was an issue that the Rev. Jennifer S. Leath had labored over for two decades: same-sex marriage.” (Added 12-12-2024)
“Bishop pledges to reunite Church, denies same-sex marriage claims” by Terna Chikpa via Nigerian Tribune. “It is also very important to clarify that we are not a gay Church. The Church does not, in any way, support homosexuality. That is total misinformation. We are founded on strong Biblical principles and we stand steadfast on them,” the Bishop submitted. (Added 12-12-2024)
“VIDEO: Thief caught stealing bronze bell at downtown Phoenix church” via AZ Family. Church bell that was donated by the now-closed Central UMC is stolen from Iglesia Aliento Ministry. (Added 12-12-2024)
“Historic church in downtown Akron planning its final service” by Dave Nethers via Fox8 (Ohio). “But Burkhardt, who took over as pastor less than two years ago, says for months it’s congregation has understood that they could no longer financially sustain the church.” (Added 12-12-2024)
“The Shaming of the Church: Part III” by D. Paul Thomas via The Church’s One Foundation. “The Church is at perfect liberty in insisting upon its core doctrine on human sexuality.” (Added 12-11-2024)
Presbyterians for the Kingdom Website. Five goals: “1. Getting young people involved in the Presbyterian Church (USA). 2. Educating PCUSA members on Biblical, Confessional Reformed theology. 3. Building up lasting Christian communities within the PCUSA that are dedicated to Biblical faithfulness and sound doctrine. 4. Advocating against unbiblical doctrines and practices within the PCUSA. 5. Calling the PCUSA to repent for its toleration of heresy and immorality.” (Added 12-11-2024)
“Suspect faces federal charges after Byron United Methodist Church was burned down” by Alba Rosa via The Macon Telegraph. “The man who allegedly burned down the Byron United Methodist Church earlier this year was indicted on federal charges Wednesday, according to court documents.” (Added 12-11-2024)
“First United Methodist Church of Akron leaving its longtime University Park home” via Akron Beacon Journal. [paywall] “The First United Methodist Church of Akron will end services at its East Mill Street building and join Wedgewood United Methodist Church next month.” (Added 12-11-2024)
Tweet by Travis Johnson. “Political careers end over culturally appropriating race. But, fake churches celebrate cultural appropriation of womanhood & Christianity. John Wesley, the circuit riders, & holiness preaching birthed the #UMC. It ends w/a woke whimper.” (Added 12-10-2024)
“My Top 10 Theology Stories of 2024” by Collin Hansen via The Gospel Coalition. “#8. Mainline decline heightens need for Global South leadership. The deadline to leave the United Methodist Church (UMC) was December 31, 2023. So in 2024, the cost was revealed for the mainline denomination joining others in affirming same-sex marriage. Nearly 8,000 UMC churches—26 percent of the total—left for the newly formed Global Methodist Church or closed.” (Added 12-10-2024)
“United Methodist Church welcomes two bishops from West Africa” via Council of Bishops. “Bishop Emmanuel will replace JohnWesley Yohanna who earlier this year withdrew from The United Methodist Church to join another denomination. Bishop Boye-Caulker will replace Bishop John Yambasu, who died in a road accident in August 2020.” (Added 12-10-2024)
“‘Ladies and Gentlemen, as we prepare for landing, please bring all seatbacks and tray tables to their upright and locked position and stow away your carryon luggage.’” by Scott Field via WCA. WCA will cease primary operation on December 31, but the Africa Initiative will continue. (Added 12-10-2024)
“The Deepening of God’s Mercy through Repentance: A Critical Review Essay of The Widening of God’s Mercy: Sexuality within the Biblical Story” by Robert Gagnon via The Gospel Coalition. “Richard B. Hays and Christopher B. Hays’ recent book The Widening of God’s Mercy has generated significant interest but suffers from critical hermeneutical, exegetical, and scholarly deficiencies.” (Added 12-9-2024)
“Global Methodist Church Representatives Denied Entry at West Africa Central Conference” by Gbayor Charles Gbayor via Liberia Investigator. “The exclusion was attributed to the individuals’ suspension from the UMC in Liberia amid allegations of facilitating the transition of congregations to the GMC, a move considered divisive within the church. Conference officials clarified that allowing suspended members to participate would breach the UMC’s rules, which bar individuals under disciplinary action from engaging in official activities.” See also here. (Added 12-9-2024)
“Monday Morning Briefing Livestream (Dec. 9, 2024)” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). Analysis of Dr. Jerry Kulah’s letter in response to his suspension. (Added 12-9-2024)
“Boye-Caulker elected as Sierra Leone bishop” by Eveline Chikwana via UMNS. Retired Bishop Warner H. Brown Jr. has been interim bishop of the Sierra Leone Episcopal Area for the past four years, since the death of Sierra Leone Area Bishop John K. Yambasu in 2020. (Added 12-9-2024)
“West Africa elects Ande Ikimun Emmanuel as bishop” by Eveline Chikwana via UMNS. “Emmanuel was elected by the central conference’s 60 total delegates, an equal number of United Methodist clergy and laity from the central conference’s three episcopal areas: Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Soon after the 2024 General Conference, the Côte d’Ivoire Conference, which had been part of the West Africa Central Conference, voted to leave The United Methodist Church and return to being an independent Methodist denomination. (Added 12-9-2024)
“What’s changed and what hasn’t since General Conference” by Taylor Burton-Edwards via Resource UMC. Summary of General Conference actions. See also PowerPoint. (Added 12-9-2024)
Post by UMC Council of Bishops via Facebook. “Rev. Ande Emmanuel and Rev. James Boye-Caulker were today elected as Bishops of The United Methodist Church by the West Africa Central Conference meeting in Accra, Ghana. We welcome Bishop Emmanuel and Bishop Boye-Caulker to the Council of Bishops!” (Added 12-7-2024)
Post by Isaac Joseph Cooper via Facebook. Celebrating the two bishops elected in the West Africa Central Conference. (Added 12-7-2024)
Overheard: Ande Emmanuel was elected on the first ballot as the bishop of Nigeria with 37 votes. His challenger received 22 votes. James Boye-Caulker was also elected on the first ballot as the bishop of Sierra Leone with 43 votes. 60 valid votes cast. 1 invalid ballot. See tallies here via UMNS. (Added 12-7-2024)
Overheard: Ballot #1 underway to elect bishops for Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Delegates to the West Africa Central Conference will place a name for both Nigeria and Sierra Leone on the same ballot. 36 votes needed to elect (60%). (Added 12-7-2024)
Post via Independent Probe Newspaper via Facebook. “Sources in high places of the conference disclosed that Rev. Kulah and others were denied participation to the ongoing Conference in the Ghanaian Capitol on grounds that they are facing investigation following their suspension from the United Methodist Church of Liberia and the Liberia Annual Conference activities.” (Added 12-7-2024)
“West Africa Central Conference Dec 7, 2024” via Vimeo. Livestream of election process for two African bishops. (See also here and Day Two) Added 12-7-2024)
“Theologian changes his mind, wonders if God ever does” by Paul Prather via Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Opinion piece on Richard Hays. (Added 12-7-2024)
“Church and Society Introduces New Online Virtual Tour of The United Methodist Building” by Press Release. “The General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church, in partnership with the General Commission on Archives and History and the non-profit organization CyArk, today announced the launch of an interactive online virtual tour of the United Methodist Building as part of its 100th anniversary celebration.” (Added 12-7-2024)
“COB names Design Team for 2026 Leadership Gathering” via UMC Council of Bishops. “The goal is for the participants to reflect the rich theological, racial and cultural diversity we have within the Church. The Design Team will work on a fundraising plan for how to cover the expenses of the gathering.” (Added 12-6-2024)
Vimeo Link via West Africa Central Conference UMC. The December 5-8, 2024 session of the West Africa Central Conference, meeting to elect new bishops of Nigeria and Sierra Leone. (Added 12-6-2024)
Overheard: The West Africa Central Conference (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone.) is in session in Accra, Ghana to elect new bishops for Nigeria and Sierra Leone. There is already controversy about excluding duly elected delegations from Liberia who have been suspended by Bishop Quire’s newly appointed Board of Ordained Ministry. This body is meeting with the notable absence of Côte d’Ivoire who exited as a unit earlier in 2024. (Added 12-6-2024)
“Nigerian missionary school’s alumni force an investigation into past abuse” via Religion News Service. Bishop John Schol, interim lead bishop of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria, said the church, which has supported and helped oversee Hillcrest, has been aware of the abuse allegations and supports the investigation. “The safety of our members, communities and visitors is of paramount concern to us and we remain vigilant in our efforts to ensure local churches and ministries are safe places for all,” Schol said in an email. (Added 12-6-2024)
“Methodists Intensify Protests” by Kruah Thompson via New Dawn (Liberia). Coverage of continuing protests against Bishop Quire’s suspension of clergy. (Added 12-6-2024)
Post by John Meunier via UM Clergy Facebook Page. ‘I’ve seen a comment like this a few times:
‘Maybe you’d be more comfortable in the GMC.’ I’m not aware of it being directed at me, but I’ve see it a few times over the last couple of months directed at others. This strikes me as an improper thing to say to someone else in this forum. I think people would consider it out-of-bounds if someone were to write ‘Maybe you would be more comfortable as a Unitarian Universalist’ as well. It may very well be that some people in this group would be more comfortable in another body, but those who are here, presumably, have a sense of call to serve within the UMC and are a part of this group because of that. Inviting people to consider leaving the UMC is neither constructive nor respectful.” (Added 12-5-2024)
“Aggrieved Members Make Demands -As UMC Liberia’s Decision Remains Undefined” by Bill Cooper via Inquirer Newspaper. “A group of aggrieved members of the United Methodist Church (UMC) is calling upon its Bishop, Samuel Quire, to, with immediate effect, reinstate several pastors who were suspended for their stance against the practice of same-sex marriage within the UMC.” (Added 12-5-2024)
“Rev. Kulah Rejects Suspension – Accuses Bishop Of Same-Sex Marriage Agenda” via In Profile Daily News. “Rev. Dr. Kulah accused the bishop of abusing authority to silence his strong opposition to same-sex marriage and the teaching of regionalization within United Methodist Churches in Liberia.” (Added 12-5-2024)
“ELCA & Control: Structural Changes” by Lutheran Congregational Support Network (YouTube). The ELCA is making moves to control congregational property. (Added 12-4-2024)
“Deen Thompson’s Spiritual Journey Comes Full Circle” by Mark Lambert via UM Insight. “Deen Thompson’s story reflects a profound healing moment for both Deen and The Louisiana Conference. After nearly 50 years, the Conference publicly acknowledged the harm caused by his removal from ministry because he is gay.” (Added 12-4-2024)
“Commentary: They Are Here Again Camouflaged in Sheepskin” by Gabriel Banga Mususwa via UM Insight. “You know the game well, the code is “no” to GMC. Its supporters and promoters of autonomous churches and disaffiliation shouldn’t see the corridors of leadership, for in so doing we will betray the faithful members on the continent.” (Added 12-4-2024)
“The Good News Movement – A Job Well Done (Part IV)” by Riley Case via Juicy Ecumenism. “There are all kinds of reasons why the African voice is muted at United Methodist General Conference. So what is the future? Can the more conservative African Church continue to work with American United Methodists who continue to slide further into theological and social progressivism? With Good News no longer in the mix, the future is unknown. The opportunity for disaffiliation has not been made available for Africans.” (Added 12-3-2024)
“A Call to Action: A Statement Calling on Bishop Samuel J. Quire, Jr. to Call the Special Session of the LAC/UMC and Lift the Illegal Suspension of UMC Pastors and Leaders” by Liberia United Methodists for Biblical Christianity (PDF). Press release calling on Bishop Quire to reverse his actions. (Added 12-3-2024)
“UMC Hosts Regionalization Ratification Workshop” via Daily Observer (Liberia). “In a bold step towards enhancing governance, inclusivity, and spiritual growth, the United Methodist Church/ Liberia Annual Conference (UMC/LAC) has a groundbreaking two-day Regionalization Ratification Workshop.” (Added 12-3-2024)
“Chicago developer eyes a residential transformation of former Summerfield Church” by Bobby Tanzilo via OnMilwaukee. “Wowed by the beautiful building with its incredible colored glass skylight. You can read a history of the church here. Saddened by the bleak outlook for its future.” (Added 12-3-2024)
“Wake-Up Call: The Vibe Shift of Emerging Methodism…and – surprise! — the door is still ajar for local UM congregation churches seeking to leave” by Scott Field via WCA. “Sadly, at present the United Methodist Church finds itself in a box canyon. The only way out is to turn around. Doing a 180 seems unlikely, however. The United Methodist administrative and academic establishments have, for the most part, focused on demythologizing, deconstructing, and dismissing the “faith once delivered to the saints” (Jude 3,4). Mainline Protestantism seems to find Christianity useful primarily as a tool to promote other social or political agendas…not to mention helpful to provide economic security for ‘religious professionals.'” (Added 12-3-2024)
Video via Facebook. A protest in Liberia objecting to Bishop Quire’s mass suspension of those who oppose regionalization. Jerry Kulah speaks at this event. (Added 12-3-2024)
“United Methodist Church retaliating against the African Churches Who Left” via Unashamed of Jesus (YouTube). Commentary on the UMC’s treatment of Africans who have left the denomination. (Added 12-3-2024)
“What about the people in the Global Methodist Church pews?” by Laura Martin. “I fear the GMC will have difficulty prevailing if they don’t make sure the people in the pews are grounded in Christian truth – specific measures taken to go deeper within individual congregations.” (Added 12-3-2024)
“Response to Bishop Quire” by Jerry Kulah via PDF. A detailed letter of defense in response to suspension by the UMC bishop serving Liberia. (Added 12-2-2024)
Tweet by Talbot Davis. “”Don’t speak ill of the dead,” sage advice rejected by
@baptist_news, @WillimonTweets , @DrCurtisFreeman & @DukeDivinity as this piece remains live, speaking ill of the dead in a way that both insults & deceives: https://baptistnews.com/article/meddling-with-methodism-and-domesticating-the-baptists/” (Added 12-2-2024)
“The Regionalization Debate in the Worldwide UMC” by Jerry Kulah via Youtube. Episode Six in a series on regionalization. See also “Episode 7: What Happened Before the Worldwide General Conference 2024” (Added 12-2-2024).
“Rev. Kulah Rejects Suspension, Accuses Bishop of Same-Sex Marriage Agenda” by Blamo N. Toe via Liberian Investigator. “However, addressing a press conference on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, in Monrovia, Rev. Dr. Kulah refuted the allegations, describing them as tactics by Bishop Quire to marginalize pastors who oppose the bishop’s alleged push for same-sex marriage and regionalization. Kulah accused the bishop of attempting to keep the church hostage and enforce his personal agenda.” (Added 12-2-2024)
“Rev. Jerry Kulah responds to UMC’s Suspension on Regionalization of Gay Rights” by DN-New (Liberia) via Facebook. Dr. Kulah offers his defense against what he says is an unjust suspension by Bishop Quire. (Added 12-2-2024)
Post by Punch TV Liberia (Facebook). “Suspended United Methodist Revered, Jerry Kulah, rejects suspension – says no institution including the church can sanction him from teaching the gospel.” (Added 12-2-2024)
Post by Ben Horrocks via Facebook. “This is so vital if you care about The United Methodist Church. We must return to transparency and accountability. We must learn to follow our covenants, laws, and doctrines again. These pervasive trust deficits must be addressed at all levels of the church. We must wean off secrecy, expediency, and the exercise of power rather than legitimate authority, that is if we cannot quit cold turkey.” (Added 12-2-2024)
“UMC Bishop Tracy Malone says faith, hope love will prevail” by Alvin Reid via The St. Louis American. “Hate did not win on Nov. 5 – unless the church allows it to change the way it does its business.” (Added 12-2-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “…And therein lies the biggest problem The United Methodist Church has at the moment. We are functioning as though all our law and covenant is discretionary. We’ll follow and keep those we like, and we’ll ignore those we don’t. And since we don’t all like or dislike the same ones, we’re in the situation the ancient Israelites found themselves to be in the second half of the Book of Judges. “There was no king in Israel, and everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” (Added 11-30-2024)
“Edwards Chapel No Longer Part Of Methodist Church” by Sara Holthouse via Post-Journal (NY). “Located at 9227 Cherry Hill Road, Edwards Chapel began as a United Brethren in Christ church before transitioning into a union with the United Methodist Church, and has now announced that they are moving into the future as an independent church.” (Added 11-30-2024)
Overheard: The death of the pastor of Buncombe Street Methodist Church has been ruled a suicide. According the Curtis Freeman in Baptist News Global, Bishop Willimon is basing a new book, Losing a Church, (June 2025) on the disaffiliation of Buncombe Street. The article calls the late pastor “a Baptist in disguise.” Talbot Davis has criticized the timing of the BNG article. (Added 11-29-2024)
Tweet by Dayspring Observer News. “Justin Gilreath Greenville SC, Death: Buncombe Street Methodist Church Senior Pastor Reverend dies by Suicide. [link] (Added 11-29-2024)
“A Letter from Bishop Jonathan Holston Regarding Perdido Bay UMC” via Alabama-West Florida UM Conference. “We are deeply saddened to report to you that the Board of Trustees of the Alabama-West Florida Conference, left with no other choice, has filed a lawsuit against individual trustees of Perdido Bay UMC who participated in these actions, as well as against two former Alabama-West Florida clergy.” (Added 11-29-2024)
[UPDATED] “Pearland church pastor ignored sexual abuse in 1990s, lawsuit alleges” by Caroline Wilburn via Houston Chronicle. [paywall] “In 1995, [Denise] Gee allegedly provided alcohol to Doe and several other minors before a [Pearland] student ministry outing. Due to Gee’s level of intoxication, she believed she was unfit to drive and tasked an underage male with driving the group to the event while she rode in the back seat, the lawsuit alleges.” [MSN has the full version.] (Added 11-27-2024)
“General Conference leaders start afresh” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “If regionalization is ratified, that could mean big changes for how General Conference operates, starting in 2032. But because of the work needed to put regionalization in place, Fulbright said she expects the coming legislative assembly in 2028 to follow much the same format as it has previously.” (Added 11-29-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. On the exit of Embrace Church from the Dakotas Conference: “A member of the Conference asked the presiding bishop a Question of Law as to whether or not the action was legal, and when the bishop responds, which she must do within 30 days, the Judicial Council will review her Decision of Law. The Judicial Council will likely take this up in the spring. Stay tuned. This is a big deal for United Methodists.” (Added 11-27-2024)
[Updated with PDF] “New United Methodist Bishop in Tennessee/Kentucky on Road Ahead After Historic Splintering” by Liam Adams via The Tennessean. “Graves’ current assignment shares traits with his last role, among which is a major loss of churches to disaffiliations and added responsibilities to manage multiple teams of conference staff.” (Added 11-26-2024)
“The Regionalization Plan of the Worldwide UMC” by Jerry Kulah via YouTube. A second informational video on regionalization. (Added 11-27-2024)
“New church plants provide hope, unity and faith” by Laura Buchanan via UMC.org. “When a church chooses to disaffiliate, it usually leaves behind a “remnant group” of committed United Methodists who are dedicated to The UMC’s mission and connection. Many of these groups have joined together to grieve, heal and establish new United Methodist congregations in their communities.” Profile of four such churches. (Added 11-27-2024)
“Taraba CJ Registrar Acts As Complainant, Prosecutor & Registrar In Controversial Arrest Order” by Unini Chloma via The Nigeria Lawyer. “Tensions escalated when Rev. Ande shared a Facebook post asserting that the church remains united under UMCN with its CAC registration intact. Allegedly, the GMC faction, intolerant of this post, sought out Martin Joshua Forchi to obtain an order for the DSS to detain Rev. Ande, claiming he had stolen a court exhibit despite no pending lawsuits.” (Added 11-27-2024)
“Church denies same-sex marriage allegations amid leadership transition” by Charles Akpeji via The Guardian (Nigeria). “Amid the turmoil, the UMC Council of Bishops, The Guardian learned, has appointed Bishop John Schol as the interim episcopal leader for Nigeria. Bishop Schol, along with three assisting bishops, will oversee the UMCN’s affairs until a new indigenous bishop is elected on December 7, 2024, in Ghana.” (Added 11-27-2024)
“Meddling with Methodism and domesticating the Baptists” by Curtis Freeman via Baptist News Global. “The invasive strains of spirituality that threaten Baptists and Methodists these days are more akin to what Mark Twain called “wildcat religion.” Methodists are fending off closet Baptists trying to subvert their connectional church, while Baptists are struggling to stamp out strict Presbyterianism seeking to make their faith and practice more orderly.” (Added 11-27-2024)
“Dakotas Conference votes to close Embrace Church as a United Methodist congregation” by Rebecca Trefz via Dakotas UM Conference. One of the ten largest UM churches (attendance 2,000, 20% of conference total attendance) closes as a UMC. (UM Data profile) “The Dakotas Annual Conference has voted to close Embrace Church as a United Methodist congregation. Clergy and lay members gathered via Zoom for a Called Special Session on Saturday, November 23, 2024. The resolution, presented by the Dakotas Appointive Cabinet, was amended by the body and affirmed by a vote of 162-22… While Embrace is still a viable congregation of Christian ministry, it was determined that it no longer serves the purpose for which it was organized (as a United Methodist congregation)…. A mutual agreement and settlement were reached with financial terms of $1.25 million, an amount that is nearly equal to the amount the annual conference had invested in Embrace since their 2007 launch for a combination of ministry and capital expenditures… On November 12, 2024, Bishop Plambeck met with chancellors, Nancy Oviatt and Eric Olson, to review the recent Judicial Council decision. In compliance with the Judicial Council decision, the Bishop reiterated that this special session was not a reinstatement or replication of ¶2553, the disaffiliation allowance that expired on 12/31/23, nor is the session calling for the adoption of legislation, policies, guidelines, rules, or regulations authorizing the departure of local churches. Embrace’s departure from the denomination was not related to human sexuality, a required factor of disaffiliation per ¶2553.” (Added 11-26-2024)
“To Be Evangelical and Catholic: A Longing of the Heart” by Spencer Shaw via Firebrand Magazine. “I serve as a pastor in a United Methodist annual conference which predominantly self-identifies as progressive, and in this context, these words sometimes evoke confusion at best, and disgust at worst.” (Added 11-26-2024)
“Commission on the General Conference forges towards 2028” via Resource UMC. “As the calendar year is nearing its end, as a part of the ratification process, the leadership team is working to release a draft on the language of the proposed constitutional amendments. This document, available in the official languages of The UMC, will be circulated by December 15, 2024, and is intended to be used for educational purposes as annual conferences prepare for voting in 2025.” (Added 11-26-2024)
“Liberia: UMC Suspends Rev. Jerry P. Kulah Amid Allegations of Promoting GMC Agenda” via Front Page Africa. “The suspension comes amid accusations that Rev. Kulah has been actively promoting the Global Methodist Church (GMC), a breakaway denomination opposed to same-sex marriage and the ordination of non-celibate LGBTQ clergy. Church officials have confirmed that an investigation into the allegations is ongoing.” (Added 11-26-2024)
“Birmingham-Southern is looking for a buyer again after sale to another HBCU falls apart” via Alabama Public Radio. “The 168-year-old Methodist-affiliated school closed on May 31 after years of financial difficulties. Legislation to secure a taxpayer-backed loan for the college had stalled in the Alabama Statehouse.” (Added 11-26-2024)
“‘Unholy threat’: United Methodists sue breakaway beach church” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “The United Methodist Church has filed a lawsuit against a breakaway beach church that dropped UMC affiliation from its charter but kept two appointed clergy on staff and banned denominational officials from setting foot on the campus popular with Gulf Coast residents and tourists.” (Added 11-26-2024)
“Suspended Methodist Rev. Jerry Kulah Appears on PBS” via Punch TV Live (Facebook). His suspension is doing harm to to the education of students at the UM University. (Added 11-26-2024)
“It’s Thanksgiving…but still, some United Methodist bishops have ‘pulled a Lucy’ on congregations under their ‘care’.” by Scott Field via WCA. Lucy yanks the football away from Charlie Brown while he’s in the process of kicking it. Beforehand, of course, Lucy assures him that he can trust her; she’ll hold the ball steady until he kicks it, she says. Despite some uncertainty, Charlie Brown takes her assurance, gets in place, and makes his run to kick the ball. Ah, but we know what’s coming, don’t we? This cartoon perfectly captures the uneasiness, the apprehension, the uncertainty between trust and betrayal. (Added 11-26-2024)
“United Methodist Collapse?” by Mark Tooley via Juicy Ecumenism. “The United Methodist Church in the U.S. lost 1.2 million members in 2023, or about 22 percent, the most that any denomination has ever lost in one year in American religious history. It perhaps is a world record, matched in modern times only by the Russian Orthodox Church’s near collapse after the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917.” (Added 11-25-2024)
“Ugandan Archbishop says Welby split global Anglican communion” by Elias Biryabarema via Reuters. “The Church of Uganda has long been at loggerheads with the Church of England on its stance on homosexuality, and said last year it no longer had confidence in Welby.” (Added 11-25-2024)
“The Death of Providence” by Martin Thielen via Baptist News Global. A UM Clergy explains how he ceased believing in God’s providence. (Added 11-25-2024)
“UMC Suspends Rev. Kulah for Allegedly Promoting Global Methodist Church Agenda and Violating Church Discipline” by G. Watson Richards via Verity. “The United Methodist Church (UMC) has suspended Rev. Dr. Jerry P. Kulah, Vice President of the Bishop John G. Innis Graduate School of Professional Studies at the United Methodist University (UMU), effective immediately.” (Added 11-25-2024)
Post via Footage Africa Magazine (Facebook). “UMC Suspends Rev. Dr. Jerry Kulah Amid Allegations of Promoting Global Methodist Church Agenda and Undermining Church Discipline” (Added 11-25-2024)
“Good News: Appreciation” by Bob Phillips via PeopleNeedJesus.net. Celebrating the ministry of Good News as a renewal organization within the UMC. (Added 11-25-2024)
“A Look at the First Judicial Council Session Following GC2020-24” by Lonnie Brooks via PeopleNeedJesus.org. “By saying ¶2553 was “the only pathway for the disaffiliation of local churches” and that the removal of ¶2553 from the Discipline has terminated opportunity for disaffiliation, the JC has grossly misstated reality. ¶2553 was never the only pathway to withdrawal, and such withdrawals
will continue.” See also Executive Summary. (Added 11-25-2024)
Jerry Kulah Suspension Letter via PDF. Letter of charges against Jerry Kulah by the committee on investigation named by the unelected board of ordained ministry appointed by Bishop Quire. (Added 11-25-2024)
Overheard: “[Bishop Quire’s] agenda is to try to silence as many elders of the church who are in opposition to his plan to force upon the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church ratification of regionalization, same gender marriage and the LGBTQ agender of the liberal UMC. By the grace of God, that will not work. So that at the February Annual Conference he would manipulate the process and pass ratification of regionalization. By the grace of God, that will not happen.” (Added 11-25-2024)
“UMC Suspends Rev. Kulah” via New Dawn (Liberia). Coverage of the suspension of Liberia’s most prominent clergy for promoting the GMC agenda. (Added 11-25-2024)
“UMC Suspends Eminent Methodist Preacher Rev. Jerry Kulah” by William Harmon via Daily Observer (Liberia). “The crisis within the United Methodist Church (UMC) is deepening by the day as another prominent member of the Liberia Annual Conference clerical group and administrator has been temporarily axed from his position. The UMC, in a statement on Sunday, noted that it has with immediate effect suspended Rev. Dr. Jerry P. Kulah, Vice President for the Bishop John G. Innis Graduate School of Professional Studies, at the United Methodist University (UMU).” (Added 11-25-2024)
“‘Vindictive’: UMC criticized for plan to cut funds to departing African conference” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “The United Methodist Church has garnered criticism for a plan to possibly cut funding to the 1-million-member Côte d’Ivoire Conference, which voted to leave the denomination earlier this year before the original deadline to do so.” (Added 11-25-2024)
“What is Regionalization in the UMC?” by Jerry Kulah via YouTube. Information on Regionalization provided by a leader of the Africa Initiative. (Added 11-25-2024)
Post by Mark Tooley via Facebook. “Quoted here on United Methodism losing 1.2 million members last year.” Includes an image of the Frank Lockwood article in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Attendance has dropped by half as compared to pre-pandemic numbers. (Added 11-23-2024)
“A Look at the First Judicial Council Session Following GC2020-24” by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “… The thing that’s wrong with the quoted sentence is that by simple declaration here, without any action by the Church to amend its Constitution, the JC has extended the fundamental status of the Constitution to the Trust Clause… A clearer case of judicial encroachment on the legislative authority of the General Conference can’t be found than this one.” (Added 11-23-2024)
“United Methodist Church membership in U.S. falls by 21.9% in 2023” by Frank Lockwood via Arkansas Democrat Gazette. [paywall] Article about the sharp membership decline in the UMC in 2023 due to disaffiliation. (Added 11-23-2024)
“Philippines reelects Acdal, Estrella, Painit” by Gladys P. Mangiduyos via UMNS. “Acdal said he had “mixed emotions for my reelection due to the severity of the issues on disaffiliation while preparing for the central conference.” The denomination is emerging from a period marked by disaffiliations, in which some congregations and geographic regions left The United Methodist Church due to disagreements about scriptural authority and the inclusion of LGBTQ people.” (Added 11-23-2024)
Overheard: All three UM Bishops in the Philippines were re-elected, but it took 24 ballots. (Added 11-22-2024)
“Joaquin Methodist Community Assets Seized to Be Sold” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). Source Article – “Joaquin congregation parts ways with United Methodist Church Conference, will lose their historic building” by Trent Bennett of 7KLTV – https://www.kltv.com/2024/11/15/joaqu…” (Added 11-22-2024)
“GNW ministries to honor Transgender Day of Remembrance as they build community partnerships, trust” via Greater Northwest UMC. “Ministries such as the BeLonging Space, Whitney United Methodist Church in Boise, Bellevue First UMC near Seattle and Vancouver Heights United Methodist Church in Vancouver, Wash., were all working with community and ecumenical partners to honor this important date before the national election results came through on Nov. 5.” (Added 11-22-2024)
“Columbus trans community gathers for Day of Remembrance ahead of Trump’s return to office” by Samantha Hendrickson via The Columbus Dispatch. “On a rainy, biting-cold Wednesday night, members of the Columbus-area transgender community and their allies filed into the domed sanctuary of King Avenue United Methodist Church.” (Added 11-22-2024)
“The Good News Movement: A Job Well Done (Part III)” by Riley Case via Juicy Ecumenism. “Despite the liberalism that had characterized establishment Methodism during the 20th century, the Board of Missions [had] represented a safe haven for evangelicals through the 1950s and into the 1960s. The seminaries had been captured by modernists; Sunday school literature disdained teaching about sin and salvation; the church’s social stands were supportive of socialism, but evangelicals were still welcomed to serve as missionaries and carry the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth.” (Added 11-22-2024)
Tweet by Drew McIntyre: “From both younger clergy and from laity, my experience from many conversations is that itinerancy in the #umc is as much or more an impediment to our flourishing as the sexuality debate ever was.” (Added 11-21-2024)
“Illinois Great Rivers Conference Betrays Trust” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). Commentary on the false assurances given to traditional churches in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference. See also “Another One: FUMC Bradford Being Closed Against Their Will.” (Added 11-21-2024)
“American Methodist History & Its Clear Lessons for Today – A Conversation with Kevin Watson” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “Kevin recently published a book on Methodist history, and I thought it was time to pick his brain about some themes I have wondered about. In this conversation, we cover topics related to proper and faithful training of Methodist clergy, especially in light of the unfortunate developments over the last century or so in mainline Methodist seminaries. We talk about the authentic nature and hallmarks of the Methodist movement, the call of discipleship at the present moment, the failures of leadership in mainstream religious practice in the West, the nature of holiness, and several other connected issues drawn from history.” (Added 11-21-2024)
“The United Methodist Church and the Global Methodist: Schism or Death?” by Andy Miller via More to the Story Podcast (YouTube). “Is the break between the United Methodist Church and the Global Methodist Church simply a matter of disagreement? Or does human sexuality rise to the level of Christian dogma? Dr. Chris Bounds and I talk through this ecclesiological question on today’s thought-provoking podcast.” (Added 11-21-2024)
“ACLU Issues Urgent Call to Stop Bill That Would Endanger Nonprofits” by Jeff Brumley via UM Insight. “This bill gives the executive branch the authority to effectively dismantle any nonprofit organization it deems to have provided ‘material support’ to terrorist groups… Among unofficial United Methodist organizations that could be affected by the bill are United Methodist Kairos Response and the Methodist Federation for Social Action, both of which advocate for Palestinian rights.” (Added 11-21-2024)
“Philippines Central Conference Balloting 2024” via UMNS. Multiple ballots held as three bishops seek re-election. Painit has not been re-elected as of the eleventh ballot and is challenged by Jonathan Ulanday. Acdal re-elected on the fifth ballot. Estrella re-elected on the 8th ballot. (Added 11-21-2024)
“Commentary: For Baptists, the actual issue isn’t women in the pulpit” by Jeff Johnson via Pee Dee Post and Courier (SC). “In stark contrast, the United Methodist Church has tried in recent years to keep up with the times. Not only has it led the way in ordaining women, but it also has reinterpreted the Bible to allow homosexuals to lead, as well. As a result, it has strayed far away from what John Wesley envisioned when he began the movement.” (Added 11-21-2024)
Tweet by Talbot Davis: “Just told new congregant abt #UMCGC ’24 redefining singleness for #umc clergy & she asked, innocently but emphatically, “what happened to the fornication piece?” What, indeed?” (Added 11-20-2024)
Post by Lisa Rabe via Facebook. “Is there a Facebook group specifically for churches who wanted to disaffiliate but couldn’t? I always feel bad that we are using the Global page for these discussions.” (Added 11-20-2024)
Post by John Meunier via Facebook. “Those [recent statement by the Council of Bishops] cast a vision for a denomination that has strong disagreements but somehow maintains unity. Statements like that from our episcopal leadership are important, but they are not sufficient to make such a thing true.” (Added 11-20-2024)
“Why True Believers Should Join the Global Methodist Church” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “Despite my deep pessimism and cynicism, I find several significant reasons to be hopeful about the Global Methodist Church. Take some time to think on these things and pray about them with me. May God choose to prosper the GMC insofar as we submit to him!” (Added 11-20-2024)
Post by Ande Emmanuel via UM Clergy Facebook Group. “Bishop John Schol, Interim Lead Bishop for The United Methodist Church in Nigeria had productive meetings with the legal team in Abuja this past week. The meetings were to address the funds, property and equipment that were taken from The United Methodist Church when the former bishop and some of the leaders broke away from The United Methodist Church. Upon his arrival, Bishop Schol was interviewed by immigration out of concern for his safety because of false posts and threatening posts by the GMC and letters to immigration. Immigration decided for his safety he would conduct his meetings in Abuja with The UMC lawyer and then travel home. While he was unable to be present for the leadership meeting in Jalingo, more than 220 UMC leaders from across Nigeria attended the Jalingo meeting.” (Added 11-20-2024)
“Historic religious changes cause mixture of emotion for religious individuals throughout Iowa City” by Stella Shipman via The Daily Iowan. “One such church is the United Methodist Church, or UMC, which lost more than 40 percent of its four-year budget in February amid the disaffiliation of 7,673 congregations over LGBTQ+ legislation controversies.” (Added 11-20-2024)
“Mississippi Flouts Judicial Council & Honors Commitments” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “n the midst of disaffiliation, Mississippi Annual Conference has actually been pretty fair. When they had rebellious clergy, their own bishop filed charges against them. Now, in the face of a Judicial Council decision that works against the liberty of local churches, the Mississippi Conference has issued a statement that insists on honoring agreements made with churches that want to leave. In this segment, I read through the conference statement and talk about other, not so honorable, ways that some conferences are navigating these issues.” See also “Alabama-West Florida Welches on Commitments” (Added 11-20-2024)
“Save Our Tennessee Churches – Enact Strict Neutral-Principles Approach for Church Property” via Change.org. Petition: “We urge Tennessee lawmakers to adopt a strict neutral-principles of law approach to church property disputes. This change would honor the legacy and efforts of those who built these churches and ensure that local congregations retain their rightful property.” (Added 11-19-2024)
Post by Philippines Central Conference (Facebook). “PCC UMC Highlights | Day 1 (November 18): Delegates attending the 22nd Central Conference Regular Session at Wesleyan University Philippines received their conference kits ahead of their busy schedules, which will take place from November 18 to 22, 2024.” (Added 11-19-2024)
Post by Sheila Sandefer Morris Alexander via Facebook. [Document images]. “A small TN UMC wanting to disaffiliate received these two documents tonight. Also was told it was “impossible” for them to win in a civil court. This church was told to not disaffiliate when the deadline was announced but to wait and see if things changed at Conference. Of course that didn’t happen. Any suggestions on how we can leave umc with at least our property and church building?…” (Added 11-19-2024)
“Bishops zero in on challenges ahead” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “The denomination has reduced its total number of bishops, but the Episcopal Fund is still at risk of going into the red in the future if giving rates do not improve. Mississippi Conference Bishop Sharma Lewis, who chairs the bishops’ finance committee, announced that the bishops plan to form a task force and invite the finance agency’s staff to discuss ways to improve giving.” Moving forward with a 2026 Leadership Gathering. (Added 11-19-2024)
“First United Methodist Church reportedly closing; pastor denies decision has been made” by Savannah Barr via The Bradford Era. “An active member of his congregation, Simons frequently goes to leadership meetings to keep abreast of the church’s business. During a meeting of the Leadership Board held Oct. 27, Simons was dismayed to see on the minutes that the church is scheduled to close July 1, 2025.” (Added 11-19-2024)
“‘Grace and Peace’? The Surprising Vibe Shift of Emerging Methodism” by Scott Field via WCA. “Their letter drops the institutional hammer on local churches who had been promised a fair pathway to separate from the UMC if, considering whatever decisions were made at the recent UM General Conference, a local church prayerfully and deliberately discerned that they could no longer continue to support the United Methodist denomination with their prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.” (Added 11-19-2024)
“Pastor Justin Gilreath Of The Greenville Community Leaves Everyone Heartbroken” by Jessica Tamrakar. “Pastor Justin Gilreath has impacted many with his amazing character and love for god. He passed away in November 2024. The cause of his demise has still not been revealed.” (Added 11-18-2024)
“Methodist Church Initiates Regionalization Rectification Dialogue” by Simeon S. Wiakanty via Daily Observer (Liberia). Several banners at the event displayed messages affirming the church’s traditional beliefs, including: “The United Methodist Church is not a gay church, and we reject same-sex marriage” and “The United Methodist Church of Liberia believes in the Bible and holds to traditional practices.” (Added 11-18-2024)
“Central United Methodist Responds to Graffiti, Affirms Trans/Immigrant Support” by Beth Milligan via The Ticker. “The leaders of Central United Methodist Church in downtown Traverse City are affirming their support for trans and immigrant communities in response to graffiti left in spray paint across from their building Sunday. Church leaders said they wanted to honor the spirit of the messages – which said Jesus would protect trans people and immigrants – while also respecting the owner of the building that was vandalized, which doesn’t belong to the church.” (Added 11-18-2024)
Post by Irvington Methodist Church (Alabama) (Facebook). “A couple of years ago, the UMC decided to re-write the Book of Discipline. We voted as a church to begin the disaffiliation process as we did not agree with the new wording. We’ve been denied multiple times. So now, in retaliation, the UMC is forcing us to close and they are taking our property. Property that belongs the the members! When we asked for an additional week as to gather for our final Thanksgiving Supper, we were denied.” (Added 11-18-2024)
“Seeking a new foundation in the UMC” by John Meunier. “A United Methodist Church that survives and rebuilds in the wake of disaffiliation could do worse in finding a new foundation than these three vows.” (Added 11-18-2024)
“VICTORY: Reconquista has RETAKEN a historic church” by Redeemed Zoomer via YouTube. An Episcopalian was shuffled out of the TEC for supporting Operation Reconquista. He is now the pastor of First Congregational Church in Woodbury, Connecticut that closed down five years ago. (Added 11-16-2024)
“Is there a way for local UMC churches to leave the UMC after the Judicial Council blocked paths out?” by Dan Dalton via YouTube. “At Dalton & Tomich, we recognize that many local church leaders feel misled and frustrated after being advised to remain in the United Methodist Church, assured that they would have opportunities to disaffiliate. Following the recent ruling by the Judicial Council that prevents all amicable exit options, we understand your congregation’s disappointment. Many churches are eager to know if a viable path exists for their future progress. In this video, Dan Dalton shares insights that explore the potential pathways still available and provides guidance on what your congregation should consider next.” (Added 11-15-2024)
“Reparations: Not Welcoming the Beloved” by Phyllis Tyler via UM Insight. “As we move ahead to recreate our denomination that has been spread far and wide with disaffiliation of member churches and diverse opinions, it is my conviction that hospitality and welcome of members and strangers is at the heart of our life together as a denomination. So my heart is heavy that we suspended Bishop Carcaño for two years while she awaited her trial.” (Added 11-15-2024)
“Bishops urge halt to Côte d’Ivoire funding” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “The two requests come after the Côte d’Ivoire Conference registered with the West African nation’s government as an independent Methodist church.” (Added 11-15-2024)
“Preparing for bishop elections outside US” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “After the recent withdrawal of some bishops, one particular concern is that any new bishops are committed to the denomination… As Eurasia’s exit shows, The United Methodist Church in recent years has struggled to maintain unity amid internal strife over the status of LGBTQ people in church life. The dispute has taken its toll on the denomination as a whole as well as its bishops.” (Added 11-15-2024)
“UMC Bishops ready for new missional future” by Press Release via UM Council of Bishops. Bishop Malone noted that the UMC was moving forward as a Church where clergy and local churches are given agency and freedom to live their faith, being the hands and feet of Jesus Christ serving their communities and engaging in ministry according to their conscience and context without judgement. “A church where no one is compelled or required to act contrary to their convictions.” (Added 11-15-2024)
“Joaquin congregation parts ways with United Methodist Church Conference, will lose their historic building” via KLTV. “Small congregation must pay UMC $75K by Friday or hand over the keys.” (Added 11-15-2024)
“Episcopal Update on IGRC Exit Plan” by Bishops Bard and Bigham-Tsai of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference (PDF). “We have determined that the current exit plan in our conference is not compatible with the Judicial Council ruling…. The IGRC exit plan was put forward by Bishop Frank J. Beard and the Conference Trustees in good faith. They had no way of knowing that the Judicial Council… would rule unconstitutional the use of Par. 2549 in the way our exit plan uses it.” (Added 11-14-2024)
“When Politics Divide” by Bishop Ruben Saenz via UM Insight. “Susan’s request revealed a pain many families grapple with in our politically charged times. She and her daughter hadn’t spoken in over a year because Nicole was, in Sharon’s words, ‘Woke.’ The term ‘woke’ hung in the air, heavy with the weight of misunderstanding and division that has torn apart many relationships. (Added 11-14-2024)
“Who Do You Blame for this Election Disaster, and What Can Be Done About It?” by Martin Thielen via UM Insight. “I mostly blame white, churchgoing Christians.” Why? Because white people who go to church regularly are the voters who gave us Donald Trump. Agnostics, atheists, “nones,” Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and black Christians didn’t elect Trump. White Christians who attend church on a regular basis did. Twice. (Added 11-14-2024)
“Coach’s New Book Teaches Christians to ‘Believe Like Jesus’” by Cynthia Astle via UM Insight. “A United Methodist clergywoman who heads an eponymous ministry consulting firm… Shifting from faith in Jesus to the faith of Jesus, from disciple to apostle, is not as much about what you do as what you believe,” the author said. “Think of each of these beliefs as a transforming principle that will take you deeper into your soul, higher into consciousness, and as a step toward experiencing your inner divinity. Tapping into your inner divinity like this will, in turn, fuel your rise from disciple to apostle.” (Added 11-14-2024)
“A New Hymn Looks to the Rainbow in Stormy Times” by John Coleman via UM Insight. “Ole-Einar Andersen, 74, a self-described “lifelong, theologically progressive/liberal United Methodist,” is a lay member of the historic Trondheim Methodist Church in Norway. He composed the hymn’s lyrics; and a dear friend, one of Norway’s most popular musicians, Henning Sommerro, composed the tune.” (Added 11-14-2024)
“Methodist Church Crisis Reaches Court” by The Daily Observer (Liberia). “Several pastors of the United Methodist Church have been barred from their activities within the church as Gardnersville and Omega Magisterial Courts issue a stay order on their actions, respectively. The internal conflict within the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Liberia has intensified leading to legal intervention aimed at restoring order between church leaders and dissenting pastors.” (Added 11-14-2024)
“St. Pete’s Allendale United Methodist Church celebrates centennial this weekend” by Ray Roa via Creative Loafing Tampa. “A homecoming worship happens on Sunday, ahead of Wednesday’s Transgender Day of Remembrance.” (Added 11-14-2024)
“Joaquin Methodist Church members face seizure of property Friday” by Gabrielle Parish via KTBS (Texas). “Members of Joaquin United Methodist Church are devastated after learning their church and property are set to be seized by the United Methodist Church denomination on Friday.” (Added 11-14-2024)
“This Denomination You’ve Never Heard of Has the Second Most Churches in Oklahoma – And Growing” by Carla Hinton via The Oklahoman. “Currently, the top five faith groups in Oklahoma are the Southern Baptists, with 1,700 churches; Assemblies of God, with 455 churches; the United Methodist Church, with 322 churches; National Baptist Convention, the largest Black Baptist denomination in the U.S., with 220 churches; and the Roman Catholic Church, with 187 houses of worship.” (Added 11-14-2024)
“United Methodists react to US election” byJim Patterson via UMNS. “My congregation has a deep heart for being a place of sanctuary and safety for the LGBTQ community,” Knox said. “The LGBTQ community has a legitimate concern for the continuation of the rights that they currently have, and the possibility that more policies will be enacted to influence the kind of care, for example, that transgender people can receive, and other relational and medical concerns.” (Added 11-14-2024)
“Sunsetting the Sacred” by Emma Nelson via Eugene Weekly. “Congregants tell Eugene Weekly that they’re pleased the Lavender Network, Eugene’s premiere queer resource network, is using the space now, but they don’t understand how the church got to a place where it had to close in the first place.” (Added 11-14-2024)
“Stealing A Church; Ending a Tradition” by Frances Freeman. “Bishop Cynthia Fiero Harvey of the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church has notified the congregation of the Joaquin Methodist Church that it is seizing their church building and all their property, and will be offering these for sale to the highest bidder.” (Added 11-14-2024)
“Wesleyan Covenant Association Applauds UMC Shooting Itself in the Foot” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “When ¶2549 was ruled an invalid way of allowing unhappy local churches to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church, effectively removing any exit ramp for these churches outside of special circumstances, many met such news with great disapproval and dismay. Indeed, there is much to mourn here as covenant communities are now being forced to choose between the assets they have accrued and cared for in the name of Jesus. Even so, Rev. Dr. Scott Field volunteers a different understanding: leaving could be a great blessing to many communities.” (Added 11-13-2024)
Overheard: An appeal has been filed in the litigation against the Baltimore-Washington Conference (UMC). About a month ago, the Honorable Michael Malone had dismissed all remaining claims in the litigation against the Conference. It remains to be seen how many of the 37 plaintiff churches will join in on the appeal. (Added 11-13-2024)
“Tuesday Morning Briefing (Nov. 12, 2024)” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). Topics: 1. Mark Tooley down on praise music – 2. Historical Guilt is Dumb meme – 3. UMC Clergy Prepare to Lose MORE Members for Preaching Against Donald Trump – 4. Judicial Council Offers Gift, Says WCA: A Fresh Start – 5. The Free Market & the Christian Witness on Wealth (Added 11-12-2024)
“Connectional Table Plans for Work Ahead” by Jim Patterson via UMNS. “To come to fruition, regionalization requires amending The United Methodist Church’s constitution. The Council of Bishops expects all annual conferences to vote on the amendments by the end of 2025. The bishops plan to tally the votes when they hold their spring meeting in 2026.” (Added 11-12-2024)
Post by Fayna Amacher Edens via Facebook. “Have any of you heard of a UMC pastor being fired, 3 weeks before his retirement exit? That happened today to my pastor. The 70% of our UMC delayed disaffiliation, hoping the discipline would not be changed. Then we wanted to buy the building. Not allowed, so we have formed a new church and were planning a graceful exit the end of the year. We were trying to not disrupt the Christmas season for our children and their families. In the last week we have been told to get out. So we moved our exit date to December 1st. Because God provided a location to meet in, within 24 hours. Today the DS arrived at the church office with another DS and told our pastor to get his office cleaned out and that he would not preach at our church here any longer….” (Added 11-12-2024)
“No Ifs, Ands, or Buts: the UMC Judicial Council determines that if you don’t like the ride, it’s time for you to get off” by Scott Field via WCA. “Buildings are a tool for the ministry, not the ministry itself. Taking an honest look at our feelings of “stuck-ness” might reveal that somehow, over time, the church building has taken up an over-sized place of devotion in our hearts. Rather than facilitating the Jesus Mission, our facilities can sometimes keep us from engaging the Jesus Mission in the first place. Maybe we’re “stuck” over the wrong thing: the building.” (Added 11-12-2024)
“Zombies, Zombies, Everywhere!” by John Feagins via UM Insight. “Zombies are former humans and violently react to non-zombies. Zombification involves three steps: 1) gradual reduction of the human agent to the status of ravenous predator; 2) cognitive impairment or assimilation into a tribal hive-mind; and 3) virulent spread in victims through contact and trauma.” (Added 11-12-2024)
“Heartfelt Requests after the Election” by David Bone via UM Insight. “To my friends and family who voted for Donald Trump…” (Added 11-12-2024)
“How to Survive the Next Trump Administration” by Jerry Eckert via UM Insight. “That Trump won the election was such a shock that I had physical symptoms. I couldn’t believe it. But I couldn’t breathe normally. It was bad…” (Added 11-12-2024)
“Walking Boldly in Faith: A Message of Justice and Unity” via UM Insight. UM Insight’s summary: “The top executive of the General Commission on Religion & Race urges United Methodists to continue their pursuit to dismantle racism despite the racist tones of the Donald Trump campaign.” (Added 11-12-2024)
“Scranton church holds one last Veterans Day concert before its closure later this year” via WNEP. “Asbury United Methodist Church in Scranton held its last Veterans Day concert, a tradition for more than 20 years. The 148-year-old church is closing in December.” (Added 11-12-2024)
Post by Michael Beck via Facebook. “Dear white clergy, When you say things like “the people have spoken,” please understand that 92% of Black women, 78% of Black men (86% total), 56% of Asians, and 53% of Hispanic/Latinos voted for Harris. They are also people, made in the image of God.
In terms of data, it would be more accurate to say, “predominantly white people, living in mostly rural and suburban areas, the majority of whom who have no college education… have spoken.” I know it doesn’t pack the oratory punch but think of your neighbors.” (Added 11-11-2024)
“A Letter to My Fellow Clergy Who Will Pastor During Another Trump Administration” by Jason Wellman via Substack. “I worry about my friends. I worry about how the Church, including my congregation, will navigate these waters again.” (Added 11-11-2024)
“Ed Mark Lecture: ‘Pluralism in Practice‘” via Patch.com. “Dr. Diana Eck and Ellie Pierce, both of the Pluralism Project, will lead a panel discussion, “Pluralism in Place, Pluralism in Practice: How do we navigate the dilemmas and disputes of our multi-cultural society?” At Harvard-Epworth Church, free to the public, live-streamed at http://www.harvardepworthchurch.org. (Added 11-11-2024)
Post by Bishop Sharma Lewis via Facebook. The bishop of the UMC in Mississippi offers the livestream link to her November 16 wedding. (Added 11-11-2024)
Press Release via Mississippi UMC Conference. “The contracts entered into under paragraphs 2553 and 2549 3(a) were not affected by Judicial Council Decision No. 1512, are valid and will be honored as planned. The Bishop, the Cabinet, the Director of Finance and Administration and the conference trustees did their due diligence by reviewing the conference’s closure processes in light of the recent decision, and have been in consultation with the conference’s and the Council of Bishop’s legal counsel. After careful consideration, research and review, we trust the Mississippi Conference has been and continues to be in compliance with The Book of Discipline.” (Added 11-10-2024)
“Bishops hear call to be an ‘Ephesians church’” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. The Catholic theologian, Father Emmanuel Katongole, warned of what happens when “the blood of tribalism is deeper than the waters of baptism.” (Added 11-9-2024)
“A 198-year-old Methodist church in Alabama asks judge to drop ‘United’ off legal documents” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “The 198-year-old Williams Chapel Methodist Church in Brundidge has petitioned a Pike County judge to approve removing the word “United” from its property trust documents.” (Added 11-9-2024)
“UMC Bishops Rally the Troops to RESIST Donald Trump” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken. “The United Methodist Church has been signaling for some time that it wants to be an unofficial arm of the far left segment of the Democrat Party. This is just the latest development one can easily point to, showing that the UMC has been entirely captured at the top by a certain worldly ideology/ethos. In this segment, while going through the text of the latest statement from the UMC’s Council of Bishops, I talk about the ideology undergirding it, and what it means to communicate to others.” (Added 11-9-2024)
“A Pastoral Letter from the Clergy of Foundry UMC” by Press Release via UM Insight. “Kin-dom building is a marathon, not a sprint. Countering bigotry, oppression, and injustice is a marathon, not a sprint. There was going to be a lot of work to do no matter who won the election. We have witnessed an election cycle of demonizing and scapegoating, particularly of trans people and immigrants. Misogyny, racism, and cruelty have run rampant.” (Added 11-8-2024)
“I Thought We Were Better Than This” by Jim Harnish. “O God, I remember the night Trump won the election before and, Lord! It was worse than we imagined. And now, Lord, if he wins we know it would be even worse.” (Added 11-8-2024)
“Reflecting God’s Love in a Divided World: Our Commitment to Justice and Mercy” by Bishop Delores Williamston via Louisiana Conference. “…our nation has concluded its election cycle, and we are in the moments of political change as we see and witness another transition in presidential leadership in the coming months. We may feel a wide range of emotions, and even in the midst of these feelings, we are called as disciples of Jesus Christ, to continue his work—to heal, to restore, to free, and to preach the Good News.” (Added 11-8-2024)
“Breakaway Illinois church agrees to pay over $1.4 million to leave UMC” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “An Illinois-based congregation has agreed to pay more than $1.4 million in order to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church following litigation over who owned its property. The former Naperville Korean United Methodist Church agreed to a settlement last month with The UMC Northern Illinois Conference over the congregation’s effort to leave the denomination.” (Added 11-8-2024)
“Liberia Episcopal Area of the United Methodist Church Responds to Statements by Retired Bishop Arthur F. Kulah” by Gerald C Koinyeneh via Front Page Africa. In a statement, the LAC/UMC characterized these remarks as “unfortunate, unwarranted, and unprecedented” within the Church’s history. Nevertheless, the LAC/UMC expressed appreciation for previous statements of solidarity issued by Retired Bishops John G. Innis and Arthur F. Kulah on October 27, 2024. Their joint statement, titled “A Joint Solidarity Statement to the Membership of the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church,” supported outcomes from the recent 2020-2024 General Conference held in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. (Added 11-8-2024)
Overheard: In response to the recent Judicial Council rulings, the Michigan Conference will honor the fourteen signed contracts already negotiated with local churches for exit. No new agreements will be negotiated. (Added 11-7-2024)
“United Methodist Church Bishops issue statement on US elections” via UMC Council of Bishops. “Our baptismal vows call us “to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.” We therefore reject rhetoric, policies, and actions that demean or discriminate against any of God’s children and will be vigilant in defending the rights of the vulnerable and speaking out against oppression. To people of all generations, especially our young, who yearn for a more just and inclusive world, your vision and passion give us hope. We commit to working alongside you to build the beloved community that reflects God’s kingdom on earth. In the days ahead, we will continue this vital work uninterrupted and with renewed vigor. And we commit ourselves to prayer for our political leaders around the globe.” (Added 11-7-2024)
Letter by Bishop LaTrelle Easterling via Baltimore-Washington Conference. “Wherever you stand on the outcome of this election, there are those in our churches, communities, and country who feel threatened, targeted, rejected and vulnerable. This includes the poor, immigrants, migrants, LGBTQIA+ people, women, and communities of color. To love them as neighbors is to see their pain, acknowledge their grief and stand in solidarity with them against evil, oppression or tyranny. God holds each of us in a beloved, healing and empowering embrace, including those who feel righteous indignation and anguish. May we know with certainty that God is with us.” (Added 11-7-2024)
Post via Reconciling Ministries Network. Hotline established for those distressed by the election results: “We see your sorrow and fear and rage. We see your dignity and holiness, too. Reconciling Clergy, an RMN extension ministry, is staffing a hotline with LGBTQ+ affirming pastors and chaplains this week. To reach the hotline, simply call RMN’s office at (773) 736-5526 and press ext. 1.” (Added 11-7-2024)
“‘Be an Alternative Community’: Western North Carolina Bishop Offers Post-Election Message” by Bishop Ken Carter via UM Insight. “In the particularity of recent presidential elections, I am praying today especially for black women, for all women in leadership, and for women struggling to bear children. As disciples of Jesus Christ, let us move beyond a season of blaming, disparaging and dehumanizing to one of blessing, encouraging and empowering. Let us denounce the recent hate speech directed at LGBTQ persons, immigrants and persons of color in the political campaign rhetoric.” (Added 11-7-2024)
“Iowa Bishop: ‘God Will Give Us Courage’” by Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai via UM Insight. On the election results: “For those who are experiencing trauma and grief, I encourage you to take concrete steps to care for yourselves deeply. Move, drink plenty of water, eat healthily, get as much rest as you can. And ground yourselves in the disciplines of fasting, meditation, and prayer. I am making a commitment to pray and meditate through Isaiah 43: 1-2, 4. I invite you to pray those verses with me.” (Added 11-7-2024)
Post by Don Thrasher via UM Clergy Facebook Group. A thread processing the results of the US presidential election. (Added 11-7-2024)
“Insanity of ‘Novelty’ in the UMC: There Is Nothing New Under the Sun” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken. “In this segment, I walk through a recent ‘sermon’ given by Tracy Malone, president of the UMC’s Council of Bishops. She returns to a trite and overused notion within the licentious body that the UMC is doing a ‘new thing.’ But I don’t think they are. They are recreating a very old thing. A thing that doesn’t save, but rather condemns those who come along.” (Added 11-6-2024)
“Debunking disinformation about regionalization” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “At heart, Muyombo sees regionalization as a step toward decolonizing The United Methodist Church. For too long, he said, The United Methodist Church has organized itself as a U.S.-based denomination with missional outposts beyond U.S. shores.” (Added 11-6-2024)
Updated with PDF: “Former church could become pickleball club” by Brian Bandell via South Florida Business Journal. “If approved, the facility would replace a 12,250-square-foot building that previously served as a United Methodist Church.” (Added 11-5-2024)
“Bishop Cedrick shares post election message” by Greater Northwest Episcopal Area. via Vimeo. Encouragement post for those disappointed by the election results. (Added 11-6-2024)
“Training shows communications’ importance” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “The communications training on Oct. 14-16 marked the first time United Methodist Communications — the agency that includes UM News — had brought together communications staff from across the African continent in almost 20 years. The regionalization training that immediately followed on Oct. 16-17 came about through a collaboration of the communications agency, the Council of Bishops and the Connectional Table, a leadership body that coordinates the denomination’s ministries and resources. More than 80 African United Methodist communicators and other church leaders attended the two sessions. They spoke of how the training would help them tell the good news of the denomination.” (Added 11-6-2024)
Possible Scenario In Lieu of Disaffiliation via PDF. “Following the Judicial Council decision regarding the unavailability of Discipline paragraph 2549 for local church disaffiliations, a friend with experience on an annual Conference Board of Trustees emailed me a possible scenario. This is his personal opinion only and he says that it is not without risk…” (Added 11-5-2024)
“Consensual Non-Monogamy and Faith: OWL (Our Whole Lives) Taking Flight” by United Church of Christ (YouTube). “Join us to explore what UCC churches and UU congregations can learn from a Canadian Unitarian Council report on how to be welcoming and inclusive of polyamorous people and families in every aspect of congregational life, recognizing that consensually non-monogamous individuals and families are part of our faith communities as members, friends, clergy, and staff.” (Added 11-5-2024)
“Sexual Fluidity and the Wesleyan Doctrine of Entire Sanctification (Part 3): Once Gay, Always Gay?” by Mark Ongley via Firebrand Magazine. “If the image of God stamped upon us in the garden was for both male and female, and if the scriptures are threaded with the theme of marriage mirroring God’s relationship with his people, should we not pray for more regarding sexual issues?” (Added 11-5-2024)
Post by UMC Council of Bishops (Facebook). “Council of Bishops will remain in Executive Session until tomorrow morning.” (Added 11-5-2024)
“Godless liberals? Not in Minnesota, where the religious left is a driving force for Democrats” by Madison McVan via Minnesota Reformer. “As Sayles Belton delivered the sermon at Park Avenue United Methodist Church, dozens of like minded religious progressives around the state were engaged in similar get-out-the-vote campaigns.” (Added 11-5-2024)
“Elba to Theodore: 9 more Alabama churches sue United Methodists to keep property” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “These latest nine churches were among the 44 that previously sued the conference as a group in an effort to force the conference to allow them to disaffiliate. The latest round of lawsuits by individual churches were filed on Oct. 31 in seven different counties.” (Added 11-5-2024)
“Bishops urged to perceive God’s ‘new thing’” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. Report on President Malone’s address to the Council of Bishops. (Added 11-4-2024)
“Judicial Council rules on exit plans, episcopal assignments” by Illinois Great Rivers Conference via E-Mail (PDF). “We are in receipt of a copy of the recent Judicial Council decisions regarding the use of paragraph 2549 for church exits. We will need time to review these decisions with our Conference Chancellor to see how it impacts the IGRC Exit Plan which was announced at the 2024 Annual Conference. As an interim measure, we have removed the IGRC Exit Plan from the Conference website as we conduct our review.” (Added 11-4-2024)
“Coffee, Donuts, and Good News” by Scott Field via Good News. “Good News, the magazine, the organization, the leadership, and its diverse network, have provided for me and so many others a home within what was a difficult, often hostile, denominational landscape. All along, whether we had even an inkling of it or not, the Holy Spirit was also cultivating, preparing, and growing what now has become the Global Methodist Church.” (Added 11-4-2024)
Overheard: The Illinois Great Rivers Conference has not issued a statement on the Judicial Council ruling stating that Par. 2549 cannot be used for exit, but it has removed its gracious exit plan from the website. The conference created a gracious exit plan prior to Bishop Frank Beard going on disability. (Added 11-4-2024)
“Breaking news: Court rules no more UMCSC church separations via Para. 2549” via South Carolina UM Advocate. “This ruling, Decision 1512, means the Local Church Closure and Separation Process, approved by the Trustees of the South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, is no longer available as a means of separation from the denomination.” (Added 11-4-2024)
“United Methodists stress values, character and duty as election looms” by Cynthia Astle via Baptist News Global. “An additional search for Harris critiques by United Methodists turned up no results. Instead, a similar search for Trump critiques showed United Methodists have been speaking out since mid-summer on how the former president doesn’t represent traditional Methodist values.” (Added 11-4-2024)
“UMC Bishops meet to review General Conference decisions, plan for future” by Press Release via UMC Council of Bishops. “This is a time of remarkable opportunity for us to take a bold step of faith and declare a vision for the now and future United Methodist Church that reflects who we are and who we are becoming as a Christ-centered, theologically diverse, world-wide, anti-racist, fully inclusive, welcoming, missional and justice-seeking Church. And to be structured in a way that strengthens and expands the world-wide nature and witness of our denomination, and that embraces the cultural, contextual and theological difference across the connection.” said COB President Bishop Tracy S. Malone of the Indiana Episcopal Area. (Added 11-2-2024)
“Commentary: How will U.S. United Methodists vote?” by Lovett Weems via UMNS. “Staying churches – Churches located in counties won by the Democratic Party 31%, Churches located in counties won by the Republican Party 69%. Disaffiliating churches: Churches located in counties won by the Democratic Party 12%, Churches located in counties won by the Republican Party 88%.” (Added 11-1-2024)
“Dispute over church property resolved” by Thomas Kim via UMNS. “As part of the process, Naperville Korean United Methodist Church agreed to pay $1,429,457.98, submit a disaffiliation application to the annual conference, and complete the disaffiliation process approved by the annual conference. On May 25, 2023, the Northern Illinois Conference Board of Ordained Ministry terminated the ordination process in the elder track for Kihwan Choi, a licensed local pastor, and the conference discontinued his appointment to Naperville Korean United Methodist Church.” (Added 11-1-2024)
“Navigating Disaffiliation & Entering a Happy Covenant Community – A Conversation with D.A. Bennett” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “In this conversation, he and I talk through the season of disaffiliation that we both shared in, leading into the new day in the GMC and our hopes for the future. What does it mean to come out of Egypt? What parts of Egypt might still be clinging to us?” (Added 11-1-2024)
Post by Caleb Dormah via Facebook. [photos] “The Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church commissioned a Taskforce on the Ratification of Regionalization on October 5, 2024. The Taskforce is Headed by Rev Caleb S. G. Dormah as Chairperson and vo Chair by Rev. Nelly Wright
On 25 Oct 2024 the Taskforce had its training and launch out at the David Tweh Toe Conference Room on 12th Street at the UMC Compound. As a church we will experience our differences and come out of it stronger and better than before.” (Added 11-1-2024)
Post by Keith Sweat via Facebook. “Evangelical and Orthodox Christian friends remaining in the UMC of SC: You hurt. I am sorry. You feel betrayed. You were. Three years ago promises were made. Absolute assurances were given. They were repeated the next year and the next year with increasing certitude.
Your leadership now declares those promises and assurances worthless. They will make no attempt, expend no effort, to explore any path to either keep their word or mitigate the great harm.
No remedy will come from the Conference office…” (Added 11-01-2024)
“Told You So: UMC Effectively Entraps Assets of Unhappy Churches” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). Commentary on recent Judicial Council rulings closing Par. 2549 as an exit mechanism. (Added 11-1-2024)
“United Methodist Church blocks gracious exit provision for churches” by Christina Grube via World. “Over 40 southern congregations sued the Alabama-West Florida Conference, alleging that church leaders intentionally slowed the disaffiliation process in order to keep church property. Both Alabama’s circuit court and State Supreme Court ruled that the coalition must resolve the issue within its denominational judicial system.” (Added 10-31-2024)
“UMC launches project focused on ‘LGBTQ+ United Methodist Heritage’ at Drew University” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “The UMC General Commission on Archives & History held a kickoff celebration at Drew University for the Center for LGBTQ+ United Methodist Heritage that is centered on the history of LGBT individuals in the denomination.” (Added 10-31-2024)
“Cone Health closes on contended church property” via Biz Journals (NC). Cone Health has purchased the 5.26-acre Centenary United Methodist Church property at 2300 W. Friendly Ave., next to Cone’s Wesley Long Hospital. All also here. (Added 10-31-2024)
“Statement regarding Judicial Council Decision Number 1512” via North Alabama UM Conference. “In summary, the impact of this decision is that, effective immediately, ¶2549 is no longer available as a means of local church departures from the United Methodist Church. This ruling reaffirms the denomination’s historical structure, rooted in connectionalism and the trust clause established by church founder John Wesley. While ¶2549 cannot be used for local churches to depart the denomination, it can be used in conjunction with ¶213 and ¶1504.23 to close churches. Property from closed churches will be offered for sale by the Trustees and available to any buyer.” (Added 10-31-2024)
Statement by Bishop Innis via PDF. Tim Beardsley shares this image of a message from Bishop Innis refuting reports that he supports regionalization. He mentions the regularly scheduled annual conference in February as the place where these decisions will be made in Liberia. (Added 10-31-2024)
Post by Tim Beardsley via Facebook. Images of a letter from retired Bishop Arthur Kulah stating he does not support regionalization and that he hopes that Bishop Quire will listen to reason. See also this transcript that may be easier to read. (Added 10-31-2024)
“Commentary: To revitalize the church, we must invest in deacons” by Javier A. Viera via UMNS. “It’s no secret that The United Methodist Church is at a pivotal moment in our history. The actions of this generation may well determine whether our church finds new vitality or fades into obscurity.” (Added 10-31-2024)
“Lawsuit between SMU and UMC is headed to court again” by Cynthia Astle via Baptist News Global. “Circumstances have changed since South Central brought the lawsuit in December 2019, but tense relations between the university and the church go back to 2003. That’s when SMU was negotiating a sweetheart deal to lease part of the campus as a site for the presidential library of George W. Bush. Even early on, SMU’s chances of landing the library looked good; not only was it a Texas location close to the Bushes’ retirement residence, but First Lady Laura Bush served as an SMU trustee.” (Added 10-31-2024)
“In ‘strongly worded’ ruling, United Methodist court closes remaining paths to disaffiliation” by Andrew Schwartz via Chattanooga Times Free Press. “Congregations mulling an exit from the United Methodist Church no longer have a clear way out after, in a forceful ruling this week, the denomination’s high court struck down processes designed in recent months to allow disgruntled churches to leave.” (Added 10-31-2024)
Video by Bishop Arthur Kulah via Facebook. A video by one of the retired bishops of the UMC stating that media reports that he supports the actions of Bishop Quire are false. He supports a special session at which the Liberia Conference will decide its future. (Added 10-31-2024)
“New LGBTQ+ Heritage Center helps church remember” by John Coleman via UMNS. “Ashley Boggan, top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History, described the center’s inauguration as “a call to us today and in the future to build a church where all people are seen, heard and valued.” Noting that untold stories of LGBTQ members have left gaps in the church’s history and identity, retired Bishop Karen Oliveto emphasized “the importance of storytelling in shaping identity and justice” and called for the inclusion of more diverse stories to enrich the church’s history. Keynote speaker Randall Miller offered what he called “an impressionistic portrait” of the church’s LGBTQ inclusion movement’s evolution.” (Added 10-30-2024)
“Forward in Faith” by Rob Renfroe via Good News. Renfroe’s final editorial as Good News prepared to cease operations: “Most of all, I feel hopeful for the people called Methodist. Hopeful because we can trust the GMC and we can be confident in its leadership. Hopeful because we can be confident that God created the GMC and he will bless our efforts to lift up the saving work of Jesus and to bring grace and truth to the world. Hopeful because I am convinced that if we are a humble church, a servant community, and a people who are open to his Spirit, what God will accomplish through the GMC will amaze us all. To God our Father, to Jesus the Son, and to the Holy Spirit be all honor, power and glory, now and forever more. Amen.” (Added 10-30-2024)
Updated with PDF: “Why a United Methodist Court Ruling Closes All Pathways for Churches to Leave the Denomination” by Liam Adams via The Tennessean. “As an alternative to disaffiliation, at least five regional U.S. conferences authorized or were interested in allowing churches to continue leaving the denomination through a church closure policy.” (Added 10-30-2024)
“UMC high court shuts down ‘gracious exit’ measure for departing churches” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. Connectionalism means that people can leave, but church property can’t: “Of course, as has always been the case, individuals are free to pursue the faith expression of their choosing,” the conference stated. (Added 10-30-2024)
“United Methodist high court rules against disaffiliation by church closing, sale” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “That leaves more than 40 churches in the Alabama-West Florida Conference that had sued to leave with civil courts as their only option for leaving the denomination and taking their property with them.” (Added 10-30-2024)
“Wednesday Morning PlainSpoken Live Stream (Oct. 30, 2024)” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). 1. ¶2549 closed for business AND South Carolina invites them to split off – AND “Church Court: Season of Church Exits is Over” 2. A Conversation With Archbishop (of the ACNA) Steve Wood – 3. Divestment from Israel Gaining Ground -4. “Biblical Counseling Movement Leader Ousted From Pulpit. (Added 10-30-2024)
“Why Church Splits Happen | Reverend Rob Renfroe & Garry Ingraham” via Transforming Congregations. “Mainline denominations around the world have gone through schisms and splits due to numerous core theological differences. Divergent views on human sexuality and LGBTQ+ identity are often two of the most prominent and public areas of division. The most recent example of such a split has developed within The United Methodist Church and the recent founding of The Global Methodist Church. In this episode, Garry Ingraham and president of Good News, Rev. Rob Renfroe, offer a fascinating inside look at how the schism within the UMC developed.” (Added 10-30-2024)
“Liberia: Retired United Methodist Bishops Address Church’s Current State, Pledge Support to Bishop Samuel Quire” by Gerald C Koinyeneh via Front Page Africa. “Following the passing of Bishop Bennie D. Warner, one of the four indigenous bishops of the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, two prominent retired bishops have issued a strongly worded joint statement in solidarity with active resident Bishop Samuel J. Quire, Jr.” (Added 10-30-2024)
“Cargill, Mount Zion United Methodist churches agree to merge” by Ryan Spoehr via Gazette Extra (Wisconsin). Cargill Lead Pastor Steve Scott said Mount Zion came to it for help after realizing in late 2023 that with a shrinking membership and dwindling resources it would be tough to continue on much longer. “They realized they had two options, either close or merge,” Scott said. (Added 10-30-2024)
“United Methodist Doctrine After Disaffiliation: Learning to Teach Our Teachings” by Sarah Heaner Lancaster via Methodist Review. “In Methodist Review 12 (2020), William B. Lawrence presented “A Question of Doctrine: Whither The United Methodist Church?” This article re-turns to the question posed by Lawrence to consider what The United Methodist Church intended by its statements in The Book of Discipline about doctrine.” (Added 10-30-2024)
“New Strategy in UMC: Sue Conferences into Bankruptcy?” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “This segment addresses the potential reality of a new legal strategy to bankrupt a conference that is already dealing with a dramatic budget shortfall. Is this a sign of things to come?” (Added 10-30-2024)
“United Methodist Elder Literally Praises Jezebel & Asherah Worship” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “In this segment, I concern myself more with the cultural/theological waters in which we are swimming around progressivism and feminism, rather than getting too much into the play-by-play of what she said. Protestia did a great job breaking it down and dissecting it.” (Added 10-30-2024)
Post by Peter Sayekwee via Facebook. [photo] Liberia: “Now our bishop is attending the council of bishop meeting where the gay bishops will be in attendance. He says he doesn’t support it” (Added 10-30-2024)
Post by C Don Jones via UM Clergy Facebook Page. “Now that the Judicial Council has ruled there can be no disaffiliation of congregations, what should we say to those we asked to stay and wait to see what would happen?” (Added 10-30-2024)
“Press Release: The Global Methodist Church of South Carolina supports New Church Starts.” by South Carolina GMC. Conference Superintendent Erik Grayson: “The Global Methodist Church of South Carolina has become aware that many congregations seeking to align with our movement have been prevented from doing so. We understand that these decisions have created pain and distress for many Methodists across our state; however, we seek to offer hope to our brothers and sisters in Christ.” See also here. (Added 10-30-2024)
Post by Jason Woolever via Facebook. “My heart is breaking for those who trusted UMC Bishops and waited until after General Conference to discuss disaffiliation. We in the GMC will do anything we can to help you find or start new faith communities even if you can’t bring your church buildings with you.” (Added 10-30-2024)
“Decision Number 1507” by Judicial Council via Resource UMC. “The legislation ¶2549.2(b) as amended, and adding ¶2549.3 as a new paragraph are unconstitutional because they deny and circumvent the authority given to the Charge Conference by the Discipline and the Constitution.” (Added 10-30-2024)
“Decision Number 1512” by Judicial Council via Resource UMC. “¶2549 cannot be construed or used as legislation permitting the “gracious exit” of local churches because it applies to church closure and the sale of property, not disaffiliation. Any application of ¶2549 to that end would be a misapplication of Church law.” (Added 10-30-2024)
“Court rules against bishop-assignment guidance” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “The United Methodist Church’s top court said a committee’s recommendation for a bishop to serve in two jurisdictions went beyond what General Conference approved. The narrow ruling resulted from questions about a bishop’s unusual assignment to serve in both the Southeastern and Northeastern conferences. The decision was one of multiple rulings the Judicial Council released dealing with varied issues.” (Added 10-30-2024)
Tweet by Chris Ritter. “Church court rules that congregations cannot leave the #UMC with their property. This shuts down exit processes in conferences where churches were promised an exit if they just stuck around to see what happened at General Conference.” (Added 10-29-2024)
“Update on Recent Judicial Council Action Related to Separation of Churches from the UMC” via Kentucky UM Conference. “As an Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, our Conference is bound by church law. Accordingly, we are unable to offer a path to separation from the United Methodist Church for local churches. Of course, as has always been the case, individuals are free to pursue the faith expression of their choosing.” (Added 10-29-2024)
“Church court: Season of church exits is over” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. The Judicial Council rules that exits from the UMC are no longer possible for congregations. (Added 10-29-2024)
“Tuesday Morning PlainSpoken Live Stream (October 29, 2024)” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube) GMC Episcopal Assignments, Pastor Promotes Jezebel, Alabama Lawsuits, and an interview with Tozoona Jacob Maforo. (Added 10-29-2024)
“‘When You’re Wrong, Confess and Seek Forgiveness,’ Richard Hays Says” by Mark Wingfield via UM Insight. He explained to the gathering that he hopes his change of mind will alter his inevitable obituary. Before writing the new book, he feared his obituary would begin: “New Testament scholar Richard Hays, who wrote against the acceptance of gay and lesbian people, has died.” (Added 10-29-2024)
“A Pan-Methodist Approach to Gender & Sexuality – A Conversation w/ Debra Baty” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “Debra Baty is the head of Resources 4 Redemption, which is an effort aimed at spreading good information about sexual orientation and gender identity. She recently published an article about “sexual fluidity” and how it impacts our sanctification in Firebrand Magazine.” (Added 10-29-2024)
“UMC Judicial Council to Announce Close of Any Disaffiliation Provisions” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). An anticipated Judicial Council ruling on using Par. 2549 as an exit mechanism. (Added 10-29-2024)
“Southern Methodist University vs UM ChurchFace Off in January” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). Video segment about the Texas Supreme Court taking up SMU’s exit from the UMC. (Added 10-29-2024)
“Sexual Fluidity and the Wesleyan Doctrine of Entire Sanctification (Part 2): Ministry Past, Present, and Future” by Debra Baty via Firebrand Magazine. “Knowing what we do now about how common fluidity is for the majority of those who are same-sex attracted, it is not wise to label a child or a teenager as gay or lesbian. They don’t need to be painted into a rainbow-colored corner. Instead, they can be encouraged to grow into the person God has created them to be, as His man, or His woman.” (Added 10-29-2024)
“United Methodist Impastor Praises and Defends ‘Jezebel’ In Wildest Sermons Ever” via Protestia. Getting even more blasphemous, she praises all Jezebel’s good qualities and defends/ justifies her Asherah worship, saying she wasn’t the only one in Israel practicing this faith and in fact, was “bringing about an openness to religious diversity.” (Added 10-28-2024)
“How divestment for Palestinian rights is gaining ground” by Naom Perry via American Friends Service Committee. UMC church voted against investing in bonds from Israel, Turkey, and Morocco because these states are “holding subject populations under prolonged military occupation.” This is the first such divestment action by a major Christian denomination. It follows previous decisions by the Methodist Church to divest from companies involved in illegal Israeli settlements and other violations of Palestinian human rights. (Added 10-28-2024)
“Global Episcopacy Committee Announces Bishop Assignments” via GMC. The episcopal assignments were announced today from the Global Episcopacy Committee. (Added 10-28-2024)
“Monday Morning PlainSpoken Live Stream (October 28, 2024)” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube).
“What Happened at the Global Methodist Church Convening General Conference?” by Chris Ritter via PDF. A summary of major actions at the San Jose General Conference of the GMC. (Added 10-28-2024)
“For Sale: Hundreds of Abandoned Churches. Great Prices. Need Work.” by TM Brown via New York Times. “From their home base in Atlanta, the couple — both of whom grew up religious and eventually became atheists — scoured the Southeast. Finally, on a scouting trip last year, they stumbled upon the former Deyton Bend United Methodist Church in Green Mountain, N.C., a bohemian community in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The 3,127-square-foot brick structure, built in 1943 on about an acre, had just one bedroom. There was a kitchen downstairs, a meeting room, an open common space and a screened porch. It had been listed for $325,000 in May 2023, then reduced to $275,000 a few months later.” (Added 10-28-2024)
“Former bookkeeper accused of stealing from St. John’s United Methodist Church” by Nicholas Gilmore via via Santa Fe New Mexican. “A former bookkeeper at St. John’s United Methodist Church is being accused of stealing more than $25,000 from the Santa Fe church’s coffers.” (Added 10-28-2024)
“Who is taking the UMC-Liberia to the Global Methodist Church?” by Jerry Kulah via YouTube. “The crisis in the United Methodist Church in Liberia is escalating daily.” (Added 10-25-2024)
“United Methodists killed in Congo shipwreck” by Philippe Kituka Lolonga via UMNS. “A ferry boat capsized on Lake Kivu earlier this month, killing 34 people, including Pascaline Mulindwa, an active member of Goma United Methodist Church, and her 9-month-old baby.” (Added 10-25-2024)
“How God Used Good News” by Warren Bud via E-Mail. A Good News Board Member shares the personal impact of Good News on his faith walk. (Added 10-25-2024)
“Some American History on Trust Clause Abuse in Methodism” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). In this segment, in light of recent developments in the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the UMC, I consult some history from Kevin Watson’s new book, “Doctrine, Spirit, and Discipline: A History of the Wesleyan Tradition in the United States.” (Added 10-25-2024)
“The Good News Movement: A Job Well Done (Part I)” by Riley Case via Juicy Ecumenism. Outlining accomplishments of Good News as it prepared to disband as a renewal movement in United Methodism. (Added 10-25-2024)
Post via Good News Magazine (Facebook). [photo] “Board members, staff, and guests celebrate the 57 years of ministry by Good News on the occasion of its final board meeting. Good News will cease operations by the end of this year.” (Added 10-25-2024)
“Anti-homosexual protests storm Liberia United Methodist Church” by Gloria Wleh via Dubawa. “Bishop Quire explained that two of the pastors of the New Georgia branch and a clergyman of the 72nd were suspended because they disobeyed the church’s book of discipline. He said he could not reveal their exact offenses because they were administrative decisions.” (Added 10-25-2024)
“Truett Seminary Announces the Establishment of The Scott L. Engle Director of the Wesley House of Studies” via Truett Seminary. “Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary announced today the establishment of the Scott L. Engle Director of the Wesley House of Studies. This endowed directorship of Truett’s Wesley House is being made possible by gifts and pledges from members and friends of St. Andrew Methodist Church in Plano, Texas, in honor of their dearly beloved senior teaching pastor, Scott L. Engle, PhD.” (Added 10-24-2024)
“United Methodist Evangelist Dies After Collapsing During Sermon” via The Zimbabwe Mail. “Evangelist Nyakudanga, 65, was addressing the congregation at St Peter’s Chitungwiza when he suddenly fell to the ground, shocking those in attendance.” See similar reporting in New Zimbabwe. The Herald. Pindula. (Added 10-24-2024)
“Judge declines to intervene in UMC’s property dispute with three Alabama churches” by Caleb Taylor via 1819 News. “Montgomery County Circuit Judge Brooke Reid declined to intervene in a property dispute between three Alabama churches and the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC) on Tuesday.” (Added 10-24-2024)
“United Methodist Church court to rule on denominational exit process” by Christina Grube via World. “Leaders expect the exodus to continue after several controversial pro-LGBTQ changes were made to the denomination’s Book of Discipline at the General Conference held in May. International delegates approved the ordination of openly homosexual clergy by a vote of 93 percent. Representatives also voted to redefine marriage, simply describing the sacrament as a union between two people of faith rather than exclusively between a man and a woman.” (Added 10-24-2024)
“United Methodists ask court to keep 44 Alabama churches from suing for their property; judge declines” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “The Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church asked a judge on Monday to order 44 churches that had sued to keep their property and leave the denomination to stop suing as individual churches. On Tuesday, Montgomery County Circuit Judge Brooke E. Reid declined the request, after previously ruling the dispute should be handled in church courts.” (Added 10-23-2024)
“Church youth director charged with criminal sexual conduct in Washtenaw County” by WXYZ. For the last few years, Oakwood has rented out space for worship at the Lincoln Community United Methodist Church in Ypsilanti. On Tuesday, 7 News Detroit spoke to Pastor Christopher Butson who heads that church. “Our hearts are broken for the victims first and foremost and Zach’s family who were blindsided by this news. I’ve come to know them over the last few years and I’m just heartbroken for his father and mother and sisters,” Butson said. “I am surprised that it’s someone that I personally know, but I’m not ever surprised to hear of news like this.” (Added 10-23-2024)
“Ande Emmanuel Physically Assaulted Outside GM Church in Abuja, Nigeria” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “I have reported on the United Methodist and Global Methodist developments in Nigeria for some time, now. This is one of the densest populations on the African continent. It is also one of the primary places where Christian persecution is seen. Nigeria will almost certainly be leading Christianity into the future.” (Added 10-22-2024)
“Young Clergy Abandoning UMC Even After Disaffiliation” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken via YouTube. “The mythology within the mainline denominations for some time has been that it is only old bigots who insist on biblical sexual ethics in our churches. As biblically faithful believers have abandoned the mainline, those left behind have comforted themselves by saying that it is only the old bigots who are leaving, and that what remains will be younger, more streamlined, and more primed for growth and renewal.” (Added 10-22-2024)
“Has 72nd UMC Broken Away From LAC-UMC?” via The Stage Media Liberia. “In light of the ongoing discussions regarding the relationship between the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Liberia and the legalization of same-sex marriage, the Stage Media-Liberia investigation has revealed that the Seventy-Second United Methodist Church in Paynesville has removed the name “Seventy-Second United Methodist Church” from its building.” (Added 10-22-2024)
Post by Tim Beardsley via Facebook. “Bishop Quire of Liberia is currently taking the pastor of Georgia Methodist Church to court. The bishops desired outcome is remove the clergy that are speaking the truth of what happened in general conference, UMC. In response, the pastors and leaders of New Georgia District are meeting for prayer outside of the courthouse right now.” (Added 10-22-2024)
“UMC Uses Local Church Tithes to Fund LGBT+ Propaganda” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken. “Despite language of neutrality, the UMC is now using apportionment dollars to fund initiatives aiming at blessing sexual identitarian groupings. In this segment, I review a portion of an IRD article authored by Davison Drumm, in which he details a new center designed by the General Board of Archives & History of the UMC.” (Added 10-22-2024)
Post by John Meunier via Facebook. “This documentary is on very limited release, it looks like. But this looks relevant to the work of the UMC. “Can we love each other beyond tolerance?” Great question.” (Added 10-22-2024)
Post by Jefferson Knight via Facebook. Image of a letter from Bishop Quire to United Methodists in Liberia, stating the conference firmly upholds marriage as the union of one man and one woman. (Added 10-22-2024)
“UMC’s highest court to determine how churches can leave denomination” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “From 2019 to 2023, around 7,500 congregations used a temporary provision in the UMC Book of Discipline to disaffiliate from the denomination in response to its debate over sexual ethics. The United Methodist Judicial Council has been asked by the Kentucky and Alabama-West Florida conferences about whether another provision in the Book of Discipline can be used to exit the denomination.” (Added 10-22-2023)
Tweet by Mark Tooley. “Learned today of small exited United Methodist church that technically joined Global Methodism but hired Baptist pastor who’s rebaptizing etc. Laity never learned Wesleyan distinctives. Baptist is now USA default evangelicalism unless other distinctives robustly taught.” Reply by Chris Ritter: “Not great or surprising. I met a GMC pastor yesterday serving a two-point UMC/GMC parish (with the UM bishop’s blessing). The reality in micro rural churches is that pastors must be locally sourced. This takes us back to pioneer days when federated churches were the norm.” Added 10-22-2024)
“Texas Supreme Court will hear case on SMU break with United Methodist Church” via WFAA. SMU’s decision came amid a split within the United Methodist Church over issues of the ordination of LGBTQ clergy and same-sex marriages within the church. The United Methodist Church voted in February 2019 to endorse the so-called “Traditional Plan,” which strengthened the church’s bans on ordaining LGBTQ clergy and hosting same-sex marriage. (Added 10-22-2024)
“Methodist Vanguard Gallery: New Vine Community Church Lena, Illinois” by Scott Field via WCA. “The vanguard of Methodists leaving the United Methodist denomination are seeking a more faithful and fruitful future than they can see if they remain where they are. One way or another, these congregations and individuals are choosing to leave. Our WCA Outlook is highlighting some of those who have emailed the story of their experience as a witness to God’s grace and a witness to others who may be considering a similar path.” (Added 10-22-2024)
Case Summaries via Supreme Court of Texas. “23-0703, SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY AND PAUL J. WARD v. SOUTH CENTRAL JURISDICTIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AND BISHOP SCOTT JONES; from Dallas County; 5th Court of Appeals District (05-21-00151-CV, 674 SW3d 334, 07-26-23) [Note: This case has been set for oral argument at 9:00 a.m., January 15, 2025.] Time allotted to argue: 20/20 minutes. (Added 10-21-2024)
“Judicial Council ruling affecting church exits expected soon” by Kentucky UM Conference. “Once the ruling is announced, we will link to the article or news release. A story with reaction from Bishop David Graves and other conference leaders will come after they have had a chance to digest the ruling and how it affects Kentucky’s discussions on any future church exits.” (Added 10-21-2024)
E-Connection: 10-21-2024 via Baltimore-Washington UM Conference (Constant Contact). According to the BWC Chancellor Thomas Starnes, “The Circuit Court’s rulings rightly uphold the well-established principle, rooted in the First Amendment’s Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses, that civil courts lack jurisdiction to entertain lawsuits that turn on the interpretation and application of church law. Bishop LaTrelle Easterling said that she was “grateful to have this matter resolved, noting that “this decision rightly upholds the United Methodist Trust Clause and the agency of annual conference trustees.” The bishop added that “with such critical needs facing our communities as food insecurity, addiction recovery, access to affordable health care, etc., our focus should be on mission and ministry. It is my prayer that everyone will turn their attention to these Christ-centered needs.” (Added 10-21-2024)
Post by Ande Emmanuel via Facebook. “The new plan for regional autonomy in the United Methodist Church has NOTHING to do with same sex marriage. Do not buy in to this deceit. Read what it means on the flyers below. God bless the United Methodist Church and I hope you had a wonderful, joyous and peaceful worship today. [images] (Added 10-21-2024)
“Beloved Georgia chaplain among 7 dead after dock collapse during slavery memorial” by Nichola McEntyre via New York Post. “Dr. Charles Houston, the chaplain for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), plummeted into the waters along with at least 20 others when the aluminum gangway collapsed at around 4:30 p.m. Houston had been with the DNR since 2008, according to his website, and was an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church for 40 years, his wife, Elizabeth Houston, said.” (Added 10-21-2024)
“Liberia: Methodist Bishop Quire’s Qagmire” by David Yates via All Africa. “It is no secret that the most contentious issue that is fueling discontentment within the Liberia Annual Conference (LAC) of the United Methodist Church (UMC) is the refusal of the Bishop of the United Methodist Church to convene a special session — a gathering of the annual conference that would have allowed conference members to vote to completely separate itself from the global Methodist body, as has been the case in other African countries, especially Côte d’Ivoire whose Methodists held such a vote in May and is now working toward becoming an autonomous denomination, independent of The United Methodist Church.” (Added 10-21-2024)
“United Methodist Building celebrates a century of presence on Capitol Hill” by Jack Jenkins via The Advocate. “The building’s focus began to shift in the 1930s, when Prohibition was repealed by the ratification of the 21st Amendment and the Methodist church reunified in 1939, merging the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South and the Methodist Protestant Church into The Methodist Church. The changes altered the goals of the Board of Temperance, Prohibition and Public Morals, which occupied the building, over time: After the first merger, its name was shortened to The Board of Temperance, and its goal was reset to focus on “creating a Christian public sentiment and in crystallizing opposition to all public violations of the moral law.” (Added 10-21-2024)
“I Can’t Handle Church Anymore” via Reddit. “So, I’m from United Methodist Church. You might know what happened, the divisions, gay marriages and stuff. Global Methodist Church just arrived at my country, due to rumors that gay marriages had been approved. The division started and there has been chaos, specially from the Youth Group. Many have left already, some to Global Methodist Church and others to other churches. Things just got worse. There was a… Conference where a proposal of dividing our district was approved. The youth group is revolted and basically going on strike… (Added 10-19-2024)
“Texas Supreme Court to determine if SMU can leave United Methodist Church” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “We have already determined […] that the conference has no legal or equitable title to the SMU campus under its claim of fiduciary duty and therefore affirm summary judgment on that theory of recovery,” stated the panel opinion. (Added 10-19-2024)
“The Return of the Hymnal” by Kelsey Kramer McGinnis via Christianity Today. “And the Global Methodist Church, formed this year out of a split with the United Methodist Church, is seeking to renew its Wesleyan identity, in part through a slim blue collection of 202 Charles Wesley hymns, O for a Heart to Praise My God.” (Added 10-19-2024)
“Alliance Bible Seminary Academic Forum: Dr. Chan Chi Heng calls Hong Kong church denominations to face social challenges together” via The Gospel Herald Church. “…the Anglican Communion has actively promoted the process of united churches. In 1971, the Governor of the Anglican Church, John White, was invited to address the Methodist Conference, suggesting that at least four of the major church bodies in Hong Kong (UMC, Methodist, Anglican, and CCC) had reached a basic consensus of faith and order, recognizing each other’s authority in the Scriptures, and the significance of Holy Baptism and the Eucharist.” (Added 10-19-2024)
“Ala. church files lawsuit against UMC, seeks control of its property” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “A church in Alabama has filed a complaint against a regional body of The United Methodist Church, seeking a court order confirming that they own their historic property.” (Added 10-19-2024)
“Weekly Live Stream for October 18, 2024” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). Discussion of several Methodist topic, including Burge’s report that 61% of United Methodists voted for Trump. (Added 10-19-2024)
“Texas Supreme Court to hear case pitting SMU against United Methodist Church leaders” by Adrian Ashford via Dallas Morning News. “The United Methodist Church’s South Central Jurisdictional Conference, which oversees the church’s congregations in eight states including Texas, sued SMU, one of the denomination’s flagship universities, in 2019.” (Added 10-19-2024)
“Bishops, deaconesses and exits on court agenda” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “The United Methodist Church’s top court faces legal questions about actions at the recent General Conference, including voting rights for deaconesses. The Judicial Council’s fall docket also includes items about church exits, U.S. bishop assignments and a property dispute in Liberia. The fall session in October will mark the Judicial Council’s first session since the recent General Conference elected all nine of its members.” (Added 10-18-2024)
“Church restarts response to Sand Creek Massacre” by Joey Butler and Jim Patterson via UMNS. “Church leaders and Sand Creek representatives from the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes gathered at Iliff School of Theology Sept. 20-21 to identify concrete ways the denomination can continue to work toward repentance.” (Added 10-18-2024)
“Review of The Widening of God’s Mercy by Christopher B. Hays and Richard B. Hays” via Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender. Hays’ books leans heavy on inclusion without offering a vision for marriage or Christian sexuality. (Added 10-18-2024)
“Liberia: Methodist Churches Consider Breaking Away Over Gay Rights” via Head Topics (Africa). The Bishop of the United Methodist Church in Liberia , Samuel J. Quire Jr., has expressed concern over Methodist churches that are considering leaving the denomination, describing their actions as a”lost identity.” (Added 10-18-2024)
“Alabama school board member and pastor arrested on DUI charges in Georgia” via AL.com. “The Rev. Brady Baird, pastor of Seale United Methodist Church in Russell County and a member of the Phenix City Board of Education, was taken into custody Monday in Muscogee County, Georgia, WTVM reported Thursday… Baird was arrested on charges of driving under the influence and driving with a suspended or revoked license, WTVN reported.” (Added 10-18-2024)
“Ep. 407: Cru and LGBTQ Issues, United Methodists, and Pastor Burnout” via Ministry Watch. Podcast episode that includes a segment on the crisis in Liberia. See also a story in ChurchLeaders.com. (Added 10-18-2024)
“United Methodists Encouraged to Vote to Bring About ‘Beloved Community’” by Cynthia Astle via UM Insight. ” … Data show a rightward shift in the voting patterns of United Methodists. They were 55% for (John) McCain in 2008 and that has just slowly crept up. In both 2016 and 2020, about 61% of United Methodists were (Donald) Trump supporters. Of course, with the Methodist schism occurring in the last couple of years, I would fully expect the UMC voting bloc would become less red in the 2024 contest.” (Added 10-18-2024)
“Mass shooting arrest, another Methodist lawsuit: Down in Alabama” by Ike Morgan via AL.com. “It’s not the first to try to leave the UMC then face hurdles in disaffiliating. The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that Dothan’s Harvest Church had the right have its case heard in civil court, but it also ruled that a group of 44 churches suing the Alabama-West Florida Conference had to keep their case in the church’s courts.” (Added 10-18-2024)
“Bishop Quire rejected anti-gay report” via New Dawn (Liberia). “Leaking documents contradict his press statements.” (Added 10-18-2024)
“Editorial: Gay stigma is hurting United Methodists” via New Dawn (Liberia). “The Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, headed by Resident Bishop Samuel Jerome Quire, Jr., seems to be caught between the scissors. Whether to ratify or embrace regionalization (same-sex marriage) and enjoy huge financial support from the church’s global gay community or to disaffiliate and forfeit the tempting dollar of gay Methodists worldwide, it is a decision of money vs. morality in the Methodist Church.” (Added 10-18-2024)
“Endicott man plans to bring new life to First United Methodist Church” by Jim Ehmke via Binghamton Homepage. “David Dzuba closed on a deal last week to purchase the former First United Methodist Church at the corner of McKinley Avenue and Monroe Street. Built in 1919, the church counted both Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company founder George F Johnson and IBM founder Thomas J Watson as parishioners. In fact, Watson was known to hold IBM staff meetings inside the church which was just a block away from the IBM campus.” (Added 10-18-2024)
[UPDATED WITH PDF] “United Methodist Church settles legal battle over property, assets with Naperville Korean Church” by Tess Kenny via Chicago Tribune. (Added 10-16-2024)
“Liberia News: Satan Takes Seat in Methodist Church” via New Republic (Liberia). “The Church has over the past months been faced with the dilemma of confusion that resulted from calls from some elements of the Church for Bishop of the Church, Rev. Samuel J. Quire to state the acclaimed religious institution’s position on same sex marriage.” (Added 10-17-2024)
Post by Ande Emmanuel via Facebook. [Photos] “THE UMC IN AFRICA IS STRONGER THAN BEFORE
It was such a great moment filled with the Holy Spirit to see key leaders from the three Africa Central conferences including communicators in Dar es Salaam Tanzania for a training session on Worldwide regionalization and ratification.” (Added 10-17-2024)
“World Methodist Council’s first female head talks about what holds a fracturing church together” by Genevieve Charles via Sight. “I see my role as president being a bridge builder within our worldwide Methodist family. While there are indeed differences that have led some conferences to make the difficult decision to leave, I believe we are stronger together than apart. Even when we don’t agree on every issue, there remains so many things that unite us – our love for God, faith in Christ, daily experience of God’s presence in our life through the Holy Spirit, commitment to service, and shared mission to be a part of Christ’s transforming work in the world.” (Added 10-17-2024)
“Unrest Breaks out in Liberian United Methodist Churches” by Frank Nzwili via Ministry Watch (RNS). “The tensions escalated Sunday (Oct.13), when protests broke out at the New Georgia United Methodist Church in Monrovia over the suspension of the Rev. Leo Mason, the church’s senior pastor and an outspoken proponent of traditional marriage. The protests spread to other churches in the capital, prompting riot police to intervene.” See also here. (Added 10-17-2024)
Post by Tim Beardsley via Facebook. Shares Liberian headline: “Bishop Quire Ally Threatens to Massacre Members” (Added 10-17-2024)
“Selma’s oldest church sues United Methodists in an effort to keep its property” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. The 350-member congregation argues in a lawsuit filed Oct. 14 in Dallas County Circuit Court that it never agreed to the “trust clause” that binds the property of congregations to the United Methodist denomination. (Added 10-17-2024)
“Md. judge rules against 37 churches suing UMC over property dispute” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “And yet the Conference chooses to act akin to Pharaoh in the book of Exodus and the scribes whom Christ Himself speaks of in Luke 20:45-47. While this decision from Judge Malone, who himself is a United Methodist layperson and opted not to recuse himself from this case, is a bit of a momentum killer, we will consult our legal counsel to discern what our next steps might be.” (Added 10-16-2024)
“Sandinistas vs Christians, Again” by Mark Tooley via Juicy Ecumenism. “My own personal activism to reform the United Methodist Church began in the late 1980s when I was horrified by United Methodist missions support for the Sandinistas. ‘Missionaries’ in Nicaragua functioned as public relations advocates for the Sandinista dictatorship.” (Added 10-16-2024)
“Hope in Times of Challenge” by Elliott Wright via UMC Mission. “2025 is the first year that budgets include more than 50% reductions of denominational apportionments, a major source of revenue for the two agencies. But Fernandes reported that spending from reserves in 2025 budgets has allowed for minimal changes compared to 2024. Global Ministries’ budget for 2025 will be $48 million; Higher Education and Ministry will be $30 million; and UMCOR, including Global Health, will be $39.5 million.” (Added 10-16-2024)
“Liberia: Bishop Quire Warns of ‘Lost Identity’ as Methodist Churches Consider Breaking Away” via Front Page Africa. “Speaking to reporters at his office in Monrovia on Monday, October 14, Bishop Quire emphasized that the United Methodist Church is not a congregational church, and therefore, no church that bears the UMC emblem has the right to break away. He noted that congregations issuing position statements or planning to leave the denomination are deviating from true Methodism.” (Added 10-16-2024)
Video Post via Facebook. A demonstration in support of a pastor suspended for opposing regionalization and calling for a special session of the Liberia Annual Conference. (Added 10-15-2024)
[updated] Full Ruling by Judge Michael Malone via PDF. Ruling on a case brought against the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the UMC by 37 churches seeking exit from the UMC. Dismissal of case granted. (Added 10-15-2024)
Tweet via East Ohio UM Conference. ““I’m United Methodist because the Church said, ‘I see you.’ The Church said, ‘you belong.’ The Church said, ‘you matter.’” https://vimeo.com/1017122301 #BeUMC” [link to Rebecca Stephens video] (Added 10-15-2024)
“‘I’m not a Gay Bishop’ United Methodist Church Bishop Opposes Gay-Business” via DN News Liberia. “Bishop Samuel Quire of the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Liberia has firmly reiterated the church’s rejection of same-sex marriage, following reports of a purported gay marriage ceremony held near the Japan Freeway on October 13. The event reportedly faced significant pushback from church members, underscoring existing tensions within the UMC regarding LGBTQ+ issues.” (Added 10-15-2024)
“Breaking the Silence” by Jerry Kulah via YouTube. Jerry Kulah speaks about Bishop Quire’s refusal to call the Liberian Conference together to discuss its future with the UMC. (Added 10-15-2024)
“Fresh from the Methodist Vanguard Gallery: One of the Stories Received this week” by Scott Field via WCA. Weekly e-news from WCA, includes a testimony from Scott Tucker. (Added 10-15-2024)
“Liberia: Crisis Deepens in United Methodist Church Over Same-Sex Marriage” by J.H. Webster Clayeh via Front Page Africa. “In the last seven days, Bishop Quire has suspended several pastors from the Seventy Second United Methodist Church, the New Georgia United Methodist Church and other pastors within the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church who questioned his refusal to call for a special section.” (Added 10-15-2024)
“Methodist Church in Turmoil” by William Harmon via Liberian Observer. “The premises of the New Georgia United Methodist Church, located in Gardnersville, was a scene of heavy protest as the Sunday, October 13 worship service was disrupted as worshippers demanded the reinstatement of their Rector, Rev. Leo Mason, who was recently recalled by Bishop Quire.” (Added 10-15-2024)
“Harvest Church’s day in court with UMC over property dispute set for March” by Caleb Taylor via 1819 News (AL). “A trial in a lawsuit between Dothan’s Harvest Church and the United Methodist Church (UMC) has been set for March. Houston County Circuit Judge Christopher Richardson last week set the trial for the week of March 24-28.” (Added 10-15-2024)
“Special Called AC Session” via Mississippi UM Conference. Bishop Sharma Lewis has called an October 29 special session to receive a District Realignment Report following disaffiliations. This is a further reduction from 7 to 5. The conference had 11 districts before 41% of the churches disaffiliated. (Added 10-14-2024)
Ruling by Judge Michael Malone via PDF. The October 10 ruling in favor of the Baltimore Washington Conference and against the 37 churches that brought suit for exit. (Added 10-14-2024)
“The Widening of God’s Mercy – Part Two” by Ben Witherington via Patheos. “…we should hardly think that when Jesus says the Spirit will lead his disciples into all truth, a further and deeper understanding of Biblical truth, that he will be leading them to endorse ideas that contradict what the Bible actually says repeatedly when it comes to ethical behavior. Certainly not.” See also Part One. (Added 10-14-2024)
“Bishop lifts Chanute as example of dynamic church” by David Burke via Great Plains Conference. As shared by UMNS: “It’s bucking the trend big time,” Bishop Wilson said after the service about both Chanute and Clay Center UMCs. “They’re small-town churches where sometimes people have given up hope.” (Added 10-14-2024)
Tweet via AZCentral. “As numbers decline, Methodist church reaches out to a new population: asylum seekers.” LINK (paywall) “During a service to launch a new Methodist church in central Phoenix, Pastor Flor Granillo blessed a ceramic chalice and plate, then offered communion to dozens of young Spanish-speaking Latino families.” (Added 10-14-2024)
Live Video via Liberia UMCTV (Facebook). A live press interview with Bishop Quire of Liberia. (Added 10-14-2024)
“School board members who voted to remove supt. over objection to same-sex kiss attend LGBT-affirming church” by Ian Giatti via Christian Post. “Two members of a North Texas school board that voted to remove a superintendent who objected to a same-sex ‘kiss’ during a school play belong to the same LGBT-affirming denominational church… Led by the Rev. Denise Peckham, First Methodist Sherman hosted a ‘family-friendly drag show’ in May 2023 in conjunction with a pride organization that featured drag performers and at least one adult in a ‘furry’ costume.’ (Added 10-14-2024)
“Whither Methodism?” by James Antle III via The American Conservative. “Now what remains of the United Methodist Church is a smaller, more liberal rump supporting a bureaucracy built for an 11 million–member denomination that was already shrinking rapidly before these departures. It remains to be seen what the orthodox Methodist diaspora is able to build unencumbered by this dead weight.” (Added 10-14-2024)
Post by Alfred Kwabena Mensah via Facebook. Liberian clergy are being persecuted for taking the very actions that Bishop Quire advocated just a few months ago. See extended interview with Alfred Mensah. (Added 10-11-2024)
[updated] Overheard: Judge Michael Malone has granted the Baltimore-Washington Conference’s (UMC) Motion for Summary Judgment and has dismissed all claims in the lawsuit against it by 37 local churches. Possibilities at this point are appeal, negotiated settlement, or a new case initiated by BWC to take the properties of the churches. The judge in the case is a United Methodist. See here. (Added 10-11-2024)
“Conservative church in New Hartford breaks from UMC over homosexuality stance” by Kathryn Boughton via Republican American. “Bakerville Church has become the first Methodist Church in Connecticut to disaffiliate with the United Methodist Conference and join the Global Methodist Church.” (Added 10-11-2024)
[updated] Post by Alfred Kwabena Mensah via Facebook. Publishes a video clip by Liberian Bishop Quire to answer a claim by Jefferson Knight that the UMC has not endorsed same-sex marriage. See additional post by Jefferson Knight. (Added 10-11-2024)
Tweet via Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome. Photos of Bishop John Schol meeting with Pope Francis. “@bishopjohnschol, lead bishop a.i. of The United #Methodist Church in Nigeria, along w/ Mrs. Schol met
@Pontifex following the General Audience today. They were accompanied by Director @MatthewLaferty” (Added 10-11-2024)
Tweet via IRD. “Only months after General Conference, the United Methodist Church’s actions suggest they wish to fulfill Richard John Neuhaus’s Law: “Where orthodoxy is optional, orthodoxy will sooner or later be proscribed.” #umc” (Added 10-11-2024)
Tweet via Reconciling Ministries Network. “TRANSforming Church Culture” is the newest resource by RMN, focused on transgender affirmation. (Added 10-11-2024)
“Dismissed Pastor Blasts United Methodist Church Over LGBTQ Stance” by Blesset D. Kpenkennie via Verity. “Pastor Elijah Dajue, after publicly condemning the Church’s stance on same-sex marriage and regionalization, was expelled, leaving the Christian community in a awe and disbelief. The expulsion of the clergyman has stirred uproar within the congregation.Pastor Dajue, in a statement released on Wednesday, October 9, expressed his shock over the decision, stating that his removal was not due to any personal wrongdoing, but because of his outspoken opposition to the Church’s evolving position on LGBTQ+ issues.” (Added 10-11-2024)
“Faith Meets Fantasy at Church-Owned Comics Store” by John Coleman via UM Insight. “We focus a lot on D&D as a version of narrative/play therapy, and we are always getting great tales and adventures at our location,” said Carey… Those partners included not only the progressive, downtown Village Church, just a block away, but also the supportive Oklahoma Conference. Both donated major outreach mission funds to the unusual enterprise, including about $50,000 to help acquire inventory and renovate the store’s facilities.” (Added 10-11-2024)
“Center for LGBTQ+ United Methodist Heritage Kickoff: A ‘Neutral’ Shift?” by Davison Drumm via Juicy Ecumenism. “Despite these claims, the UMC is decidedly not “neutral” in its approach and celebration of the LGBTQ practices.” (Added 10-11-2024)
“Online gatherings are the place to be for United Methodists” by Cynthia Astle via Baptist News Global. Upcoming events on the topics of regionalization, climate, migration, and Christian nationalism. (Added 10-11-2024)
“Liberia Council of Churches Urges Unity amidst UMC Dispute” via Daily Liberia Observer. “The Liberia Council of Churches is urging parties in the United Methodist Church to find an amicable solution to the lingering crisis that has the propensity to undermine the spiritual growth of the Church. The Council believes that in the midst of ongoing disagreements among leaders of the church, the need for reconciliation would be elusive if leaders in the United Methodist Church do not see the urgent need to square off their concerns for the common good of the church.” (Added 10-11-2024)
“Number of UMC elders under 35 reaches record low amid schism: report” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “The United Methodist Church has a record low number of elders younger than 35 in part because of the more than 7,500 congregations leaving over its debate on homosexuality, according to a recent report. The Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., released a report last month on the trends of clergy age in the Mainline Protestant denomination.” (Added 10-11-2024)
Post by Nyantee Genero Samuel Togba via Facebook. “The United Methodist Church which Elijah Dajue is pastoring, releases a statement on the action taken against the Pastor.” [images] (Added 10-11-2024)
Post by Salisu Waziri via Facebook. A video post directed at the Global Methodist bishop in Nigeria stating that the UMC is coming “in full force” to reclaim properties. (Added 10-10-2024)
Post by Elijah Dejue via Facebook. Dozens of Liberian clergy have been sharing their letters of suspension from the bishop and his newly appointed board of ministry. (Added 10-10-2024)
Post by Jefferson Knight via Facebook. Liberian clergy: “In the revised Social Principles, the definition of marriage has been amended to state that it is a sacred, lifelong covenant between an adult man and an adult woman of consenting age, or between two adult persons of consenting age. This does not equate to the passage of same-sex marriage rights.” (Added 10-10-2024)
“Northern Illinois Conference and Naperville Korean Breakaway Group Agree to Settlement” via Northern Illinois Conference. “The Northern Illinois Conference of The United Methodist Church in August signed a settlement with a breakaway faction of the former Naperville (Ill.) Korean United Methodist Church, amicably resolving a disagreement over the rightful ownership of the church building and other assets.” (Added 10-9-2024)
“Church exits influence clergy age trends” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “In its latest study of United Methodist clergy, the Lewis Center for Church Leadership discusses the impact of church departures.
Disaffiliations have led to reductions in the ranks of both older and younger elders. The report also identifies conferences that continue to have a relatively high percentage of younger clergy.” (Added 10-9-2024)
“Adrian residents wake to find prominent community church on fire” via KSTV (KS). “On Wednesday, the Adrian Fire Department was on the scene of a large fire in the Adrian United Methodist Church.” See also Fox4KS. (Added 10-9-2024)
Post and Post by Alfred Kwabena Mensah via Facebook. Pastors being involuntarily suspended in Liberia by a new Board of Ministry appointed by the bishop. (Added 10-9-2024)
“Tyranny of the Bishops?” by Joe DiPaolo via PeopleNeedJesus.net. “I contend that it is, in fact, this “episcopal tyranny” which precipitated the still-unfolding split of United Methodism, resulting in the departure of thousands of churches and clergy. In the wake of the 2016 and 2019 General Conferences, and the unnecessary third postponement of the 2020 General Conference, many traditionalists concluded that it no longer mattered what General Conference decided – even as demographic trends pointed to larger and larger traditionalist majorities in the future.” (Added 10-9-2024)
Tweet by Dan Silliman. A journalist for Christianity Today shares why he has been posting so much on the Global Methodist Church. (Added 10-9-2024)
Post by Joseph Navarro via Facebook. “The Research is part of my Final Capstone for my Sociology major in School and is focusing on the “Effects of UMC Disaffiliation” in the 3 conferences in the Carolinas. Looking into Individual Experiences, Effect on the UMC as a whole, and the Effect on the local Church. Hopefully by the end of the research we will be better able to understand how the UMC has changed and grown for the better.” (Added 10-8-2024)
Post by Roger Ross via Facebook. [photos] “Had an amazing retreat in Tampa last week with 35 pastors from around the country. All of us are part of the Sanctification Network, an interdenominational group through Spiritual Leadership, Inc (SLI) that focuses on making more and maturing disciples of Jesus in the Wesleyan way. What a gift!” (Added 10-8-2024)
“The “other” reasons Methodism came apart and how we move forward” by Matt O’Reilly via Theology Project. “…one contribution of Reconstructing Methodism is the way it sheds light on the multi-faceted nature of the Methodist split, and invites us to consider the theological importance of the many contested issues as we move forward into this new day.” (Added 10-8-2024)
“United Methodist Church to host pumpkin contest for LGBTQ+ students” via The Reflector (WA). The “Gourd Glow: A Carving and Decorating Contest” event will focus on student participants from Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) groups. Community members are encouraged to attend and help foster a sense of belonging among the youth, a press release by Battle Ground Community United Methodist Church (BGCUMC) stated. (Added 10-8-2024)
“As one Hixson congregation opts to remain United Methodist, another moves toward leaving” by Andrew Schwartz via Chattanooga Times Free Press. “Still, the Hixson congregations were among those that wondered whether it was time to leave a changing – and to some, wayward – denomination. The previous process having expired, what splitting off would look like in practice became clearer this summer. The Holston Conference, the denomination’s regional body in and around East Tennessee, established a new path for churches disturbed by the LGBTQ+ rule changes to leave while keeping their church property.” (Added 10-8-2024)
“The Missing Number: Introducing a crowd-sourced gallery to encourage the rising Methodist Vanguard” by Scott Field via WCA. “The UMC media, understandably, generally uses pejorative terms to refer to the GMC: breakaway church, dissenters, splinter group. Others, who have left the UMC behind, refer to themselves as ‘escapees’ or ‘refugees.’ I prefer ‘Methodist Vanguard’”. (Added 10-8-2024)
“What is the Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter and why is it flourishing?” by Peter Pinedo via Catholic News Agency. “…these ordinariates have offered former Anglicans, Episcopalians, and Methodists a pathway to enter communion with the Catholic Church while retaining much of their English patrimony. Just over 10 years after its founding, the Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter numbers 11,255 faithful, 81 priests, seven seminarians, and 36 parishes and communities in 15 states and three Canadian provinces.” (Added 10-7-2024)
“Two churches living in harmony under one roof” by David Burke via Great Plains UM Conference. “Although LifeBridge Church and Monticello share a sanctuary, education programs and mission outreach, they’re two different churches.” (Added 10-7-2024)
“What Is the Congregational Methodist Church: The New Home for Some Former United Methodist Churches” via Ready to Harvest (Facebook). Beliefs and organization of the Congregational Methodist Church. (Added 10-7-2024)
Post by Jack Harnish via Facebook. “United Methodist clergy have been invited to bless animals on St. Frances day, to bless the fleet of boats and motor cycles, and to pray over everything from Rotary meetings to Fourth 0f July festivities. I wonder why it took us so long to be able to bless same sex marriages.” (Added 10-7-2024)
“Alabama’s new United Methodist bishop: ‘General Conference is not your savior’” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “I know there may be people who experienced the decisions of General Conference as hurtful, and are saddened. I know that there are people who experienced the outcome of what happened at General Conference and they are gleeful and happy. But let me tell you this, whether you are pleased or challenged by the actions of General Conference, General Conference is not your savior.” (Added 10-7-2024)
“Alabama’s new United Methodist bishop carries on mentor’s mission work, spiritual lessons” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “There are places where there are people where we ought to grow by numbers,” Holston said. “There are places where we won’t grow by numbers, but we’ll grow by the quality of ministry that we have with our senior adults, with people who caught in the midst of poverty.” (Added 10-7-2024)
“Reflections on the Convening General Conference of the Global Methodist Church” by Bob Phillips via PeopleNeedJesus.net. “The consistent quality of worship, for me, was a clear signal that old-school liberals and modern Epicureans missed the flight to Costa Rica and can find no room to take root in the Global Methodist Wesleyan way. For that, and for the witness of the Global Methodist GC2024, I simply affirm: ‘Thanks be to God, who has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.'” (Added 10-5-2024)
“Reflections on Authoritarianism” by Bishop Kenneth Bigham-Tsai via Iowa Conference. “We should be wary, when any plan consolidates power in the executive branch and coopts or neutralizes the other branches of government.” (Added 10-5-2024)
“Column: IS IT REALLY SO? – The End Of The United Methodists? Repeating The Boy Scouts Mistake?” by Jerry Bergman via The Village Reporter (OH). “Some observers have concluded that the UMC will not survive much beyond the next decade.” (Added 10-4-2024)
“Alabama’s new United Methodist Church bishop looks beyond disaffiliation: ‘Healing is what we need’” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “In the Alabama-West Florida Conference, some churches were derailed in their efforts to disaffiliate, with officials making it harder for churches to leave the conference and take their property with them. More than 40 churches have filed lawsuits against the conference. Holston said he is in consultation with conference trustees to figure out how to handle the situation.” (Added 10-4-2024)
“On Religion: Sadly, Churches Divided By Doctrine Are Going To Split” by Terry Mattingly via Get Religion. “Head-on collisions are inevitable when believers in a religious institution proclaim — in word and deed — clashing stands on ancient doctrines, said the Rev. Michael Clary of Christ the King Church in Cincinnati.” (Added 10-3-2024)
“What’s next for Constitutional Amendments?” via Western Methodist Justice Movement. As shared in the 10/2 UMNS Daily Digest. Web event on ratification of regionalization. (Added 10-3-2024)
“A Rejoinder: Liberia Episcopal Area of the United Methodist Church, Refute Allegations Against Bishop Samuel J. Quire, Jr, Describes it as Unfounded, Unwarranted and Baseless” via Front Page Africa. “The Liberia Annual Conference (LAC) of The United Methodist Church (LAC/UMC), through its Bishop, wishes to clarify that Bro. Olando Boyce and Rev. Dr. George Wilson are not elected officials and spokespersons of the United Methodist Church in Liberia. Therefore, the press and public and people called United Methodist are advice not to buy into their misinformation, myths and disinformation campaign against the United Methodist Church in Liberia.” (Added 10-3-2024)
“Finding My People” by Larry Frank. “Exiting the United Methodist Church was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made. The systems, relationships, and sense of connection that had been a part of my identity for over two decades were gone. While I did my very best to leave well, I still found myself removed from some Christmas card lists and suddenly deleted on social media.” Frank, a clergy at Grace Church, found new connection in The Sanctification Network. (Added 10-2-2024)
“From Grief to Action: Recommitment of Faith, Standing in Solidarity Against Violence, Carrying Forward our United Methodist Call of Love, Compassion, and Justice” by Philippines College of Bishops (Facebook). A statement following the murder of a college student, Evalend Salting, whose body was discovered on a beach. (Added 10-2-2024)
“Pastor’s widower curses killer to life without peace after he pleads guilty to her murder” by Leonardo Blair via Christian Post. “May you not find any peace and rot in your cell as time moves like a snail and I hope misery keeps you company every day, every hour, every second that you breathe,” Eason-Williams told the 22-year-old Rodriguez-Tabora, who will be deported to his native Honduras at the end of his sentence. (Added 10-1-2024)
“Church Accuses Breakaway Group of Attempting to Seize Church Property” by Charles Akpeji via The Guardian (Nigeria). Security forces have sealed off headquarters to prevent two factions from clashing. (Added 10-1-2024)
“Local Methodist churches changing policies to allow for same-sex weddings” by Zoe Seiler via Decaturish (GA). “Tucker First members appreciate the hard work and time of the delegates to our United Methodist General Conference this year. The decisions are important but don’t change much for our welcoming congregation,” said the Rev. Katie Mattox, co-pastor at Tucker First UMC. “Our church’s wedding policy doesn’t formally change, it simply reflects the policy of the denomination.” (Added 10-1-2024)
“United Methodist Building Celebrates Century of Social Witness” by Wyatt Flicker via Juicy Ecumenism. “Unburdened by its traditional temperance focus, the UMB became Washington’s spiritual center of progressive activism. Marches for civil rights, peace in Vietnam, the Equal Rights Amendment, and many other causes were staged at the building throughout the 1960s and 1970s. The UMB also began renting out its offices in the name of ecumenism, with the building now containing Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Islamic denominational and interfaith offices with similar objectives.” (Added 10-1-2024)
“We Have Liftoff!” by Scott Field via WCA. “The mission of the Wesleyan Covenant Association is nearly fulfilled. The WCA has served as something like the International Research and Development team for the Global Methodist Church. With the Convening Conference concluded, the WCA’s mission is nearly complete.” (Added 10-1-2024)
“A Move of God in Costa Rica: On the Global Methodist Church’s Convening Conference [Firebrand Big Read]” by David Watson via Firebrand Magazine. A comprehensive summary of the GMC’s convening General Conference. (Added 10-1-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “You see, one of the most condemnatory things that us United Methodists were saying about the GMC was, “Look! Almost all the churches that have withdrawn from the UMC to become part of the GMC are predominantly white and English speaking, and that proves that the GMC is racist. Moreover, since all the bad things are intersectional, it stands to reason the GMC is also sexist, homophobic, and full of bigots.” Then, since the GMC has decided to elect its bishops at General Conference, rather than at jurisdictional conferences, which the GMC has wisely rejected altogether, it held episcopal elections in San Jose, choosing six new bishops to join the three legacy bishop who transferred into the GMC from the UMC and have retained their episcopal status.” (Added 9-30-2024)
“Pastoral Letter: Membership Restart” via Lakeview UMC. “…As many of you are aware, Lakeville UMC’s previous pastor was discontinued as a licensed local pastor and as a candidate for ministry on July 28, 2024. He is no longer an employee of the United Methodist Church. Many members of the congregation chose to leave with him. We deeply feel the loss of those parishioners, but we respect their decision to worship elsewhere….” (Added 9-302-204)
[Updated with PDF] “New denomination forms amid splintering: What it means for the future of Methodism” by Liam Adams via The Tennessean. “The more conservative Global Methodist Church holds inaugural legislative assembly following exodus of thousands of churches out of UMC.” (Added 9-302-2024)
“Liberia: Aggrieved United Methodist Church’s Members Accuse Bishop Samuel Quire of Taking Bribe to Support Same-Sex Marriage Over Refusal to Hold Special Session” by J. H. Webster Clayeh via Front Page Africa. Secretary Boyce added: “And some of our African bishops openly told us the money that the general church is giving to their annual conferences in terms of salaries and benefits is not something they are going to leave. So, a lot of them put money before their faith, it is not something that is hidden. I sat on the finance committee, I know how much our bishop makes, I know what the retirement benefits are.” (Added 9-30-2024)
Post via Queer Spirit Church Halifax (Facebook): “We are excited to announce that Bishop Karen P. Oliveto will be joining us as guest preacher for our October service, this Wednesday at 7pm…. Bishop Oliveto was elected to the episcopacy after serving as the first woman pastor of the 12,000-member Glide Memorial United Methodist Church in San Francisco, Calif. She is the first woman to serve as senior pastor of one of The United Methodist Church’s 100 largest congregations.” (Added 9-30-2024)
“What I Saw at Another General Conference” by Joe DiPaolo via PeopleNeedJesus.org. Comparing Charlotte and San Jose: “They are two very different visions indeed, likely to reach very different groups of people in North America and around the globe. May each be blessed in all they do that is in accordance with God’s will. But I wonder: how much grief and pain might have been avoided if both sides had been released to do so years – or even decades – earlier.” (Added 9-30-2024)
“Willimon On Barth, Preaching, And Politics: Some Wisdom, Some Snark” by Paul Stallsworth via Firebrand Magazine. “So, here is the result of this article: Few reconsider their current political preaching. Fewer repent. Fewer still are transformed. American churches continue mirroring the political divisions of American society. The Word is obscured, at least in part, so the Word is not heard in its fullness. That is a shame.” (Added 9-30-2024)
Post by Jason Rred via Progressive Methodists. “I am supposed to be doing a same sex marriage in December. The couple, who are both on disability, has just learned that by marrying they will be losing signifigant financial support. The question has come up about if it is possible in the Methodist church to do a ceremony without the legal portion?” (Added 9-30-2024)
“A New Methodist Denomination Emerges” by Mark Tooley via The Dispatch. “The GMC’s creation in 2022 resulted from the schism of what was once America’s third largest religious body, the United Methodist Church. More than 7,900 congregations, with their property, have exited the denomination so far under a temporary process that officially ended in 2023, although several local regions allowed more exits this year (7,658 left by 2023, and 274 exited this year).” (Added 9-29-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “…Right off the bat Cynthia says, “Rather than engaging in partisan bickering and silly stunts, however, several thoughtful writers this week are using the UMC’s newly adopted Social Principles as a springboard for political engagement.” That in and of itself ought to raise your antenna. Anybody who thinks that the newly adopted Social Principles, or for that matter, the Social Principles they replaced, were and are immune to partisanship must not have been paying much attention to the partisan issues before us in the American political process.” (Added 9-28-2024)
“Faithful Transitions: Embracing New Spaces for Mission and Ministry” via the Iowa UM Conference. “Two pastors share their journey as their congregations made the brave decision to leave their beloved church buildings behind in search of a more practical, accessible space. The path was not easy, marked by grief and the complexities of preserving the past while embracing a new future. But through this process, these congregations discover that sometimes the most faithful choice is to let go of what was, to serve better the community that is.” (Added 9-28-2024)
“Plans to demolish former Sutton Methodist Church for houses decided on” by Simon Mulligan via St. Helens Star. “Plans to bulldoze a disused Methodist Church and build terraced properties in its place have been decided on.” (Added 9-27-2024)
“After a Crackdown on Sexuality, Two Dozen CRC Churches Head for the Exits” by Yonat Shimron via RNS. “Four Michigan churches have already sent resolutions of disaffiliation to a regional geographic body called the Classis Grand Rapids East, stating that they intend to leave. Leaders of an additional five Michigan churches, also in the regional body, said they were drafting their letters, which should be received by the classis’s next business meeting.” (Added 9-27-2024)
“The most dangerous preacher in Hungary” by Marc Roscoe Loustau via Christian Century. “Khaled said that in the 1980s, Iványi led a faction out of Hungary’s UMC—a group that became the MET—when Iványi began complaining about the Communist regime’s interference in church life. I pressed him to explain why the split should justify the Hungarian UMC’s current arm’s-length approach to Iványi. In response, he commented abstractly for a while on several “fascinating” dissertations published about the history of Hungarian Methodism.” (Added 9-27-2024)
“Anniversary has double meaning for United Methodists” by Marianne Napoles via Chino Valley Champion. Special guest Rev. Moonyoung Lee, East District Superintendent, commended the congregants for standing as one to keep the church open. “Chino United Methodists,” she exclaimed, “you are not here by accident. You are the Phoenix rising from the ashes.” (Added 9-27-2024)
“United Methodist Building celebrates a century of presence on Capitol Hill” via Religion News Service. 100th anniversary of the UM Building near capitol hill. (Added 9-26-2024)
Tweet by Taylor Loy: “Just got off the phone with another United Methodist (solidly orthodox) who is in talks to leave The UMC largely over their abandonment of the biblical authority given to presbyters. Expanding sacramental authority to deacons (and soon others) may very well backfire.” (Added 9-26-2026)
“I just left The United Methodist Church for an Alliance of Baptists congregation” by Mara Richard Bim via Baptist News Global. “The denomination on the front lines of protecting the separation between church and state and speaking out against Christian nationalism is now (and always has been) branches of the Baptist family tree.” (Added 9-26-2024)
“Global Methodists Find Joy in Costa Rica” by Dan Silliman via Christianity Today. Johnwesley Yohanna, a bishop from Nigeria, agreed. “There is love and joy, and we praise God and are free,” he said. “There is no misbehaving, no fighting, no shouting.”… On the other hand, Eduard Khegay, the Moscow-based bishop of 80 congregations in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, said his group will vote on joining the Global Methodists in April. PDF (Added 9-26-2024)
“(Re)-introducing the United Methodist Church” by Conner Patton via The Long Island Advance. “Rev. Querns is looking forward to leading at a pivotal moment.” [paywall] (Added 9-26-2024)
Post by Ibrahim Zuppai via Facebook. “Our people were deceived by Ande Ikimun Emmanuel from the wake of church crisis that His lordship Bishop Johnwesley Yohanna was planning to be a life bishop of UMCN when he was in UMC and even lied he has no intention to handover at GMC. Today, history is made his lordship Bishop Johnwesley Yohanna has fulfilled his promise that he’ll not go beyond his tenure as bishop…” (Added 9-26-2024)
Overheard: Supreme Court of Maryland denies (Case number: SCMPET02252024) the Baltimore-Washington Conference’s petition for a writ of certiorari. This was a request that the Supreme Court of Maryland override a Appellate court ruling that dismissed the Conference’s interlocutory appeal in a property dispute with local churches seeking exit. (Added 9-25-2024)
“Farewell to ‘Good News’ Caucus” by Mary John Dye via UM Insight. “Since I have seen firsthand the wreckage and damage from the years-long criticism that Rob and Tom were responsible for, I do not affirm that rumors, distortions, exaggerations, gaslighting and outright lies are rightly characterized as “God’s work.” Those characteristics are the opposite of what Scripture and Methodism teaches. However, the faithfulness of the UMC in the midst of unfairness and damage will be my north star in processing all this. Faithfulness to grace. Grace for all.” (Added 9-24-2024)
Post by Jerry Cho via UM Clergy Facebook Page. “I am proud that my church supports LGBTQ rights and Interfaith work. Recently, our church ordered Griefshare Kit, DVD and Workbooks for our Grief Support Group. We sent the payment a week ago. Today I received an email from them, saying, “We cannot sell our product to your church after visiting your church’s website and finding out that your church’s beliefs are not in line with the core beliefs of our organization. Therefore, unless you change your beliefs, we cannot sell our product.” (Added 9-25-2024)
Notice via UMNS Daily Digest. “Due to limited resources, UM News is switching to a three-days-a-week schedule with Digest. We no longer will be providing a Digest on Tuesdays except during special events such as General Conference or when there is breaking news that affects the denomination. UM News will continue to send out the Digest on Mondays and Wednesdays, as well as providing the Friday Digest, which includes the top stories from the week. The change will begin next week. Please email NewsDesk@umnews.org with questions.” (Added 9-25-2024)
Post via Friends of the GMC Facebook Page. “The Rock Church in New Hampshire was the largest UMC in New England. The leadership chose to not disaffiliate last year. The vast majority of the congregation chose to resign en masse just over one week ago. This has resulted in shutting down 2 of the 3 campuses and has left the church a shell of what it had been. Here is the livestream in which the pastor explains what happened. Start watching at 7:55. https://www.youtube.com/live/EtP2qQg6vmE?si=nqpgO2YpwrV06xS0 ” (Added 9-23-2024)
Updated with PDF. “Incoming and outgoing bishops express hopes for the future for Oklahoma United Methodists” by Carla Hinton via The Oklahoman. [paywall] ” Incoming Bishop Laura Merrill and outgoing Bishop Jimmy Nunn expressed their hopes for the future for Oklahoma United Methodists.” (Added 9-23-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “It seems to me that it is fair to say at least two things about what impact the absences of this significant number of African delegates had on the outcome of General Conference 20/24…” (Added 9-23-2024)
“Post 2020/2024 General Conference Delegate Numbers” via Resource UMC. “The office of the General Conference secretary has released updated figures on the percentage of delegates seated at General Conference earlier this year. Plans called for a total of 862 voting delegates to attend. Of the 380 delegates allotted to Africa, Europe/Eurasia and the Philippines, 78% were seated. Specifically, 73% of the allotted African delegates were seated. According to United Methodist News calculations, that translates to about 84 missing delegates overall, with 75 absences from Africa.” (Added 9-21-2024)
“Bishops’ Leadership Gathering Actually Could Be a ‘Parking Lot Committee” by William Lawrence via UM Insight. If the Bishops feel the need to do something as the “itinerant general superintendents” of the Church, they could find another way to spend the time they will consume on phone calls and in meetings, trying to decide how to conduct the “Leadership Gathering” they propose. They can use the time to listen to the lay and clergy members of the charge conferences in their Episcopal Areas. They can itinerant the local churches in the annual conferences to which they are assigned. They can learn what the persons in their pulpits and their pews say is the wisest way forward to fulfill the mission of The United Methodist Church. At least that would be official. (Added 9-21-2024)
“Camping and Youth Ministry: Time to Panic?” by Riley Case via Juicy Ecumenism. “Time for a reality check: the UMC is losing its youth. I have observed this firsthand simply by noting that I see very few youth in UM services I attend. Others, including the director of camping ministries in our conference, confirm these suspicions. Indeed, the situation is probably worse than I imagined.” (Added 9-20-2024)
Post by Ande Emmanuel via Facebook. Sharing a letter by Bishop Schol to Nigerian United Methodists accusing Bishop Yohanna of various things and claiming the GMC has no claim on church property. (Added 9-20-2024)
“With attendance down, Downey church considers plan to build affordable housing” by Alex Dominguez via The Downy Patriot (CA). “We had hard conversations about the realities of a small, aging congregation. We had conversations about continued budget deficits. We had continued, hard conversations about many years of deferred maintenance and buildings that are falling apart,” said Biggerstaff. “Out of those confessional conversations, we faced the reality that this church needed to do something different, or meet the fates of many churches in this current day: closure.” (Added 9-20-2024)
“UMC bishops denounce political violence, authoritarianism” via UM Council of Bishops. “Climate change, global migration, growing economic disparity, and other factors are causing us to feel more vulnerable and alienated. This can increase the appeal of authoritarian leaders who rely on rhetoric and policies that divide, creating a fearful environment that dampens participation in civic life and gives rise to political violence.” See also, “Church leaders stand with Haitian neighbors” by Heather Hahn. (Added 9-19-2024)
“United Methodists Should Have Grander Vision Than as an NGO” by Sarah Stewart via Juicy Ecumenism. “Stoneking referred to the UMC as “a large non-governmental organization” in her celebratory article. The sentiment is disappointing, but I’m simultaneously glad that it was acknowledged. I have often thought that this was the feeling of much of UMC leadership: the denomination has shifted to function more as an NGO than a church.” (Added 9-19-2024)
“The Global Methodist Church Will Meet in Costa Rica. Sexuality Is Not on the Agenda.” via Religion News Service. “The estimated 350 delegates who will descend on the Costa Rica Convention Center beginning Friday will approve a rule book called the Book of Doctrines and Discipline and drop the “transitional” label from many of its documents and job titles. Delegates will also debate and vote on how to govern and structure the denomination’s 36 geographic regions, called conferences.” (Added 9-19-2024)
“Spotlighting UMC’s role in Indigenous boarding schools” by Crystal Caviness via UMNS. “Ashley Boggan D., top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History, presented the findings of a report detailing The United Methodist Church’s involvement with U.S. boarding schools for Indigenous children. The research includes a list of known schools with Methodist ties and also details how various religious organizations were involved with either funding, staffing or both.” (Added 9-19-2024)
Post by Keith Sweat via Facebook. “The World Methodist Council (WMC) claims to represent 80 member churches. That is more than a bit disingenuous. At least 36 of these churches are UMC. They list each national or regional church separately from Albania UMC to Zimbabwe UMC. The headquarters is the UMC facility at Lake Junalaska. The president is a UMC bishop. Of the remaining churches, six are Uniting churches which, by their nature are progressive spiritual organizations with no Methodist distinctiveness. The Uniting Church in Canada does not even require its clergy to be Christian. Denominations with a distinct Wesleyan/Methodist heritage who are not members include the Salvation Army, dozens of small conservative denominations, and at the insistence of the UMC who always gets their way with the Council, the Global Methodist Church.” (Added 9-19-2024)
“Wesleyan Theological Revival?” by Mark Tooley via Juicy Ecumenism. “Besides JWI and Seedbed, the CT article also cites More to the Story, the Francis Asbury Society, the Fundamental Wesleyan Society, Firebrand Magazine, and Holy Joys as other examples of groups offering Wesleyan theological formation. And of course, it mentions Wesleyan schools such as Asbury Seminary, United Seminary and Wesley Biblical Seminary, all of which are growing.” (Added 9-19-2024)
Tweet by Drew McIntyre. “Me trying to explain to my Episcopal and Orthodox friends why deacons now have sacramental authority.” [meme] (Added 9-19-2024)
“I resigned after church legalized LGBTQ – Bishop Yohanna” by Femi Bolaji via Vanguard. “The Bishop does not have authority over church’s properties in the UMCN. The Board of Trustees and the Annual Conferences are the ones who have authority over those. However, there is still a minority group of the UMC members in Nigeria who feel they want to remain in the church after it recognized LGBTQ, while the majority left for GMC…” (Added 9-18-2024)
Tweet by Mark Tooley. “A revived Wesleyanism will include many denominations & transcend denominations to include many nondenominationals.” LINK (Added 9-18-2024)
Tweet by Drew McIntyre. “From both younger clergy and from laity, my experience from many conversations is that itinerancy in the #umc is as much or more an impediment to our flourishing as the sexuality debate ever was.” (Added 9-18-2024)
“African Methodists fear aid will be withdrawn as Western church liberalises on sexuality” by Winile Ximba via Premeire Christianity. “The Methodist Church in Africa has been thrown into an existential crisis over a decision by its US counterpart to allow practising homosexual men and women to become ministers. African Methodists have found themselves wedged between a rock and a hard place as a split from the wealthier US Methodists could mean a drying up of desperately needed humanitarian money.”(Added 9-18-2024)
“35 church leaders endorse South Dakota abortion-rights ballot measure” via South Dakota Searchlight. “The 35 faith leaders are from five Christian denominations — the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church USA, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Episcopal Church and the United Church of Christ.” (Added 9-18-2024)
“South Georgia UMC member writes 6-week study on reflecting and refocusing” via South Georgia UM Conference. As shared in UMNS Daily Digest: “As people are working through emotions and transitions during this season of church disaffiliations, several groups in South Georgia have turned to a six-week study written by Kim Heim. Heim’s former church home is among those that have left the United Methodist fold, but she remains United Methodist. Anne Bosarge recently talked to Heim about the curriculum, “Reflect and Refocus.” (Added 9-18-2024)
Post by Absalom Nuhu Kodei via Facebook. Video of an older UMC sign being removed in Nigeria. (Added 9-17-2024)
Post by John Daniels via Facebook. “A brief history of the Methodism from John Wesley to the current split.” (Added 9-17-2024)
“Chattanooga’s largest United Methodist church rejects disaffiliation after survey and votes” by Andrew Schwartz via Chattanooga Times Free Press. “While emphasizing that the developments in Charlotte would leave the congregation unchanged, Christ United Methodist Church leadership in May told members it would survey their feelings on the matter. After reviewing the survey results and assessing what leaving the denomination would entail, a discernment committee voted 14-3 to recommend against doing so, according to Malone. The church council followed with a 13-1 vote against leaving. Then, at the end of August, came a two-week vote of church members. Ultimately, 81% voted not to enter the disaffiliation process, Malone said, when asked about the outcome by email Monday.” (Added 9-17-2024)
“‘Wesley Is Fire Now’ and Evangelicals Are Being Strangely Warmed” by Clayton Sidenbender via Christianity Today. “Two decades after New Calvinism, some young Christians are turning to Methodist history for theological sustenance.” PDF or Subscribe to CT. (Added 9-17-2024)
“The Methodist Fabric of Connection – Preparing for General Conference” via MidSouth GMC (YouTube). “As we approach the 2024 Convening General Conference, we are asking the question… What does it mean to be connected? The various conference gatherings can seem far removed from our daily lives in the local church though the reality of Methodist connection is that we are in mission together and what happens at each level across the Global Methodist Church is meant for making us stronger in holiness and stronger in mission.” See also Guidemap. (Added 9-17-2024)
“Bishops, Generals, and Evangelical Totalitarianism” by Andy Miller III via Firebrand Magazine. “As the GMC anticipates its Convening General Conference, I hope it can learn from the example of the [Salvation] Army, its ecclesial cousin. I don’t believe the GMC is in danger of becoming merely a charitable organization, but its mission could be hindered if too much authority is given to one office. Separated powers can prevent one leader from grasping more power than is healthy. (Added 9-17-2024)
“San Jose and the Shore Birds: Ready for the GMC to take flight?” by Scott Field via WCA. “This week as delegates and observers make their way to San Jose and others of us are awaiting the outcomes of the GMC Convening Conference, let’s all face into the wind of the Holy Spirit by ‘withdrawing to a lonely place’ to pray.” (Added 9-17-2024)
“Nigeria church yearns for reconciliation” by Eunice Iliya via UMNS. “The United Methodist Church in Nigeria has experienced two decades of conflict caused by tribalism and power struggles. The recent change in leadership signals the potential for reconciliation and a return to peace and unity. Leaders with three factions in the Nigerian church are speaking in support of setting aside differences and returning to healthy relationships.” (Added 9-16-2024)
“Fostering unity in the Purple Church” by Beth M. Crissman via Resource UMC. “United Methodist churches remain some of the very few institutions in American society where people from different political persuasions can build deep and meaningful relationships with each other. In a polarized and often toxic political climate, UMC congregations are positioned to advance the ministry of Jesus by creating a beloved community that bridges political and theological divides.” (Added 9-16-2024)
“Church is alive and growing in Zimbabwe” by Taurai Emmanuel Maforo via UMNS. “Within the context of challenges experienced in other parts of Africa following General Conference, including in Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria, the bishop said Zimbabwe can be a model for what is possible on the continent.” (Added 9-16-2024)
Post by Chris Snyder via UM Clergy Facebook Group. “Does anyone have any resources for leading their congregation through the loss of members – not to death, but having a percentage of your members/leaders leave the church? Since General Conference, we have lost about 15% of our members (many of whom were spiritual leaders). I’m looking for resources – articles, videos, sermons, etc. – I might share with my leadership and others as we work our way through this loss and look to the future with hope. Has anyone out there come across or developed something that has been helpful that you wouldn’t mind sharing?” (Added 9-16-2024)
“200-year old, Multimillion-Dollar Susquehanna Valley Property to be Auctioned” via WGAL. “The property, owned by the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church, spans over 100 acres of pine, hemlock, spruce and oak forest, and has cabins that can accommodate more than 50 people.” (Added 9-16-2024)
“A Call for Tradition from an Unlikely Place” by Hayden Mussi via Omnia Methodist. “In this vision, I’ve been blessed to be joined by many other young, faithful United Methodists calling for reform, revitalization, and renewal in our Church, and we have come together to form the Young Methodists for Tradition.” (Added 9-16-2024)
“GMC Bishop Nominee Interview with Leah Hidde-Gregory” by Andy Miller via More to the Story Podcast. “The Global Methodist Church will decide in September 2024 how it will think about bishops and what their role should be in the emerging denomination. In this nine-part series, I interview the elders nominated to serve as two-year interim bishops. I enjoyed this time with them and think you will too.” (Added 9-14-2024)
“UNTOLD STORY: How Same-Sex Marriage Controversy Tears Taraba Church Apart, Congregation in Disarray As Presiding Bishop Quits” via The Capital. “Meanwhile, the Taraba State Government, in its usual manner of intervention each time the crisis rears its ugly head, has placed a ban on worship in all UMC and GMC churches in order to avert a breakdown of law and order. In a recent letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of the state, Barrister Gibon T. Kataps, all churches are to remain closed “pending the resolution of the crisis within the shortest possible time”. (Added 9-14-2024)
“The Man Who Made Global Methodism Possible” by Dan Silliman via Christianity Today (PDF). A profile of Keith Boyette. (Added 9-14-2024)
“Woman appointed as leader of Oklahoma United Methodist Church shows monumental shift” by Zach Rael via KOCO (Okla.) “KOCO 5’s Zach Rael spoke with Merrill in her first sit-down interview since her appointment, which comes after years of hardship for the church.” (Added 9-13-2024)
“Advancing a theology of reparations” by Larry Pickens via UMNS (Commentary). “Addressing multigenerational trauma requires a reparative process in which our faith communities reject white supremacy and the “othering” of people because of the color of their skin, gender, sexual orientation, immigration status or any other characteristic that we use to separate and isolate other people. It is a call to see people not as scapegoats poised to take something from us, but as neighbors.” (Added 9-13-2024)
“Bishops plan for different kind of gathering” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “The bishops’ plan immediately prompted concern from some United Methodists and excitement from others. But no matter their initial reactions, just about everyone has questions about what shape the event will take.” (Added 9-13-2024)
“Candler Library Forum to Address Moments ‘When Translation Really Matters’” by Brook Huger Pass via UM Insight. “The main event will be a screening of the documentary film “1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture.” The film focuses on the story of researchers tracing the origins of the anti-LGBTQIA+ movement among Christians to a significant decision made in the translation of 1 Corinthians 6:9 in the Bible’s Revised Standard Version published in 1946.” (Added 9-13-2024)
Post by Beth Ann Cook via Facebook. “I wanted to share today’s press release from the GMC with a personal word. If you know me well you know know how deeply I’ve longed for everyone who applied for a visa to get one to be in person at the Convening General Conference Costa Rica. Our team–especially Elizabeth, John, Ray and the Cabinet of the Costa Rican Methodist Church–have worked tirelessly to try to make that happen. Unfortunately despite our best efforts we have brothers and sisters in Africa who were unable to obtain the necessary visas or transit visas to travel to Costa Rica…” (Added 9-13-2024)
“Hard exit for Methodists” by Bekah McCallum via World. “Forty-four churches from the Alabama-West Florida Methodist conference met a setback on Aug. 23, when Alabama’s Supreme Court reaffirmed its decision to leave questions of disaffiliation to the UMC. The state’s high court had ruled in May that while the disaffiliation process appeared unduly complicated for churches, the dispute was an ‘ecclesiastical matter over which … we do not have jurisdiction.'” (Added 9-13-2024)
“Man arrested for burglary at Wimberley United Methodist Church” by Stephanie Becerra via CBS Austin. “A man was arrested for allegedly breaking into a church in Wimberley and stealing several computers and Bibles this week.” (Added 9-13-2024)
“Episcopal Candidate Interview – Salama Hassan” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “Consider spending some time with one of the three episcopal candidates from the new GMC conferences in Nigeria. I got to get to know him much better, learning about his ministry context, the ways in which God has uniquely equipped him, and the common convictions we share. I hope this is of benefit to you as you pray for our leadership in the GMC!” (Added 9-12-2024)
Post by Alfred Kwabena Mensah via Facebook. Sharing a letter in which a district superintendent is suspended for bringing up a topic the bishop did not want discussed. (Added 9-12-2024)
“Florida church takes on Trump’s pet-eating conspiracy theory” by Kathryn Varn via Axios. “A sign-wielding Florida church known for wading into politics is at it again after this week’s presidential debate. State of play: “No one is eating the pets,” read the marquee outside Allendale United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg on Wednesday.”… Last year, after state lawmakers passed a bill restricting drag shows, the marquee read, “Humanity is God in drag.” (Added 9-12-2024)
“Making History: The United Methodist General Conference of 2024” via United Methodist Kairos Response. “In 2024, the world saw the first decision by a Christian denomination to divest from the bonds of the State of Israel, along with two other occupier governments. That landmark action was one of a half dozen prophetic resolutions supporting the Palestinian struggle adopted by the United Methodist Church’s General Conference… But the biggest global news story from this General Conference was unquestionably the remarkable changes in church law regarding LGBTQ inclusion and equality in all aspects of church life, including the reversal of decades-long policies on same-gender marriage, the ordination of LGBTQ clergy, and more.” (Added 9-12-2024)
Tweet via Reconciling Ministries Network. “The #UMC passed historic legislation at GC2024, including the first decision by a Christian denomination to divest from the bonds of the State of Israel. What does the Church’s promise mean for the institution and for the world?” Link (Added 9-12-2024)
“Horizon Texas Conference: Special session to unite Texas conferences” via UMNS Daily Digest.
“The Central Texas, North Texas and Northwest Texas annual conferences will hold a joint special session at 9:30 a.m. U.S. Central time Sept. 28 at the Abilene Convention Center to unify into the Horizon Texas Conference. The three will officially become one on Jan. 1.” (Added 9-12-2024)
“Thriving Bryan church formed by merging two congregations” by Joe Southern via Bryan College Station Eagle (TX). “The union of two Bryan churches from different denominations has proven to be a huge blessing for the congregants as well as the community.” [paywall] See also here. (Added 9-12-2024)
“Humanitarian leader Jim Cox returns to UMCOR as executive director” by Susan Clark via GMGM. “As executive director, he will work with General Secretary Roland Fernandes to guide Global Ministries and UMCOR’s work in alleviating human suffering around the world. UMCOR works in more than 110 countries to provide humanitarian relief and recovery in response to natural and humanmade disasters.” (Added 9-12-2024)
“After Beloved Atlanta Pastor Stabbed and Burned, Suspect Stands Trial” by Janna Firestone via ChurchLeaders.com. “Christopher Griggs is standing trial this week, accused of violently killing a beloved Atlanta pastor in May 2022. Rev. Marita Harrell was the senior pastor at Connections at Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Atlanta. Before the murder, she was mentoring the formerly incarcerated Griggs, attempting to help him get his life back on track.” (Added 9-12-2024)
“Parents outraged at Pryor preschool following Facebook post” by Samson Tamijani via KJRH (Oklahoma). “Several angry moms allege to 2 News their child’s former preschool teacher bullies kids and even assaulted a parent who tried to pull her son out of enrollment. The controversy has marred the online presence of Pryor First United Methodist Church and its Methodist Preschool program.” (Added 9-12-2024)
“Reflections on My Closing United Methodist Church” by Sarah Stewart via Juicy Ecumenism. “In late August, Seventh Street United Methodist, held its final service. Facing shrinking numbers and sweeping changes made at this year’s General Conference, the decision was made for the church to close after more than 100 years of serving as a witness to the gospel on the corner of 7th and Bryant streets in Parkersburg, WV.” (Added 9-12-2024)
Post by Harry Kanawa via Facebook. Kanawa from Nigeria shares a screen shot of a deleted post by Ande Emmanuel using an old copy of the governmental registry for the UMCN to indicate that the UMC in Nigeria still legally exists. But that registry has reportedly been changed to the GMC. (Added 9-12-2024)
Post by Ande Emmanual via Facebook. A Facebook “reel” displaying a letter by Bishop Schol accusing the GMC in Nigeria of harassment and other misdeeds. (FYI: $1 = 1650 naira). (Added 9-11-2024)
“African Bishops Commit to Church Unity” by Eveline Chikwanah via UMNS. “During the Africa Colleges of Bishops meeting, 11 episcopal leaders from the African continent pledged their support for worldwide regionalization and expressed a commitment to stay in the United Methodist connection. Bishops urged their conferences to ratify the General Conference decision that allows them to continue mission and ministry relevant to their culture and contexts. Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone said the church is alive in Africa and is still in the business of making disciples for the transformation of the world. Bishop Mande Muyombo of North Katanga was selected to lead the Africa Colleges of Bishops following the retirement of Zimbabwe’s Eben K. Nhiwatiwa.” (Added 9-11-2024)
“This closed historic downtown Milwaukee church has a new owner. It’s a Chicago development firm” via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. [paywall] “Summerfield United Methodist Church, 722-728 E. Juneau Ave., was sold for $715000 to an affiliate of Jodi Development. The firm builds new housing.” (Added 9-11-2024)
Post by Robert Stutes via UM Clergy Facebook Page. “I confess I still get a bit triggered when I drive past a GMC sign while sightseeing in a new place. What I try to do is say a prayer for those who were hurt by the disaffiliation in that community. Today I decided to do one more thing – do a Google search for a UMC nearby to that community – and send them a letter of encouragement – plus a $100 donation – and let them know why I did so. Trying to turn a negative to a positive.” (Added 9-11-2024)
“What’s Love Got to Do with It? Tina Turner and the Ongoing Division of the United Methodist Church” by Scott Field via WCA. “The standard narrative from UM institutionalists (including pastors, bishops, and administrators) is that the disaffiliations from the UMC, including the continuing separations either undertaken or anticipated through paragraph 2549, are somehow related to the underlying homophobia or legalism or some sort of biblicism by traditionalist/orthodox/evangelical who leave. That is, the underlying motivation of people like me and most of the readership of the WCA Outlook, along with most of the folks gathering later this month in Cost Rica for the Convening Conference of the Global Methodist Church, is a soul-crippling hatred, judgmentalism or, at the very least, a half-sized portion of God’s grace.” (Added 9-10-2024)
“Seminary Endowments: Mainline Has Money, Southern Baptists Have Students” by Jeffrey Walton via Juicy Ecumenism. “Southern Baptists have more students but mostly declining Mainline Protestant seminaries have more money, according to data collected by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).” (Added 9-10-2024)
“Bothell Mayor and council receive thousands in contributions from Pastor prior to land vote” by Kienan Briscoe via Lynwood Times. “On July 16, the City of Bothell entered a Letter of Intent with the Bothell United Methodist Church (BUMC) to gift the church, at no cost, a city-owned plot of land worth $6 million to be used for affordable housing and a community space. But conflict-of-interest concerns have since been raised involving one of BUMC’s lead pastors seeing as she made sizable financial contributions to the Mayor and City Council members who voted in favor of that decision.” (Added 9-10-2024)
“The United Methodist Church widens its fragmentation” by Jonatán Soriano , Evangelical Focus (Europe). A round up of those leaving the UMC globally. (Added 9-10-2024)
“Lutheran church gets creative with pastor shortage, bringing in United Methodist minister” by Charita Goshay via The Canton Repository. Long-form feature on mainline clergy serving across denominational lines in response to a widespread clergy shortage. (Added 9-10-2024)
“Guidelines for Membership in the World Methodist Council” via PDF. Recently developed guidelines for joining the WMC, prompted by the application of former UMC groups like the GMC. (Added 9-10-2024)
“Windsor Village Church celebrates early prison release of former pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell” by Leonardo Blair via Christian Post. Windsor Village issued a statement after the pastor’s sentencing in January 2021 stating that he was “remorseful” about the scheme and that all of his victims had been repaid. “The court found that Caldwell made full restitution to all of the victims. Notable, restitution began prior to indictment and was completed before sentencing,” the church said. “Many victims were paid over and above the amount that they invested. Voluntary restitution is virtually unheard of and extremely rare in these kinds of cases.” (Added 9-9-2024)
“Scrappy Gammon finding its future” by Jim Patterson via UMNS. “Gammon Theological Seminary, the only historically Black United Methodist seminary, is hoping to go from about 20 students to 200 in five years… “I didn’t anticipate the crisis of exigency,” Lewis said. “That just felt like the bottom was falling out of the school. But what I learned in that process is that in every crisis, there’s an opportunity.”… Along with leaving the ITC, Gammon — like the other 12 U.S. United Methodist seminaries — is getting less support from the denomination’s Ministerial Education Fund due to a reduced budget and the disaffiliation of about a quarter of U.S. churches over how inclusive to be of LGBTQ people in the life of the church.”(Added 9-9-2024)
Overheard: The Rev. Dr. Larry Duggins of the new Methodist Collegiate Church attended the World Methodist Conference. The MCC “has just started the application process to join the World Methodist Council. White’s Chapel in Southlake, Texas, near Fort Worth, started the new denomination as it was disaffiliating from The United Methodist Church in 2023. Today, Duggins said the new denomination includes seven former United Methodist churches in Texas and Louisiana as well as about 70 former United Methodist churches in Kenya, Congo and Uganda… ‘We had a conservative congregation, and so because of that, we ended up needing to take the conservative views on the human sexuality issue,” Duggins said. “But that didn’t mean that we wanted to throw away our connection with everybody who disagreed.'” Source. (Added 9-9-2024)
Spotlight: Church real estate is a big topic in the UMC. Legacy buildings are often oversized and deferred maintenance demands a growing percentage of a declining congregation’s budget. Conferences sell these properties as churches close. One pastor in Illinois has been posting on how the church she serves sold its building and moved into borrowed space. The advantage to the church is that they have monies to continue operation with their current level of pastoral leadership (and an opportunity to reboot.) The advantage to the pastor is that she continues to have a salary-paying unit. While the conference loses the potential asset, it maintains a location where one of its clergy can serve for a while longer. Church mergers are another way real estate equity can be leveraged locally instead of transferred to the conference. (Added 9-9-2024)
Video via Facebook. News report that United Methodists in Zambia have left the UMC for the Global Methodist Church. (Added 9-9-2024)
“Lifewatch Newsletter | September 1, 2024” via Lifewatch. Director Cindy Evans has retired. Lifewatch moving its office to North Carolina and expanding to reach beyond the UMC. Also: “The Bishops Should Repent and Apologize” (a resolution that failed, pp. 4-5), “A Speech for the Above Resolution” (pp. 5-6), “Evidence for the Above Resolution: Years, Bishops, Infractions” (which lists instances of bishops breaking church doctrine and discipline, p. 6), and three quotations that define and oppose liberal Christianity (John Henry Newman, RR Reno, and Robert Barron, pp. 8-9). (Added 9-9-2024)
“Response to Bishop’s Call for a Leadership Gathering” by Lonnie Brooks via PeopleNeedJesus.net. Cancelling a General Conference in favor of a COB-controlled “leadership gathering” violates the democratic design of the UMC by degrading lay-chosen representation. (Added 9-7-2024)
“Same-sex marriage controversy tears century-old Taraba church apart” via The Nation (Nigeria). “In 2022, they also had a gay consecrated for the church. In UMCN, when a bishop is consecrated, he or she is consecrated for the whole church. Those bishops can come to Nigeria and perform episcopal functions. The laws of this country are against that.” (Added 9-7-2024)
“Kirbyjohn Caldwell released from prison, remains on home confinement, wife says” via The Houston Chronicle. Paywall. The former pastor of WIndsor Village UMC has been released early from a six-year prison sentence following his guilty plea for defrauding $3.6 million from investors. See also ABC13 Coverage. KHOU. See also this 2001 Profile in Christianity Today that reflects Caldwell at his height of his success. See also UMNS coverage at the time of his conviction. (Added 9-7-2024)
Tweet by Mark Tooley. “Since 2019, nearly 7,900 U.S. congregations — including 218 this summer — have received the necessary approvals to leave The United Methodist Church with property.” Link (Added 9-6-2024)
“Change of marriage definition leads to church ‘divorce’” by Tamara Muswala via ZNBC. “Some members of the United Methodist Church in Zambia have dis-affiliated from the Mother body following its decision to adopt a new definition of marriage. Former Dean of superintendents in the Church Reverend KENNETH KALICHI said the Church Mother body in the United States adopted the new definition of marriage as between two adults who consent to each other.” (Added 9-6-2024)
“Methodist council sets membership rules” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “At the prompting of United Methodist bishops, the World Methodist Council formalized its application process for new members.
The formalization comes as disagreements within The United Methodist Church are giving rise to new denominations.” (Added 9-6-2024)
“When Your Church is Broken” by John Sumwalt via UM Insight. “My own United Methodist denomination has been broken by divisions over homosexuality leading to the disaffiliation of almost 8,000 local congregations, which is about a quarter of the total number of UMC churches in the country.” (Added 9-6-2024)
Post by Global Methodist Church via Facebook. “We are deeply grateful for the faithful work and unwavering dedication of Good News Magazine as they conclude their remarkable ministry. They have been an instrumental voice in shaping the future of our denomination and spreading the message of the Kingdom. We invite you to join us in thanking them for their tireless efforts and profound impact on the Global Methodist Church. Though their work is coming to a close, their legacy will continue!” (Added 9-5-2024)
Post by Jeff Julien via UM Clergy Facebook Page. In response to a Good News article: “Are there any United Methodist Clergy out there who are NOT “ Christians who are committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the authority of the Bible.”? I will be very, very, surprised if anyone, anyone at all , responds ‘me’.” (Added 9-5-2024)
“UMC bishops in Africa issue statement on state of the Church” via UM Council of Bishops. September 5 statement promoting regionalization and condemning the Global Methodist Church, Africa Initiative, and WCA. (Added 9-5-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “…I need for somebody to explain to me how this proposed Leadership Gathering, all the members of which will either be bishops of the Church, appointed to membership by those bishops, or serving by virtue of their office as a General Secretary of one of the UM general agencies, can be even a semblance of part of a democratic process.” (Added 9-5-2024)
“UMC bishops call for Leadership Gathering instead of Special Session in 2026” by COB Press Release. “The bishops will hold the Leadership Gathering instead of calling a Special Session of General Conference as it was earlier announced. “The Council of Bishops determined that a Leadership Gathering is the best arena for building on the good work and progress made at the General Conference and it allows for greater collaboration with leaders across the denomination as we move forward together,” said COB President Bishop Tracy S. Malone.” (Added 9-5-2024)
Post by Ande Emmanuel via UM Clergy Facebook Group. [photo] “UMC Africa Colleges of Bishops meets at Africa University Zimbabwe this week to discuss the future of the Church in Africa. The UMC in Africa is stronger more than before.” (Added 9-5-2024)
“United Methodist Church’s New LGBTQ Heritage Center Reveals a Denomination That’s Too Far Gone” by Chris Queen via PJ Media. “The center will show a documentary at the event that tries to claim that homosexuality wasn’t a sin in the Bible until translations added it in 1946. The truth is that ancient Greek, Latin, and Hebrew didn’t have a word for homosexuality, so the change was a clarification rather than a doctrinal change.” (Added 9-5-2024)
“More than 100 churches quietly leave South Georgia UMC conference” by Shelia Poole via Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Georgia’s United Methodist Church conferences have merged and will now have one bishop.” (Added 9-5-2024)
“ARUMC Lawsuit Update” via Arkansas UM Conference. As shared on UMNS September 4 Daily Digest. “On July 8th of this year, Judge Arnold approved a motion for summary judgement on behalf of the Arkansas Conference and Jonesboro First United Methodist Church, now led by Rev. Michael Roberts. In the agreement reached Wednesday night the aforementioned ruling confirming ownership of all property and other assets remains in place. In addition JFUMC will receive $1.1 million, while all parties agree to drop any further legal action pertaining to this matter.” (Added 9-4-2024)
“Recommended Reading: Filipino Bishops’ Statements on Separatist Groups” by David Scott via UM & Global. “In the last month, Filipino United Methodist bishops have issued two statements related to a new, breakaway group called the Filipino Evangelical Methodist Church. The new Filipino Evangelical Methodist Church is separate from the Global Methodist Church, which has also organized in the Philippines. The Filipino Evangelical Methodist Church does include GEMS (Grace Evangelical Methodist Sanctuary), a group led by former United Methodist bishop Pete Torio.” (Added 9-4-2024)
Post by Chris Matthews via UM Clergy Facebook Group. Photo of a ripped up and discarded copy of Good News Magazine. “I hate junkmail.” Comments ensue. (Added 9-4-2024)
Post by Absalom Nuhu Kodei via Facebook. A Nigerian clergy responds to the UMC’s LGBTQ History Center funded by apportionment dollars. Original comment by James Lambert. (Added 9-4-2024)
“The Limits of Hospitality” by Greg Weeks via UM Insight. “Formal excommunication is foreign to United Methodism. There is, though, a practical version. If a fellowship is grounded in the embodied Christ who is filled with grace and truth, then the words of those trying to cause division will simply fall on deaf ears. After a while they will leave. It’s not fun to promote a cause that no one follows.” (Added 9-4-2024)
“‘Too Important to Let It Slip Away’: College Ministers Concerned About Future Support” by Annette Spence via UM Insight. “Leaders of Holston Conference’s five Wesley Foundations express concern about the future of their ministries, especially as the denomination downsizes. Wesley Foundations received funding cuts as the Holston Annual Conference revised its 2024 budget mid-year in response to reduced income related to local church disaffiliations.” (Added 9-4-2024)
“AME church denomination keeps stance on Biblical marriage” via World. “During the conference, the committee made a recommendation that would allow gay marriage, but delegates voted 896 to 722 to delete the recommendation, according to the denomination’s official news organ. Afterward, delegates voted 1042 to 507 to authorize the committee to continue its work and bring another report to the 2028 General Conference, according to The Christian Recorder.” (Added 9-4-2024)
“New UM Center to collect Queer history sets kickoff celebration” via Resource UMC. “The important contributions of our LGBTQ+ siblings within The United Methodist Church have been overlooked for too long. With the opening of the new center, we will intentionally collect, preserve and share Queer Methodist history. We celebrate that we are finally living into our true identity as people called United Methodists,” said Dr. Ashley Boggan, GCAH general secretary. (Added 9-4-2024)
“Is the Wesleyan Covenant Association, as alleged, complicit in being “ready to beat, even to kill, to grab membership and properties from the United Methodist Church” in Africa?” by Scott Field via WCA. “Both Baptist News Global and United Methodist Insight indicate on their websites that they affirm and practice high journalistic standards. Good to know. I hope these journalistic standards have not reached their expiration date. With that hope, then, I expect to read or personally receive a retraction, refutation, and apology for the unfounded allegation that the Wesleyan Covenant Association is fomenting dissension and is ready to beat, even to kill, to grab membership and properties from the United Methodist Church. That is a reckless, dangerous, and defamatory lie.” (Added 9-3-2024)
“Project 2025, The Social Creed, Labor Day, and The United Methodist Social Creed” by Bill Trench via Facebook. “The United Methodist Church is not a creedal church. The Apostles’ Creed was dropped as a membership requirement in 1932. The fact that we do not require members to believe in a specific creed has been one of our great strengths. Within our broad understanding of the Christian faith, there is room for everyone. Although we do not require specific affirmation of the traditional creeds, we do have a uniquely Methodist creed. And in true Methodist fashion it is more focused on doing than on believing.” (Added 9-3-2024)
Post by Nick McRae via Facebook. “If you are a theologically conservative United Methodist committed to remaining in the UMC, please consider joining the new group linked below. The purpose of “Theological Conservatives Staying United Methodist” is to be a place of support, fellowship, and mutual edification for likeminded/likehearted theologically conservative people across the United Methodist connexion. This group is not in any way affiliated with the WCA, Good News, or any other conservative advocacy group. It’s just an affinity group on Facebook.” [link] (Added 9-3-2024)
Post by Mark Davies via Facebook. “The 2024 United Methodist Social Principles are now available online.” [link] (Added 9-3-2024)
“African Methodist Episcopal Church reaffirms ban on same-sex marriage” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “General Conference delegates voted 896 to 722 in favor of deleting the amendment to allow same-sex marriage, while another vote allowed for the continuing work of the Ad Hoc AME Sexual Ethics Discernment Committee to continue its work.” (Added 9-2-2024)
“UMC bishop says ‘agitation’ is reason why he left Nigeria amid leadership change” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “Nhiwatiwa arrived in Nigeria successfully and was cleared at the airport with a visa on arrival. He entered Nigeria to commence his visit. But the Global Methodist Church (GMC) breakaway faction led by John Wesley Yohanna reported him to the immigration that he came to promote homosexuality in Nigeria,” stated Emmanuel. (Added 9-2-2024)
“Spiritual Warfare in Liberia – A Conversation with Jerry Kulah” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “Jerry Kulah is one of the most courageous and faithful public figures in world Methodism today. His love of Christ and the church shines brightly through him, as does his passion for the purity of the ministry that has been entrusted to us. In recent months, since the close of General Conference 2024 for the United Methodist Church, affairs have heated up in Liberia. I have covered developments there as violence has been threatened and political maneuvering has become commonplace.” (Added 9-2-2024)
“United Methodist Bishops Karen Oliveto and Minerva Carcaño Retire” by Wyatt Flicker via Juicy Ecumenism. “Oliveto, the denomination’s first bishop consecrated as an openly partnered lesbian, has presided over the Mountain Sky Conference since 2016, despite Oliveto’s same-sex marriage violating the Church’s Book of Discipline. Oliveto’s episcopacy was deemed invalid by the denomination’s Judicial Council in 2017, but Oliveto and her conference ignored this decision in favor of inclusivity, a move IRD’s John Lomperis called ‘giving the middle finger to the rest of the church.'” (Added 9-2-2024)
“New pathway opens for United Methodist churches that still want out of embattled denomination” by Andrew Schwartz via Chattanooga Times Free Press. “Despite a deadline to leave the United Methodist denomination by the end of 2023, church authorities in East Tennessee have opened a new, temporary pathway for qualified congregations to leave.” (Added 8-31-2024)
“Daily Digest | August 30, 2024” via UMNS. “COLUMBIA, S.C. — The trustees of the South Carolina Conference plan to offer a discernment process through 2025 for churches considering separation from the denomination. However, the trustees also acknowledged questions before the Judicial Council, the denomination’s top court, that could affect the process. Jessica Brodie reports.” (Added 8-30-2024)
Tweet via Reconciling Ministries Network. [link] “Rev. Gabriel Mususwa of UMAF alleges that the GMC and WCA are “fomenting unrest throughout Africa by claiming the #UMC has become ‘a gay church.”‘ We pray for safety for Bishop Nhiwatiwa and Nigerian UMs living under a manufactured cloud of danger.” (Added 8-30-2024)
“Richard Hays Thinks God Changed His Mind About Same-Sex Sex. Is He Right?” by Rebecca McLaughlin via Gospel Coalition. “Readers might expect to find that Hays has changed his mind about the meaning of the verses that apparently prohibit same-sex sex. But he hasn’t. Instead, he and his son, Christopher (an Old Testament professor at Fuller Theological Seminary), suggest God has changed his mind.” (Added 8-30-2024)
“2024 Central Congo Annual Conference” via UMNS. “Conference delegates voted to support regionalization when the amendment approved by General Conference comes before annual conference voters next year. Regionalization, which aims to give The United Methodist Church’s different geographic regions equal standing in decision-making, needs at least a two-thirds total vote of all annual conference lay and clergy voters to be ratified. Central Congo delegates also reaffirmed their support for the unity of The United Methodist Church, but expressed their disapproval of same-sex marriage and the consecration of openly gay clergy, as well as homosexuality within The United Methodist Church.” (Added 8-30-2024)
“Arkansas United Methodist Conference, FUMCJ settle lawsuit” via KAIT. “In summary, the United Methodists were allowed to remain in their historic property at 801 South Main and were declared ‘the true First United Methodist Church of Jonesboro.’ The property is held in trust for the United Methodist Church in accordance with the Book of Discipline,” the release stated. See also “Methodist Battle Over” via TheFox104.9(Added 8-30-2024)
Post by Absalom Nuhu Kodei via Facebook. “I can confidently say that no one, regardless of their location or affiliation, has ever given me money to manage social media updates or bribed me to promote a particular agenda. I use my personal funds to purchase data subscriptions every two days, without expecting anything in return, because I am driven by my commitment to God and the truth.” (Added 8-30-2024)
“Opinion: It’s time for the prophets among us to stand up and speak out” by Mara Richards Bim via Baptist News Global. “I was recently with a group of pastors and laity from The United Methodist Church (the denomination I’m a part of). There, I lamented the fact that some pastors are afraid of addressing things like Christian nationalism within their congregations. I said something to the effect of, ‘I wish more pastors would address our current political climate from the pulpit.’ My message didn’t go over very well…” (Added 8-30-2024)
Post by Brad Elrod via Being UMC Arkansas Facebook Group. Shares details of the final settlement of the property dispute in Jonesboro. (Added 8-30-2024)
“Should Christians Across Denominations Be Singing the Same Songs?” by Kelsey Kramer McGinnis via Christianity Today. In 2015, the United Methodist Church (UMC) launched its CCLI Top 100 Project, which resulted in “green” and “yellow” lists of popular songs and a set of downloadable criteria. Nelson Cowan, who oversaw the project, told CT in 2021 that sung doctrine is more than just an affirmation of the “right” words, “it’s doctrine we are learning and inhabiting and feeling and processing through song.” (Added 8-30-2024)
“Why Shannan Martin Had to Leave Her Once-Beloved Church” by Katelyn Beaty. “A prominent leader at St. Mark’s had abused a 14-year-old in his former role as pastor of a Michigan church. A registered sex offender, he was now leading Sunday School classes where children and other vulnerable people were present. Then, the Martins learned that top church leaders knew, but had allowed the man to keep serving while not telling congregants of his criminal record.” (Added 8-30-2024)
“AME Church delegates name six new bishops while retaining same-sex marriage ban” by Adelle Banks via Religion News Service. “Rational arguments on the matter of sexuality, sexual orientation, same sex marriage, the structure of the family, and the meaning of male and female will not resolve the controversy because the issues have deep theological and psychological roots.” (Added 8-30-2024)
Post via Greater Northwest WCA (Facebook). “The Methodist Church in Fiji (MCIF) will take the necessary steps to terminate its bilateral agreement with the United Methodist Church (UMC) in the United States. This agreement was initially established to foster understanding of cross-cultural differences without compromising on one of the most significant issues: sexuality. Now that the UMC has changed its discipline to allow practices previously in question, the MCIF is moving forward with terminating the bilateral agreement.” (Added 8-30-2024)
“A Worldwide Journey” by Izzy Alvaran, Helen Ryde and Laura Young of Reconciling Ministries via UM Insight. “We are proud to say that our RMN staff provided organizing leadership in the years leading up to and throughout General Conference. And the work continues. Our journey to a fully inclusive and affirming Church includes a critical next stop: ratifying (at the annual conference level) the Worldwide Regionalization (WWR) petitions adopted by General Conference.” (Added 8-30-2024)
“Church opposes same-sex marriage” by Fiji Times. “Speaking to The Fiji Times during the church’s annual conference yesterday, general secretary the Reverend Jolame Lawasa reaffirmed the church’s stance on same-sex marriage and said it would have to “iron out some of the agreement” between the United Methodist Church (UMC) in America and the Methodist Church in Fiji.” (Added 8-30-2024)
Tweet by Protestia. “United Methodist Church “Bishop” Karen Oliveto is talking about “sin” in the weeeeeeeirdest way possible. Just wait till she gets going.” (Added 8-30-2024)
“Church alleges Rochester contractor cashed checks but did no work” by Kevin Oklobzija via Rochester Business Journal. “The complainant is West Avenue UMC, whose assets are being administered by the Board of Trustees of the Upper New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. The church property at 56 Chili Ave. no longer operates under an affiliation with the United Methodist Church.” (Added 8-30-2024)
“Jonesboro church resolves litigation over 2022 split; remaining congregation to keep buildings, bank accounts” by Frank Lockwood via Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. [paywall] Final resolution reached in Jonesboro, AR where a minority of members loyal to the UMC were allowed to retain the extensive properties. A new “First Methodist Church” thrives at a new location. (Added 8-30-2024)
“‘Petty and Vindictive’: West Virginia Sees United Methodist General Conference Aftermath” by Sarah Stewart via Juicy Ecumenism. “Many United Methodists in West Virginia’s Little Kanawha District were devastated by the changes made at this year’s General Conference. Local United Methodist leadership has done little to ease this pain.” (Added 8-30-2024)
“A History of (Un)Fair Representation in the UMC – A Conversation with Robert Sparkman” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “Rev. Sparkman was involved in general conference and jurisdictional conference-level activity aimed at reworking how his former denomination cut up the pie for representative groups inside and outside of the US. His history is replete with many examples of dirty politics. Many details and developments are lost to time, but Sparkman does an excellent job reconstructing much of the disappointing history that led to eventual split and splintering.” (Added 8-30-2024)
“Conference spotlights Methodism ‘on the move’” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. Coverage of the World Methodist Conference and the UMC’s role in it. (Added 8-30-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. Sharing a Judicial Council brief by William Lawrence arguing that conferences have illegally used Par. 2549 to allow churches to exit the UMC. (Added 8-30-2024)
“United Methodist Africa Forum Condemns Nigeria Incident” via UM Insight. “We want to thank the Government of Nigeria for protecting our Bishops and keeping them out of harm’s way. The Nigerian security acting professionally protected our Bishops from the evil plans of John Wesley Yohanna, the Wesleyan Covenant Association and the Global Methodist Church.” (Added 8-29-2024)
“UMC bishop clarifies threat of Global Methodist Church agitators in Nigeria” by Cynthia Astle via UM Insight. “The bishop said the agitation among the breakaway faction “seemed to be piling up,” so he decided to leave Adamawa State and return to Abuja in the company of an immigration official for protection.” See also this Tweet by Nigerian Immigration Service. (Added 8-29-2024)
“Zimbabwe Bishop: Immigration Incident in Nigeria Was for Safety, Not Visa Dispute” by Cynthia Astle via UM Insight. See also this Tweet by Nigerian Immigration Service. (Added 8-29-2024)
“The last of the mainline to fall, and they fell immediately over a cliff!” by Laura Martin via Light Enough. The United Methodist Church (UMC) was the last of the mainline to fall, and they fell immediately over a cliff! One could almost think that the article I link to below is some type of dystopian satire piece, but no – it is the UMC post General Conference 2024. This sentence alone: “Andromeda Woodworth (she/they), a white trans fem nonbinary queer ordained elder from North Georgia notes that…” (Added 8-29-2024)
“Nigeria Immigration Repatriates Zimbabwean Bishop Over Visa Violation” via Chinedu Eze via This Day. “The NIS was said to have apprehended Nhiwatawi in Yola, Adamawa State, after discovering he misused his tourist visa and breached immigration protocols.” See also The Herald, Earlier Herald Coverage about Nhiwatiwa’s Denial, Leadership News, (Added 8-29-2024)
“Church yet to decide on issue | US church’s bid to join MCIF delayed over same-sex marriage” by Eliki Nukutabu via the Fiji Times. “The Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma has not made a decision on its relationship with a partner church that accepts LGBTQ clergy and same-sex marriage. A Fijian church community from Nevada, USA, said they made a formal request for the Methodist Church to sever ties with the United Methodist Church (UMC).” (Added 8-29-2024)
“Impact Church’s former pastor, Olu Brown, announces bid for Georgia governor” by Shelia Poole via Atlanta Journal Constitution. “The Rev. Olujimi (Olu) Brown, founder and former lead pastor of Impact United Methodist Church in East Point, has announced he is running for Georgia governor in 2026. “I believe it’s time for a new face, a new voice and a new generation of leadership in Georgia who listens,” he said.” (Added 8-29-2024)
“D.C. Methodist church to rededicate J. Edgar Hoover window as sign of ‘racial oppression’” by Sean Salai via Washington Times. “Officials at Capitol Hill United Methodist Church said they plan to remove Hoover’s name from the window during the Sept. 29 service of “repentance and repair” for his role in jailing Black civil rights leaders in the 1960s.” (Added 8-29-2024)
“Nigerian United Methodists move toward new leadership” by Eveline Chikwanah via UMNS. See related Press Release. “An interim leadership team of bishops has guided United Methodists in Nigeria to nominate candidates for election to episcopal office in December. 995 delegates (about 74% of the number prior to the former bishop’s resignation) attended the sessions and discussed the agenda, with virtual support from Bishop John Schol. Attendees resolved to pursue all legal ways to recover and secure United Methodist Church properties, assets including funds and passwords.” (Added 8-28-2024)
Tweet via Nigerian Immigration Service. “NIGERIA IMMIGRATION SERVICE REPATRIATES A ZIMBABWEAN BISHOP, CITES VIOLATION OF IMMIGRATION LAWS.” Image of notice of Bishop Nhiwatiwa’s repatriation to Zimbabwe for violating the terms of his visa. (Added 8-28-2024)
“UMC bishop back in Zimbabwe after visa detention in Nigeria” by Cynthia Astle via Baptist News Global. “The incident marks the latest encounter in an ongoing conflict in Nigeria between church leaders loyal to The United Methodist Church and factions supporting the breakaway Global Methodist Church and former Bishop John Wesley Yohanna.” (Added 8-28-2024)
“Annual Conference meets online for August 2024 Special Session” via South Georgia Conference. “During a special called South Georgia Annual Conference session on August 17, 2024, clergy and lay members voted to ratify the departures of 106 congregations.” (Added 8-27-2024)
Video via UMC TV Ebenezer. Video from Bishop Nhiwatiwa explaining what happened during his visit to Nigeria. Underscores that he does not support same-sex marriage. (Added 8-27-2024)
“The Rainbow, Stained-Glass Dilemma” by Sally Haynes via UM Insight. “The answer isn’t for a harried denomination to wish that the LGBT+ clergy remain happily closeted and allow the Church to slam the door shut behind them. The real answer requires much more from each of us as United Methodist Christians. We must keep flinging the doors open as wide as possible, even if our arms get tired from holding those heavy doors open against fierce winds.” (Added 8-27-2024)
“Hands Off the United Methodist Church in Africa!” by Gabriel Banga Mususwa via UM Insight. “These divisive forces claim to be holy and righteous yet they are busy causing havoc, paying people to demonstrate in order to bring the name of the United Methodist Church into disrepute. We saw sponsored demonstrations in Zimbabwe, in Kinshasa of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and in Nigeria, where it has even become a lifestyle operating like criminal gangs. In Liberia the UMC bishop escaped beatings; in my own country, Zambia, my colleagues and I escaped beatings too. They’re ready to beat, even to kill, to grab membership and properties from the United Methodist Church.” (Added 8-27-2024)
“UMC Bishop Back in Zimbabwe after Being Detained in Nigeria on Visa Issue” by Cynthia Astle via UM Insight. “In a response to Insight’s email inquiry, Bishop John Schol, also on the episcopal team for Nigeria, refuted reports that Bishop Nhiwatiwa had been “arrested” as reported in some Nigerian news outlets (see links at end). Insight also asked Bishop Schol whether this incident would prevent the UMC’s team from supervising the Nigeria Episcopal Area but had received no reply by Aug. 28. However, Rev. Emmanuel said that Nigerian United Methodists have engaged legal services because of the incident involving Bishop Nhiwatiwa.” (Added 8-27-2024)
“UMC bishop detained in Nigeria over visa dispute amid Church leadership debate” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “The GMC has maintained that the Nigerian church body has affiliated with their denomination, with Transitional Connectional Officer Keith Boyette telling CP in an earlier interview that their information on the issue “came directly from those in positions of authority on the ground in Nigeria.” (Added 8-27-2024)
“WCA Sharpens Focus on Africa, the Philippines, and “Stuck” Congregations in the USA” by Scott Field via WCA. “You might think, then, that the next step would be for the WCA to turn out the lights, lock the doors, and dissolve the corporation. Well, not quite. The GLA last week took further actions to address the mission still to be completed.” (Added 8-27-2024)
“AME Church announces retirement settlement agreement during General Conference” by Adelle Banks via Religion News Service. “The African Methodist Episcopal Church announced a settlement agreement with a number of its clergy who had sued the denomination, accusing it of mishandling their retirement funds.” (Added 8-27-2024)
“Grandview Church lead pastor to step down from role at start of 2025” by Jenelle Janci via Lancaster Online. The pastor of a progressive church that disaffiliated announces her exit. (Added 8-27-2024)
“UMC Bishop Deported from Nigeria over Visa Issues” by Remember Deketeke via The Herald. UM Bishop Nhiwatiwa deported for doing religious business on a visit visa and returned to Zimbabwe. Bishop Mande Muyombo got involved according to this report. See also here. (Added 8-27-2024)
“United Methodists seek kindness in U.S. election season” by Cynthia Astle via Baptist News Global. “The study found that even post-disaffiliation, the United Methodist Church is still a very diverse denomination, theologically. politically and socially,” Crissman said in an interview. (Added 8-27-2024)
“Ratification process for constitutional amendments announced” via Resource UMC. “In consultation between the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church, the Commission on the General Conference leadership and the Secretary of the General Conference, a projected timeline has been developed from the proposed constitutional amendments from the recent 2020/2024 General Conference.” (Added 8-27-2024)
Video by Absalom Nuhu Kodei via Facebook. A Nigerian clergy posts a live video on the question of whether churches that left the UMC should leave their properties behind. (Added 8-27-2024)
“Happily Pausing Our Work” by Mark Holland (E-Mail PDF). “The Board of Mainstream UMC is thrilled with the outcomes of General Conference! We have taken the summer to reflect and review and we believe now is the time to pause our work while we keep an eye on the future.” (Added 8-26-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “I have posted a brief in reply to the opening brief submitted by the Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Lentz in the Judicial Council’s Docket 1024-05, the case in which the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church has challenged the constitutionality of changes made to the Book of Discipline in response to two petitions I submitted to the General Conference. You can access all the filings in this case of which I know by clicking on the link..:” (Added 8-26-2024)
“Bishop Nhiwatiwa Arrested in Nigeria” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). See other clips: “Recently Disaffiliated Church in Georgia Set Ablaze in Arson” and “Audience Question – Should Conservatives Invite People to Our Messed Up Churches?” (Added 8-26-2024)
“Alabama congregation founded in 1847 sues United Methodists, says it owns church building” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “The First Methodist Church of Demopolis, founded in 1847, says it has owned its own property throughout its history and has never signed a trust clause giving ownership to the denomination.” (Added 8-26-2024)
“Queer(ing) Matrimony in Community Link” via Facebook. “Eden Seminary [a UCC seminary in St. Louis] is starting a new cohort this fall. One of these is led by Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth. Led by a United Methodist and designed especially for United Methodist clergy who can now perform same-sex weddings, this is a great opportunity for learning in community. Cohort meetings are online.” (Added 8-26-2024)
“Nhiwatiwa Arrested in Nigeria Amid Promoting Homosexuality” by Remember Deketeke via The Zimbabwe Herald. The United Methodist Church has called upon relevant authorities to intervene swiftly to ensure the safe release of Bishop Nhiwatiwa, emphasizing the need for unity and adherence to democratic processes within the church community.” (Added 8-26-2024)
“Zimbabwean bishop arrested in Nigeria as United Methodist Church crisis deepens” by Great via Ozozoyin via Daily Post. “After several hours of detention in the Yola Immigration office, Bishop Nhiwatiwa was later confined to his hotel with guards before being taken to Abuja on Saturday 24 August 2024 in company of an Immigration officer to the Immigration Headquarters in Abuja Nigeria’s capital where he is currently detained,” The statement added. (Added 8-26-2024)
“Zimbabwean bishop arrested in Nigeria as United Methodist Church crisis deepens” via Zimbabwe Mail. “Nhiwatiwa who was in Nigeria to meet with the members of the church in order to kick start the process of electing a new bishop of the church in Nigeria after the resignation of the former bishop, John Wesley Yohanna, was reported to have been arrested in Yola, Adamawa State and whisked to the Abuja headquarters of the Nigerian Immigration Service.” (Added 8-26-2024)
“Nigeria Immigration Reportedly Detains Visiting Zimbabwean Bishop Of United Methodist Church” by “Zimbabwean Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa of the United Methodist Church has reportedly been detained by Nigerian Immigration authorities, despite having all necessary documents.” See also TGNews Coverage. (Added 8-26-2024)
“Why Zimbabwean Bishop’s Arrest in Nigeria Signals a Deepening Crisis in United Methodist Church” via Leaks Agency. “Zimbabwean Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa has been detained by Nigerian authorities, sparking further unrest within the United Methodist Church in Nigeria. The church urges immediate intervention.” See also NewsTelly coverage. (Added 8-26-2025)
“Understanding the Recent Nigerian Methodist Violence – A Conversation with Absalom Nuhu” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). (Added 8-26-2024)
“5 Ways Forward for Very Small Congregations” by Lovett Weems via Lewis Center for Church Leadership. UMC median worship attendance dropped to 38 in 2019: “Attendance declines mean there are increasing numbers of smaller churches each year. Faith Communities Today reports that the percentage of U.S. churches with attendance of 100 or fewer increased from 45 percent of congregations in 2000 to 70 percent in 2020.” (Added 8-24-2024)
“Mark Tooley Confesses Inaccurate Projections” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). See also “Bishop Quire Checked for Episcopal Overreach” and “Weekly Livestream: August 23, 2024” (Added 8-23-2024)
“Scholars share post-General Conference hopes” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “Educators from across the Wesleyan tradition met just ahead of the World Methodist Conference in Sweden. While the gathering dealt with a variety of topics, much of the discussion dealt with the aftermath of the United Methodist General Conference. The scholars heard about some of the impact of ending restrictions around LGBTQ people as well as more about the proposed regionalization amendments now heading to United Methodist annual conference voters.” (Added 8-23-2024)
“Transforming Congregations Ministry Update” via Good News. “The error and destructive path that progressivism and watered-down Scriptural teaching has had on the United Methodist Church is devastating. That’s why I’m excited for you to know more about the ministry of Transforming Congregations.” (Added 8-23-2024)
Post by John Meunier via UM Clergy Facebook Group. “…The question the UMC is wrestling with now is whether it wants to adopt a progressive orthodoxy regarding our theology of human sexuality or not. Is human sexuality an aspect of our theology that the UMC will embrace unity across differences or insist on replacing an attempt at traditional uniformity with the imposition of a progressive uniformity…” (Added 8-23-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “Another brief has been submitted to the United Methodist Judicial Council for consideration in its Docket 1024-05, a Request for Declaratory Decision (RDD) on whether or not changes made to the portion of the Book of Discipline that deals with local church closure are constitutional, or, as the RDD phrased it, are proper or permitted. The brief was submitted by the Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Lentz, and you can access a copy of it at this location on the Web: [link]” (Added 8-23-2024)
“Alabama Supreme Court denies rehearing on United Methodist churches wanting to leave” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “The Alabama Supreme Court on Friday denied a request for a re-hearing of its ruling against United Methodist churches that sued trying to leave the United Methodist Church and take their property.” See also coverage by Caleb Taylor in 1819 News. (Added 8-23-2024)
“August 2024 UMC Update” via Dalton & Tomich (YouTube). “Navigating the complexities of United Methodist denomination can be challenging for many churches. In this video, Dan Dalton explores the different pathways available to churches considering separation, provide practical and strategic advice to churches that may feel trapped or uncertain about their next steps, and finally, delve into whether merging with another church could be a beneficial solution for your congregation.” (Added 8-23-2024)
Post via Friends of the Global Methodist Church Facebook Group. “Since 2019, just shy of 8000 congregations in the US have left the United Methodist Church. Approximately another 2000 have closed. Combined, this represents a loss of approximately a third of the denomination in the US. (And that’s to say nothing of the international losses across multiple Central Conferences which are also enormous.) Want to know why people and congregations have and are continuing to leave the UMC in droves? Think it’s all about human sexuality? Simply put, it isn’t…” (Added 8-23-2024)
“Southern Baptist seminaries train 18.8% of US theology students” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “Beeson Divinity School at Samford University is an interdenominational theological program training students from 15 denominations at a Baptist university. Its students include Southern Baptists, and the school recently aligned with the Global Methodist Church to train future pastors for that denomination, which broke off from the United Methodist Church.” (Added 8-23-2024)
Delegation Official Report via Delegation Report on the Charlotte General Conference to the Liberia Conference of the UMC. Bishop Quire, a supporter of regionalization, has demanded changes to this report the Liberia delegation hopes to bring to their annual conference. (Added 8-23-2024)
Post by Harold Hughes via BeUMC Arkansas Facebook Group. “Coming Friday, September 6th! Quapaw Quarter UMC will be hosting a marriage celebration we are calling “Altar for All”. Know someone LGBTQ who couldn’t get married in their United Methodist Church? Well, you can renew your vows this evening as we celebrate the end of the Church’s wedding ban. And because we are so inclusive, straight couples are welcome, too. If you would like to get married and are LGBTQ, we would love to celebrate that this evening, too! WE do need to hear from you pretty soon, so you can be counseled by Pastor Mark McDonald. Oh, and it’s SOMA After Dark night, so the whole neighborhood will be celebrating!!” (Added 8-23-2024)
“A Progressive Interreligious Theological School” via Claremont School of Theology. A United Methodist seminary moves beyond its Christian scope to include Jainism, Islam, and other traditions. (Added 8-23-2024)
“Reconciling Ministries & the UM Commission on Archives & History Begin Re Education Campaigns” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “While many (not all) conservatives within the UMC are trying to convince one another that everything is going to be okay and nothing significant has changed, the institution of the UMC, alongside RMN, a special interest group, is plotting to bring about conformity throughout the denomination by a couple of new initiatives. In this short segment, I highlight to new initiatives aimed at normalizing gay culture throughout the UMC.” (Added 8-22-2024)
“2024 New Mexico Annual Conference” via UMNS. “Membership stands at 15,073, up (or down) (6,771) from the previous year. Worship attendance stands at 4,750, up (or down) (1,285). Church school attendance stands at 1,838, up (or down) (592). Professions or reaffirmations of faith for 2023 178, up (or down) (161) from 2022.” (Added 8-22-2024)
“2024 Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference” via UMNS. “As delegation leads, the Rev. Wendy Woodworth and Jan Nelson celebrated what it means to be fully recognized as LGBTQ+ children of God now in the church after the historic General Conference 2024. While there is room to celebrate, there was also an acknowledgment that healing needs to begin.” (Added 8-22-2024)
“Grace UMC in Thomasville constituted as South Georgia’s newest church” by Kelly Roberson via South Georgia UMC Conference. “The faith journey of this congregation began when Rev. Raynor, a then retired pastor, and other United Methodists in Thomasville found themselves displaced after their church voted to seek disaffiliation. In February 2023, this new body of believers found a space to meet at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Thomasville and have been meeting there weekly for worship, study, and discernment ever since.” (Added 8-21-2024)
Post by Izzy Alvaran via Facebook. A November 7 RMN training event focused on paving the way for LGBTQ Clergy. (Added 8-21-2024)
“Jefferson Knight: The Threat of the Global Methodist Church in Africa: A Call for Unity and Resistance” by Jefferson Knight via UM & Global. “The GMC has successfully recruited several key leaders from the UMC in Africa to assist in their mission, a move that threatens not only the unity of the church but also the very fabric of community life across the continent. Notably, Bishop John Wesley Yohana, the former Bishop of the Nigeria Episcopal Area, has joined their ranks, lending credibility to an organization whose agenda is increasingly perceived as divisive and destructive.” (Added 8-21-2024)
“Letters to the Editor: why our congregation parted ways with United Methodist” by Scott Muirhead via The Mountaineer (NC). “I had never anticipated that the church I have known for 40-years would itself become a servile political outfit that appears to be more interested in the feelings of queers and lesbians (and all the rest) than it is in parishioners who don’t constantly boast and bloviate about their sexual proclivities. On Black Camp Gap road in Maggie Valley you can find the Peachtree Community Church. A couple of years ago the congregation there declined the UMC’s saintly offer to transform their beliefs, and after 50-years severed their ties with the newly transformed UMC.” (Added 8-21-2024)
Tweet by Mark Tooley. “There are now nearly 8000 exited United Methodist churches. I underestimated.” (Added 8-21-2024)
“Commentary: General Conference delegate sees hope in decisions” by Molly Vetter via UMNS. “These words are included to promote exactly what they say and to clarify an expectation that was lacking in previous descriptions, which suggested the only criteria for evaluating a healthy relationship was whether you were legally in a heterosexual marriage or not.” (Added 8-21-2023)
“Methodist Theology, Blood, and the Atonement” by Riley Case via Juicy Ecumenism. “These are difficult days for United Methodists. Despite glowing optimism flowing from the 2024 General Conference, astute observers are concerned. We have lost some of our best churches and members through disaffiliation. The non-American membership, now more numerous than the American membership, is presently debating its own forms of disaffiliation and that is not always going well. There is a question whether the idea of regionalization can work, or, for that matter, will even be approved by various conferences.” (Added 8-21-2024)
“United Methodist Church court to hear questions on Alabama churches hoping to leave denomination” by Caleb Taylor via 1819 News. According to a UMC spokesperson, both the Kentucky and Alabama-West Florida conferences are asking the Judicial Council for a decision regarding the meaning, application and effect of ¶2549 of the Book of Discipline as it relates to a policy, process or method for United Methodist Churches to exit or separate from the denomination. The Alabama-West Florida Conference is also asking the Judicial Council whether it’s proper or permissible for a local church’s Church Council to form a petition asking the Annual Conference to close that church or whether this would conflict with church law regarding the role of that local church’s Charge Conference.” (Added 8-21-2024)
Tweet by Drew McIntyre. “I agree with @TaylorLoy here even though itinerancy has largely been good for me personally. A call system w/ episcopal oversight has the protections of itinerancy w/out the drawbacks. We need to live into the reality that the 1850’s are gone and not coming back. #umc” [Link to Tweet Thread by Taylor Loy on why he left the UMC for the Episcopal Church] (Added 8-21-2024)
“Prominent conservative Methodist publication Good News Magazine closing down” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “So, over the next few months we will be in the process of closing our office and one final edition of the magazine will be published after the first General Conference of the Global Methodist Church this September,” they said. (Added 8-21-2024)
Post by Steve West via Facebook. List of “twelve convictions” from a Stay UMC voice. (Added 8-20-2024)
“Former Methodist pastor sentenced to jail, probation after embezzling from Mitchell church” by Maunette Loeks via Star Herald (NE). “A former United Methodist Church pastor began serving a 90-day term in jail last week after a Scotts Bluff County District Court judge sentenced him on charges associated with embezzling from his local church.” (Added 8-20-2024)
“Outside Money Liberalized United Methodism?” by Mark Tooley via Juicy Ecumenism. “As a participant in the United Methodist wars since the late 1980s, including every governing General Conference since 1992 (except for 2024), I observed firsthand RMN’s expansion thanks to Arcus grants, especially at the 2012 General Conference in Tampa, Florida.” (Added 8-20-2024)
“Updated Docket” via UMNS. “The Judicial Council, The United Methodist Church’s top court, has added to its fall docket two items from the Northeastern Jurisdiction. The docket now has 11 items that the church court will consider when it meets in October.” ““May an annual conference create and adopt a rule to determine the eligibility of a delegate to jurisdiction and/or general conference who is actively serving and/or providing leadership in a denomination not in full communion with The United
Methodist Church?” (Added 8-19-2024)
Tweet by Jonathan Priebe. “At General Conference, the UMC adopted the position that marriage is permitted between “a man and a woman or two consenting adults.” We didn’t offer a theological answer for why this was changed, but I think the case can be made. So, I did my best. #umc” [link] (Added 8-19-2024)
“Police Take Over Premises of Popular Abuja Church After Service Turns Violent” via Legit (Nigeria). “The member added that the conflict arose from the church headquarters legalizing practices that are foreign to Nigeria’s culture. Speaking further, the member noted that some other members approved of the move, while others countered it, and this created a faction within the church.” See also Vanguard Coverage: “Police fire tear gas after fight erupts in Abuja Church over ‘alien practices from America’” Tribune Coverage: “FCT: Police fire tear gas into Abuja church as congregants fight dirty” (Added 8-19-2024)
Updated with PDF: “Pastor of Former United Methodist Church Flagship Church talks about Life with Cut Ties” by Carla Hinton via The Oklahoman. (Paywall). St. Luke’s Methodist Church’s senior pastor Bob Long talks about the house of worship’s experiences since its 2023 exit from United Methodist Church. First gay wedding request came just days after exit. (Added 8-19-2024)
“United Methodist Church court to face questions by churches wanting to leave, including Harvest” by Richard Everett via WDHN. “The United Methodist Church’s judicial court will take questions and attempt to clarify how Alabama churches wanting to depart from the denomination can do so. Dothan megachurch Harvest is among these churches disaffiliating from the UMC Alabama-West Florida Conference.” (Added 8-19-2024)
“Bishop: Dismissal of Church Exit Task Team” via Indiana UM Conference. “I have decided to cease the exploration of considering another Annual Conference process for congregations to exit The United Methodist Church. As previously discussed, the Indiana Annual Conference gave ample opportunity, from 2020-2023, for congregations to follow the formerly prescribed option to decide ministry apart from The United Methodist Church…” (Added 8-19-2024)
“Good News Concludes Operations” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “Rob Renfroe and Tom Lambrecht of Good News, an advocacy group within The United Methodist Church, penned an article to inform their audience of the plan to end operations now that the transition they undertook has been effected. In a spirit of gratitude, they acknowledge the body that hosted their ministry and the people who mentored them along the way. I salute them for their ministry and acknowledge the ways in which they blessed Methodism in these most recent decades.” (Added 8-19-2024)
“Church in nation’s capital seeks to remove plaque dedicated to J Edgar Hoover” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “The theologically progressive church will hold a “rededication” service for the stained-glass window on Sept. 29 and is planning to relocate the plaque to another part of the church’s property.” (Added 8-19-2024)
“Appeals Court Rules In Favor Of Former First United Methodist Pastor” by Edward Marlowe via WKDZ. “As such, the KCA stated there was “uncontroverted evidence” indicating Williams never exercised direct care or direct control over the children of First United Methodist Church. She did not work within the confines of the daycare, was not involved in the caretaking aspect of the children on a daily basis, and therefore, never had actual custody of the abused children.” See also WHOP. (Added 8-19-2024)
“United Women in Faith Report” by Kathleen Duncan via New Mexico UM Conference (p. 50). “Renamed as United Women in Faith, our members in disaffiliated churches have not felt left behind but
know they still have a place with us. Our Rename also create as a space to Recruit members of other faiths.” (Added 8-19-2024)
Post by Jimmy Boone via Facebook. Updated disaffiliation numbers including the August 17, 2024 South Georgia Special Session at which 106 churches were released. 7,935 departed to date. (Added 8-17-2024)
“Special Called Session – August 17, 2024” via South Georgia UM Conference. “During a special called South Georgia Annual Conference session on August 17, 2024, clergy and lay members voted to ratify the departures of 106 congregations.” The vote was 194 to 48 (80.2% in favor) via Zoom. (Added 8-17-2024)
“UMC Giving Drops Drastically After General Conference Coup” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “Giving numbers are starting to come out for the UMC and, to its credit, the GCFA board is making the numbers known. In this segment, I go through a portion of a UM News article (linked below) that details some of the content of their first meeting since the close of General Conference. Most salient of everything in the article is the report that giving significantly dropped in the last two months for reasons that I are not know. I float the theory that churches are no longer happy to support the UMC now that it has decisively sided with far left progressivism.” (Added 8-16-2024)
Full Sermon by Rushing Kimball via Allendale UMC (Facebook). Clips of this sermon by a preacher in drag make-up have been making the rounds on social media. (Added 8-17-2024)
“United Methodist court will take up questions raised by Alabama churches that want to leave” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “Among them are requests from the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church, where a group of more than 40 churches that wanted to leave the denomination claim the bishop “ran out the clock” on them, delaying their exit until a rule allowing them to leave and take property with them expired.” (Added 8-16-2024)
“A Parting Thank You” by Rob Renfroe and Tom Lambrecht via Good News. As we leave The United Methodist Church and as we conclude the work of Good News, we look at our lives and we are reminded of the words of the psalmist: “Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely, I have a delightful inheritance” (Psalm 16.5-6). (Added 8-16-2024)
“2024 East Congo Annual Conference” via UMNS. “After learning about regionalization, delegates reaffirmed their opposition to same-sex and human-animal marriage.” (Added 8-16-2024)
Post by Ande Emmanuel via UM Clergy Facebook Group. A pro-UMC Nigerian leader offers a Q&A and indicates legal battles will happen over disputed properties. (Added 8-16-2024)
“UMC Bishop Wallace-Padgett elected as new president of World Methodist Council” via UMC Council of Bishops. The new president of the World Methodist Council (WMC), an international organization that connects and represents over 80 Methodist, Wesleyan, and related Uniting and United Churches worldwide, is a bishop of The United Methodist Church: Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett. (Added 8-16-2024)
“After disaffiliation, rural United Methodist pastors aim to ‘make a way in the wilderness’” by Hannah Vinueza McClellan via EdNC. United Methodist clergy trained in yoga and other coping skills at the Duke Endowment’s 25th Convocation on the Rural Church, “Making Our Way in the Wilderness: Reconnecting with God and One Another to Do a New Thing.” (Added 8-16-2024)
“Beyond Soundbites (Reflections on General Conference)” by Michael Roberts via YouTube. “A Video Introduction to the Series, Beyond Soundbites and Towards Holy Conferencing (Reflections on General Conference), connectedinchrist.net. Topics in the written resources include abortion, marriage, ordination, Israel, giving, and more. There are also some comparisons between statements from the UMC and those from the GMC.” See also PDF and Wesley on Human Sexuality. (Added 8-15-2024)
“Bishop from Alabama elected president of World Methodist Council” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “Wallace-Padgett, who will be leaving her post in Birmingham on Sept. 1 after 12 years as bishop of North Alabama United Methodists, was elected on Wednesday at the meeting in Gothenburg, Sweden, said Danette Clifton, communications director for the conference, who is attending with Wallace-Padgett.” (Added 8-15-2024)
“Reconciling Ministries Shames Nigeria for Protecting Heritage” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “Reconciling Ministries Network, a special interest group underwritten by those like the Arcus Foundation aimed at facilitating theological degradation, continues to antagonize the faithful. Until recently, its primary attention was focused on westerners who failed to adopt the latest thing. Now that African Nigerians have had the audacity to reject them, RMN makes accusations against them. In this segment, I read their statement and then rehearse the reasons why RMN’s way of navigating the world is wrong and harmful.” (Added 8-15-2024)
“In a small rural town, Latter-day Saints and Methodists share a church. The arrangement keeps it from closing” by Mariya Manzhos via Deseret News (Utah). “As both congregations have declined in size over the years and struggled growing, sharing a church has become a way to sustain each other and stave off yet another church from closing its doors in a state that ranks the highest nationwide for people who seldom or never attend church, according to Pew Research Center.” (Added 8-15-2024)
“UMC Attendance Down 40% BEFORE 2023” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). Discussing a spreadsheet on UMC Decline, using UM Data information. (Added 8-15-2024)
Post via Friends of the GMC Facebook Page. [Meme] “In regards to the most recent Ask the UMC piece by Taylor Burton Edwards in which he ends the piece by saying “Disaffiliation is ended. Whether or how further separations may be processed remains to be seen.” (Added 8-15-2024)
“The UMC is Really… Ending Disaffiliation (Part 5)” by Taylor Burton Edwards via Ask the UMC. “However, two of these annual conferences — Kentucky and Alabama-West Florida — have also brought questions to the Judicial Council about whether or how Paragraph 2549 may be used in this way given the action of the General Conference to remove disaffiliation entirely from the Discipline… These two conferences and the Holston Conference have announced they will not process requests for departure or disassociation until after the Judicial Council rules on the matter. South Georgia appears poised to move ahead with processing a final round of departures on Aug. 17, 2024. Central Texas and Rio Texas have not, to date, stated publicly how they will proceed. Mississippi and South Carolina will not be finalizing departures until their 2025 annual conference. Disaffiliation is ended. Whether or how further separations may be processed remains to be seen.” (Added 8-14-2024)
“Bishop announces ‘New Era of Church Planting’” by Bishop Gregory Palmer via West Ohio Conference. “This new church launch in Mason will be done in collaboration with Resurrection, A United Methodist Church with multiple locations in greater Kansas City. This innovative approach between the West Ohio Conference, Great Plains Conference, and Resurrection will enable the new church in Mason to offer the Resurrection experience and access to Resurrection’s fruitful track record of intentional disciple-making and missional impact. This marks a significant step in maximizing the strength and resources between conferences, ushering us into a new era of church planting.” (Added 8-14-2024)
“Christians, Get the Hell Out of Unloving Churches” by John Pavlovitz. “Recently, I discovered that my former church (one that I adored and fully and joyfully gave nine years to as a pastor), has taken all The United Methodist Church language off of their website since the recent denominational split over LGBTQ issues. (As the UMC moves toward LGBTQ inclusion, local congregations opposing the move are leaving.)” (Added 8-14-2024)
Post via Taraba Daily Telegraph (Nigeria) via Facebook. “Bishop Johnwesley Yohanna of the Global Methodist Church (GMC) has called on members to remain calm and resolute in their faith amidst rising tensions with security forces. In a statement issued, Bishop Yohanna urged members to ‘not be disturbed’ by the recent harassment and arrest of some church members during worship services. He assured them that church officials are working to address the situation and find a peaceful resolution.
‘We are law-abiding citizens and will not take the law into our hands,’ Bishop Yohanna emphasized. ‘We will continue to serve God and support the administration of Governor Agbu Kefas in achieving its objectives.’ The bishop also reiterated the church’s stance on homosexuality, stating that it is ‘incompatible with Christian teachings” and that no member of the GMC will support or engage in such acts. We will continue to serve God and support the administration…without compromising our values,’ he said. (Added 8-14-2024)
“Bishop Schol to Nigeria” via Vimeo. Video message to Nigerians by the U.S. bishops placed over the nation. A call to return to the UMC. (Added 8-14-2024)
Overheard: “The South Georgia UMC Conference published the list of churches to be voted on in their Special Called Session this Saturday, August 17. The website is sgaumc.org and you click on “Special Called Session” in the blue box if you want to see the information. The total is 105 churches. South Georgia UMC currently has about 274 churches. In 2022, the Conference reported 503 congregations on umdata.org. I used Excel to sum the numbers for average worship attendance and membership for the 105 churches. (It’s all 2022 figures and worship includes both online and in-person). The attendance and membership numbers (assuming I inputted correctly) are both right at 20% of the totals for the Conference for 2022. That makes sense given that 105 is just over 20% of 503. So, the departing churches roughly reflect the Annual Conference. Just wanted to let you know what we’re seeing on the ground down here.” (Added 8-14-2024)
“Resolution Approving Departures of Local Churches” via South Georgia Conference. The list of exiting churches is published in advance of an August 17 special session. 106 of churches seeking exit. (Added 8-14-2024)
“Amid uncertainty, finance board plans for new day” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “During its inaugural meeting, the new board elected officers and granted funding to help with a tough situation in Nigeria.” Includes a summary of Nigeria situation. “”However, the trend in [apportionment] collections, especially in June and July, is worse than during the previous three years, and GCFA staff do not know why.” (Added 8-13-2024)
“‘Disaffiliation Ends Today!’ Well, kinda, sorta in most places. We’ll know for sure in October, or January, or, we think, for sure by June of 2025, but maybe later.” by Scott Field via WCA. Disaffiliation is not nearly so over as the UMC would like to believe. (Added 8-13-2024)
“UMC Fallout in Baltimore Washington Conference, Nigeria, & the Philippines” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “There have been a few developments all in one day. Three different regions are suffering the outworking of the dysfunction of the UMC:” (Added 8-13-2024)
“Great Plains Conference Seeks Prayers for Churches Affected by Disaffiliation” by Great Plains UM Conference (Facebook Video). “Rev. Jeff Clinger invites United Methodists in the Great Plains Conference to lift up churches who are still dealing with the strains and hurt from disaffiliation votes in their congregations. Jeff encourages us to lift up Coldwater Kansas United Methodist Church and similar churches across Kansas and Nebraska throughout the month of August.” (Added 8-13-2024)
“Geneva Methodist Church’s final service this Sunday” by Jim Langham via Berne Witness (IN). “Many members of the United Methodist Church in Geneva are still in disbelief. This Sunday, Aug. 18, will be their beloved church’s final day of services. Earlier in the year, the decision was made at the conference level to close the Geneva church…” (Added 8-12-204)
“Conservatives in the Great Deep” by Mike Powers via Juicy Ecumenism. Review of Conservatives in the Great Deep of the Methodist Church, 1900-1980 by Glen Spann (Francis Asbury Press, 2023). “Spann has presented a splendid example of scholarly research and a fair, critical analysis of the primary reasons that United Methodism, in its theological drift from exclusivity to relativity, increasingly has become irrelevant to a world that desperately needs the life-transforming, hope-filled message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” (Added 8-12-2024)
“Attending someone else’s ‘family reunion’” by Bishop Sally Dyck via UMNS. “While attending the British Methodist annual conference, Bishop Sally Dyck noted similarities as well as distinct differences with The United Methodist Church’s processes. The British Methodist annual conference is comparable in key ways to the United Methodist General Conference, but without Robert’s Rules of Order.” (Added 8-12-2024)
“DC church wrestles with FBI connection” by Jim Patterson via UMNS. “When Hoover took over the FBI, he was deliberate in making it reflect his white, Christian nationalist views,” Martin said. “He got rid of all the women who were special agents and all of the men of color, as well. He hired exclusively white Catholic and Protestant men to be FBI agents and to be the leadership of his FBI.” (Added 8-12-2024)
“2024 Liberia Annual Conference” via UMNS. A newly published summary of the February 2024 annual conference in Liberia: “[Bishop Quire] pointed out that the Way Forward Committee’s report will be discussed, and recommendations therein acted upon as part of the preparation for the 2024 General Conference.” (Added 8-12-2024)
Tweet by Reconciling Ministries Network. “For your weekend listening pleasure: an LGBTQ+ United Methodist musical – all available to hear online! Created by Mark Teagle, Music Director of Wesley UMC in San Jose, CA. https://youtu.be/nj1eV–M0J8?si=Z2poMnzroIkqbhxw… #faithfullylgbt #lgbtq #umc #unitedmethodistchurch” (Added 8-12-2024)
Tweet by Talbot Davis. [image outlining Arcus Foundation money used to fund change in the UMC] “Well, @megbasham helped bring much of what happened in my former #umc family into sharper focus. Of course, the “money well spent” will result in the loss of millions from the many of us now gone but I suppose one could call it that price of progress. @jhaskinscabrera”
“Conference connects global Methodist-Wesleyan family” via United Church of Canada. “Every five years, the World Methodist Conference meets as a global gathering of the Methodist-Wesleyan family. From August 13 to 18, 2024, the 22nd World Methodist Conference will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden.” (Added 8-12-2024)
“Horry County mother sues church claiming daycare worker allegedly abused her son” via WMBF (SC). “In a lawsuit filed on Aug. 6 by Sydney Moffitt, her 4-year-old son, listed as C.C. in the documents, was allegedly abused by a daycare worker, identified as 56-year-old Marsha Minges, at Child Development Ministry inside the First United Methodist Church in Myrtle Beach.” (Added 8-12-2024)
“Joyful Spirit Methodist Church to Host Open House for New Building” via Wadena Pioneer Journal (Minnesota). The people formerly of Wadena and Deer Creek UMC’s open a new building as a Global Methodist congregation. (Added 8-12-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. Posting his briefs before the Judicial Council in Alabama-West Florida’s challenge to petitions he authored and General Conference approved. (Added 8-12-2024)
“Belding United Methodist Church holds final service“” via WOODTV8 (Michigan). ““Seven years ago, (church leaders) were told by the conference that, ‘You probably should close, things are going downhill, membership is going down, money is going down, you probably should close.’ And the people that were here — there’s more then than there is now — said ‘We’re going to go until we can’t go anymore.’ And we’re at that point. We can’t go anymore,” said Rev. Melissa Wagner.” See also here and here. (Added 8-12-2024)
Post by Lauren Porter via Facebook. “Mississippi UMC has established a new church closure process (par. 2549) to leave the Mississippi Annual Conference. This policy became effective August 1, 2024. The deadline to use it is September 30, 2024. If you are in a church considering leaving the UMC or if you have friends or family in a church considering leaving the UMC, please pass this news on to them and to their church leadership.” (Added 8-10-2024)
“Understanding the Philippine Context, Walking in the Spirit – A Conversation with Luther Oconer” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken. “I got some great history of the region, and he helped me to understand recent statements from the United Methodist bishops in the area. It turns out there is a tumultuous history of schisms within Methodism there. We also talk a good deal about his charismatic leanings and how it is that he believes this is core and key, not only to living out our heritage, but also to reaching the world for Christ.” (Added 8-10-2024)
“Nigerian bishop leaves UMC amid disagreement over gay clergy decision” via Premier Christian News (UK). Coverage of the press release from the Council of Bishops about Yohanna’s exit. (Added 8-10-2024)
“UMC says ‘several hundred’ Nigerian churches will stay in denomination despite LGBT affirmation” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “A spokesperson for the UMC directed The Christian Post to a letter by Bishop John Schol, a member of the UMC interim leadership team for the regional body, which was written on Monday and posted online.” (Added 8-10-2024)
Post by Gabriel Long via Facebook. “Was conceding the denomination to the liberals and leaving most of the resources behind to start anew a bad idea? What are your thoughts? Im not necessarily agreeing with the instagram users point for the record.” (Added 8-9-2024)
“A new day in The UMC: From exclusion to embrace” by Nate Roark via UMC.org. Local churches urged to adopt inclusivity statement, use pronouns, etc. (Added 8-9-2024)
“Weekly Live Stream for August 9, 2024” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken. Weekly discussion of Methodist-related topics. (Added 8-9-2024)
“Petition for a Writ of Certiorari” by Baltimore-Washington UM Conference. A request that the Supreme Court of Maryland override a Appellate court ruling that dismissed the Conference’s interlocutory appeal in a property dispute with local churches seeking exit. (Added 8-9-2024)
“Nigerian Conflict and Chaos” by Thomas Lambrecht via Good News. “In the midst of this chaotic situation, the bulk of the Nigerian church is moving to the GM Church. Some individual congregations and pastors have yet to decide which way they want to move. Out of a church that most recently reported 600,000 members, several hundred thousand of them are moving to the GM Church. It will be a number of months until the dust settles and we know for sure what proportion of the UMCN is now GMC. This move of Nigeria is significant. It was done according to the laws of Nigeria, rather than by any process that is in the Discipline.” (Added 8-9-2024)
Post via Friends of the GMC Facebook Page. “Update in the litigation involving 37 local congregations against the Baltimore Washington Conference (BWC) of the UMC: the BWC has filed a petition for a Writ of Certiorari with the Supreme Court of Maryland. My educated guess is that the BWC is petitioning the Supreme Court to overturn the Appelate Court of Maryland’s recent dismissal of the Conference’s interlocutory appeal (dismissed for untimely/late filing).” (Added 8-9-2024)
“Appointment Announcement of 41 District Superintendents” by Bishop John Schol (PDF). Bishop Schol moves quickly to replace the cabinet members that left for the Global Methodist Church. (Added 8-9-2024)
Post by Absalom Nuhu Kodei via Facebook. Video of outside reporting related to the Methodist split in Nigeria. (Added 8-8-2024)
“Relentless Bureaucracy” by Jason Smith via Substack. “In a religious system that’s sole mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, I am deeply saddened by the way we have allowed our human tendency toward over-complication to compromise that mission.” (Added 8-8-2024)
“Pastoral Statement in the Light Emerging Secessionist Movements within our Community” by the Philippines UMC College of Bishops (PDF). An August 7 statement appealing for obedience to Disciplinary processes as the Philippines determines its future. (Added 8-8-2024)
Post by Tom Kent via Facebook. [Image of letter from UM bishops in the Philippines] “The split is now being felt more strongly in the Philippines.” (Added 8-8-2024)
Tweet by Shane Bishop. “I think the challenge for us Methodist types in this time of Disaffiliation and reorganization is to find a tribe but not become tribal.” (Added 8-8-2024)
“God’s Faithfulness in Times of Trial – A Conversation with Mark Weekley” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “During the days of disaffiliation, the Western North Carolina Conference of the UMC became somewhat more hostile than in previous years. Many churches, especially those with a certain amount of assets, came to find it quite difficult to walk through the provisions afforded by the Book of Discipline. Mark Weekley served such a church, which failed its vote to disaffiliate by two votes. He was then summarily reassigned to a two-point charge to finish out his time in the UMC ignominiously.” (Added 8-8-2024)
“Same-sex marriage is against Nigeria’s constitution and beliefs—Rev Dr Eunice Iliya” by Emmanuel Awari via Champion News. “Regarding the church’s properties, she emphasized that they remain in possession of UMC-N because all structures were built in the name of the church, and nobody has the right to change its signboards or transfer them to another church.” (Added 8-8-2024)
“Beyond the Schism: What’s Next for Mississippi’s United Methodists?” via the Clarion-Ledger. [paywall] “Mississippi United Methodist Bishop Sharma Lewis says she is now head of a “new denomination” as the group moves forward from the schism…” (Added 8-8-2024)
“Curtin UMC fights to stay” by Hunter Smith via The Express. “The congregation says unclear instruction and extortionate fees complicated the disaffiliation process, causing the church, whose worshipers are predominantly elderly, to fail to secede during the five-year window authorized for departures related to the ideological split.” (Added 8-8-2024)
Post by Dean McIntyre via Facebook. “From Will Willimon, author, professor, retired UM bishop: Someone told him that ‘the line between the Methodist Church and the Rotary (Club) was getting pretty thin. And the Rotary at least meets at a convenient time of the week and serves lunch.’” (Added 8-7-2024)
“United Methodist Disciplines: Possibilities and Anomalies” by David Scott via UM & Global. “Thus, part of the work that will need to be done around the General Book of Discipline is not just cross-cultural discussion of theological, educational, and legal systems. It will also involve cross-cultural discussion of risks, possibilities, and anomalies – deep level investigations into how different cultures understand the patterns and significance of occurrences within the life of the church.” (Added 8-7-2024)
“The Next Faithful Steps: A Guide for Reflection & Action After General Conference 2024” by Reconciling Ministries Network. “The Next Faithful Steps includes guides for four holistic, discussion-based sessions. Each lesson guide includes insightful summaries and information related to the outcomes and work of the General Conference as well as meaningful discussion prompts for use within a community.” (Added 8-7-2024)
“Atlanta pastor leans on personal story to fight for LGBTQ equality, social justice” by Shelia Poole via Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “As a teenager, the Rev. Andi Woodworth spoke out against the lack of racial diversity at a Christian youth camp. Decades later Woodworth is still speaking on that and a broader range of issues including support of the LGBTQ community, reproductive rights and social justice.” (Added 8-7-2024)
“Methodist schism leaves behind feelings of freedom, sadness in upstate New York” by Tyler McNeil via The Leader-Herald. “Rev. Bradley Chesebro spent more than two decades working in the United Methodist Church. He spent years mentoring other pastors. He followed directives to relocate across multiple communities. But as a result of a denominational schism, Chesebro now operates independently in Fulton County. The pastor’s ministry of three years, Foothills Worship Center of Johnstown, recently split from the mainline Protestant denomination. He, of course, views it the other way around.” (Added 8-7-2024)
“Has the 560K-member Nigerian Episcopal Area left the United Methodist Church over LGBT affirmation?” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “The Christian Post contacted both denominations for clarification on the situation, and both maintained that the Nigerian Episcopal Area belongs to them.” (Added 8-7-2024)
“Centre County churches in court as congregation seeks to disaffiliate” by Tim Durkin via WTAJ (PA). “The congregation of the Curtin United Methodist Church defended itself in court Aug. 6, against the plaintiff, Susquehanna Conference of The United Methodist Church, who believes that the members are unlawfully occupying the church.” (Added 8-7-2024)
“‘We are healing.’ Heartache and rebuilding two years after Methodists’ ideological split” by Julián Aguilar via KERA News. NPR “All Things Considered” interview with Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey. (Added 8-7-2024)
“Methodist Church Breakaway Faction Wants Investigation On Legalisation Of Homosexuality” by Lamini Chuye via AIT (Nigeria). “They also want Nigerian authorities to investigate those who remain in the United Methodist Church for propagating homosexuality.” (Added 8-7-2024)
“Alabama is the most religious state? Why that might be changing” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “United Methodists had been in a decades-long decline losing several million members from the 1968 through the 2020 pandemic before debates over whether to embrace LGBTQ rights finally split the church in 2022-23. The United Methodist General Conference that concluded May 3 voted to fully embrace same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBTQ clergy, reversing longstanding policy. A breakaway group, the Global Methodist Church, will maintain those prohibitions. United Methodists have also been closing down many of their historic churches, such as Uniontown United Methodist Church.” (Added 8-7-2024)
Overheard: With the reception of four Nigerian annual conferences by the GMC, we have two denominations claiming control over the same annual conference structures. Bishop Schol of the #UMC has claimed the votes to leave were not legitimate and has expressed his intention to appoint over forty new district superintendents. (Added 8-7-2024)
Post by Bob Phillips via Facebook. “In 2000, Jon Stryker, gay heir to a one-hundred-billion-dollar surgical supply conglomerate, launched the Arcus Foundation, a grant-making institution that soon became the largest funder of LGBTQ initiatives in the United States. But after legislative defeats like the passage of a 2008 California law banning gay marriage, Stryker’s foundation began devoting tens of millions of dollars to, in its words, “challenging the promotion of narrow or hateful interpretations of religious doctrine” within every major Christian denomination. Between 2013 and 2018, for instance, it gave over two million dollars to the Reconciling Ministries Network to “secure the full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the United Methodist Church,” the last mainline denomination still resistant to full affirmation of the entire rainbow panoply.” (Added 8-7-2024)
“Global Methodist Church Welcomes Bishop Johnwesley Yohanna and Recognizes Four Nigerian Conferences as Provisional Annual Conferences” by Diane Burnett via GMC. “The TLC also appointed four Nigerian leaders to serve as presidents pro tempore of the four provisional annual conferences – Rev. Alexander A. Sabo (Central Nigeria), Rev. Shagari Umar (Northeast Nigeria), Rev. Hassan Salama (Northern Nigeria), and Rev. Baziel Yoila Yayuba (Southern Nigeria). Presidents pro tempore provide day-to-day leadership for churches and clergy in their respective annual conferences…. Along with Bishops Scott J. Jones and Mark J. Webb, Bishop Yohanna serves as a general superintendent of the entire church. He will have continuing responsibilities related to overseeing congregations and clergy in Nigeria. However, the GM Church does not appoint bishops to serve as residential bishops. Bishop Yohanna has announced his intention to become a bishop emeritus once legislation on the episcopacy and superintendency is adopted by the GM Church convening General Conference and implemented.” (Added 8-7-2024)
“Three Reasons Why the Nigeria Peace Conference for Methodists Never Got Past Square One” by Scott Field via WCA. “The developments in Nigeria provide an illustration, in my opinion, of three underlying reasons that traditionalist, orthodox, evangelical Methodists in Africa and elsewhere are leaving the UMC behind in their pursuit of a better future.” (Added 8-6-2024)
“A Lay Delegate’s Guide to Understanding What Happened at the 2020/24 UMC General Conference [Firebrand Big Read]” by O’Dell Horn, Jr. via Firebrand Magazine. “As a first time United Methodist Church (UMC) General Conference (GC) delegate, I wanted to share with you what I journaled, supplemented by links to the real-time video plenary floor debates, so that you can fact-check the statements that I am making in this essay.” (Added 8-6-2024)
“Woman accused of stealing $51K from St. George Methodist Church over 4 years arrested by SLED” by Alan Hovorka via Post and Courier (SC). “Myers is accused of stealing $51,664.34 from St. George United Methodist Church in Dorchester County from February 2019 until July 2023, according to a SLED arrest warrant. Myers was employed by the church at the time and had responsibility over church funds, according to the warrant.” (Added 8-6-2024)
Tweet by Chris Ritter. “My guess: A big property battle is brewing as two groups each claim to be the legitimate sucessor of the Nigerian conferences. https://peopleneedjesus.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/schol-nigeria-august-5-2024.pdf” (Added 8-5-2024)
“Departing the UMC (2024 Version): Eight Suggestions for Sanity” by Bob Phillips via PeopleNeedJesus.net. “For churches deeply troubled by the clear future direction and revisions that are the new UMC, these suggestions.” (Added 8-5-2024)
Letter by Bishop John Schol (PDF). Letter to United Methodists of Nigeria: Annual Conference sessions voting to leave the UMC were not legitimate. Some imprisoned UM loyalists are like Peter and John in the Acts of the Apostles. (Added 8-5-2024)
“What comes next for the United Methodist Church?” by Cynthia Astle via Baptist News Global. “With continued rough seas on its horizon, the United Methodist Church will need a “whole lotta love,” as a rock song goes, to navigate a tsunami of changes.” (Added 8-5-2024)
“‘Disaffiliation’ and ‘What’s Next?’” via Due West Methodist Church. A disaffiliated congregation in Georgia outlines five denominational options they are considering. (Added 8-5-2024)
“UMCSC Trustees: One more round for Discernment Process” via South Carolina UM Conference. “The Trustees of the South Carolina Conference will continue to offer the Local Church Discernment Process as a means for local churches to determine whether they will separate from The United Methodist Church.nThe process, which concludes with a vote by lay and clergy members of the Annual Conference, will not continue after the 2025 Annual Conference… Requests for declaratory decisions on the constitutionality of the use of Paragraph 2549 – which historically has been employed to close churches that are no longer able to function as United Methodist congregations – are on the fall docket of the UMC Judicial Council. Any decision by the Judicial Council could affect the continued use of Paragraph 2549 as a means for separation.” (Added 8-5-2024)
Bishop Yohanna Welcome Letter by Keith Boyette (PDF). “Earlier today, the Transitional Leadership Council voted to receive you as an elder and clergy member of the GM Church and to recognize you as an active bishop of the GM Church effective July 29, 2024. Along with Bishops Scott J. Jones and Mark J. Webb, you will serve as a general superintendent of the GM Church. You will also continue to provide episcopal oversight to Global Methodist congregations and clergy throughout Nigeria. Additionally, today, the Transitional Leadership Council has confirmed the formation and commencement of operations of four provisional annual conferences in Nigeria, and appointed the persons identified below as presidents pro tem of the respective provisional annual conferences…” (Added 8-5-2024)
Post via Baltimore-Washington WCA (Facebook). “This morning, Bishop John Wesley Yohanna was welcomed as an active Bishop in the Global Methodist Church, and all 4 Nigerian Annual Conferences were received as a whole into the GMC. North Georgia and North Alabama will be mission partners with the 4 Nigerian ACs.” (Added 8-5-2024)
“EXCLUSIVE! Bishop Schol Reports on His Nigeria Encounter” by Cynthia Astle via UM Insight. “Bishop Schol provided the following account via email Friday morning (Aug. 2). It has been edited for readability only and is verbatim from the bishop’s email.” (Added 8-5-2024)
“The Nigerian UMC & the Danger and Power of Our Words” via Reconciling Ministries Network. “When former Bishop John-Wesley Yohanna of Nigeria Episcopal Area resigned last week amidst a flare of acrimony against The United Methodist Church, he did so in a way that exposed Nigerian United Methodists – especially those who are LGBTQ+ – to even more harm.” (Added 8-5-2024)
“Church members reject LGBTQ, exit UMC, join GMC” by Auwal Ahmad via Blueprint. Northern Nigeria hold conference: “The decision was made during a special call session held at UMCN Bachama, Tondolo District, Karim-Lamido local government, Taraba state weekend… “Delegates in session have unanimously voted that we in the UMC Northern Nigeria Annual Conference will move to join any emerging connectional Methodist denomination with all our properties. “We in Nigeria joined the United Methodist Church in 1985 with our property from EKAN Church.” See also “2022 Northern Nigeria Conference Annual Report” in which the conference votes to leave the UMC if teachings on human sexuality are liberalized. Similar post here. (Added 8-5-2024)
“Weekly Live Stream for August 2, 2024” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). Roundup of several Methodist topics, including GMC General Conference legislation. (Added 8-3-2024)
“Biblical Authority and the UMC Decline” by Jeff Chamblee via AFA.net. Radio interview becomes podcast episode: “The conversation also touches on broader themes of biblical authority and faithfulness. Both White and Rooney stress the importance of staying true to Scripture in the face of societal changes. ‘There is no more riding the fence. There is no more compromise,'” (Added 8-3-2024)
“Center for LGBTQ+ UM Heritage seeks board members” via Resource UMC. “United Methodist Bishop Karen P. Oliveto, in partnership with Dr. Ashley Boggan, the General Commission on Archives and History’s general secretary, has extended a call for applications for individuals interested in serving on the inaugural board of the Center for LGBTQ+ United Methodist Heritage.” (Added 8-3-2024)
“UMC bishops assign team to supervise Nigeria Episcopal Area” via UMC Council of Bishops. “The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church has assigned a leadership team to supervise the Nigeria Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church following the resignation of former Bishop JohnWesley Yohanna. In consultation with the West Africa College of Bishops and the chair of the West Africa Committee on Episcopacy, the UMC bishops approved the assignment of Bishop John Schol, Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa and Bishop Patrick Streiff as the interim episcopal team to serve the Nigeria Episcopal Area through December 2024.” See also Letter by Bishop Malone to the United Methodists of Nigeria. (Added 8-2-2024)
“Why the UMC & Other Liberal Churches are Doomed” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “David W. Scott wrote a helpful reflection on how to inform group identity and structure his denomination after the departure of folks like me. I strongly question the feasibility of such an effort, given the antinomian nature of those in charge. Lonnie Brooks’ piece projecting a future of infighting is referenced. Also, I look at Reconciling Ministries Network and its patron, the Arcus Foundation, as documented by Meg Basham in her new book, ‘Shepherds for Hire.'” (Added 8-2-2024)
“Owner of small-town newspaper accused of threatening to rape elderly church receptionist” by Graig Graziosi via Yahoo! News. “He allegedly called the church’s prayer lines multiple times to share his thoughts over a recent split in the Methodist Church for its stance on gay people in the faith.” (Added 8-2-2024)
“Drop in church attendance seen in Piedmont Triad” by Cassie Fambro and Dolan Reynolds via MyFox8. “The Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church says while the closure of the Centenary campus on West Friendly is sad, the overall impact of their churches remains strong. “Belief in God has not declined. The question becomes how do we express that in a religiously plural, deeply diverse and wonderfully democratic nation,” said Walker. (Added 8-2-2024)
“Two Cape Girardeau congregations to start sharing space in October” by KFVS12 (MO). “According to the churches, it is not unusual for a church to provide space for a congregation from a different denomination. However, it appears this will be the first time two distinct United Methodist congregations within the Missouri Annual Conference will take that step.” (Added 8-2-2024)
“Top Nigerian bishop quits united Methodist Church as Tsunami, triggered by a very ugly row over homosexuality rumbles on” via H-Metro. “The announcement came just a day after a group of members met in Harare and agreed to divorce themselves from the UMC. The ugly splits, which are now worldwide, are being caused by serious differences over homosexuality. The splinter group in Zimbabwe is led by Simon Mafunda and James Kawadza.” (Added 8-1-2024)
“A Steady Stream of New Churches” via Reconciling Ministries Network via UM Insight. “We’re celebrating a steady stream of new churches and communities making the decision to affiliate with RMN and engage in this continued journey as a Reconciling Ministry. These friends recognize this important moment in the life of the UMC and are stepping up to help lead – to model a Church that values and advocates for diversity, equity, full inclusion, and intersectional justice.” (Added 8-1-2024)
“David W. Scott – United Methodist Disciplines: Boundaries vs. Ideals” via UM & Global. “So, since discipline is ultimately about discipleship, ideals are often more useful than boundaries in clarifying the end toward which our church behaviors are oriented. Boundary setting may play an important part in helping us walk the path toward the goal of discipleship by preventing us from falling into ditches to the side of the path, but articulating our ideals of Christian discipleship must remain the primary focus of our disciplines.” (Added 8-1-2024)
“More Macon churches leave UMC over Bible betrayal” by Will Davis via the Monroe County Reporter. “Two more Methodist churches in Macon voted in the past week to leave the United Methodist Church (UMC) over the denomination’s embrace of homosexual “marriage” and “pastors”. The biggest, Martha Bowman church on Bass Road, which has over 1,000 members, voted by 87 percent to leave the denomination on Wednesday, July 24. Church pastor the Rev. Mark Magoni told the Macon Reporter he didn’t want to comment until everything was complete on Aug. 31.” (Added 8-1-2024)
“Oregon newspaper owner jailed in Alabama for allegedly threatening woman, 77, over Methodist church split” by Carol Robinson via AL.com. “The owner of a community newspaper in Oregon is in federal custody in Alabama, accused of making multiple threats of violence in Mobile, including threatening to kidnap, cage and rape a 77-year-old church secretary, according to court records.” (Added 8-1-2024)
“It’s a new day for Sedona United Methodist Church” by Verde News. “As you may know, there are now two Methodist churches in Sedona: The Global Methodist Church, which is the new, more conservative denomination meeting in West Sedona, and Sedona United Methodist Church which continues to meet at 110 Indian Cliffs Road. The United Methodist Church is a global church that transcends geography, borders, barriers, and differences. Founded on the understanding that God’s unconditional love is extended to all, we are people of faith who experience and extend the love and grace of God as we serve our neighbors near and far.” (Added 8-1-2024)
“Fort Davis congregation will vote on separating from the United Methodist Church” by Rob D’Amico via Big Bend Sentinel (TX). “The church council for the congregation decided to put the question on a ballot and announced in a newspaper ad that a vote would take place on August 11. However, the council backtracked and agreed to have a superintendent for the UMC El Paso district help conduct the election, and a date has not been decided yet.” (Added 8-1-2024)
Video via Facebook. Nigeria news report on the exit of Nigerian conferences from the UMC. (Added 7-31-2024)
“Gideons End Relationship with The United Methodist Church” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “With the decidedly progressive turn of The United Methodist Church being widely known and circulated, evangelical faithful groups around the country and the world are reassessing their relationship with the once great institution. Of those, the Gideons have become clear that they can no longer in good conscience walk in hand in hand anymore.” (Added 7-31-2024)
“Nigeria Bishop Aligns with Global Methodist Church, Leaves UMC” by Eveline Chikwanah via The Roys Report. “Yohanna announced in a July 29 press briefing that he is leaving and joining the Global Methodist Church, a breakaway denomination launched in 2022 by former United Methodists wanting a more conservative church. He submitted his resignation to the United Methodist Council of Bishops the same day.” (Added 7-31-2024)
“Nigerian bishop leaves UMC amid homosexuality schism; regional body’s future uncertain” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “Currently, the Global Methodist Church does not have any member churches or clergy in Nigeria. However, we are aware of the interest from churches and clergy in aligning with us. As the Nigerian church makes crucial decisions, we stand ready to collaborate with and support their leadership in any way we can.” (Added 7-31-2024)
Tweet via Reconciling Ministries Network. “Bishop John-Wesley Yohanna resigns as bishop of the Nigeria Episcopal Area after a long embroilment with the UMC in which the former bishop rejected the Church’s end to explicit anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination.” (Added 7-31-2024)
“Cone Health to purchase Centenary United Methodist Church on West Friendly Avenue in Greensboro” via Emily Mikkelsen via MyFox8. “The congregation will merge with another congregation and leave the church. The News and Record reports that the Northern Piedmont District of the Western NC Conference of the United Methodist Church is aware and assisting Centenary UMC with this process.” See similar coverage here. (Added 7-31-2024)
“From the office of Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai: Resignation of Nigerian Episcopal Area Bishop John-Wesley Yohanna” via Iowa UM Conference. “For more than twenty-five years, the Iowa Annual Conference partnered with The United Methodist Church in Nigeria to do mission and ministry in that region. That partnership ended in 2017. I am writing this letter in case any individual churches have maintained ministry relationships with the UMC in Nigeria… I ask that any individual church or ministry in Iowa which still has a mission partnership with Nigeria, pause any transfer of funds until further notice.” (Added 7-31-2024)
“Bishops, deaconesses and exits on court agenda” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “Both the Kentucky and Alabama-West Florida conferences are asking the Judicial Council whether Paragraph 2549, which deals with church closures, or some other Discipline provision can be used for churches to separate with property… Another item before the Judicial Council is a question of law from the Peninsula-Delaware Conference that deals with part of the aftermath of disaffiliations. The item asks whether retired United Methodist clergy serving in churches that are not United Methodist could be accused of violating church law. ” (Added 7-31-2024)
“Liberal-leaning churches are shrinking compared with many conservative churches” by Stephen Cranny via Deseret News. “This scenario has played itself out a number of times: two denominations with the same historical roots start moving in different directions and drifting apart. For example, the United Methodist Church is currently undergoing a painful divorce over sexual and gender minority issues.” (Added 7-31-2024)
“Nigeria’s United Methodist Church Joins Global Methodist Church Over Same-Sex Marriage Controversy” via Taraba News TV via YouTube. Nigerian coverage of UMC exit. (Added 7-31-2024)
“Nazarenes Faithfully Defend Covenant & Expel Activist” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “I have done some basic reporting on theological drift within the Church of the Nazarene. Their seminary has been tolerant of liberal drift, and their structure has been slow to correct those who preach against biblical sexual morality. A public ordained leader in the Nazarene crew, Dr. Thomas Oord, was openly teaching against biblical sexual ethics. He was brought up on charges, and his trial concluded last week.” (Added 7-31-2024)
“Nigeria bishop leaves United Methodist Church” by Eveline Chikwanah via UMNS. Announcing the decision, Yohanna said: “The cabinet of the Southern Nigeria annual conference in conjunction with the North East therefore reject (developments in the UMC) and we adhere to the biblical teachings and we are going to follow the body of Jesus Christ. I stand by the decision of cabinet and that is what I will abide by…. After his announcement about leaving the denomination, signage for the Global Methodist Church was erected at some churches and the episcopal offices at Mile Six, Jalingo, which is home to the church head offices, hospital and orphanage.” (Added 7-31-2024)
“Bishop Yohanna resigns; COB to appoint team to lead Nigeria Episcopal Area” via UMC Council of Bishops. Financial embargo recommended. “The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church has accepted the resignation of Bishop John-Wesley Yohanna as bishop of the Nigeria Episcopal Area. Bishop Tracy Smith Malone, president of the Council and other COB leadership are working with the West Africa College of Bishops and Episcopacy Committee to identify interim episcopal leadership for the United Methodists of Nigeria.” (Added 7-30-2024)
“‘No longer outlaws.’ Many Fresno Methodist church members celebrate new LGBTQ+ rules” by Gisselle Medina via Fresnoland. “Della Green Campbell, 82, doesn’t quite remember when she first started attending Fresno’s Wesley United Methodist Church. She thinks it was probably around her 30s, but definitely before she knew she was a lesbian.” (Added 7-30-2024)
“You’d think that after 50 years of listening, the message would have gotten through. Apparently not.” by Scott Field via WCA. “Beyond Nigeria, departing United Methodists are already meeting in Tanzania. And in Zimbabwe, a group estimated at 700 met on Sunday to begin forming a congregation of the Global Methodist Church. Côte d’ I’voire (Ivory Coast) has also voted to leave (1.2 million United Methodists) as has the Rwanda Provisional Annual Conference.” (Added 7-30-2024)
“The UMC Really is…Part 4: Speaking to the world with (closer to) one voice” by Taylor Burton Edwards via Ask the UMC. “Much has changed since 1972, including the rise of ‘culture wars’ in the United States and the overall composition of The United Methodist Church.” (Added 7-29-2024)
“Fremont Pride Sunday July 21, 2024” via Fremont UMC (YouTube). Scenes from a UMC congregation’s participation in the Portland Pride Parade. (Added 7-29-2024)
“United Methodism Next” by Jim Voigt via First UMC Lebanon, MO (YouTube). Sermon/Presentation on the changes in UM teaching. Congregation asked to give input on whether to allow/disallow same-sex weddings. (Added 7-29-2024)
“Church of the Nazarene expels LGBTQ-affirming theologian” via Religion News Service. “The church court stripped the Rev. Thomas Jay Oord, of Nampa, Idaho, of his preaching credentials and expelled him from membership in the 2.5 million-member global denomination… The United Methodist Church, to which the Church of the Nazarene is theologically akin (both trace their origin to John Wesley), underwent a major split over LGBTQ+ inclusion in the past two years, losing 25% of its U.S. churches and more recently all its churches in the Ivory Coast of Africa.” (Added 7-29-2024)
World Press Briefing on the Position of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria on July 29, 2024 by Bishop John Wesley Yohanna. “In view of the Special Called session on 24th July, 2024 where all delegates of the Nigeria Episcopal Area United Methodist Church took collective decision to exit the United Methodist Church we wish to inform the general public that we have unanimously exited the United Methodist Church and join the Global Methodist Church.” (Added 7-29-2024)
Post by Harry Kawana via Facebook. Includes video of a press conference by Bishop John Wesley Yohanna announcing Nigeria’s exit from the UMC and joining of the GMC. Rejects regionalization. (Added 7-29-2024)
“There Is Almost No ‘Liberalizing Religion’ in the United States” by Ryan Burge via Graphs About Religion. “What is really stunning is the fact that even among Democrats, going to church more makes them more likely to believe that individual morality is more important to God than societal problems. In other words, the more Democrats go to church, the more they look like Republicans.” Related article: “There’s just no two ways about it – people who are more religiously active are significantly less likely to describe themselves as liberals. That’s the case for every racial group as well – this transcends these categories.” (Added 7-29-2024)
“US Churches to hold prayer vigil ahead of Netanyahu visit” via Independent Catholic News. “Colleen Moore, Director of Peace With Justice at the General Board of Church and Society, the social justice agency of the United Methodist Church added: ‘For decades, the United Methodist Church has called for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land and worked for a just and durable peace in the Middle East. Today, as Prime Minister Netanyahu prepares to address Congress, we continue that work by calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel and for all people in the Holy Land to seek full respect for human rights and freedom from military occupation.'” (Added 7-29-2024)
Post via Friends of the GMC Facebook Group. An anonymous post from pastor getting ready to move from the UMC gets many comments. (Added 7-29-2024)
Overheard: Richmond Hill UMC near Savannah, Georgia voted 80% to leave the UMC under the South Georgia Conference’s disaffiliation plan. (Added 7-29-2024)
Post and Post by Ande Emmanuel via Facebook. Repeating the disputed claim that only 10% of the UMC in Nigeria is leaving the UMC, in spite of the fact that the bishop and cabinet are leaving, and offering a list of clergy he says are staying UMC. (Added 7-29-2024)
Post by Jolly Markus, Absalom Nuhu, Bauta Enock (X2) via Facebook. Nigerian congregations celebrating what they consider to be their first Sunday as part of the Global Methodist Church. (Added 7-29-2024)
“Queering the Church: The Struggle Continues, Reflection, Chris Wylie, Methodist Elder, 6/16/24” by Kairos Center (YouTube). Upper New York Conference Elder discusses being bi, pan, and queer. (Added 7-29-2024)
“Pastor Comes Out As Drag And People Accept it (WOW)” by Elijah Zielke via YouTube. “we dive deep into “The Gospel vs. Drag: Where Do We Draw the Line?” Join me as we explore the controversial topic of a United Methodist Pastor who has come out as a drag queen. This video hits close to home, both literally and spiritually, as it challenges our understanding of the gospel and what it truly means to live out our faith.” (Added 7029-2024)
“United Methodist Rift with the Gideons” by Wyatt Flicker via Juicy Ecumenism. “The longstanding relationship between The Gideons International and the United Methodist Church (UMC) has reached a breaking point following the UMC’s recent General Conference.” (Added 7-29-2024)
“My church is closing, and I don’t know what comes next — for me, or America” by Ryan Burge via Deseret News. “What I was seeing in the data was unmistakable and mapped perfectly onto what I was seeing every Sunday — mainline Protestant Christianity was in near free fall, and the numbers of nonreligious were rising every single year.” (Added 7-29-2024)
“Considering Charlotte Ep 15 – Developments at Jurisdictional Conferences” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “The band got back together again to talk through recent developments in The United Methodist Church. After a number of American jurisdictional gatherings, alongside a host of developments on the continent of Africa, there is a lot to digest. In this episode, we talk about the rhetoric of the UMC and what seems to be the state of the body at the representative level. We talk about the overrepresentation of a certain segment of the demography of the UMC at the expense of others.” (Added 7-27-2024)
“Judge rules against breakaway Jonesboro church in dispute with United Methodists over property” by Frank Lockwood via Arkansas Democrat Gazette. [paywall] (Added 7-27-2024)
Overheard: “The Appellate Court of Maryland denies the Baltimore-Washington Conference’s Motion for Reconsideration which asked the Appellate Court to change their ruling dismissing the BWC’s interlocutory appeal. Thus, the interlocutory appeal is completely defeated. Now litigants are waiting for Judge Michael Malone to rule on the BWC’s Motion for Summary Judgment. If BWC’s Motion for Summary judgment is denied, a 5 week jury trial is (tentatively) scheduled for January 2025.” (Added 7-26-2024)
“Price of landmark Mount Vernon Place church reduced to $600,000” by Ed Gunts via Baltimore Fishbowl. “The seller is the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church, based in Fulton, Maryland… Conceived of as a ‘Cathedral of Methodism,’ the church was designed by Thomas Dixon and Charles L. Carson and is considered a prime example of Victorian Gothic architecture.” (Added 7-26-2024)
“Division and Unity in the United Methodist Church” via To the Contrary (PBS). “The United Methodist Church has undergone through important changes in the last few years due to disagreements over LGBT issues. To The Contrary speaks with experts, church leaders, and day-to-day churchgoers about the split in this special documentary episode.” (Added 7-26-2024)
Post by Ben Horrocks via UM Clergy Facebook Group. “I continue to posit that the greatest adaptive issue and challenge facing our connection are deep, pervasive, and legitimate trust deficits. While the Apex Report in 2010 delineated some of these issues, its focus was more descriptive than prescriptive It also lacked theological reflection and depth. In contrast, the Church of England issued a report this year that is descriptive, theological, and prescriptive….” [link] (Added 7-26-2024)
Post by Asabi Ali via GMC Nigeria Episcopal. Countering claims that Bishop Yohanna is a retired bishop trying to hang onto power. The true heirs of the Nigerian conferences are being debated as the dissident group is loyal to the UMC and those in the UMC-recognized structure seem to be headed to the GMC. (Added 7-26-2024)
“Prominent Theologian Faces Church Trial for LGBTQ Affirmation” by Charles Douglas via The Meridian Times. “The Rev. Thomas Jay Oord, a prominent theologian and ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene, is scheduled to face a church trial on July 25, 2024, in Boise, Idaho. The trial centers around accusations that Oord has promoted doctrines contrary to the denomination’s teachings and has engaged in conduct unbecoming of a minister by advocating for LGBTQ affirmation.” (Added 7-25-2024)
“Harvest vs United Methodist just got an official trial date” by Christian Jones via WDHN. “During today’s status hearing, members of both parties appeared before Judge Christopher Richardson, who informed them that their trial would take place in March of next year.” (Added 7-25-2024)
“Rebuilding Methodism” via IRD (E-mail). “The John Wesley Institute (JWI) needs your help! IRD’s United Methodist battles are over. Now we work to build up Wesleyan/Methodist theological education in America, for both the church and society!” (Added 7-25-2024)
Updated and Expanded Summation (7-25-2024, 4pm): [Disclaimer: Nigeria is notoriously difficult for Westerners to understand. This is my best attempt to gather what is happening. See also this primer for background information.] A special session of the Southern and Northeast Annual Conferences of the Nigeria Episcopal Area met on July 24, 2024 at McBride United Methodist Church in Jalingo, Taraba State. The cabinet members from all four Nigerian conferences were also present and the delegates present took the opportunity to act upon their recommendation to leave the United Methodist Church and join the Global Methodist Church. According to this video (6:00) Bishop John Wesley Yohanna affirmed the decision of the cabinet at that meeting. According to Absalom Nuhu Kodei, these votes were unanimous but aspirational and will need to be followed by due process in both denominations. The original purpose of the called session was negotiated reconciliation with the Ande Emmanuel dissident group. Bishop John Schol was visiting Nigeria from the USA to see if he could help unify the factions and solidify the relationship with the United Methodist Church. Nigerian cabinet members refused to meet with Emmanuel and his group unless that meeting was preceded by an apology. The reconciliation meeting was considered postponed and those clergy who wished to return to good fellowship were instructed to do so through their district superintendents. It was because of this abortive status of the meeting that delegates from two of the Nigerian conferences did not attend. Not only did Bishop Schol’s mission at reconciliation fail, he was also met with impassioned protests about homosexuality and proposed regionalization. (Video, Video) An established group rejecting Bishop Yohanna and committed to the UMC, led by Ande Emmanuel, complained about lack of access to Schol during the visit. Emmanuel stated those Nigerians aligned with Bishop Yohanna represent only 10% of the Methodists, a dubious claim. (Absalom Nuhu Kodei offers a detailed breakdown of the various factions here, indicating that 60 of the 400 Nigerian clergy side with Ande Emmanuel’s group.) The demonstrations accompanying Schol’s visit raised concerns in the Nigerian government which monitors religious unrest very closely. Bishop Schol was said to have been questioned at length by two different government agencies and accompanied by government officials during the remainder of his visit. Several Nigerian UMC Facebook sites and groups are changing to the GMC insignia. (Added 7-25-2024)
Post by Absalom Nuhu Kodei via Facebook. “….[Two Nigerian Conference] have only indicated their interest in joining GMC, and this interest has a process that must be followed. For now, it is not permitted to use the GMC logo officially as signboard until the procedure is finalized and the Council of Bishops has officially confirmed it in writing. This is the clear update.” (Added 7-28-2025)
“Is There Room in the Church for Polyamorous Priests?” by Kirk Petersen via The Living Church. “This is not a previous era’s war over homosexuality, but rather a present-day struggle over polyamory — “many loves.” A broader term is “consensual nonmonogamy” — relationships where everyone involved knows about and consents to a lack of exclusivity in sexual or romantic expression.” (Added 7-25-2024)
“2024 North Katanga and Tanganyika Annual Conferences” via UMNS. “The purpose of going through the decentralized structure was to help delegates understand the rationale of regionalization and think about the next step, which will happen next year on ratification in the Tanzania, Tanganyika and North Katanga annual conferences.” (Added 7-25-2024)
“Judicial Council Docket Item 1024-06: United Methodist Women, d/b/a United Women in Faith (“UWFaith”) respectfully requests the Judicial Council to issue a declaratory decision on the meaning, application, and effect of ¶¶ 2512 and 2501 of The Book of Discipline of The UMC (“Discipline”) in Relation to a Claim of Property Ownership by the Liberia Annual Conference of The UMC.” via Resource UMC. “United Women in Faith (“UWFaith”) respectfully requests the Judicial Council to issue a declaratory decision on the meaning, application, and effect of ¶¶ 2512 and 2501 of The book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church (“Discipline”) in Relation to a Claim of Property Ownership by the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.” (Added 7-25-2024)
“Judicial Council Docket Item 1024-08: Petition from the Northeastern Jurisdiction Conference on Meaning, Application, or Effect of ¶ 48 of the 2016 Discipline Related to the Assignment of a Bishop to to Annual Conferences Across Two Jurisdictions” via Resource UMC. “Petition from the Northeastern Jurisdiction Conference on Meaning, Application, or Effect of ¶ 48 of the 2016 Discipline Related to the Assignment of a Bishop to to Annual Conferences Across Two Jurisdictions.” (Added 7-25-2024)
“Judicial Council Docket Item 1024-09: Bishop’s Ruling of Law in the Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conference” via Resource UMC. Review of Bishop Easterling’s ruling that a clergy serving a disaffiliated church equates with a voluntary withdrawal from the UMC. (Added 7-25-2024)
“Judicial Council Docket Item 1024-05: Use of ¶ 2549 Related to Petitions to Annual Conference Requesting Church Closure” via Resource UMC. “The Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference requests a Declaratory Decision from the Judicial Council Pursuant to ¶ 2549.2b of the Discipline, as amended by Petition 20159 at the postponed 2020 General Conference, is it proper or permissible for a local church’s Church Council to form a petition asking for the Annual Conference to close that church or is it in conflict with the church law around the role of the Charge Conference of that local church
especially Section XI of the Constitution and ¶¶ 244.1, 246.1, and 252?” (Added 7-25-2024)
“Judicial Council Docket Item 1024-04: Use of ¶ 2549 for Making Policies for Exit or Separation of Local Churches” via Resource UMC. “The Alabama-West Florida Conference requests a Judicial Council Declaratory Decision regarding the meaning, application, and effect of ¶ 2549 of the Book of Discipline as it relates to a policy, process, or method for United Methodist Churches to exit or separate from the
denomination.” (Added 7-25-2024)
“Judicial Council Docket Item 1024-3: Removal of Par. 2549 Disaffiliation Process” via Resource UMC. “Motion that the Kentucky Annual Conference request a Declaratory Decision on the expiration
of ¶ 2553 and the action of the General Conference to remove that Paragraph from the
Discipline, can our Conference utilize ¶ 2549 or some other provision of the Discipline as a
pathway for the exit of local churches from The United Methodist Church?” (Added 7-25-2024)
Tweet via UMNS. “The #UMC Judicial Council has released a nine-item docket for its fall session. Briefs are due Aug. 23 and reply briefs are due Aug. 28.” (Added 7-25-2024)
“Beyond the Purple Church with Jack Haberer | Episode 194” via Church & Main Podcast. “Jack Haberer returns to talk about his latest book, “Swimming with the Sharks: Leading the Full Spectrum Church in a Red and Blue World.” Using encounters with sharks as a metaphor, we explore the divisive forces in society and the importance of empathy in bridging divides. Jack challenges binary thinking, encourages partnership over proselytizing, and emphasizes biblical teachings on love and compassion.” (Added 7-25-2024)
“The Progressive Fundamentalism of the PCUSA” by John Stonestreet via Daily Citizen. “According to a recent article in World, a major American denomination could soon make “affirming” LGBT ideology mandatory for clergy. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (PCUSA) voted nearly two to one to effectively require candidates for ministry to endorse homosexuality and related practices if they wish to be ordained.” (Added 7-25-2024)
Post by Jeremiah Swen via Facebook. “Fellow United Methodists and friends of the Church, the Liberia Annual Conference has experienced an increased trend of religious extremism, misinformation and disinformation, threats and disunity all in the quest of provoking disaffiliation within The United Methodist Church. To defeat these aggressive campaigns, we have embarked on educational outreach: informing local churches about the true meaning, purpose and impact of Regionalization, the definition of marriage and other resolutions from the just ended 2020 General Conference. These outreach efforts are intended to better equipped local churches as we move toward Ratification in 2025.” (Added 7-25-2024)
Post by Absalom Nuhu Kodei via Facebook. Nigeria: “In total, almost 400 clergy members, including district superintendents, support Bishop Wesley, while fewer than 60 support Ande. I find it hard to understand why Ande would claim on this Facebook page that only 10% of members are loyal to Bishop John Wesley – that’s a blatant lie. I believe the 10% refers to Ande’s own supporters, not those loyal to Bishop Wesley. I assure you that everything I’ve said is true. If I lied, I would face God’s judgment. I’m providing this report with an honest heart, and I will not spread misinformation, even if I disagree with someone. It’s sad that Ande is engaging in this behavior.” (Added 7-25-2024)
“Drama As Church Members Protest In Gombe, Disown Faction Promoting LGBTQ Rights” via Tori.ng (Nigeria). “Hundreds of United Methodist Church (UMC) members in Gombe State have demonstrated against a factional group alleged to be advocating for LGBTQ rights and regional autonomy.” (Added 7-25-2024)
Updated: Press Conference Video, Shared by Henry Kanawa via Facebook. An announcement on behalf (more than one?) Nigerian conference that they are leaving the UMC and joining the GMC, leaving with their property. See also post by Harry Kanawa which contains this video in which Bishop Yohanna says he stands behind the decision (See 6:00 and following). For a primer on the complexities of Nigerian Methodism, click here. For a 7/24 refutation by Ande Emmanuel, click here. The UMC Nigeria Facebook Group has been changed to the GMC Insignia. See a list of UMC Africa Episcopal Areas and their related conferences here. (Added 7-24-2024)
Post by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (Facebook). “So the Methodists in Nigeria just declared independence from The United Methodist Church. Bishop John Wesley Yohanna made a pronouncement on the floor of their special called conference (mandated by Bishop John Schol, who was just escorted out of Nigeria yesterday), saying that it is their intention to join the Global Methodist Church…” (Added 7-24-2024)
“Nigerian Episcopal Area Announces Intent to Leave the UMC and Join the GMC” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “Big developments in Nigeria today as Bishop Yohanna announces his intention to take his flock to the Global Methodist Church.” (Added 7-25-2024)
“Affirmation Newsletter Archive” via Archive.org. A collection of newsletters from the 1970’s and 1980’s from the LGBT Advocacy Group in the UMC. (Added 7-24-2024)
“UMC Pastor Cites ‘Ennegram 8’ and Her Astrological Sign as to Why She ‘Collects Enemies’” via Protestia. “Led by Rev. Dr. K Karpem and Rev. Lea Matthews, they are a loud and proud United Methodist Church whose progressive values are ‘reflected in our advocacy for LGBTQ+ inclusion, racial equality, and environmental stewardship.'” (Added 7-24-2024)
“United Methodist Church disowns group over alleged contrary belief” by Auwal Ahmad via Blueprint (Nigeria). Coverage of Bishop Schol’s visit aimed a reconciliation. On the dissident (Ande Emmanual, Stay UMC) group: “[Bishop Yohanna] said because of their action, UMC in Nigeria ruled that they were not part of the church. “They are not recognised as members, and they have no function as far as UMCN is concerned,” he said. He added that the coming of Bishop John Schol was to see whether they can bring them back, but the district’s superintendent said no because there are procedures in the book of discipline and the factional group exited the church for over three years. On the position of same-sex marriage, the bishop reiterated the position of the church which describes the act as unholy.” (Added 7-24-2024)
“6 Opportunities for Churches with Aging Memberships” by Lovett Weems via Lewis Center for Church Leadership. “The over-representation of older people in churches is not new but has become more pronounced in recent decades.” (Added 7-24-2024)
“Brooklet UMC elects to depart from United Methodist Church denomination” via Grice Connnect. “This departure marks a significant and difficult choice for the congregation. This departure is set to be approved by the United Methodist South Georgia Conference at a special Annual Conference on August 17th and becomes effective September 30, 2024.” (Added 7-24-2024)
“Special Statement of Caution to all United Methodists in Liberia” via West African Writers. “Most importantly, fellow United Methodists, as traditional people, we are taught to accord respect and dignity to elders and leaders of our community. We observed on social platforms that there was no respect given our Bishop by Clergy and Lay members of the Gompa District Conference when he (Bishop Quire) went to meet with them on June 27, 2024 in Nimba County. Bags of water were thrown at Bishop’s vehicle while others intended to hit on Bishop physically. All of us Cabinet members strongly condemn this violent behavior meted against Bishop Quire.” See also a Statement by the Episcopacy Committee. (Added 7-24-2024)
Post by Asaneth Silas Paris via GMC (Gombe Media) Radio 91.9 FM (Facebook). “Commenting on the issue, the Bishop of United Methodist Church Nigerian episcopal area, Yohanna JohnWesley explained that , the special session Conveyed to address the crisis that have been lingering for long in the church, hence the coming of a representative of Council of Bishops from the United States of America , Bishop John schol to meditate on the on issues.” See also here and this unsubstantiated report that the Central and Northern Conferences have joined the GMC. (Added 7-24-2024)
“Abundant Joy After Loss” by Morgan Howe via GMC. “However, as hard as it was, many did walk away, and Beyers and most of the church’s staff followed. One week after the failed disaffiliation vote they all settled into a roomy gymnasium that a local Baptist church opened to them. On their first Sunday, 235 people were in attendance, and less than two months later, Wesley Methodist Church (a GM Church congregation) was chartered with 331 members and $1 million committed to mission and ministry. Beyers serves as the new congregation’s senior pastor and as a presiding elder in the North Georgia Conference of the GM Church.” (Added 7-24-2024)
Post by Ande Emmanuel via Facebook. A post complaining that the official Nigerian UMC faction is holding Bishop Schol “hostage.” He seems to be upset that Bishop Schol is working with Bishop Yohanna on his visit, rather than the Southern faction of the church. [To view a refutation of these claims, see here.] (Added 7-24-2024)
“Another small liberal arts college has closed, but this time it was mine” by Anne Mitchell Wisnant via Faith & Leadership. “My undergraduate alma mater, Birmingham-Southern College, a small United Methodist-related liberal arts school in Birmingham, Alabama, closed forever May 31 — at the end of its 168th year. The end came abruptly, when the Alabama state treasurer denied the college’s application for a $30 million state loan.” (Added 7-23-2024)
“How North Central Jurisdiction handles assignments” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “While both Bard and Bigham-Tsai will be assigned to Illinois Great Rivers for four years, the plan is for Bard — who also leads the Michigan Conference — to have primary responsibility in the first two years. During those years, the conference expects to finish its gracious-exit process for churches wishing to depart The United Methodist Church.” See also Farewell Message by Bishop Beard. (Added 7-23-2024)
“US sees big changes in bishop assignments” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “In a history-making development, two bishops will lead conferences across jurisdictional lines. It’s a significant milestone for a system initially designed 85 years ago to prevent bishops from one geographic region from overseeing churches in another region. The new assignments demonstrate the growing collaboration among U.S. United Methodists. Still, the denomination’s top court is facing questions about whether this development is in line with The United Methodist Church’s constitution.” (Added 7-23-2024)
“Commentary: Putting hope in the ‘harder thing’” by Ginger Gaines-Cirelli via UMNS. “‘Big Tent’ or ‘Big Table’ church is biblical; it is countercultural; it is profoundly Wesleyan. It is doing the harder thing — the Gospel thing. The going trend in the church and in the world is to jump into polarized bubbles, to discount or discard people who make us uncomfortable or angry. But regionalization keeps us meaningfully connected across differences and invites us to remain on the journey together as we all seek growth in holiness and love.” (Added 7-23-2024)
“Wakeley speaks out about United Methodist ruling on gay clergy” by Pat Hill via Pikes Peak Courier. “Whether we like it or not, the larger church has decided to go in this direction, to be inclusive, to focus on building community rather than defending a doctrine,” said Jeff Wakeley, pastor of Mountain View United Methodist Church in Woodland Park. “Now each church can either go along with it or go their separate way.” (Added 7-23-2024)
“UMC Bishops: ‘We aim to become a more agile and efficient church’” via UMC Council of Bishops. “Starting September 1, most US bishops will serve multiple annual conferences and remain attentive to the missional needs and opportunities of each conference and episcopal area. Additionally, two bishops will serve across Jurisdictional lines – one bishop from the Southeast Jurisdiction will also serve a conference in the Northeastern Jurisdiction and one bishop in the Western Jurisdiction will also serve a conference in the South Central Jurisdiction. This is a first in The United Methodist Church!” (Added 7-23-2024)
Overheard: Bishop John Schol was questioned by Nigerian immigration officials for three hours, under suspicion of causing unrest. The Department of State Security separately interviewed him for three hours and will accompany him for the remainder of his trip to make sure he is safe and that he leaves the country. See video of unrest here. (Added 7-22-2024)
Post by Bob Phillips via Facebook. Tribute to Bishop Frank Beard, who is going on long-term disability leave. “The ‘benign contempt’ many traditional members have endured elsewhere was not the plan of the day for him. His almost immediate announcement after General Conference that IGRC would offer a revised and fair means of separation was a final witness to integrity (that other lesser types may seek to undo once he is gone). Pray for him and his family, for wholeness, joy and a continuing witness for Christ.” (Added 7-22-2024)
“West District to Hold Post-General Conference Information Sessions” via Illinois Great Rivers Conference (PDF extract from e-mail). “Significant changes were made by the United Methodist denomination’s legislative body, the General Conference, in 2024…. congregations considering leaving the denomination must attend one of these sessions in order to satisfy the first step in the Exit Process.” (Added 7-22-2024)
Post by Ibrahim Zuppai via Facebook. “Dr. John Schol: I write to you as a Nigerian Methodist. Your coming to Nigeria is highly hypocritical. You say you want peace and unity here, but you have worked hard to destroy peace and unity in the USA. You have helped oversee the splitting asunder of the once mighty UMC in the USA. Please go home and show us unity in the US before trying to preach unity to Nigerians…” See also here. (Added 7-22-2024)
“Monday, July 22 Morning Briefing” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (Locals). Subscriber only content. “Today I am reviewing footage from Bishop John Schol’s visit to Nigeria. It isn’t going well.” (Added 7-22-2024)
Post by Henry Kanawa (Facebook). Video of Nigerian crowd of demonstrators confronting Bishop Schol. “The situation reports in Northern conference annual conference Nigeria…Bishop Schol is NOT welcome in Nigeria… No regionalization.” See also here and here. (Added 7-22-2024)
“WCA Offers Guidance for Trapped Unhappy United Methodists” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken. Rev. Scott Field, head of the Wesleyan Covenant Association, posted an article, “Plan B for United Methodist Churches,” aimed at encouraging and equipping those who find themselves unable to leave The United Methodist Church without losing all of their buildings and assets. In the article, we are provided with a couple other links to helpful articles and videos aimed at resourcing people and churches. To read the article and peruse the links yourself, go to https://wesleyancovenant.org/2024/07/…” (Added 7-22-2024)
“REVIVE Series “Session 1: Sexual Holiness and Relational Apologetics” – Debra Baty” via WCA (YouTube). “Topic (Session 1): How can we answer questions and accusations regarding sexual holiness in ways that build closer relationships with family and friends, and encourage them to look to Jesus? It has become easy to dismiss the Biblical Christian sexual ethic as “-phobic” or hateful, yet there are ways we can call these false assumptions into question, and deepen our connections with those around us. The Lord is drawing people to Himself out of the chaos of sexuality and gender in our culture, and we will share examples in this talk.” (Added 7-22-2024)
“Liberia: Stand with Us in Prayer” via PeopleNeedJesus.net. A call to prayer from an annual conference in turmoil. (Added 7-22-2024)
Post by Bill Trench via Facebook. “Literalism and Evolution: The Legacy of the Scopes Trial”: “In many ways the story of the trial is a parable with particular relevance for the current struggle over LGBTQ inclusion in the UMC and in other denominations as well as the efforts of the Republican party to curtail trans rights.” (Added 7-22-2024)
“As a scholar, he’s charted the decline in religion. Now the church he pastors has closed its doors” by Peter Smith via AP. “The church’s American Baptist denomination is part of a cluster of so-called mainline denominations — Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran and others that were once central in their communities but have been dramatically shrinking in numbers.” (Added 7-22-2024)
Post by Alfred Kwabena Mensah via Facebook. A Liberian pastor posts about Isaac Simmons (aka Penny Cost), a certified candidate for ministry from the Illinois Great Rivers Conference currently a church-subsidized seminarian. (Added 7-20-2024)
“How To Think Like A Human” by Richard Bryant via UM Insight. “Love is a self-generating gift from the Cosmos. We do not create love. Love is a byproduct of the universe itself.” (Added 7-20-2024)
“Along the Way: Agnostic?” by Steve Harper via UM Insight. “His response is one that I make for myself nearly sixty years later, ‘I claim rather that an immense amount has been added to the true teaching of Jesus—which surely must determine what is essential Christianity—and that accretions to it have, in many cases, become substitutes for it.'” (Added 7-20-2024)
“In the Wake of Vandalism: A Call to Action” via Faith UMC (Rockville, MD). [Photo] “This is the sixth vandalism incident targeting our pride flag and our reconciling (fully inclusive) stance this calendar year. As incidents escalate, we at Faith believe it is necessary to call on our neighbors and friends to fully embrace the call that we understand from Jesus – a call that is common to many faith traditions – a call to love God and neighbor.” (Added 7-20-2024)
Tweet by Drew McIntyre: “The Mainline: “Why are we dying?” Also the Mainline:” [Video of Lutheran pastor rejecting the Great Commission in Matthew’s Gospel.” (Added 7-20-2024)
Post by Michael Schultz via Facebook. Image of a letter from a church in Monticello, Mississippi to the wider congregation informing them that same-sex weddings will not be held in their sanctuary. (Added 7-20-2024)
“Weekly Friday Afternoon Live Stream for July 19, 2024” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). Weekly discussion of Methodist topics. (Added 7-20-2024)
“Christian communities face growing political divide” by Judy Woodruff via PBS. Long-form feature of a Baptist and United Methodist Church in Geneseo navigating the exodus from religion and American political divide. (Added 7-20-2024)
[Updated with PDF] “United Methodist bishops set, steady leadership sought for U.S. church after splintering” by Liam Adams via The Tennessean. [See also PDF] Coverage of the election of two new bishops and reassignments and realignments in the jurisdictions. Mentions unrest in Africa. (Added 7-20-2024)
“WCA Offers Guidance for Trapped Unhappy United Methodists” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “Rev. Scott Field, head of the Wesleyan Covenant Association, posted an article, “Plan B for United Methodist Churches,” aimed at encouraging and equipping those who find themselves unable to leave The United Methodist Church without losing all of their buildings and assets. In the article, we are provided with a couple other links to helpful articles and videos aimed at resourcing people and churches. To read the article and peruse the links yourself, go to https://wesleyancovenant.org/2024/07/…” (Added 7-19-2024)
“United Methodists Elect a Third Openly Gay, Married Bishop” by Yonat Shimron via Ministry Watch. Religion News Service article on the Western Jurisdiction episcopal elections. (Added 7-19-2024)
Tweet via Reconciling Ministries Network. “”Hall also is openly gay, and until recently that fact would have prevented him from being ordained in the United Methodist Church. That changed last month when the United Methodist Church General Conference voted to lift its ban on LQBTQ+ clergy.” https://savannahnow.com/story/lifestyle/faith/2024/06/11/with-united-methodist-ban-on-lgbtq-clergy-lifted-new-opportunities-arise/73987974007/” (Added 7-19-2024)
“Methodism’s American History – Doctrine, Spirit, and Discipline with Kevin Watson” by Andy Miller III via More to the Story Podcast (YouTube). Starting at 43:45, there is a discussion of what went wrong in Methodism. (Added 7-19-2024)
“God Did Not Save Donald Trump” by Shane Claiborne via UM Insight. “If our theology does not make us more loving, then we should question our theology. In the words of theologian Barbara Brown Taylor, ‘The only clear line I draw these days is this: When my religion tries to come between me and my neighbor, I will choose my neighbor … Jesus never commanded me to love my religion.'” (Added 7-18-2024)
“EP Methodist church’s new pastor finds, and extends, an inclusive welcome” by Joanna Werch Takes. “I had come out to my congregation from the pulpit in 2019 after the Conference that they had in St. Louis,” McCullough said. At a 2019 special session of the General Conference, the top policy-making body for the international United Methodist Church, delegates voted 438-384 to keep language that banned ordaining LGBTQ clergy. (Added 7-18-2024)
“Monitoring and the New Morality within United Methodism” by Riley Case via Juicy Ecumenism. “We can speak of inclusiveness and a big tent and loving one another, but the reality is that we have been and are deeply divided. But won’t it be better for United Methodism now that one-fourth of U.S. churches have disaffiliated?” (Added 7-18-2024)
Post by Alfred Kwabena Mensah via Facebook. “Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth and his Husband Christopher Hucks-Ortiz are two openly practicing homosexuals. Bridgeforth is an Ordained Elder United Methodist Church as well as a consecrated Bishop. Is this the community of faith we should be in communion with?It is a shame for us as a church to reach this point!! (Added 7-18-2024)
Post by Harry Kanawa via Facebook. “Thus photos are LGBTQ persons. Bishop Schol from America and Jefferson Knight….Bishop Schol sent Jefferson from Liberia to test the ground for him before his arrival. Jefferson is right now in lagos preparing ground for their pay master Bishop Schol with some persons in Nigeria. The Nigeria authority should keep watch on Jefferson from Liberia and why is he in Nigeria….” (Added 7-18-2024)
“Nigerian Methodists Alerted to Institutional Interference” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken. Comments on a Facebook Post in which Yayuba Bazel Yoila tells Jefferson Knight that he is not welcome in Nigeria to promote regionalization. (Added 7-18-2024)
“Plan B for United Methodist Churches” by Scott Field via WCA. “There is a dawning recognition among laity in most of these situations that, at best, their pastor or District Superintendent or Bishop has ‘misrepresented’ the decisions of the General Conference and their impact on local churches. They’ve been told that there is ‘nothing to worry about” and “the changes in the UMC won’t affect you here in this church’ and ‘we’ll protect you so that your church can just go on as you have in the past.'” (Added 7-18-2024)
“UMC benefits org drops 34 church leaders who paid into program after disaffiliation” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “A United Methodist Church organization dedicated to providing financial support for the families of deceased pastors has dropped over 30 members who have paid into the program because their churches left the denomination.” See also Tweet by Talbot Davis. (Added 7-18-2024)
“Barn Boards & Baling Wire” by John Sumwalt via Agri View. “Among the 30 or so children who came to the chancel every Sunday for the children’s moment in the last church I served, there was a little girl who was discovering she was really a little boy. I cannot imagine what that must be like but I know it happens all the time…” (Added 7-18-2024)
“Rather than disafilliate, a Methodist church in Hooks has closed its doors following new UMC rules on gay clergy” by James Bright via the Texarkana Gazette. “A local church has closed following a decision by its governing body that would allow gay clergy and gay weddings in the organization.” [UM Data shows First UMC of Hooks, TX with 2022 membership of 237 with average attendance of 48). (Added 7-18-2024)
“David W. Scott – United Methodist Disciplines: Discipline and Discipleship” by David Scott via UM & Global. “Non-adaptable portions of the Book of Discipline are binding on all branches of the church. Clearly in the non-adaptable portion of the Book of Discipline is the Constitution, the Doctrinal Standards and Our Theological Task, the Ministry of All Christians, and the Social Principles.” (Added 7-18-2024)
“Newest UMC bishop has Kansas roots” by David Burke via Great Plains Conference. As shared by UMNS: “Bishop Stoneking follows Bishop Karen Oliveto and Bishop Cedric Bridgeforth as the third openly LGBTQ episcopal leader in the Western Jurisdiction and in the United States. She was appointed to succeed the retiring Bishop Oliveto as episcopal leader of the Mountain Sky Conference, which includes the entire states of Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado, as well as a small portion of Idaho.” (Added 7-18-2024)
“United Methodist-Episcopal Dialogue to begin next steps toward churches’ full communion” via Episcopal News Service. As shared in UMNS Daily Digest. (Added 7-18-2024)
“The UMC Really Is… (Part Three): Reinstating Some Clergy” by Taylor Burton Edwards via Ask the UMC. “Under the terms of this newly adopted process, the persons affected by these previous actions have until May 15, 2025 to file an official request to have their full membership, provisional membership or license for ministry reinstated and their certificates of ordination or consecration (if surrendered) returned to them by the annual conference.” (Added 7-18-2024)
“UMC Elects Its Third Gay Bishop” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (Youtube). “For some, it may be a surprise to learn that The United Methodist Church has already installed two gay bishops. A third was just elected last week. In this segment, I read some of the UMNews article about her and give some additional information about her and the Western Jurisdiction of the UMC. Take note that bishops in the UMC are bishops of the whole church, so United Methodists in Africa, the Philippines, and the rest of the world now have their third gay bishop.” (Added 7-17-2024)
“Bishop Quire Becoming a True Autocrat” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken. “In this segment, we go through a list of actions Bishop Quire has purportedly initiated that are outside of his purview as a bishop in The United Methodist Church, and I spend a little time giving some background. Here’s a link to the original post: / rr7p6gujig78b5ab ” (Added 7-17-2024)
“The Mission of the United Methodist Church is Advancing in Nigeria!” by Ande Emmanuel via Facebook. [Grain of Salt Warning] Refers to a March 31 “Path Forward” agreement. See also “Ande Emmanuel Rebuked & Fined in Court” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (Youtube). (Added 7-17-2024)
“Nostalgia Isn’t What It Used to Be (And It Might Be Making You Sick)” by Kellen Roggenbuck via UM Insight. “This rose-tinted view of the past blinds us to the Church’s historical shortcomings. We forget the exclusion, the discrimination, and the rigid dogma that alienated countless souls. While reminiscing about packed pews, we overlook the empty hearts that sought solace elsewhere.” (Added 7-17-2024)
“UMC bishops condemn divisive rhetoric and political violence” by UMC Council of Bishops. “We urge all United Methodists to denounce the divisive rhetoric and violence pervading our society and work towards creating paths of reconciliation, dialogue, and nonviolent solutions to our differences. May we love one another and build bridges towards peace and unity.” (Added 7-17-2024)
“Leading African United Methodism in Troubling Times: Lessons from King Rehoboam” by Jerry Kulah via Firebrand Magazine. “However, there is an ongoing massive effort by some politically influential and economically powerful liberal United Methodists who are taking advantage of the poverty-stricken condition of most African annual conferences to compel some of their leaders to ensure that United Methodist annual conferences be denied any rights to decide their own future.” (Added 7-16-2024)
“Kingdom, ‘Kin-dom’ and the Supreme Power of Christ” by Wyatt Flicker via Juicy Ecumenism. “Much like the pseudo-modalism of the sanitized Trinity, preaching the “kindom” of God sacrifices Christian orthodoxy for a relativistic and deracinated faith, prioritizing a vague sense of inclusiveness over authentic Christianity.” (Added 7-16-2024)
“UMC elects third openly gay bishop; first since UMC changed rules” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. Outside the UMC, Christian coverage of United Methodism’s third bishop in a same-sex marriage. (Added 7-16-2024)
Press Release by Sara Isbell and Anish Hermon via Illinois Great Rivers UM Conference. “The Illinois Great Rivers Committee on the Episcopacy (IGRCOE) is delighted to announce the assignment of TWO new bishops to the IGRC. Bishop David Bard and Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai will begin their joint episcopacy on September 1, 2024.” (Added 7-15-2024)
Post by Yayuba Bazel Yoila via Facebook. “The High Court in Jalingo, Taraba State on July 15, 2024, has issued its ruling on the lawsuit brought by Rev Ande I Emmanuel and Others against Bishop Yohanna and the Incorporated Trustee of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria Episcopal Area. The Court has dismissed the case and Award a fine of (#300,000), Three hundred thousand to be paid, By Ande and others.” (Added 7-15-2024)
Post by Peter Sayekwee via Facebook. “Bishop Samuel Jerome Quire, Jr., I am sorry for calling you PHARAOH, and a DICTATOR. I am sorry for those harsh words I have used in expressing my stance on the issues at hand. You are my bishop. I am serving under your supervision and guidance. You are God’s anointed. You deserve my highest respect…” (Added 7-15-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. While pleased with those elected, Lonnie is critical of the Western Jurisdictional Conference’s use of closed meetings in the election process. (Added 7-15-2024)
Post by Janet Lord via Facebook. Corey Comperatore, the bystander who lost his life during the assignation attempt on President Trump, was a member of Cabot Global Methodist Church (PA) where. Jonathan Fehl is the pastor. (Added 7-14-2024)
“Displaced Oklahoma United Methodists say they’ve found peace in ‘lighthouse’ churches” by Carla Hinton via The Oklahoman. [Paywall] (Added 8-14-2024)
Post by Gehleigbe Bobson Bleh via Facebook. “Can two walk together, unless they agree..”
Amos 3:3. After 27 years of fruitful ministry in the UMC, we withdrew our membership today to remain faithful to Biblical Doctrine, which has been the basis of our faith in Jesus Christ for 41 years!” (Added 7-14-2024)
Post by Alfred Kwabena Mensah via Facebook. A list of alleged illegal actions by Bishop Quire of Liberia as he continues to deny requests to call a special session. (Added 7-14-2024)
Overheard: The Illinois Great Rivers Conference will share Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai with Iowa AND Bishop David Bard with the Michigan Conference. Details yet to be worked out, but Bishop Bard will have primary responsibility for the first two years and Bigham-Tsai for the second two years. Indiana will receive Bishop Tracey Smith-Malone. Bishop Dan Schwerin will serve Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. Bishop Hee-Soo Jung will serve Ohio. Bishop Plambeck will serve Dakotas and Minnesota. See here. (Added 7-13-2024)
Overheard: North Central Jurisdiction episcopal assignments to be announced during closing worship, 11:30 am or so. Streaming here. See also Day 3 wrap-up. (Added 7-13-2023)
“‘A faithful decision’: Malvern church sells historic building to give more to community” by Katrina Markel via KMTV (Iowa). “Rev. Melissa Drake is the Aldersgate District Superintendent, which includes Malvern. She says a relatively small number, five percent, of United Methodist congregations in Iowa closed last year, but she sees Malvern’s story as a happy one.” (Added 7-13-2024)
“United Methodists in Georgia to have one bishop after reorganization” by Shelia Poole via Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “The United Methodist Church, embattled by disagreements and the loss of many of its congregations in the past two years, is reorganizing its North and South Georgia conferences into one episcopal area with one bishop.” (Added 7-13-2024)
“United Methodist Church Elects Third Openly Gay Bishop in Western Jurisdiction” by Tracy Simmons via Favs News. “The Western Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church has elected the Rev. Kristin Stoneking as its newest bishop. Stoneking, an openly gay and married professor of United Methodist studies at the Pacific School of Religion, was elected on July 12 in Spokane.” (Added 7-13-2024)
“Fairmont area United Methodist Churches realign amid schism and financial woes” by Madelyn Moore via Times West Virginian. “The church realignments come from recent changes in the greater United Methodist Church on theological bases, but also in the face of financial and membership hardships. These partnerships provide support for each church’s independent stability while also creating opportunities for a larger ministry to the community.” (Added 7-13-2024)
Post by David Housholder via Facebook. “Family movie night at Surf City Church (founded 1904) in Huntington Beach CA. The UMC wants to close the church (“not viable” and “just a few old people”) they can sell the property to a developer and pocket the money. Does CalPac really want to close their fastest growing congregation? Record Sunday attendance we haven’t seen in many years these last two weeks! Adult baptisms coming in August!” (Added 7-13-2024)
“U.S. Jurisdictions Realign” by Cynthia Astle via UM Insight (e-mail). “We write this week’s Insight newsletter with Carly Simon’s “Anticipation” ringing in our ears, as U.S. Jurisdictional Conferences still have a day to go. While only the Western Jurisdiction will elect new bishops to existing episcopal areas, the other four jurisdictions have realigned their regions to meet the reduced total of 32 active bishops set by the 2024 General Conference…” (Added 7-13-2024)
Post via United Methodist Queer Delegate Caucus (Facebook). “Oh we love these two, the Queer Lay delegates of the Indiana Conference — and QDC members — Alisa Isaacs-Bailey (she/her) and Alberto Hidalgo (he/him).” See also related Jurisdiction Conference coverage on this page. (Added 7-13-2024)
“Will the Church of the Nazarene Split Over LGBTQ Normalization?” via Conversations that Matter Podcast (YouTube). “The Church of the Nazarene is embroiled in controversy over pastors and professors endorsing gay marriage and other forms of what the church once called ‘perversion.'” (Added 7-13-2024)
Tweet by Liam Adams: “In another interesting note about the election of Bishop Stoneking and the dynamics between outgoing and incoming episcopal leadership, Stoneking was one of the witnesses who testified against Bishop Carcaño (retiring) in last year’s trial (https://umnews.org/en/news/witnesses-testify-in-bishops-trial…). #UMC” (Added 7-12-2024)
Tweet by Liam Adams: “The last major #UMC episcopal leadership news will come tomorrow morning, when the Western and North Central jurisdictions will announce bishop assignments.” (Added 7-12-2024)
“Sandra K. Olewine elected as bishop” by Kristen Caldwell and Evelyn Warren via UMNS. Assistant to the bishop in the Cal-Pac Conference elected. “Olewine was elected as the sole name on the 17th ballot, after the Rev. Jessica Rooks withdrew.” (Added 7-12-2024)
Tweet by Talbot Davis: “In the most unlikely of developments, this little #umc story of promises broken & benefits revoked is most viewed in history of @MinistryWatch with 100k & counting: https://ministrywatch.com/former-umc-pastor-kicked-out-of-nc-umc-organization-after-contributing-thousands/… @mouthofLyons @DrewBMcIntyre” (Added 7-12-2024)
“Jurisdiction elects Kristin Stoneking as bishop” by Kristen Caldwell and Selby Ewing via UMNS. “She is the denomination’s third openly gay and married bishop — all elected in the Western Jurisdiction.” (Added 7-12-2024)
Tweet by Liam Adams. “The text of the NEJ’s request for a declaratory decision to the #UMC Judicial Council on recommendations from the Interjurisdictional Committee on Episcopacy regarding bishop appointments. Earlier today, NEJ delegates voted to send the request w/ 66% in favor. #UMC” (Added 7-12-2024)
Tweet Thread by Liam Adams. A religion reporter shares developments from the UMC jurisdictional conferences. (Added 7-12-2024)
Tweet Thread by Jeremy Smith. “An interesting voting tactic is taking hold at the Western Jurisdiction bishop elections: even though we can vote for two candidates each ballot, there seems to be a concerted effort to stop voting for two and undervote for ONE candidate only.” (Added 7-12-2024)
Tweet Thread by Jeremy Smith. Shows Western Jurisdiction July 11 balloting for electing bishops. (Added 7-12-2024)
“A church politics of nondomination” by Ross Kane via Christian Century. “Liberal Anglicans and Methodists often face a tension between LGBTQ inclusion and anti-colonialism. But we don’t have to choose.” (Added 7-12-2024)
“Episcopal areas set for 2024-28” via Southeastern Jurisdiction UMC. New Conference Pairings:
Alabama-West Florida & North Alabama. North Georgia & South Georgia. Kentucky, Central
Appalachian Missionary & TennesseeWestern Kentucky. (Added 7-12-2024)
“United Methodists name new bishop for Alabama, Florida Panhandle” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “Graves’ tenure has been especially controversial, as churches launched several lawsuits accusing him of not allowing them to leave the Alabama-West Florida Conference. Two of the lawsuits made it to the Alabama Supreme Court. In one case, a group of 44 churches that sued the Alabama-West Florida Conference were told by the Supreme Court that they would have to pursue their cases through the church courts, not civil courts. In another case, the state’s high court ruled that Harvest Church in Dothan did have the right to have its case heard in civil courts. This month, a 114-year-old church in Bay Minette sued, asking the court to declare that the church property belongs to the congregation, not the denomination.” (Added 7-12-2024)
“Lifting Every Voice post-General Conference to Multiply Love” via Iowa UM Conference. “How do we, as The United Methodist Church, kind of reverse ourselves a little bit, reform ourselves or renew ourselves to reclaim the movement that is the core of who we are,” said Dr. Ashley Boggan D., General Secretary of the General Commission on Archives and History. (Added 7-12-2024)
“The Decline of the Church” by Allan Bevere. “In this episode, Michael and Allan discuss the decline of the church in the West. What are the challenges the church faces in a post-industrial and ever-increasing secular society?” (Added 7-12-2024)
“Order on Motion for Summary Judgment” by Judge Gary Arnold. As shared by Michael Roberts and Summarized on Jonesboro First UMC’s Website: “On July 4, 2024, Judge Gary Arnold signed his order granting our motion for summary judgment and the Arkansas Conference’s motion for summary judgment against the Petitioner (First Church pastored by Global Methodist pastor John Miles), and denying the Petitioner’s motions for summary judgment. The order was filed on July 8. Judge Arnold’s order details his findings of fact and conclusions of law, and can be viewed here: Order (Exhibit A) (Exhibit B).” See also Michael Roberts Reflections on the Ruling. (Added 7-12-2024)
“Bishops and BIPOC Delegates Discuss Diversity and Inclusion” by James Deaton. via North Central UM Jurisdictional Conference. “Delegates spoke of the better place The United Methodist Church finds itself in post-General Conference, especially in light of legislation related to regionalization and LGBTQIA+ inclusion.” (Added 7-11-2024)
“South Central Jurisdictional Conference Approves Unification” via North Texas UM Conference (Mailchimp). “On July 10, at the first business session of the 2024 South Central Jurisdictional Conference, the Boundaries Committee presented and the delegates unanimously approved unification of the Central, North and Northwest Conferences.” Episcopal assignments also listed. (Added 7-11-2024)
“LIVE SEJ-Lake Junaluska 2024” via Lake Junaluska (YouTube). Link to the livestream of the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference of the UMC. (Added 7-11-2024)
Post by Alfred Kwabena Mensah via Facebook. “Rev. Dr. Rudolph Bropleh Elder in full connection, the United Methodist Church and Vice President for Graduate and Professional Studies, Cuttington University. Listen to his message as one of the five speakers at the Prayer service held on July 7, 2024.” (Added 7-11-2024)
“The Sacramento Disassembly” by John Feagins via UM Insight. “Why was it so easy for disaffiliated supporters of the Wesleyan Covenant Association and the Global Methodist Church to take over New Mexico Conference’s Sacramento Assembly campground where hundreds of youth came to Christ?” (Added 7-11-2024)
Tweets by Mark Calhoun. Live-tweeting screen shots of voting in the Western Jurisdiction to elect the U.S.’s only new bishops in 2024. (Added 7-11-2024)
“What’s Next for 2-Year-Old Global Methodist Denomination?” by Ginny Baxter via beliefnet.com. “As of 2024, the Global Methodist denomination has nearly 4,500 congregations and an equal number of pastors, most of whom left the United Methodist Church. UMC’s General Conference voted to end disaffiliation in May, but that isn’t necessarily the end of the matter.” (Added 7-11-2024)
Western Jurisdictional Conference 2024 Sessions via YouTube. See also “Seven candidates moving forward in the episcopal process.” (Added 7-11-2024)
“Filipino United Methodists Signal Desire to Leave the UMC” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). Shares a statement by Good Samaritan Church in the Philippines. (Added 7-11-2024)
“First woman elected to lead Oklahoma United Methodist Conference in state’s history” by Cole Brumbelow via KSWO. Bishop Merrill assigned. (Added 7-11-2024)
Post by Jeff Herron via UM Clergy Facebook Group. “Color me FrUsTrAtED when it comes to things like this …” [Front page article of a church celebrating their first year away from the UMC.] (Added 7-11-2024)
Note: “Big Read: A Traditionalist Critique of the Watershed UMC General Conference in Charlotte” has been updated with screen shots of some of the legislation passed. (Added 7-11-2024)
“United Methodist church properties head to auction” by William Kibler via Altoona Mirror. “Most of the [Susquehanna Conference] churches that Roan has sold had congregations that shrank an average of about 50% after COVID shutdowns were lifted, he said. The shutdowns were the “nail in the coffin” for those parishes, Roan said.” (Added 7-11-2024)
“114-year-old Bay Minette church sues United Methodist Church to keep its property” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “Guy’s Chapel Methodist Church in Bay Minette has sued the Alabama-West Florida Conference in an effort to leave the United Methodist Church. The 100-member congregation argues in a lawsuit filed this month that it never agreed to the “trust clause” that binds the property of congregations to the United Methodist denomination.” (Added 7-10-2024)
[Updated with PDF] “How United Methodists Across the US are Responding to Policy Changes” by Liam Adams via The Tennessean. [See also PDF]. A round-up of reactions and developments since the Charlotte General Conference. (Added 7-10-2024)
“‘United Methodist Church is not a gay church‘” via New Dawn (Liberia). “The Bishop-emeritus of the United Methodist Church, Dr. Arthur F. Kulah, says the United Methodist Church does not allow same-sex marriage because it is not a gay church, as some members of the public have misunderstood the church to be. Speaking over the weekend in Sinkor, Monrovia, at a national day of worship for peace and sustenance of biblical Christianity in the United Methodist Church here, Bishop Kulah noted that only the Liberia Annual Conference has the authority to approve same-sex marriage in its churches across the country.” (Added 7-10-2024)
“GOP Can Learn Abortion Lesson from Methodist Infighting” by James Antle III via American Conservative. “Before my United Methodist Church began its final descent into theological madness, disparate elements were trying to drag it left or right on various issues through the denomination’s messy democratic process. Nowhere was this more apparent than on abortion…” (Added 7-10-2024)
“United Methodist Church community grieving loss of two pastors in deadly Hwy 13 crash” by Valerie Dunn via CBS2Iowa. “Iowa’s News Now has learned the two people who were killed in a crash on Highway 13 on Sunday were United Methodist Church circuit pastors. Rev. Chuck Layton served at the United Methodist Churches in Asbury and Kenwood Park, while Rev. Carol Mart was serving as the pastor at the United Methodist Church in Buffalo.” See also The Gazette coverage. (Added 7-10-2024)
“[Love Train] Diversity Aboard the Love Train” via Reconciling Ministries Network. “To be more specific, we’re unwilling to dismiss or downplay the recent policy changes in an effort to prevent further disaffiliations. We are proud of and grateful for the changes, and don’t want to hide that light under a bushel.” (Added 7-9-2024)
“Linn County crash victims were pastors who had just left church together” via KCRG, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. “The two victims who died in a crash on Highway 13 on Sunday were pastors who had just left church together, according to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church… On Monday, officials identified the victims as 77-year-old Carol Mart and 65-year-old Charles Layton, both of Cedar Rapids.” See tribute on the church Facebook Page here for these two “circuit pastors.” “Pastor Carol served Buffalo UMC and Pastor Chuck served Asbury and Kenwood Park UMCs.” (Added 7-9-2024)
“United Methodists gather in Pittsburgh this week for northeastern conference” by Julia Maruca via Trib Live. ““We have known for some time that we were going to need to decrease the number of bishops in the Northeast; even before disaffiliations, we knew that we needed to decrease because of our membership realities,” Moore-Koikoi said.” (Added 7-9-2024)
“Will 2024 be the last UMC bishop from the West?” by Jeremy Smith via Hacking Christianity. “If jurisdictions are eliminated and bishops are elected including all the USA together, it’s not an unfounded concern that a region that is <10% of United Methodism would no longer have the voting power to elect their own homegrown people.” (Added 7-9-2024)
Tweet Reply by Chris Ritter: “I sometimes offer pro bono and unsolicited service as a denominational consultant. The #UMC could transfer @ncjumc Bishop Frank Beard to the Western Jurisdiction for his long-term disability. This would eliminate the extra bishop of concern. See https://www.gcfa.org/resource/gcfa-issues-statement-on-2024-jurisdictional-conferences” (Added 7-9-2024)
“GCFA Issues Statement on 2024 Jurisdictional Conferences” via GCFA. “As GCFA has previously communicated to the IJCOE and others, GCFA must comply with the decision of General Conference regarding the number of jurisdictional bishops – nine in the Southeastern Jurisdiction, six each in the Northeastern, North Central, and South Central Jurisdictions, and five in the Western Jurisdiction, for a combined total of 32 bishops. We have also shared our view that The Book of Discipline considers a bishop to be active/effective until they retire, regardless of disability or medical leave status.” [This seems to this editor to mean that only one new bishop should be elected since NCJ’s Frank Beard is going on disability rather than retiring. The answer, it seems, would be transfer Frank Beard to the Western Jurisdiction.] (Added 7-9-2024)
“Dr. Bropleh Calls for Urgent Action in UMC Crisis” by Claudius T. Greene, Jr. and Quenelle Bailey. “Dr. Rudolph Bropleh, an elder of the United Methodist Church (UMC), has made a passionate plea to the bishop of the Liberia Annual Conference (LAC), Samuel Quire, to convene a special session, so that some of the long-standing issues in the church can be addressed.” (Added 7-8-2024)
“2024 Poland Annual Conference” via UMNS. “The decisions of General Conference held in spring 2024 also led to a controversial but respectful discussion. State legislation does not permit same-sex marriages in Poland. However, even though our Church is committed to the traditional understanding of marriage, nuances and differences could be heard in the speeches and comments. The will to remain part of the worldwide United Methodist Church in the future is undisputed. One expression of this was the unanimous acceptance of the two delegates’ reports to General Conference.” (Added 7-9-2024)
“Richard Allen and Patterns of Methodist Dysfunction” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “In Kevin Watson’s “Doctrine, Spirit & Discipline: A History of the Wesleyan Tradition in the United States,” I finally read the story of Richard Allen and the events leading up to his creating of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. I couldn’t help but notice some similarities in the dysfunction he encountered and the more contemporary developments of The United Methodist Church.” (Added 7-9-2024)
REVIVE Series via WCA via YouTube: “What are Your Options? What’s Next for the WCA?” – Rev. Dr. Scott Field,” “Nehemiah Journey 2.0: Renew, Revitalize, Refresh!” – Rev. Jill Jackson-Sears,” “Part 2: Disciple-making Made Simple; How Disciples Make Disciples” – Steve Cordle,” “Recovering Scriptural Integrity and Wesleyan Wisdom” – Dr. David Watson,” “WCA Resource Recovery Renewal Initiative WIF” – Greg Brooks,” “Every Local Church Must Be a House of Prayer” – Rev. Dale Shunk,” “The Revelation of God & the Response of Humanity is Worship” – Rev. Dr. Tesia Mallory,” and “What’s Next and How Can We Help?” – Rev. Jan Dillard” (Added 7-9-2024)
“Bishop Karen Oliveto C’80, G’91,’02 Retires as Leader of the Mountain Sky Conference” via Drew University. “Oliveto, described as an “icon of inclusiveness” and “a living legend,” has the distinction of being the first openly lesbian bishop in the UMC. She and her wife, Robin Ridenour, were married in 2014.” (Added 7-9-2024)
“Drew University Library Digitizes Collection of Historic Newsletters” via Drew U. (as shared by UMNS). “Drew University’s Methodist Library has partnered with Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Concerns, to digitize nearly 50 years of newsletters and make them available for free.” (Added 7-9-2024)
“Bishop Frank Beard to Go on Long-term Disability” by Paul Black via UM Insight. “The Council of Bishops could assign a retired bishop in the interim or could select an active bishop who would assume additional responsibilities in the Illinois Area as well as their episcopal area. The latter course of action was taken in July 2021 when Bishop Beard went on short-term disability for six months and Bishop Gregory Vaughn Palmer was assigned to the Illinois Area in addition to West Ohio… The 2024 Jurisdictional Conference will be held July 10-13 in Sioux Falls, S.D., where episcopal assignments are announced for the new quadrennium, beginning Sept. 1 by the NCJ Committee on Episcopacy.” (Added 7-9-2024)
“2024 Western PA Conference” via Western PA UMC. “This legislation establishes three households — traditional, blended, progressive — and allows local churches and clergy to choose a household alignment. Additionally, it establishes co-conveners of each household and lays out a timeline. See full legislation. A new task force was named by Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi to carry out the work of enacting this legislation. More information and guidelines will be forthcoming as the task force meets.” (Added 7-9-2024)
Post by Alfred Kwabena Mensah via Facebook. (video) “Portion of Bishop Arthur F. Kulah message to Bishop Samuel J Jr Quire to call our special session so we can discuss, explain, interpret what the general conference decisions were. Call our special session Bishop Quire!” Other recent posts by the same author here and here. (Added 7-8-2024)
“2 new U.S. bishops to be elected this week” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “Put another way, the agency sees potential for the number and distribution to exceed what General Conference approved when Beard — who is now dealing with blindness as a result of glaucoma — concludes his leave. Under U.S. employment law, the bishop must be able to return to his position.” (Added 7-8-2024)
“Bishops Celebrate Innovative Ministry and Reaffirm Mission in State of the Church Address” via Susquehanna UM Conference. ““We recognize that some may feel grief, trepidation, or anxiety about the removal of the restrictive language,” they said. “As United Methodists in the Susquehanna Annual Conference, we remain committed to upholding our Wesleyan values of love, grace, and inclusivity. There is a place for everybody at the table – congregations and clergy who are more traditional, those who are more progressive, and everybody in between. Being an inclusive church means that we embrace those who rejoice at this change and those who grieve it. Being an inclusive church means that we respect the right of clergy and congregations to make decisions about these matters.” (Added 7-8-2024)
“2024 Virginia Annual Conference: Wrap-up” via Virginia UM Conference. “Rev. Dr. Jonathan Page, Director of Connectional Ministries for Innovation and Creativity… introduced two new faith communities, Appomattox UMC and King William Campus of New Song UMC. Appomattox UMC formed from the remnants of major disaffiliation in the area. There was not a UMC presence in King William county prior to the planting of the King William Campus. (Added 7-8-2024)
“A Recap of the 2024 TWKUMC Annual Conference” via Tennessee – Western Kentucky Conference. “Julie Smith, a lay member of Collierville UMC, bore witness to the peace-bestowing presence of the Holy Spirit during the difficult season of disaffiliation. Collierville UMC had a vote to disaffiliate, but it failed. In the aftermath of this failed vote, there was much uncertainty as to the congregation’s future. However, Smith told the conference body that God’s Spirit provided the reassurance and resilience needed for her to continue in the journey.” (Added 7-8-2024)
“New pastor for United Methodists coming July 14” by Niki Turner via Herald Times (CO). “Those choosing to disaffiliate would stay in the existing church building as the independent White River Methodist Church, leaving those who wanted to stay with the United Methodist organization without a church home.” They will worship in an Episcopal sanctuary. (Added 7-8-2024)
“2024 North Georgia Annual Conference Report” via North Georgia UM Conference. “Rev. Craig Hutto, pastor of McEachern Memorial UMC, asked for a moment of personal privilege. At our last Annual Conference, he shared, after an impassioned plea from three lay members, the North Georgia Annual Conference did not ratify the church’s request to disaffiliate. ‘The next few months were not easy, but through the incredible efforts of some of the finest lay people in our conference, we elected new church leadership and began to strengthen our mission and ministry. Today, McEachern is not only alive but strong and vibrant. We are continuing our service to the community of Powder Springs,’ he said. (Added 7-8-2024)
“2024 Iowa Annual Conference” via UMNS. “The Iowa United Methodist Church strongly urges the Council of Bishops write letters of apology to any clergy disciplined for the clergy persons’ sexuality or for actions they took on behalf of same-sex or non-binary couples who wanted to marry and that The United Methodist Church as a denomination apologize publicly to all clergy, without identifying individuals, for harm that the church’s previous policies caused to the clergy person’ spiritual callings, livelihoods and lives in general.” (Added 7-8-2024)
“Former UMC Pastor Kicked out of NC UMC Organization After Contributing Thousands” by Brittany Smith via Ministry Watch. “In 1989, Talbot Davis became an ordained minister in the UMC. Shortly after, in 1990, at the UMC’s Western North Carolina Conference (WNCC) he learned about an organization called The Brotherhood/Sisterhood (BH/SH). He decided to join…” (Added 6-8-2024)
“The End of the Religious ‘Big Tent’ with Ted Smith | Episode 190” by Dennis Sanders via Church & Main Podcast. “In this episode, theologian Ted Smith (of Candler) explores the transformation of denominations in the United States, moving from broad structures to more specialized affinity groups.” (Added 7-8-2024)
“Here’s why UMC delegates will face new twists in electing bishops this week” by Cynthia Astle via Baptist News Global. No bishops willing to transfer to the Western Jurisdiction: “In other words, no bishop wanted to be transferred to another geographic area to fill a vacancy.” (Added 7-8-2024)
Post via KMTV Liberia (Facebook). “Maryland “Some members of the United Methodist Church Region 3 stage Peaceful walk in Pleebo. “Say no to Same-Sex Marriage” (Added 7-8-2024)
Video Post via Fortune TV Liberia (Facebook). “United Methodist Church in Southeastern Liberia gathered in pleebo Maryland county says no to same sex marriage.” See also here. (Added 7-8-2024)
Post via FUMC Monrovia, Liberia via Facebook. Sermon by Bishop Quire of Liberia: “Stay on Board in the Midst of the Storm.” (Added 7-8-2024)
Post by Zeowheh Saywrayne – Sumo via Facebook. “Today the people called United Methodist in Liberia gathered in their respective counties of residence to hold a National fast and prayer for the Peace & Sustainable of Biblical Christianity in the United Methodist Church in the Liberia Annual conference.” (Added 7-8-2024)
Post via KMTV (Liberia) via Facebook. “Maryland “Region 3 Young Adults Liberia United Methodist churches present Petition to Bishop.” (Added 7-8-2024)
Post via Bless TV Liberia (Facebook). “United Methodists in Liberia Offer Prayers For The Church Against Same-Sex Marriage.” (Added 7-8-2024)
“Am I Queer?” by Michael Morrell via Progressive Methodists Facebook Group. A polyamorous man issues invitation to “Wisdom Camp” in North Carolina: “Wisdom Camp: Depth and Desire in just under two weeks. I’ve assembled a collective of dear ones sharing from their own zones of genius about how to create beautiful, sexy, harmonious erotic and relationally-rich lives — whether you’re faithful or doubter, queer or straight, kinky or vanilla, trans or cis or nonbinary, asexual or hypersexual, monogamous or polyamorous or still questioning just what on earth you are. For perhaps once in your faith-community experience, it’s not BS — EVERYONE is welcome: with your questions, your insights, your whole lives.” (Added 7-8-2024)
“Fernandes Begins Tenure as General Secretary of Two Agencies As He Assumes GBHEM’s Chief Executive Role” by Susan Clark via GBGM.org. “The boards of both agencies will meet together in Nashville, Tennessee this fall, which will continue their ongoing conversations and process of discovering new opportunities for missional and strategic alignment to better serve the worldwide connectional church of the UMC.” (Added 7-8-2024)
“‘A Dead Sect’” by Matthew White via AFA.net. “The UMC is no longer United, is not Methodist, and not even a Church as defined by the New Testament,” Smith concluded. (Added 7-8-2024)
“Interjurisdictional Committee on Episcopacy announces SEJ and NEJ will share a bishop” via Kentucky UM Conference. “The NEJ and SEJ will share a bishop who will serve in both jurisdictions and be a member of both colleges of bishops.” (Added 7-8-2024)
“Down to Business: The economic impact of congregations disaffiliating from United Methodist Church” by Marlene Kennedy via Daily Gazette (NY). “And depending on the “conference,” or geographical grouping of churches and how many disaffiliations occurred — exits ranged from 1% to 80% of congregations, according to the center — the hard work of balancing ledgers has begun.” (Added 7-8-2024)
“Dispute over LGBTQ issues splits church into two factions” via The Kenyan Daily Post. South African News: “The division has led to the creation of two groups: the long-established Johannesburg United Methodist Church (JNUMC) and the newly-formed Johannesburg North Methodist Church (JNMC). This schism mirrors similar issues within the UMC in Zimbabwe…. Following the GC resolution, a meeting was held at the main church in Randburg, where the majority voted to sever ties with the main UMC. The meeting was contentious, leading to a subsequent session with the Bishop of the SA Episcopal Area, Joaquina Filipe Nanhala. During this meeting, members of the breakaway faction accused church leaders of misleading congregants to protect their own interests, such as salaries and perks.” (Added 7-6-2024)
“Faxon-Kenmar United Methodist Church merger with Pine Street United Methodist Church is just a beginning” by Pat Crossley and Mark Maroney via Williamsport Sun-Gazette (PA). “It’s a scenario that is playing out for many churches across the country as congregations become older and maintenance on the buildings becomes cost prohibitive… Faxon-Kenmar began exploring merger options in March last year. Also at that time, the United Methodist denomination was going through a time of change as some congregations were choosing to disaffiliate over the issues of ordaining members of the LGBTQ community and pastors performing same-sex marriages.” (Added 7-6-2024)
Video Post by Jerry Kulah via Facebook. The Liberia Conference is in crisis. A Call to prayer and fasting. (Added 7-5-2024)
“Historic Votes at United Methodist Conference Reflect Local Churches’ Existing Stance on Diversity” via Snoqualmie Valley Info (WA). “From 2019 to 2023, more than 7,000 churches that wanted to keep the prohibitions in place left the global UMC organization. As of the 2024 General Conference, the disaffiliation process has been ended. There are more than 30,000 UMC congregations in the U.S. and more than 39,000 worldwide.” [Note: See GCFA report here. As of March 16, 2024, 9,640 of 29,938 UM congregations (32.2%) have either disaffiliated, merged, closed, or have been abandoned since 2019. This would put the March 2024 number of UM congregations in the US at around 20,000. (Added 7-5-2024)
Post by Autonomy Now (Philippines) via Facebook. “The Good Samaritan First United Methodist Church Inc. Upholds 2019 Stand on the Way Forward Beyond Revisions of the Social Principles and Worldwide Regionalization. [Image of Letter] (Added 7-4-2024)
Post by Alfred Kwabena Mensah via Facebook. “Over the weekend, the Bishop of the United Methodist Church, Bishop Quire terminated the tenure of the Board of Ordained Ministry of the Annual Conference on grounds that the tenure of the board has expired… In a letter dated June 26, he mentioned that the Paragraph 635 was used in the decision of terminating the tenure of members of the Board of Ordained Ministry of our Annual Conference. In a previous post, I expressed the ill-advices the bishop is receiving that is hindering the life and ministry of the United Methodist Church in Liberia…” (Added 7-4-2024)
“UM Clergy Dismayed at People Walking Away” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). Commentary on UM clergy seeing an exodus from the churches they serve. (Added 7-4-2024)
Post by Stan Irvin via Facebook. “Beginning next week, Monday, July 8th, are four meetings on four dates at four locations, for any members of our IGRC South District United Methodist Churches, who desire to hear and learn about our Conference’s Exit Process. This is to be transparent and educate about the process, if you would like to hear. Please private message me if you have questions.” (Added 7-4-2024)
Post by David Livingston. “Every United Methodist needs to own these, if for no other reason than as a lasting reminder of the absurdity of the denominational moment we lived through. BOD 2020/2024.” (Added 7-4-2024)
“2024 Desert Southwest Annual Conference Report” via Desert Southwest UM Conference. “In a special moment possible only because of the recent General Conference, Rev. Susan Morgan was reinstated as an elder in full connection during the Executive (Clergy) Session. She had previously withdrawn membership due to the harmful language in the Book of Discipline against LGBTQIA2S+ individuals. She then entered into retired status as an elder in full connection. During the ordination services the next day, Rev. Morgan was presented with her credentials and a stole.” (Added 7-4-2024)
“Shifting church policies toward same-sex couples lead to internal conflicts, defections and an apology” by Angie Leventis Lourgos via Chicago Tribune. “Although gay marriages and LGBTQ ordinations have long taken place in Methodist churches in the Chicago area — and the denomination’s ban was unevenly enforced — Kelli Knight said she felt relief when the discriminatory policies were lifted.” (Added 7-4-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “Among the many things that The United Methodist Church did at its General Conference 2020/24 in Charlotte recently was to devise a completely new method by which it determines the number of active bishops who will serve the Church in the United States… This was done by amending an existing paragraph in the Church’s Book of Discipline. The portion amended was ¶404.2, and it is my opinion that it is quite likely that the changes made were not consistent with the authority given to the General Conference in the Church’s Constitution. I believe there is enough doubt about it to require a decision on the matter by the Church’s highest legal authority, the Judicial Council.” (Added 7-3-2024)
“News Release from From The Interjurisdictional Committee On Episcopacy of The United Methodist Church” via North Alabama Conference. [scroll down] With the retirement of SCJ Bishop Schnase and disability leave of NCJ Bishop Beard, the Western Jurisdiction (with only 226K members) will get to elect two new bishops. (Added 7-3-2024)
“Bishop Quire Unites Gbarnga with Strong Message on Unity and Clear Stance on Same-Sex Marriage” Michael Boeglay via Liberia UM Conference. “In his remarks at the dedication of the new district parsonage in Gbarnga, Bishop Samuel Quire reaffirmed the United Methodist Church’s stance against same-sex marriage. He stated, “Same-sex marriage is incompatible with our tradition and the laws of Liberia do not support it. It is an abomination to God, and this church we call UMC is a church of God. The UMC in Africa and Liberia is not a gay church.” Bishop Quire’s comments underscored the church’s adherence to its traditional values and the laws of Liberia, sparking discussions among attendees and the broader community about the church’s position on this issue.” (Added 7-3-2024)
“This is a Robert Schnase stan account (it means I’m a fan)” by Amy Lippolt. Bishop Schnase’s retirement decision answered the question of “how will we get to six?” It also created new and vitally important questions of “how will we care for the episcopal needs of Rio Texas and New Mexico?” and “How will we redeploy our 6 bishops in the SCJ for the mission of the church?” (Added 7-3-2024)
“Episcopalian and United Methodist Churches talk achieving ‘full communion’ after Conservative exodus” by Hannah Heister via Catholic Vote. “The resolution also ‘celebrates’ the United Methodist Church’s decision in May to recognize same-sex marriage and allow LGBT-identifying individuals to become ministers, which the Episcopal Church had already approved.” (Added 7-3-2024)
“Liberian Methodists Physically Revolt Against Bishop Quire” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “Conditions continue to degrade in the Liberia Central Conference of The United Methodist Church, where Bishop Quire is refusing to allow his people to talk about separating from the UMC. In this segment, I review footage of a confrontation with the bishop outside of a church where he told those who were unhappy to just leave the denomination. It did not go well for him. I also process the ethics of angry public revolt against corrupt leadership.” (Added 7-2-2024)
“Wise Counsel (Not Mine) for Conservatives Left in the UMC” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). Reviewing a PNJ article by Bob Phillips. (Added 7-2-2024)
“The Hollowing Out of an American Church” by Joseph Bottum via National Review. “Seven denominations that once formed the core of American Protestantism have numbers that are nearly invisible in national totals: the northern Baptists, the Disciples of Christ, the Congregationalists (later merging with a set of German Reformed churches to create the United Church of Christ), the Episcopalians, the Lutherans, the Methodists, and the Presbyterians.” (Added 7-2-2024)
Post by Alfred Kwabena Mensah. Advertising an open air prayer and worship event for the Liberia Annual Conference on July 7 among those seeking a special session to consider exit from the UMC. (Added 7-2-2024)
“Episcopalians, United Methodists take another step closer to ‘full communion’” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “There are some big hurdles that would have to be covered, because there is so much variability in Methodist theology that it’s hard,” said Bishop Glenda Curry, head of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. “A lot of work to do.”… A statement released May 14 by the United Methodist Council of Bishops made it clear that United Methodists are not currently in communion with Global Methodist churches that disaffiliated with United Methodists. (Added 7-2-2024)
“Rio Texas Bishop Robert Schnase Announces Retirement” via UM Insight. “The 2024 General Conference made important and responsible decisions, including the adoption of a lower budget and a corresponding reduction in the number of US bishops. As a result, the South Central Jurisdiction will assign six bishops rather than the seven that had been expected. It has taken some time to work out the implications for our Jurisdiction and I have only come to this decision this past week—after our annual conference session. This is the solution that best serves the whole.” (Added 7-2-2024)
Post by Terry Melton via UM Clergy Facebook Group. “On my first day at my new appointment, there were a few letters addressed either to me personally by name or to “Pastor,” from people who wanted to officially withdraw their membership in the church as a result of the 2024 General Conference. Some were rather critical of the UMC while others were more cordial. Has anyone else experienced this since the 2024 General Conference?” (Added 7-2-2024)
“General Conference and the Call to Stop Giving” by Michael Roberts. “It is a common reaction: “I don’t want my money going to something I can’t support.” In response, I want to start with a perspective on giving in general, using my Annual Conference as an example.” (Added 7-1-2024)
“Methodist Bishop attacked in Ganta — Over Gay Marriage” via The New Dawn (Liberia). “He was firm in telling United Methodists to remain united but said if they wanted to leave the Church, they might do so by informing their pastors, a statement perhaps that broke the camel’s back when angry congregants accused Bishop Quire that he may have already signed and agreed with such practices in the western world before returning to Liberia, only to maintain a posture of denial.” (Added 7-1-2024)
“United Methodist Church Controversy in Liberia – Tune in to ‘The Views’ with Constance Joetta!” via YouTube. Report of the controversy in Nimba County over Bishop Quire’s visit, some video footage. (Added 7-1-2024)
“Liberia: Methodist Church Members in Nimba Abandon Sunday Service After Attack on Bishop Quire in Ganta Over Same-Sex Marriage Stance” by Franklin Doloquee via Front Page Africa. “We are all Methodists, no one is better than others. This is the first of its kind for a resident bishop to be attacked from the hands of the church members,” they noted. Some top officials of the church in the county who asked not to be named expressed their opposition to the act against their bishop. (Added 7-1-2024)
“Liberia: United Methodist Church In Crisis! As Worshipers Chase Bishop” via Independent Probe. “Crisis within the United Methodist Church are now deepening day after day after some members and leaders of United Methodist Churches in Nimba confronted Resident Bishop Samuel Quire Jr., demanding clarity on the church’s stance regarding same-sex marriage. According to reports, some church members booed and attempted to chase out Bishop Samuel Quire Jr. during a heated exchange. They pressed him to articulate the Methodist Church’s position following recent changes to its policies.” (Added 7-1-2024)
“Methodist Bishop Escapes Angry Congregants’ Wrath Over Gay Rights” by Ishmael Menkor via Daily Observer (Liberia). “The Bishop of the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, Bishop Samuel Jerome Quire Jr., narrowly escaped flogging at the hands of the local congregation or members for deceiving the church when over the controversial same-sex marriage issue that has rocked the ecumenical body in recent times. The local congregation has been furious over the decision taken at the general convention in North Carolina, USA, where the United Methodist Church endorsed gay rights — primarily same-sex marriages and gay priests — something the Gompa District wanted Bishop Quire to call a Special Convention to take decisions on the issue.” (Added 7-1-2024)
Post via The Liberia Influence (Facebook). Video of Bishop Quire leaving a heated demonstration that greeting his visit to the Nimba region (Ganta). (Added 6-30-2024)
“Opinion: Change in attitude and acceptance of LGBTQ people became socio-religious movement” by Robert Montgomery via Citizen Times (NC). “Most recently, the United Methodist Church has accepted members of the LGBTQ community into its life and ministry. Sadly, it has caused a schism and about a quarter of their churches left the denomination. Other major Protestant churches, such as the Episcopal Church, the United Church of Christ, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the Disciples of Christ and the American Baptist Church have fully accepted LGBTQ people into their life and ministry.” (Added 6-30-2024)
Lifewatch June 2024 Newsletter. Includes: “An Adventurer of Orthodoxy: Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker” (an obituary for Tim’s beyond-the-local-church, ecumenical ministry), “Postponed General Conference 2020 Results in ‘A Church of the World’” (which quotes Bonhoeffer to understand The UMC), “Becoming a Church of Covenant” (a church division in Europe had surprising results), and “Get Out of His Way, and Let the Word Have His Way” (from a sermon by Bp. Willimon). (Added 6-30-2024)
“Anglicans and Methodists: Aligning on the Left & Right?” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken. “Something interesting is happening on the American religious landscape, with left-leaning and right-leaning denominations joining arms together. What is happening between the Anglican and Methodist traditions might be emblematic of our culture somewhat organically figuring these things out by market forces…” (Added 6-30-2024)
“A Response to Pulaski Heights UMC – Obligatory Reactions To Heresy & Bad Theology (Episode 2)” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken. “At the end of the UMC General Conference Dr John Robbins, the senior pastor of Pulaski Heights UMC, presented a statement concerning the events to his church. This video has garnered widespread support and praise from those who agree with the outcome of the decisions made at General Conference and has made its rounds around the internet. In this episode we look at the arguments made and see if they are biblically sound or if they fall short and why they do so.” See also PART ONE. (Added 6-30-2024)
Post by Alfred Kwabena Mensah via Facebook. Bishop Quire faces protests on his visit to the Ganta area. Links to live video of speeches and protests. See also here: “Bishop Samuel J Jr Quire, I really want to see how you will suspend the entire church! The message is clear!!! Next debate “Listen or EXIT” (Added 6-29-2024)
Tweet by General Commission on Religion and Race (UMC). “Using correct pronouns shows respect for everyone’s identity. Learn how you can contribute to a more inclusive community. Read more here: http://bit.ly/gcorrpronounsmatter PronounsMatter #PrideMonth #GCORR #UMC” (Added 6-29-2024)
“United Methodists in Arkansas stress inclusiveness at conference” via Arkansas Democrat Gazette. “The number of churches in the Arkansas Conference, which totaled 634 in 2019, had fallen to 418 by the end of 2023. Membership dropped from 117,440 in 2019 to 102,815 in 2022. No membership figures have been released for 2023.” (Added 6-29-2024)
“Trailblazers of the Church’s Future” by H. A. “Bud” Tillinghast via UM Insight. Bosch and Newbigen as Lewis & Clark for the new UMC created by regionalization. (Added 6-29-2024)
“Tough Decisions Await South Central Jurisdictional Conference” by David Burke via UM Insight. “But in 2024, after the disaffiliations of about one-fourth of the churches in the United States and a growing number of churches in Africa, when jurisdictions nationwide meet July 10-12, most of them will be making hard decisions on how to cut the number of bishops in the U.S. from 39 to 32 after an overwhelming vote at General Conference in May.” (Added 6-29-2024)
“Death at a Time of Division” by Fred Koenig via UM Insight. “People who wanted to disaffiliate spoke specifically about how it was an opportunity to acquire a property worth $1.5 million for $56,000. Beth asked Conference leaders specifically if paragraph 2553 could be used to disaffiliate for financial reasons and was told no, that would be unethical. By the third meeting, people who had been friendly to Beth in the past were less so. She said some were plastic-friendly because they didn’t want to appear to be bigots.” (Added 6-29-2024)
Overheard: Liberian United Methodists are pressing to hear from their General Conference delegates instead of cabinet members sent by the bishop. A prayer gathering is planned for Monday at the United Methodist compound in Monrovia with a strong “no to regionalization” message. Demonstrators will greet Bishop Quire tomorrow on his planned visit to the Ganta area. (Added 6-29-2024)
“Global Methodist Church ditches annual clergy appointments” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “The Global Methodist Church, made up mostly of churches that disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church, has steered away from some United Methodist practices such as its annual clergy appointment system.” (Added 6-29-2024)
“Bishop Oliveto selected as chair of Center for LGBTQ+ UM Heritage” via Resource UMC. “Bishop Karen P. Oliveto has been selected as the chairperson for the new Center for LGBTQ+ United Methodist Heritage, Dr. Ashley Boggan D., general secretary of the General Commission on Archives and History, announced today. The center, set to officially launch in October 2024, will focus on the collection and preservation of stories, as well as education and research surrounding Queer Methodist history.” (Added 6-28-2024)
Tentative Ruling by Judge Joel Loften. Regarding Kum Ran UMC, et. al. v. California-Pacific Annual Conference of the UMC, et. al. Litigation in CA allowed to go forward. Cal-Pac’s motion to dismiss case denied. (Added 6-28-2024)
“Cal-Pac Chastened in Court” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “A recent legal development is encouraging for those local churches that have been entrapped so as to be liquidated by the sclerotic California-Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. I go through a couple of documents to look at what the particular issues are.” (Added 6-28-2024)
“How one conference reflects hope for future” by Tim Tanton via UMNS. “For the Peninsula-Delaware Conference, this year’s annual gathering was a time for a reset following General Conference, disaffiliations and the pandemic. As the effects of General Conference play out in different ways around the church, Peninsula-Delaware exemplifies the sense of forward movement that many conferences are experiencing. The disaffiliation period is over, and it’s time to focus on the ‘main thing’: making disciples of Jesus Christ, Bishop LaTrelle Miller Easterling said.” (Added 6-28-2024)
“Reflections with the Clergy Session of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church” by Bishop Ken Carter. “I want to thank that body for their work. “In my second year in Florida I stood on the stage of the Annual Conference with Matt Berryman, this would have been ten years ago, in 2014. At the time Matt was the chief executive of RMN. I had asked him to speak to the conference. Earlier, a professor at Candler had said to me that Matt was the most gifted student he had ever taught. He had surrendered his ministerial credentials a few years before I arrived. As he prepared to speak I said, ‘Matt, you are free to say whatever you are led to say. What people will remember is that we were standing on this stage, together.'” (Added 6-28-2024)
“2024 Virginia Annual Conference: Wrap-up” by Sam Dueckel via Virginia UM Conference. “Rev. Andrew Ensz made a motion June 20 that the Annual Conference make a Resolution of Apology to LGBTQ+persons. After a number of discussions for and against, there was a motion to table the recommendation until June 21 for the members to have time to review. On June 22, a motion was made to create a Commission of Truth Telling and Reconciliation to further study the Apology resolution; members from both sides of whether to have the apology together made the motion. The Commission would report at the next Annual Conference. The motion passed and Bishop Sue offered prayer.” “The effect of 227 disaffiliated churches from the Virginia Conference results in the following statistics…” (Added 6-28-2024)
“‘Total transparency’ recommended to prevent theft in churches after former Reidland church treasurer charged” by Mason Romanak via Paducah Sun (KY). “After the former treasurer of Reidland United Methodist Church in McCracken County was charged with stealing between $300,000 and $400,000 from the church’s accounts, a local accountant is recommending financial protections that can help churches and other organizations avoid theft.” (Added 6-28-2024)
“Methodist Church schism EXPLAINED | Jerry Kular” by BeingRealGeorge (YouTube). High-quality Nigerian podcast takes up the Methodist schism. (Added 6-28-2024)
Post by Michael Schultz via Facebook. Image of a letter from the leadership team at Monticello UMC (MS) notifying members that church teaching has changed and that the church will not be allowing same-sex weddings on its property. (Added 6-28-2024)
Post by Royal TV Liberia via Facebook. “UMC Ordained Board Chair Picks Bone With Resident Bishop
–Wants Swift Response To Same-Sex Marriage: Board Chair of the Ordained United Methodist Church Liberia Annual Conference, Reverend Dr. Samuel Wilson has accused Bishop Samuel Quire of wrongly dismissing key board members who are demanding to know the church’s position on same-sex marriage…” (Added 6-28-2024)
Post by People’s Media Agency (Liberia) via Facebook. “Internal Rift in United Methodist Church Over Same-Sex Marriage Issue: The United Methodist Church is experiencing significant internal conflict over the acceptance of same-sex marriage, with Reverend Dr. Samuel Wilson clashing with Bishop Samuel Quire on the issue…” (Added 6-28-2024)
Post by Sidney Frederick Sayeh via Facebook. “Thank you Rev. Dr. George D. Wilson. You remain the elected Chairman of the Board of Ordained Ministry of the UMC in Liberia. Bishop Quire’s so-called removal of you is a joke.” (Added 6-28-2024)
“North Church finds resiliency in remaining Methodist after disaffiliation vote” by Bob Demaree via Madison Courier. “Today there’s a sense of resiliency and hope for the future at North Madison United Methodist Church, something that seemed in doubt just a year ago when a vote on disaffiliation ripped apart the congregation…. [paywall] (Added 6-28-2024)
“United Methodist Church embraces LGBTQ+ community in historic shift” by Bellanee Plaza via Watermark. “We were living as if the rules had already been changed for the last eight and a half years,” Oliver says. “But now the rules have been changed. There’s going to be a lot of work of healing that has to be done in all of our churches to live into these new rules and this new way of being.” (Added 6-28-2024)
Tweet by Reconciling Ministries Network. “Bishop Tracy Malone speaks with Good Morning America about the evolution of LGBTQ+ affirmation in the UMC. https://goodmorningamerica.com/living/video/religion-lgbtq-community-111361015 faithfullylgbt #lgbtq #umc #unitedmethodistchurch” (Added 6-27-2024)
Tweet by Jeremy Smith: “Against expectations, the Western Jurisdictions is preparing for the possibility of an episcopal election? Really? Are #UMC bishops not willing to leave the power base culture of the Bible Belt for the west, even temporarily? Weird.” (Added 6-27-2024)
“Statement on Episcopal Elections at the 2024 Western Jurisdiction Conference” via Western Jurisdiction. “As we continue our collaborative work within the Inter-Jurisdictional Committee on Episcopacy (ICOE) to facilitate possible episcopal transfers (a shared bishop from another jurisdiction in the U.S. still within their active service years), an Episcopal election will likely be necessary.” (Added 6-27-2024)
“‘We do not hate anybody,’ bishop says of those who left United Methodists over same-sex marriage” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “The Global Methodist Church will accept those churches if they are able to leave and want to join, but Jones said he has avoided any direct involvement in the situation of churches trying to leave but being blocked.” (Added 6-27-2024)
“The Aftermath of the United Methodist General Conference with Drew McIntyre | Episode 187” via Church & Main Podcast (YouTube). “Amidst these sweeping changes, we tackle the structural complexities arising from the schism within the United Methodist Church and the inception of the Global Methodist Church. How might the loss of diverse voices and perspectives shape the future of both denominations? Drawing parallels to political divides, we reflect on the potential for new ideological conflicts or, conversely, the possibility for renewed missional focus.” (Added 6-27-2024)
“Nazarene Theological Seminary Gets Pushback for Platforming Pro-LGBTQ Faculty, Speakers” by Tony Mater via Ministry Watch. “As an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene, I’m deeply concerned that my denomination is quickly going the same way as the [United Methodist Church] on human sexuality,” Freideman said. “But I believe there’s still time to turn things around.” (Added 6-27-2024)
“Come Alive: A Conversation with Talbot Davis” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). The pastor of Good Shepherd, one of the largest churches in Western North Carolina, talks about the disaffiliation journey and what has happened since. (Added 6-27-2024)
“2024 Hungary Annual Conference” via UMNS. “A year earlier, the structural connection between the Romanian Methodist congregations and the United Methodist Church in Bulgaria had been dissolved following the latter’s disaffiliation from the worldwide United Methodist Church.” (Added 6-27-2024)
Post by Jason Smith via Facebook. Link to a Substack post that tells the story of a North Carolina provisional elder being discontinued and reinstated around issues of disaffiliation. (Added 6-27-2024)
“Kentucky Annual Conference U.M.C. 2024 — Disaffiliation Proposal using P. 2549 — ‘the Nelson Motion’” by Malachi Project via YouTube. “In this clip, during a June 12th plenary session, the body of clergy and lay delegation from across Kentucky discussed and deliberated a motion by “Nelson”, concerning the recent worldwide United Methodist Church General Conference’s decisions for total liberalization, and how the Book of Discipline, Paragraph 2549, could be used. The vote was nearly evenly split: 227 affirmative, 205 negative, 217 votes were needed to pass. 432 total votes. The body passed the “Nelson Motion”. (Added 6-26-2024)
“Three requests for declaratory court decisions withdrawn during AC” by Jessica Brodie via South Carolina Christian Advocate. “Each ultimately had to do with church separations in the South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church and Para. 2549 of the Book of Discipline, which the conference has been using to allow the separations.” (Added 6-26-2024)
Letter by Liberia Conference Young Adult Fellowship via Facebook. A letter to Bishop Quire calling for a special session and rejecting regionalization as a way of staying in the UMC. (Added 6-26-2024)
“Standing on Graves: Why Conservatives Aren’t Welcome in Mainline Churches Anymore” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken. “This topic is in response to a post on the UMC Clergy Facebook page which reminded readers that conservative Christians are not, in fact, good people, but actually want gay people to kill themselves. I spent some time answering that critique theologically and explaining why it is that this sentiment indicates a persistent intolerance among the left of people like me.” (Added 6-26-2024)
“2549 Process and FAQs” via Mississippi UM Conference. ICYMI: “For a June 30, 2025, effective date the above process is exactly the same. To rely on the 2016 Book of Discipline paragraph 2549.3 (a), the 2024 dates must be met.” See also Alabama-West Florida process. (Added 6-26-2024)
“Agreement to Separate” via Rio Texas UM Conference. A par. 2549 separation agreement available in the conference until 12/31/2024. Local church has until September 15 to be considered at a fall special called session to ratify agreement. (Added 6-26-2024)
“Concerned Methodists Address the Press on the State of the Church by the Broad of the Ordained Ministry” by FrontPage Africa via Facebook (Video). Leaders of the Liberia Conference hold a press conference as Bishop Quire continued to refuse to call a special session for the conference to consider its relationship with the UMC. Call for Liberian United Methodists to gather on July 7 for prayer and worship at the UM Compound. (Added 6-2024)
“A Very Brief History of the Global Methodist Church” by Walter Fenton via GMC. “…In the long run, what initially looked like it would be a rare, orderly and amicable separation of a major Protestant denomination, ended up taking more time than the authors and many supporters of the Protocol intended. Still, thousands of people persevered amidst the challenges of the Covid pandemic, the serial postponements of the UM Church’s General Conference, and the vagaries of their annual conferences’ conditions for exiting the UM Church. Pastors and rank-and-file members in thousands of local churches organized, informed themselves, voted, and sacrificially gave of their time, talent, and resources to build the Global Methodist Church.” (Added 6-26-2024)
“Not Methodist” by Warren Lathem via Facebook. “…But underneath all this, there was a widening gap of understanding the very nature of the Methodist Church. Since 1972 the “hot topic” was human sexuality, particularly the ordination of homosexuals and same sex marriage. The denominational leadership consistently advocated for a far more liberal position than the General Conference delegates allowed. When the General Conference maintained an orthodox position, many simply ignored it and implemented their own version of Methodism which was completely contrary to the whole scope of Scripture, the United Methodist Discipline, and our traditional Wesleyan orthodoxy….” (Added 6-26-2024)
“UMU to shame debtors” via New Dawn (Liberia). “Debtors to the United Methodists University, including lawmakers here, risk having their names published, as the administration says patience is running out… Besides, she says overseas partners, especially those in the United Methodist Church, are not supporting the United Methodist University due to the global separation issue the church is faced with concerning homosexuality.” (Added 6-26-2024)
“UMC Board Pushes for Special Confab to Address LGBTQ Issues” by David Yates via Daily Observer (Liberia). “The Board of Ordained Ministry, along with Retired Bishop Arthur F. Kulah and other conference officials, met with Bishop Quire on June 11, 2024, to encourage him to call for the Special Session. Bishop Quire requested one week to respond to the request. The Board emphasized that a duly called Special Session is essential for the membership of the Liberia Annual Conference to voice their concerns through their elected representatives and to discuss and vote on the decisions made at the 2024 General Conference.” (Added 6-26-2024)
“AfricaNOW…WCA’s game changer to support African Methodists” via WCA. “AfricaNOW is a short-term, laser-focused initiative of the Wesleyan Covenant Association to provide financial support to African Methodists for information development and distribution, advocacy, and networking opportunities as momentum builds there for separation from the UMC. African Methodists are rising up in response to recent decisions by the United Methodist Church which refute biblical standards by affirming same-sex weddings, as well as LGBTQIA+ pastors and bishops.” (Added 6-26-2024)
“Alabama Methodists Remain Blocked From Disaffiliation” by Kim Roberts via Ministry Watch. “A group of Methodist congregations that have requested to leave the United Methodist Church (UMC) expressed frustration at last week’s annual meeting of the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the UMC.” (Added 6-25-2024)
“Christian Reformed Synod Tells LGBTQ-Affirming Churches To Repent Or Disaffiliate” by Ethan Meyers via Roys Report. “Like other Christian denominations in recent years, the CRCNA has been debating inclusion and participation in church life for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples. Two years ago, the CRCNA synod voted to include “homosexual sex” alongside other behaviors, such as adultery, polyamory and pornography usage, in its official definition of “unchastity.” The move elevated the church’s stance against LGBTQ+ behavior to confessional status, meaning that anyone who holds office in the church is expected to uphold this belief.” (Added 6-25-2024)
“Lawmakers’ Indebtedness “Crippling UMU’s Operations”” by William Harmon via Daily Observer (Liberia). ““Most of those indebted to the University are United Methodists, current and former lawmakers, and private individuals… There is also a considerable student financial aid cost that has not been serviced, among many others. How do you expect the United Methodist University to survive when its major clients owe the University over two hundred thousand (US$200,000.00)? (Added 6-25-2024)
“Iowa UMs celebrate Pride with Communion, Ecumenical Worship and Capital City Pride Parade” by Nate Nims via Iowa UM Conference. “For the first time at Capital City Pride, 11 congregations across the Des Moines metro, including three United Methodist Churches—Grace, Trinity Las Americas, and Walnut Hills—collaborated to host an ecumenical pride worship service Sunday morning. This unprecedented gathering brought together diverse faith communities in a collective act of worship and celebration.” (Added 6-25-2024)
“Goal of full communion with United Methodist Church gets approval by House of Bishops” by Melodie Woerman via Episcopal News Service. Retired Montana Bishop Franklin Brookhart noted that one sticking point is the issue of lay presidency, because Methodist local pastors, who are not ordained as clergy, can preside at celebrations of the Eucharist. But this policy, Brookhart said, “has no real binding concern on us.” (Added 6-25-2024)
“Avoiding Structural Stupidity in Post-Schism Methodism” by Drew McIntyre via Firebrand Magazine. “In both the UMC and GMC, should the most extreme voices run the show, the mission of the church could be swallowed up as discipling is confused with ideological formation. In short, without the ballast of opposition, both bodies should be on guard against succumbing to the gravitational pull of their respective sides of the culture wars. The world has no need for forms of Methodism that are simply baptized political action committees masquerading as churches.” (Added 6-25-2024)
Post by Jimmy Boone via Facebook. Updated disaffiliation totals to include 2024 exits. (Added 6-25-2024)
Tweet by Mark Tooley. “7659 churches (25%) exited USA United Methodism by 2023 deadline. But some local conferences allowing additional exits. Up to 7800 & maybe will reach 8000.” (Added 6-25-2024)
Chart of Approved General Conference Legislation via UMC, Google Doc.(Added 6-25-2024)
“All that General Conference passed” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “United Methodist News has compiled a list of all the legislation that this year’s historic General Conference moved forward. The chart includes brief summaries as well as when the legislation takes effect.” (Added 6-25-2024)
“Beth Stroud returns to FUMCOG a reinstated Elder” by John Coleman via Eastern PA UMC Conference. As shared in UMNS: “That’s where she was serving as an associate pastor in 2004 when an historic church trial led to the withdrawal of her ministerial credentials because she admitted to being in a committed relationship with another woman.” (Added 6-24-2024)
“Advance Edition, Daily Christian Advocate Proceedings of the 2024 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church” via SEJ. A series of episcopal reports that each mention the impact of disaffiliations. (Added 6-24-2024)
“UMC Begins Repenting of ‘Sin’ of Maintaining Biblical Morality” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). This is a brief report on what transpired at the Tennessee-West Kentucky Conference of the UMC, at which they adopted a resolution calling evil good and repenting on behalf of those who stood by sexual morality. It is in response from footage and documentation supplied here: https://x.com/CharlesUffelman/status/… (Added 6-24-2024)
“Daily Christian Advocate: The Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church” via Northeastern Jurisdiction. Publication for delegates to the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference, July 7-12, 2024. No election of bishops. Scenarios for 5 or 6 episcopal areas outlined. “The pandemic, disaffiliations, and declining membership have impacted the financial resources of congregations, annual conferences, jurisdictions, and the General church.” “Voices that advocate disaffiliation have been well organized and loud while spreading misleading and inaccurate information. They created painful and disruptive havoc in the life and ministry of the Korean congregations… Nationwide, approximately 30 churches out of some 230 Korean UM churches have completed the disaffiliation process. Within the Northeastern Jurisdiction, 8 out of 80 Korean churches have left the UMC. Although the Korean United Methodist community seems to be relatively stable amidst the denomination’s turmoil, numerous Korean churches are still contending with disaffiliation.” (p. 76) Post-disaffiliation membership numbers (p.69). (Added 6-24-2024)
“Gay Morning America: Queer Christians Finding Acceptance” by Tierin-Rose Mandelburg via MRC Newsbusters. “Osunasami brought up the recent move by United Methodist Churches this spring ending its ban on clergy who are part of the alphabet mob and recognizing homosexual marriage to be legitimate within the biblical constructs of marriage.” (Added 6-24-2024)
“Ellensburg church requests the community’s help in locating a vandalism suspect” by Le’Ana Freeman via NBC (Washington affiliate). “According to the Ellensburg United Methodist Church, someone has been taking down the Pride flags hanging from the Church in the middle of the night. The Church says they are willing to gift extra Pride flags but does not welcome vandalism, theft or anti-LGTQIA+ sentiment.” (Added 6-24-2024)
“‘Not a gay church’: UMC of Liberia won’t bless same-sex marriages, ordain LGBT clergy” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “Liberian Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr. released a statement earlier this month in response to the UMC General Conference voting overwhelmingly to remove rules from the UMC Book of Discipline prohibiting same-sex marriage and ordination.” (Added 6-24-2024)
“Where will churches leaving the SBC go?” by Mark Wingfield via Baptist News Global. “There’s an interesting contrast to what has happened in The United Methodist Church. Its split has gone the opposite way of the SBC’s. The more conservative churches left and have formed several different breakaway groups, the largest of which is the Global Methodist Church…” (Added 6-24-2024)
“Nigeria: It’s Complicated” by Chris Ritter via People Need Jesus’ Team Caffeine. Why it’s so hard to discern what is happening in Nigerian United Methodism. (Added 6-24-2024)
“Same-sex marriage: Taraba Methodist Disassociates Self” by AIT News Jalingo (Nigeria) via Facebook. Ande Emmanuel’s faction is the main source of this news report. (Added 6-24-2024)
“Liberian UMC Strong-Arms Compromised Bishop Quire” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “In the fallout from the unfortunate General Conference of The United Methodist Church held last month, many United Methodists, inside and outside of America, are trying to discern if the UMC can continue to be a viable home for them. In Africa, many conferences are increasingly clear that they want to at least have a conversation about leaving. Some bishops are willing to shepherd their people. Bishop Quire of Liberia seems unwilling.” (Added 6-24-2024)
“Side B and Christian Denominations: A new line in the sexuality debates” via Ready to Harvest (YouTube). “Denominations that thought they had settled the issues surrounding homosexuality are now making statements about “Side B Christianity”, or they’re holding off until there’s a controversy.” (Added 6-24-2024)
“Orlando’s LGBTQ+ church leaders hope to open doors to all” by Patrick Connolly via Orlanda Sentinel. “There are still headwinds in bringing queer Christians to organized religion, though some of America’s main Protestant religions now have denominations that affirm LGBTQ+ members and clergy, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Episcopal Church in the United States.” (Added 6-24-2024)
Post by Lauren Porter via Facebook. “Mississippi UMC Churches Leaving by Church Closure: June 2024” 45 listed. (Added 6-24-2024)
Post by Bill Trench via Facebook. “Some years ago I was discussing the United Methodist dispute over our sinful discrimination against our LGBTQ siblings with my daughter, who is gay. I expressed sympathy for those who honestly believe that homosexuality is a sin. “They are good people,” I said. She stopped me. “Dad,” she said, those people made me want to kill myself.” (Added 6-24-2024)
“Tucson’s Catalina UMC welcomes first openly queer, married pastor” by Bianca Morales via Tucson Sentinel. “I was still really Catholic at the time, and I knew that if I stayed in the Catholic Church, I’d just be fighting to be recognized versus actually just doing the ministry and I just wanted to do the ministry. I felt called to leadership in the church,” Knight said. “My friend at the union was like ‘what about Methodist?’ I had no idea what a Methodist was.” (Added 6-24-2024)
Tweet by Charles Uffelman: “This week the TN-Western KY United Methodist Church overwhelmingly voted to confess its sins of exclusion and marginalization of LGBT+, Black, Brown, immigrant, indigenous peoples, and women. We are called to inclusivity and justice for all people. Lets get to work! #UMC [link] (Added 6-22-2024)
Post by Steve Harper via Facebook. “Doctrines are human-made interpretations of God’s revelation. Once we recognize this, we need never fear exploring, questioning, changing, and even improving them. The Church has done this for 2,000 years, always in a learning mode. Why stop now? Doctrines are not ultimate; we must not treat them as if they are.” (Added 6-22-2024)
“A Call to Action to Bishop Samuel Jerome Quire, Jr.” by Peter Sayekwee via Facebook. “Bishop Quire, please call our special session! Did I hear that you are attempting to suspend our Board chair and secretary, Bishop Quire, this must not be true! If so, you will be lighting a very heated fire on yourself. Do not do it!” (Added 6-22-2024)
“Thomas Pleads Guilty in Fraud Case” by Nichole Hannahs via WHIZ News (Ohio). The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office said 41-year-old Anthony Thomas pleaded guilty to one count of felony telecommunications fraud. On October 10, 2023, law enforcement took a report from a representative of the Coburn United Methodist Church in Zanesville, alleging that the pastor had been using church funds without the church council’s permission… Thomas later wrote an apology letter to the church council, claiming he had intended to eventually repay the money he stole from the congregation. Thomas has since been reassigned to a United Methodist Church in Brooksville, OH.” (Added 6-22-2024)
“Why Are People Leaving the United Methodist Church?” by Milo Jones via Amazing Facts. “Out of this confusion God is calling His people. Those heeding the call will “keep the commandments of God” (Revelation 14:12)—all ten of them. Those who have left a church that doesn’t keep the seventh have taken a big step in the right direction.” (Added 6-22-2024)
“UUMC family, pastor weigh in on Methodists’ historic vote to lift anti-LGBTQ+ bans” by Natasha Senjanovic via WAER. “Wood, who has been at UUMC since 2015, says COVID disruptions played a large role in the recent changes. Prior to this year, the UMC’s last annual General Conference was in 2019, and at the time, the Church voted not to lift the LGBTQ bans. However, a shifting tide led more conservative affiliates worldwide to leave the UMC, including more than a dozen across New York, says Wood. With fewer conservatives voting, the bans were lifted.” (Added 6-22-2024)
“After disaffiliation wave, Chattanooga-area United Methodists bodies seek to grow leaner” by Andrew Schwartz via Chattanooga Times Free Press. [paywall] (Added 6-22-2024)
“Regionalization: Effective Ministry in Every Culture” via UMC.org (PDF). Regional conferences cannot adapt the Social Principles or Doctrinal Standards. (Added 6-22-2024)
“Changing Language around Marriage In 2024 Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church” by Curtis Brown via Illinois Great Rivers Conference. The Director of Connectional Ministries offers a summary of the changes related to marriage that were made at the Charlotte General Conference of the UMC. (Added 6-22-2024)
“June 21, 2024 Weekly Live Stream” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken. “It has been a good week with lots of engagement on important topics. I have admittedly been a bit heavy on the UM-related material. I want to spend our time this week just being available to you guys. I’m not going to try to go through any articles. I have a few comments/correspondences I wanted to highlight and then see where your minds are. No point having me talk if I’m talking past folks. Anyway, bring your prayers and meditations with you, and maybe we can be a blessing to our local churches!” (Added 6-21-2024)
Post by Alfred Kwabena Mensah via Facebook. Administrative Secretary at Liberia Institute of Policy Studies and Research offers his extensive thoughts on the need for a special called session, including the recent history of discernment in Liberia. (Added 6-21-2024)
Post by Steve Harper via Facebook. “In a recent post, I noted that as the new UMC emerges, a fresh exploration of our Wesleyan roots is called for. I am thrilled to see this new website developed by the Florida Annual Conference to help us do that, no matter where we live. Here’s the link….” (Added 6-21-2024)
[Updated with PDF]. “TN United Methodists Tackle Cooperation Amid Policy, Leadership Changes” by Liam Adams via The Tennessean. PDF “I would love to say the disorientation is gone but it’s not,” McAlilly said Wednesday in a sermon during the regional United Methodist Church legislative assembly for the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference in Murfreesboro. “So, buckle up.” (Added 6-21-2024)
Post by Scott Brazinski via Facebook. On Birmingham First UMC’s “Beers and Queers” Pride Month event: “I friend from the lake jokingly tagged me in a post. I thought it was satire, but went to the FB page of this church and this is what I saw. Anyone know if this is legit? I don’t agree with the UMC stance on things, but this seems a bit over the top.” (Added 6-21-2024)
“U.S. United Methodists Report Annual Meetings Calmer and Joyful, but Africans Reject LGBTQ Bans’ Removal” by Cynthia Astle via UM Insight. A round-up of annual conference changes following disaffiliation and changes in church teaching. The status of several African conferences outlined. (Added 6-21-2024)
“A Tennessee teen has pleaded guilty in the slaying of a prominent United Methodist Church leader” by Adrian Sainz via MSN. “Andrade was 15 when he and Eduard Rodriguez-Tabora were indicted in February 2023 on charges of first-degree murder and especially aggravated robbery in the July 18, 2022, death of the Rev. Autura Eason-Williams. Andrade pleaded guilty to lesser charges as part of the plea agreement.” (Added 6-21-2024)
Overheard: Key conference leaders in Liberia are threatened with suspension by Bishop Quire for planning a meeting to talk about the results of General Conference. (Added 6-21-2024)
Press Release by Bishop Samuel Quire via Liberia UMC. “Statement to the People Called United Methodists and the General Public on Recent Decision of the Just Ended General Conference of United Methodist Church.” (Added 6-20-2024)
“Liberian bishop counters misinformation” by E. Julu Swen via UMNS. “The Rev. Caleb S.G. Domah, a leader of the group dubbed “Stay UMC,” said there is no reason to rush with a special session when people are not yet fully educated on regionalization — another possible change coming out of General Conference.” (Added 6-20-2024)
“Proposed Arkansas Conference Procedure for the Re-affiliation” via Arkansas UM Conference. Watch extended floor debate on this item in which amendments requiring allegiance to the new Social Principles is discussed. See also Board of Trustees Report (p. 41). (Added 6-20-2024)
Written Post by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “The increasing acceptance and facilitation of “family friendly” drag shows in United Methodist local churches signals an openness to the sexualization and grooming of children that I believe is damning.” (Added 6-20-2024)
“What If the Christian Sexual Ethic Becomes a Feature, Not a Bug?” by Daniel Darling via Christianity Today. “Evangelicals tend to assume our sexual ethic is deeply unpopular. But the wind may be shifting as thought leaders increasingly declare Christianity a cultural asset.” (Added 6-20-2024)
“Embracing Pride, Equality, and Love” with Shane Russo via Go Be Church (YouTube). “Join us in this compelling video as we delve into the vital topic of Queer Justice in the United Methodist Church (UMC). As we celebrate Pride 2024, we explore the intersection of faith, equality, and justice for the LGBTQ+ community within the church.” Vigil featuring Lady Gaga’s “Born this Way.” (Added 6-20-2024)
“Robert Morris, Clown Clergy Sexual Predator, & Local Church Policy” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken. “This segment dealt with an article about a retired UM clergy named Richard Reynolds who also operated as a foster parent, now revealed publicly and punished for the sexual abuse of children while an agent of the church and of the state. This spreads into a larger conversation about abuse of power in the pulpit, reconciliation in the church, and policies protecting children and vulnerable adults in our local churches. This piece isn’t trashing the UMC. It is warning all local churches to be wise in how they conduct themselves.” (Added 6-20-2024)
“Conservative pastor focuses on common mission amid differences” by Get Your Spirit in Shape Podcast (UMC). Holston’s Randy Frye interviewed. “A lifelong United Methodist and career minister who describes himself as “conservative” discusses how, rather than focus on differences within the denomination, he concentrates on the common mission to make disciples, a space that supports The UMC’s “big tent” distinction.” (Added 6-20-2024)
Post by Peter Hamm via Facebook. UM clergy asks if Par. 102-105 (doctrinal standards) in the UM BOD ever changed. Long reply by Taylor Burton Edwards in which he indicates that the GMC might not approved the Nicene Creed as a doctrinal standard. This related to a recent Twitter thread. (Added 6-20-2024)
“Next Steps in Addressing Current Crisis in The United Methodist Church – Liberia” by George Wilson (Chair, Board of Ordained Ministry) and James Labala (Conference Secretary) (PDF). Meeting with Bishop Quire did not result in the calling of a special session. A mass gathering is planned by conference leaders. See also earlier letter. (Added 6-19-2024)
Post by Alfred Kwabena Mensah via Facebook. Sharing a letter by the conference secretary and the chair of ordained ministry of the Liberia Conference stating Bishop Quire refuses to call a special session. A mass gathering is being planned. (Added 6-19-2024)
Tweet by Talbot Davis: “Every bit of exhaustion, fatigue, worn outness, and the like could have been very easily avoided. Don’t redefine marriage (much less redefining single-ness which they managed to do as well) and we’d all still be #UMC.” (Added 6-19-2024)
“Online Course: Life Together in the United Methodist Connection” via UMC.org. “General Conference 2020, postponed to 2024, is now over, and big things happened there! This session of the official United Methodist Church polity course will cover what happened and what comes next, for our congregations, our annual conferences, and our denomination… And, although the official disaffiliation period is over, folks still have questions about it, so this course will also provide information about the Global Methodist Church.” (Added 6-19-2024)
“Four UMC churches in Black Belt among others to close” by Nathan Prewett via Black Belt News Network. “A reason for closing the [Alabama-West Florida Conference] churches is said to be declining attendance and memberships.” (Added 6-19-2024)
“Staying with United Methodism: A Personal Testimony (Part II)” by Riley Case via Juicy Ecumenism. “The Global Methodist Church, the United Methodist Church, and those now-independent Methodist churches, need each other.” (Added 6-19-2024)
“Conference passes two motions regarding funds from separating churches” by Jessica Brodie via South Carolina Advocate. “Much conversation and concern had been circulating over the large amount of money the conference received from churches allowed to leave the denomination over sexuality issues.” See related story. (Added 6-19-2024)
Tweet by Liam Adams. Religion reporter from The Tennessean is live tweeting from the session of the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Annual Conference. (Added 6-19-2024)
“Pursue Unity in Liberia Amidst Calls for Special Session” by Jefferson Knight via UM Insight. “Bishop Quire, as a respected leader within the Liberia Conference, has been urged by these elements to convene a special session in July. However, we believe that the priority should be on unity, education, and preparation for the 192nd annual conference scheduled for February 2025. It is during this annual conference that the necessary discussions and decisions should take place, with a focus on upholding the values and principles of the United Methodist Church.” (Added 6-19-2024)
“2024 Missouri Annual Conference” via UMNS. Summary: “Missouri Bishop Bob Farr was the presiding bishop. Bishop Farr began the gathering with a talk about changes that occurred at General Conference. He said he was pleased that the changes brought The United Methodist Church more in line with being a “Big Tent” church, in which both pastors and local churches had individual freedom of choice, regardless of where they are on the spectrum of being traditional, centrist or progressive.” (Added 6-19-2024)
Post by Steve Harper via Facebook. “My friend, Thomas Jay Oord, one of the world renowned scholars in the Church of the Nazarene, is on trial in that denomination (along with other allies) for fully affirming LGBTQ+ people. He has published this book, not only to show the nature of his defense, but how it arises from his theology of love rooted in the Wesleyan tradition. It is intentionally low-priced in both ebook and paperback editions–well worth having…” See also here. (Added 6-19-2024)
“The Anglican Church in North America Faces Existential Challenges” by Warren Cole Smith via Ministry Watch. “It began as a movement of conservative Episcopalians frustrated with the liberal drift of that denomination. Today, though, most members of ACNA are not former Episcopalians. They (we, as I am a member) are new converts or – in many cases – refugees from other mainline and evangelical denominations nourished by ACNA’s combination of Reformed theology and adherence to biblical authority, its evangelical vibrancy, and the beauty of its ancient, incarnational liturgy.” (Added 6-19-2024)
Post by Ande Emmanuel via Facebook. Leader opposing Bishop Yohanna in Nigeria offers a version of recent events strongly refuted in the comments. For background, read here. (Added 6-19-2024)
Post by Ben Horrocks via Facebook. “An interesting report from the Religion and Social Change Lab at Duke University: Disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church in North Carolina: Challenges and Opportunities. This is based on administrative records of the NC and Western North Carolina conferences of the church and a 2021 longitudinal survey of clergy….” (Added 6-18-2024)
“You Don’t Have to Do This Alone” by Paul Nixon via UM Discipleship Ministries. As shared by UMNS under the heading “Understanding Trends in Church Planting”: “Finally, since 2022, there has been a grassroots movement of United Methodists forming new churches in places where most of the congregations disaffiliated from The United Methodist Church.” (Added 6-18-2024)
“What is the Church’s position on homosexuality?” by Taylor Burton Edwards via Ask the UMC. “By now, you have likely heard that The United Methodist Church’s General Conference meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina (April 23-May 3, 2024) took action to remove from the Book of Discipline all language that restricts or singles out non-heterosexual people for disparate treatment. That is true… This article will be revised in late fall 2024 to reflect what denominational policy will be beginning in January 2025, at least in the United States.” (Added 6-18-2024)
“‘Let us leave’: United Methodist churches still blocked from disaffiliating in Alabama-West Florida Conference” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “Is this a tactic that the conference is using to keep us either from disaffiliating at all, or till we die?” said Ed Stewart, a delegate from Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dothan. “Is this going to drag on year after year?” Graves responded: “Sir, I cannot answer that.” (Added 6-18-2024)
“United Methodists Experiencing a ‘Brain Drain’” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken. “This segment dealt with a conversation hosted by Rev. Drew McIntyre on X, which asked the question in earnest if this deluge of exits from the UMC might at all impact the richness of their thinking life together. There are myriad responses that I tried to cover while doing my own thought around the question. Is an academic life really necessary for denominational flourishing? Is the GMC going to be any better than the UMC? Where are Wesleyan academics lining up with respect to their chosen denominations?” (Added 6-18-2024)
Post by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “Also, Chris Ritter outdid himself by doing a fantastic writeup on the history of the UMC in Nigeria and why things are such a mess there. Dude waded into the weeds on this one while keeping it interesting and at a good clip. If y’all aren’t subscribed to his Team Caffeine, you should really think about it. Here is the link: https://peopleneedjesus.net/2020/02/0…” (Added 6-18-2024)
Overheard: “The [Baltimore-Washington Conference] had filed an appeal in the midst of the litigation (hence it being an interlocutory appeal) to get the case dismissed in its entirety after a judge (Hon. Kathy Vitale) had let many of the claims in the case go forward back at the end of Dec 2023. In their interlocutory appeal, the BWC was arguing that Judge Vitale’s failure to dismiss the case in its entirety causes the BWC harm by violating its 1st amendment rights by way of allowing the govt to wade into the business/governance of a religious entity. It was this appeal that was dismissed by the Appellate Court of MD due to being filed one day too late. (Interlocutory appeals must be filed 30 days after a given court order. Even though the postmark of the appeal was the day of the deadline, the court did not receive the appeal until a day after the deadline.) The BWC still has a motion for summary judgment pending. The hearing for the summary judgment motion takes place in a couple weeks on July 1. A motion for summary judgment is a motion asking for the court to make a ruling in the case as opposed to allowing it to go to jury trial. Obviously, the Conference is asking the court for a summary judgment in their favor. The judge presiding over the case at this point is the Honorable Michael Malone who voluntarily disclosed to legal counsel that he is member of a local UMC in MD that decided not to disaffiliate. A motion to disqualify Judge Malone was filed by NCLL on May 1, 2024. That motion for disqualification was denied on June 7. Judge Malone also decided not to recuse himself claiming that he can be impartial in this case. If the motion for summary judgment is dismissed, a 5 week jury trial will take place beginning in January 2025.” Source (Added 6-18-2024)
“2024 Tanzania Annual Conference” by UMNS. “If anyone wants to leave The UMC he/she has to leave by piece without taking church properties. The United Methodist Church of Tanzania still remained in The UMC.” [Note” The Global Methodist Church has announced a provisional conference in Tanzania. See here.] (Added 6-18-2024)
“2024 Northwest Texas Annual Conference” via UMNS. “Anticipating that the South Central Jurisdiction will approve the unification of the Central, North, and Northwest Texas Conferences in July 2024, a special conference for the three conferences will be called and held in Abilene, Texas, on Sept. 28, 2024. This Special Called Session will be focused on legislation and resolutions needed to finalize the unification of the three conferences for a starting date of Jan. 1, 2025.” (Added 6-18-2024)
“UMC rejects same-sex marriage proposal from general assembly” via TVC News (Nigeria). Outside coverage on the June 1 meeting from which flowed mixed reports on Nigeria’s relationship with the UMC. (Added 6-18-2024)
“Former pastor accused of sex abuse later ran kids’ clown shows” by Brendan Lyons via Times-Union (NY). “Warren County and the United Methodist Church have agreed to pay $875,000 to settle a lawsuit filed on behalf of a man who was sexually abused as a child.” See also WNYT coverage. (Added 6-18-2024)
“Healing and Acceptance: Louisiana Conference LGBTQIA+ Ministry’s Path Forward” by Mark Lambert via UM Insight. “The ministry team’s goal, for now, is to help LGBTQTIA+ individuals in their congregational lives, to share resources with local churches to help them better meet the needs of LGBTQTIA+ people and to collaborate with other ministry areas in The Louisiana Conference.” (Added 6-18-2024)
“Northeastern UM Bishops Close the Net on Local Churches” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “This segment dealt with the statements issued by the Northeastern College of Bishops of the UMC, in which they are all quite explicit that there will no longer be any disaffiliations. The only way that a congregation can leave the UMC and take their building with them is if they pay the full value of the building (which the congregation initially built and have maintained). I look at two different letters and do some basic analysis of what they say.” (Added 6-18-2024)
“United Methodists close 10 Alabama and Florida churches, including historic Uniontown Church” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “These are things we do every year,” said Bishop David Graves, head of the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. “Every year we have churches that have lived their life cycle and there’s all kinds of reasons for it, and there’s always something kind of sad about that.” (Added 6-18-2024)
“‘Those are my principles, and if you don’t like them…well I have others.’ – Groucho Marx” by Scott Field via WCA. Whether or not this quote attributed to Groucho Marx is authentic, a recent statement by the Northeast Jurisdiction College of Bishops (United Methodist) brought it to mind…along with another familiar statement about “principles” (Added 6-18-2024)
“General Conference and Disaffiliation/Reaffiliation” by Michael Roberts. “We would love to help congregations that previously disaffiliated, to begin a process of discernment, that might include an assessment of the General Book of Discipline and our core understanding of who we are, along with an understanding of what it means to be a part of a connection. Stay tuned for more information, as this process is developed.” (Added 6-17-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. Brooks retraces history of disobedience to the BOD in response to a question. (Added 6-17-2024)
“Reconciling Ministries Network Offers Suggestions for Moving Forward” by Izzy Alvaran, Helen Ryde and Laura Young via UM Insight. An installment in the Love Train Series which seeks to build on the momentum of General Conference. (Added 6-17-2024)
“‘Hallelujah!’ | United Methodist vote rallies Austin pastor Tracey Beadle’s faith quest” by Michael Barnes via Austin American Statesman. “The victory for Beadle’s contingent of Methodists was not without a bittersweet note: Since the last General Conference, in 2019, right before the pandemic, some 22 percent of the United Methodist congregations in the U.S. — anticipating changes likely to pass in 2024 — “disaffiliated.” Some formed the Global Methodist Church, others the Methodist Collegiate Church, and others became independent congregations.” (Added 6-17-2024)
“Bishop Robin Dease says future of Methodist church is one of inclusion, hope” by Shelia Poole via Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “For those of you who may be discouraged because of the state of the Church, I’m sorry,” said Dease during her closing sermon at the annual conference of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. “For those of you who have been beaten up trying to hold your congregations together, I’m sorry.” (Added 6-16-2024)
“Eyes on Africa – Ten Reasons” by Rabbi Daniel Lapin’s podcast. Discusses African exits from the UMC (at 2:40) as an example of African independence of thought from the West. (Added 6-15-2024)
“June 14, 2024 Weekly Live Stream” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken. “This is a time when I consider key developments over the last week in the world and the church, in particular those things impacting the Methodist tradition. Northeast Jurisdiction bars exits, GMC recruiting more clergy. (Added 6-15-2024)
Tweet by Drew McIntyre: “I wonder if the UMC is experiencing a ‘brain drain’ similar to what the Lutherans had when many leading scholars left to become Catholic or Orthodox.” (Added 6-15-2024)
“UMNS Daily Digest: June 14, 2024” via UMNS. “Katelyn MacDonald, who plays the music that chimes from Duke Memorial United Methodist Church, decided to play a pop song to begin LGBTQ Pride Month. The church now has racked up around 7 million views on a TikTok that shows MacDonald playing Chappell Roan’s “HOT TO GO!” on the church bells. Among the fans of the rendition is the singer herself. Chase Pellegrini de Paur reports. Read story” (Added 6-15-2024)
“Meet the Queer Methodist Who Played “Hot to Go!” on the Church Bells” by Zachary Lee via Sojourners. “We should see queer sexuality as sacred,” she said. “If we think of human sexuality as a gift from God and part of who God has created us to be, then we should celebrate queer sexuality as much as we do heterosexuality. Queerness is a part of the image of God’s place within each of us. (Added 6-15-2024)
“At N. Georgia United Methodists’ annual meeting, disaffiliations not on agenda” by Shelia Poole via Atlanta Journal Constitution. “Today, the UMC North Georgia conference has about 440 churches remaining — but nearly a dozen new congregations are forming. Since 2022, more than 330 churches have left, which was about 38% of the conference’s churches. The smaller South Georgia Conference of the UMC has lost about half of its congregations since 2020.” (Added 6-15-2024)
“112 S.C. Churches Separating from the UMC” by Jessica Brodie via The Times and Democrat. Coverage of the recent actions of the South Carolina UM Conference to release congregations using their own separation process. (Added 6-15-2024)
“Spiritual Junk Food” by Patricia Watson Throckmorton via The Sampson Independent. Columnist: “Recently, some leaders and congregants of the United Methodist Church have been moving to break away from that denomination and join the Global Methodist denomination… A majority of sermons today are focused on being Politically Correct. That term describes language or measures intended to avoid offense or disadvantage to members of particular groups in society. It is my opinion that you can’t be politically correct if you believe in the Bible as a whole.” (Added 6-15-2024)
Overheard: Appellate Court of MD dismisses Baltimore-Washington Conference’s interlocutory appeal in the litigation between the BWC and 38 local congregations represented by NCLL. The appeal was dismissed as untimely. See ruling here. A hearing on Conference’s motion for summary judgment scheduled for July 1. (Added 6-15-2024)
Overheard: This delegation report by Byron Thomas at the North Georgia UM Conference [beginning 35:30] has roiled traditionalists. His address suggests a sweeping by God took place at General Conference. “The word sweeping suggests the removal of debris or that which is of no use. And its presence is not only not of value, but its presence serves as a deterrent to what God has made up in God’s mind that God is going to do.” [Added 6-15-2024)
“Is It the End of the Line for Mainlines?” by John Stonestreet and Shane Morris via Breakpoint. “The United Methodist Church was once one of the largest denominations in the United States, with over 11 million members and a presence in nearly every county. Today, after decades of numerical decline and doctrinal compromise, it is a shadow of its former self. Last month at a General Conference full of bizarre elements, the Methodists made what may be one of their final compromises, welcoming “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” to become ministers.” See also in Christian Post. (Added 6-14-2024)
Post by SjEarl Canlas via Facebook. Essay. “The Regional church initiative and autonomous church options need not be pursued in opposition to each other. The prior steps toward a Regional church can proceed to get rid of US-centric structure. The PCC as a Regional church could later go on to build an autonomous Methodist Union Church in the Philippines.” (Added 6-14-2024)
“What’s Next? A forum on the recently passed legislations of the General Conference 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina.” via United Media Channel TV (Facebook). Jerry Gabriel leads an event on regionalization for the Philippines Central Conference. (Added 6-14-2024)
“Autonomy Now?” by Expositors Edition (YouTube). A discussion of the Autonomy Now Movement in the Philippines UMC. See also “History of the UMC in the Philippines” See also this September 2023 article from UMNS. (Added 6-14-2024)
“A Promise Kept and a Promise Spurned” by Thomas Lambrecht via Good News. “As United Methodists continue to become aware of the actions taken by the 2024 General Conference, responses range from celebration to confusion to disagreement to disenchantment. Many are asking the question: What does this mean for me and my church?” South Carolina and Northeastern Jurisdiction actions highlighted. Corrections offered on Zambia exits. (Added 6-14-2024)
“Autonomy Now: An Open Forum” via Wesley UMC, Olongapo City. (Facebook Video) A May 25 event held in the Philippines in support of autonomy from the United Methodist Church, against having regionalization forced upon them. “Conviction over convenience.” (Added 6-14-2024)
“Annual Conferences Marked by Joy, Discontent, Apology and Hope” by Cynthia Astle via UM Insight. “A sampling of annual conference reports showed that many sessions moved forward hopefully, if a bit uncertainly, following the momentous decisions of the historic 2020/2024 General Conference held April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, NC…” “A tear slides down the cheek of Kentucky Bishop Leonard Fairley as he tells the 2024 annual conference session of the lingering emotional and spiritual pain of churches’ disaffiliations from the United Methodist Church.” (Added 6-14-2024)
“2024 Indiana Annual Conference” via UMNS. “The General Conference has now cleared the way for a Jesus-centered, mission-based, world-transforming force for the Gospel to ALL people. It placed us in a position to move into a post-conflict future. The UMC is alive and well and moving into the future of God,” [Delegate Russ Abel] said. (Added 6-14-2024)
“Church sign vandalized in Ghent” via 13 News Now (Norfolk). Someone wrote “Pride is Sin” on a UMC congregation’s Pride Month displays. Pastor interviewed. (Added 6-14-2024)
“Portland Methodist churches celebrate removal of anti LGBTQ+ language” via KOIN. “For congregants at Portland First United Methodist Church, a weight was lifted by a recent UMC decision to remove anti-LGBTQ+ language from its book of discipline and social principles on a global level.” Transgender pastor interviewed. (Added 6-14-2024)
“How Can the UMC Move Past General Conference?” via ReBrand Podcast. “In this episode, we take a comprehensive look back at the United Methodist Church’s recent General Conference and reflect on our journey throughout Season Two. Join us as we dive into the major decisions and discussions from the conference, including the significant revisions to the Book of Discipline, the move towards regionalization, and the impactful budget reductions. We also discuss the historic removal of restrictive language regarding human sexuality and what these changes mean for the future of our denomination.” (Added 6-14-2024)
“2024 Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference” via UMNS. “Conference trustees also announced that a plan for exit for churches seeking to depart as the result of actions taken by the 2024 General Conference is being developed. The plan, which would close the church as a United Methodist congregation, would require the payment of two years’ worth of apportionments, the church’s pro-rata portion of the conference’s unfunded pension liability and a 10% surcharge for releasing the trust clause, allowing the conveyance of property.” See also here. (Added 6-14-2024)
Post by Harry Kanawa via Facebook. [Photos] “At hight court Jalingo [Nigeria]today….UMCN case between the second break away led by ande and Eli yakku were thrown away. their case against the board of trustee and the bishop the judge frown at it and thrown away the case……We move.” (Added 6-13-2024)
“Another Half Million Reportedly Exit United Methodism” by Mark Tooley via Juicy Ecumenism. “It’s not clear whether Nigeria’s four annual conferences must also affirm exiting the denomination, and under what process Nigeria is exiting. The “litigations” may refer to a dissident faction in Nigeria that split from Bishop Yohanna several years ago and now professes to be the true United Methodist Church in Nigeria.” (Added 6-13-2024)
“2024 Indiana Annual Conference” via UMNS. The Indiana UM Conference commits to a year-long “season of contemplation” on how to repair relationships with the LGBTQIA+ Community. (Added 6-13-2024)
“The UMC Continues to Hemorrhage Members” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken. “After the ill-fated delayed general conference held in Charlotte, The United Methodist Church has embroiled by discussions across the world about whether or not congregations can maintain fellowship within the UMC anymore. Great losses to the membership of the UMC have been sustained. This is an update on recent developments in this saga.” (Added 6-13-2024)
“AC Day 3: Vote paves way to explore new option for churches to leave” by Alan Wild via Kentucky UM Annual Conference. “A motion to encourage Kentucky Annual Conference leadership to explore a section of church discipline “for facilitating a fair and just pathway” for churches to leave was approved after considerable debate on Wednesday, June 12, on the third and final day of Annual Conference.” (Added 6-13-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “The problem is that over the last several years, for lots of reasons, people on all sides of our political divides have chosen to ignore significant parts of it, in most cases citing reasons of conscience, faith, or what they call Biblical Obedience. That last is just a phrase that more positively says Ecclesial Disobedience.” (Added 6-12-2024)
Post by Alfred Kwabena Mensah via Facebook. Image of a letter from the Chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry stating that the Liberia Annual Conference expects a special session and that the board is in negotiation with Bishop Quire on this matter. An appeal for restraint and prayer. (Added 6-12-2024)
“For Whom the Bells Toll? At Duke Memorial United Methodist Church, Everyone” by Chase Pellegrini de Paur via Indy Week. “After she finishes playing from the hymnal, MacDonald takes a breath and starts to hammer out a slightly more modern melody on the 116-year-old bells: “HOT TO GO!” The raunchy and ridiculously catchy song by queer pop star Chappell Roan spills out of the Romanesque-revival tower, filling downtown Durham with the sounds of Pride Month… On Monday evening, after playing “HOT TO GO!,” MacDonald closes out her mini-concert with Billie Eilish’s “LUNCH” and Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own.” (Added 6-12-2024)
“Why I’m Still a United Methodist” by John Meunier. “Through the season of disaffiliation, I prayed about whether I could or should leave the UMC. A large number of friends and mentors were leaving. I can honestly say I probably would not be an elder in the UMC right now if not for their support and advocacy. The idea of being in a denomination where there is theological alignment with my colleagues was appealing, but here is the thing. Jesus said, “no.” I asked, more than once, and he said he called me to the UMC, he called me to the church I am serving, and I am not released from that call.” (Added 6-12-2024)
“Beyond Soundbites and Towards Holy Conferencing (A Series on the Actions of General Conference)” by Michael Roberts. Compares the actions of General Conference with statements by the Global Methodist Church. “Topics include Abortion, Qualifications for Ordained Ministry, Marriage, The Israel-Palestine Conflict, and Pronouns.” (Added 6-12-2024)
“ZCC Rev Dimingo Interview 20240611” via UMC TV Ebenezer (Zimbabwe, Youtube). “The Zimbabwe Council of Churches General Secretary Rev. Wilfred Dimingo speaks at the end of a briefing with The United Methodist Church leadership in the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area.” (Added 6-12-2024)
“The In-Spirited Church: Bishop Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai Delivers Inspiring Episcopal Address” via Iowa UM Conference. “And I want to say this especially to our LGBTQ siblings because it needs to be said—you have a place at the table without fear that somebody is going to file charges against you because of who you are. In the Iowa Annual Conference and in The United Methodists Church, we have beat our swords into plowshares, our spears into pruning hooks and made space at the table for all.” (Added 6-12-2024)
“Bishop Peggy Johnson makes first Island visit” by Julia Goujiamanis via Martha’s Vineyard Times. “On a personal level, Bishop Johnson and her spouse said they feel a sense of hope based on the book’s changes. Back in 2010, the Rev. Johnson came out as transgender, receiving mostly positive support. She recognized, though, that this isn’t always the case. ‘There’s been a lot of trans people out there that don’t have that luxury of being loved by their world,’ said Bishop Johnson.” (Added 6-12-2024)
“Annual Conference 2024: Less Uncertainty, More Continuity” via Louisiana UM Conference. “The 2023 Annual Conference was a downsized affair following a spate of church disaffiliations in Louisiana, largely over the issue of LGBTQIA+ persons’ role in the church… In north Louisiana, which had a disproportionate number of churches that disaffiliated, ‘I think there’s a lot of dreaming and strategizing,’ Lee said. ‘The conference has eyes and ears up there. There’s a realization that we’ve got to stop letting other people tell our story.’” (Added 6-12-2024)
“LGBTQ members of Trinity United Methodist Church explain feelings of being accepted by church” via KSHB (Kansas City). “Retired United Methodist Pastor Lee Johnson shares Fischer’s sentiment. He too was married to his husband by a United Methodist pastor.” (Added 6-12-2024)
“Historic Durham church’s bells played Pride anthem and caught the attention of millions” by Emmy Martin via the Durham Herald Sun. “But instead of a hymn, the melody ‘You can take me hot to go!’ rang out from the century-old bell tower of Duke Memorial United Methodist Church. Katelyn MacDonald, a member and leader in the congregation, was playing queer pop star Chappell Roan’s hit ‘HOT TO GO! to celebrate the first day of Pride Month.” See also ABC 11 Coverage. (Added 6-12-2024)
“North Texas Conference ordains first openly gay Methodist pastor since removal of LGBTQ+ ban” by Penelope Rivera via KERA News. “Last week, Lucas, now 53, became the first openly gay man to be ordained in the North Texas Conference since the greater UMC voted to lift a ban on LGBTQ+ clergy last month. He was previously an associate pastor at Lovers Lane UMC.” (Added 6-12-2024)
Post by Ande Emmanuel via Facebook. More conflicted messaging from Nigeria. (Added 6-12-2024)
Post by Keith Sweat via Facebook. “Clarification on the actions at the South Carolina Annual Conference of the UMC…” Why churches should act now. (Added 6-12-2024)
Post by JJ Warren via Facebook. Gay UM Clergy: “I wish we didn’t have to praise the caveat of “you won’t be forced to have a queer pastor or celebrate same-gender weddings” in this current/interim phase of the future of the denomination. Why? I am in total agreement that no one should ever — within or beyond the church — be forced to do something they’re uncomfortable with. AND ALSO, the theology that undergirds churches who consciously exclude LGBTQIA+ persons is TOXIC & death-dealing, and this theo-ethical deathtrap MUST be addressed!…” (Added 6-12-2024)
“112 UMCSC churches closed, approved for separation” via South Carolina UM Conference (MailChimp). “Members of the 2024 South Carolina Annual Conference on June 11 overwhelmingly approved the closure of 112 local churches whose members have voted to separate from The United Methodist Church.” Exiting churches listed by district. (Added 6-12-2024)
“United Methodists welcome LGBTQ+ people as pastors” by Krystal Cole via Spectrum News 1 (NY). “Celebration just kind of breaks out on the floor. And some queer delegates are leading hymn singing on the floor … and it was just a really beautiful, wonderful moment. And to be a part of that was a true, true blessing, a true joy in my life,” Urriola said. “I’m really excited for this new day of United Methodism.” (Added 6-12-2024)
“Is There Room for Traditionalist Pastors in The United Methodist Church?” by Scott Field via WCA. “Let’s recognize that one of the most difficult spots for pastoral ministry in the US today is to be a traditionalist United Methodist pastor. Think about the range of settings across the ecclesiastical landscape of the UMC where they might be appointed to serve.” (6-11-2024)
“2024 South Carolina Annual Conference” via Vimeo. Livestream. The list of exiting church was distributed only to those with appropriate badge colors. List was read aloud. Money questions asked from the floor. One objection over wording of separation agreement. Speeches interrupted when question was called. Standing vote was held approving the separations. After the vote, a GC delegate scolded the conference for not upholding the BOD and charging high costs to those exiting. One exiting pastor expressed appreciation and thanks to the conference. (Added 6-11-2024)
“What’s happening today (Tuesday, June 11) at Annual Conference?” via South Carolina Advocate. “Tuesday is slated to bring what some consider the most significant and dramatic action of this year’s Annual Conference, as a slate of as-yet-unknown churches will go before the body for a vote on separation from The United Methodist Church. That action is slated for the afternoon, during the Report of the Conference Board of Trustees. The trustees have kept both the names and number of the separating churches confidential. All of the churches complied with the conference’s separation process earlier this year, in accordance with the 2016 Book of Discipline of the UMC, ultimately voting to leave the denomination.” (Added 6-11-2024)
Post by Amanda Webb-Griswald via Facebook. Lists the 112 congregations that disaffiliated from the UMC on June 11, 2024 using the conference-level exit path. (Added 6-11-2024)
Tweet by Chris Ritter: “Can a conference retrofit the “Connectional Conf. Plan” after the #UMC “Simple Plan”-ed? It seems a bit “ready, fire, aim,” but maybe better than the empty “One Church Plan” assurances currently being bandied about. No way to offer funding protections, though. Good luck,
@wpaumc! [link] (Added 6-11-2024)
“Intentional Missional Alignment Process Task Force” via Western PA Conference. The conference seeks to sort its churches into three “households”: Progressive, Traditionalist, and Blended. (Added 6-11-2024)
“2024 Exit Plan” via Illinois Great Rivers Conference. The exit plan for IGRC congregations seeking to leave the UMC. See also PDF. (Added 6-11-2024)
“NEJ College of Bishops Statement” via North Eastern Jurisdiction Bishops (UMC). “There was no extension of disaffiliation, and the disaffiliation paragraph was removed from The Book of Discipline. Two paragraphs were considered in the past: paragraph 2548 was ruled by the Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church not to be used for disaffiliations, and paragraph 2549 is for a church closure and how to handle the property. Now that disaffiliations have concluded, the College of Bishops will ensure that annual conferences receive the best value for any sold property.” See also here as shared in UMNS. (Added 6-11-2024)
Tweet by Matt O’Reilly. [Image of Paper Title Sheet: “Is Separation Justified: John Wesley’s ‘Catholic Spirit’ and the Question of Sexuality.”] “Doing this today.” (Added 6-11-2024)
“Church ‘brokenhearted’ after member accused of theft” by Arriyonna Allen via The Paducah Sun (KY). “Investigators said [Treasurer] Gregory Siener stole between $300,000 and $400,000 from Reidland United Methodist Church over the course of five to six years..” (Added 6-11-2024)
“With United Methodist ban on LGBTQ clergy lifted, some in Savannah have new world of opportunity” by Evan Lasseter via Savannah Morning News. Feature on a South Georgia gay man now able to become a UMC clergy. (Paywall, but a version is available on AOL). (Added 6-11-2024)
“After years defying United Methodist rules as an openly queer chaplain, Iowa City’s Anna Blaedel is out of the church and proud to be a ‘spiritual misfit’” by Emma McClatchy via Little Village. “The board is queerer, more trans, younger, less white, more radical and less United Methodist than it was when I began. Sharing in risk, growing together, and loving each other through have become core practices of our community culture.” (Added 6-11-2024)
Tweet by Taylor Burton Edwards. “Our reporter, who was at the called special session, has stated that no such vote took place. What this document is, I cannot tell you. What I can tell you is that getting any real news about Nigeria is more difficult that receiving documents that claim to speak for it.” A follow-up tweet says the UMNS is working on a story. (Added 6-10-2024)
“The Evolution of Methodism: From Asbury to Today” by The Remnant Radio via YouTube. “Dr. David Watson joins us to discuss the history and evolution of modern Methodism, particularly the journey from the days of Francis Asbury to the current state of the Methodist Church. How did we transition from the foundational influence of Asbury to the significant changes and challenges facing the Methodist Church today?” (Added 6-10-2024)
“Another Denomination Might Break Up” via Ready to Harvest (YouTube). Will all Mainlines eventually be the same? “The “Olympia Overture” POL-01 threatens to split the Presbyterian Church (USA) again. Let’s learn the facts about this upcoming decision.” (Added 6-10-2024)
“Opportunities and Challenges for the GMC” via Firebrand Podcast. David Watson, Scott Kisker, and Maggie Ulmer discuss the state of things in the Global Methodist Church. (Added 6-10-2024)
Tweet by Chris Ritter. “This document records the June 1, 2024 vote of the Nigeria Episcopal Area to depart the #UMC. There are four annual conferences in Nigeria (& a break-away group). Some 1 mil. members. Two of four West Africa Episcopal areas have now indicated exit (Côte d’Ivoire being the other).” (Added 6-10-2024)
UPDATED: “Resolution of the Joint Special Called Session of the UMC Nigeria Episcopal Area” via PDF. The statement PURPORTING TO BE from the June 1, 2024 Special Session at McBride UMC in Jalingo, Nigeria. Expresses an intention to leave the UMC. (Added 6-10-2024)
Post via Baltimore Washington WCA (Facebook). A copy of a resolution approved in Nigeria indicating all four conferences of the Nigeria Episcopal Area will withdraw from the UMC. (Added 6-10-2024)
“United Methodist Church in Liberia Clarifies Its Stance on LGBTQ Issues Amid Protests” by JaHeim Tumu via Front Page Africa. “Bishop Quire emphasized that regionalization will enable the United Methodist Church in Liberia to focus on its mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, avoiding distractions from debates over identity. He indicated that it would be used as a vehicle to make and enforce relevant policies to guide and direct its missional priorities moving forward.” (Added 6-10-2024)
Post by Brad Elrod via Facebook. Long post offering “The Rest of the Story” to the “Be UMC Arkansas” Facebook Group on the Ivory Coast exits. Suggests this split might be like the Methodist Protestant Church split that was eventually healed. (Added 6-10-2024)
“Along the Way: The Note of Joy” by Steve Harper. “And so, here we are—in general as a people experiencing a new awakening marked by joy, and as United Methodists now free in Christ to bear witness in the world with the note of joy characterizing us.” (Added 6-10-2024)
“Several Panhandle churches involved in United Methodist Church disaffiliation dispute” via WMBB (YouTube). Reporting on churches unable to disaffiliate following a state Supreme Court ruling. (Added 6-10-2024)
“2024 06-02 UMC General Conference Information” via St. Luke UMC, Sanford, NC (YouTube). Meeting held in a concerned UM congregation following General Conference. DS Gray Southern of the NC Conference answers questions beginning at 43:05. (Added 6-10-2024)
Post by Adam Hamilton via Facebook. “The Great Plains Annual Conference just approved, nearly unanimously, a resolution reaffirming our commitment to the historic doctrines of the Christian faith. This resolution was in response to the misinformation that was spread by those who sought to persuade churches in Great Plains to leave the UMC to join another denomination by claiming the UMC no longer believes in doctrines like the Trinity, the divinity of Christ, and the resurrection.” (Added 6-10-2024)
“Methodist Church apologises for ‘all forms of homophobia’” by Robbie Meredith via BBC. “The Methodist Church in Ireland has apologised ‘unreservedly for failures in pastoral support and care’ to the LGBT community and their families.” (Added 6-10-2024)
Overheard: On the promised Illinois Great Rivers Conference exit path: “I was at the IGRC Annual Conference when the Trustees report was shared. The details were not shared but just generalities about the process. There will be 7 steps involved which include a letter to the Bishop. They are following Paragraph 2549 in the UMC Book of Discipline which is used for closure of churches. As I understand it a church would have to request closing and then would be able to buy back their property and could remain independent or choose to unite with another denomination. The deadline for completing the process is December 31, 2024. As I said, the details were not shared and we were told that more would be shared in the next few weeks.” (Added 6-10-2024)
“Church, Take a Breath” by Bishop Bill McAlilly via the Nashville Episcopal Area. “Although ¶2553 was eliminated from the Discipline and the former disaffiliation process is no longer available, I have directed the Trustees and the Administrative Strategy Team to develop a process within the bounds of the Discipline for local churches who seek a different path outside the United Methodist Church.” (Added 6-8-2024)
“Breaking Barriers: LGBTQ+ Inclusion in the Methodist Church w/Dr. Ashley Boggan” by Faithful Politics Podcast (YouTube). “In this episode of Faithful Politics, hosts Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram welcome Dr. Ashley Boggan, the General Secretary of the General Commission on Archives and History for the United Methodist Church (UMC). Dr. Boggan shares her journey and passion for Methodist history, mentioning her role in ensuring the UMC understands its past to envision a more equitable future.” (Added 6-8-2024)
“Breaking News!!! Members of the United Methodist Church Protest Against Same Sex Marriage – LB TV” via LB Online TV (Liberia) (YouTube). Cell phone footage from a meeting in Liberia attended by retired Bishop Kulah (brother of Jerry Kulah). The crowd was worked up because security police were called to the conference compound. Speech protesting the actions of General Conference. Lay Leader also speaks, offers context on the process, and appeals to Liberian law. (Added 6-8-2024)
“United Methodist Bishop speaks to the media on some national issues concerning the United Methodist Church in Liberia” via News Public Trust (Facebook). [Video] Press conference with Bishop Quire and cabinet. Underscores the practices in Liberia will not change. Highlights coming regionalization. Liberia will not change regardless of whether regionalization is ratified. Charges threatened against those speaking against the UMC. “The United Methodist Church is not a gay church.” See also Print Article. (Added 6-8-2024)
Overheard: The Illinois Great Rivers Conference voted to approve the formation of an LGBTQ Ministry Team. The vote was 433/177 on Petition 104 which was amended on the floor to include people of various theological perspectives. The extended floor debate (1:57:40) included an admonition to slow down the rapid rate of change in light of concerned being heard in the local church. Lance Leeds: “When the kids start throwing up, it is time to slow the ride down.” (Added 6-8-2024)
“Iowa LGBTQ+ pastor to be ordained” by Jason Clayworth via MSN. “Rev. Jordan Derhammer Capek of West Des Moines United Methodist Church will be ordained as a full elder on Sunday.” (Added 6-8-2024)
“The Methodists are Migrating: Does the Church Care More About Inclusion, or Biblical Truth?” by Emma Schultz via Daily Citizen (Focus on the Family). “The old saying goes, “Where God closes a door, he opens a window.” The UMC opened a liberal window, and it’s safe to say churches are busting out of the door too.” (Added 6-8-2024)
“As Ivory Coast Methodists depart UMC over LGBTQ+ issues, Africa’s other Methodists take stock” by Fredrick Nzwili via Religion News Service. “Before the May decision, in August, more than three-quarters of the 91 congregations in the UMC’s Kenya-Ethiopia annual conference voted to withdraw from the denomination, aligning with the Global Methodist Church, a new denomination formed by conservative former UMC churches and leaders.” (Added 6-8-2024)
“United Methodists Lose 1M Members in a Single Day, Council of Bishops ‘Grieves’ Mass Exodus” by Talia Wise via CBN News. “The United Methodist Church Council of Bishops has issued a response to one of the largest exoduses from the denomination in history.” (Added 6-8-2024)
Post by Casey Farmer via Facebook. Video of Mark Driscoll calling the UMC satanic after watching clip compilation of General Conference. (Added 6-8-2024)
“Crossroads Podcast: What Happens Next To The Divided Methodist Flock?” by Terry Mattingly via Religion Unplugged. “While thousands of churches have left the denomination, many others face divisions in their pews — since UMC rules required a two-thirds majority for congregations to exit while retaining their buildings, endowments, etc. No one believes that the UMC’s struggles are over at the local level, a fact that should matter to local print and broadcast newsrooms.” Audio Link. (Added 6-7-2024)
Overheard: Illinois Great Rivers Conference delegates coming to annual conference to hear details of a promised exit pathway were disappointed when the details were not offered. It was announced that the exit is a work in progress and there would be a December 31 deadline. (Added 6-7-2024)
Overheard: Some are saying the West Virginia Conference is reneging on promises that an exit path would be available if church teaching changes. (Added 6-7-2024)
“For the first openly gay Methodist bishop, Christianity continued to be her calling” by Jey Born via NPR. “Pastor Karen Oliveto and her wife, Robin Ridenour. They interviewed each other for StoryCorps in Billings, Mont. Last month, the United Methodist Church dropped a ban against openly gay clergy.” (Added 6-7-2024)
“June 7, 2024 Weekly Live Stream” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “Every week I take the time to try and talk/think through developments in the world of Methodism and global Christianity more broadly, responding to the feedback of those who join me. Together I believe we are doing our part to recreate a shared sense of what it means to have a unified ministry in Christ in the context of a world bent on darkness. Consider joining us with your thoughts and prayers.” (Added 6-7-2024)
“Turmoil After General Conference” by Thomas Lambrecht via Good News. This roundup includes details on the Rwanda exit and the exit of two districts in Zambia. (Added 6-7-2024)
Post by Alfred Kwabena Mensah via Facebook. : Retired Bishop Kulah of Liberia seeks to bring peace to those protesting for a special session. (Added 6-7-2024)
“Why Nigerian United Methodists are Staying UMC” by Steve West. Steve West shared a PNJ PDF in support of the idea that Nigeria is committed to staying in the UMC. This document, however, comes from the Ande Emmanuel camp and is part of the fog of conflict there. See also here. (Added 6-7-2024)
“‘We grieve’: UMC responds to 1 million member conference leaving denomination” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. Covers the UMC Council of Bishops response to the Ivory Coast exit. (Added 6-7-2024)
“Methodist church regrets Ivory Coast’s split from the union as lifting of LGBTQ ban roils Africa” by Tsvangirayi Mukwazhe via Associated Press. “‘The church has aligned with the Rainbow Movement, and this is also a threat to our African traditions and human existence at large,’ read a petition by church members, calling on their Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa to act.” (Added 6-7-2024)
“Knife Attack: Nigeria’s Vote to Leave the United Methodist Church” via Church History Stories (YouTube). Varied and competing Nigeria claims continue. See also here. (Added 6-7-2024)
“Pride Month and the Holiness of God” by Andrew Dooley via Kentucky Today. “The recent demise of the United Methodist Church, which abandoned biblical orthodoxy in exchange for the sexual revolution at its April General Conference, is but the latest example of the pressure on believers to capitulate to the cultural whims of depravity. Despite the faithful remnant of Methodists who decried the move, many wolves in sheep’s clothing quickly lined up to defend the action as progress in an ever-changing world. In other words, nothing to see here.” (Added 6-6-2024)
Post by Alfred Kwabena Mensah via Facebook. [Information on a demonstration demanding a special session of the Liberia Conference to consider UMC exit]: “Good Day! We are set for tomorrow, but aren’t using the UMC compound and have nothing to do with the UMC compound! We will use the main street(12th Street) We will be peaceful, Christlike and organized.Let’s meet at 9:00am!” (Added 6-6-2024)
Overheard: Bishop Quire of Liberia is returning home from the USA. He has ordered additional security at the conference office amid protests and calls for a special session of the annual conference to consider exit from the UMC. (Added 6-6-2024)
“2024 North Alabama Annual Conference” via UMNS. The conference celebrated Bishop Debra Wallace Padgett’s 12-year leadership. [Analysis: A well-loved, centrist bishop, her tenure is an opportunity to reflect on the changes she has seen. Using UM Data and the statistics in this report, membership dropped from 135,458 to 59,427 (down 56%). Professions of Faith per year dropped from 2,533 to 375 (down 85%). Attendance dropped from 68,132 to 31,654 (down 53.5%), and the latter number includes reported online attendance.] “Note: 150 North Alabama churches disaffiliated during 2023.” (Added 6-6-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “You might or might not hear it here first, but either way, you’ll likely want to know that The United Methodist Church is on the way to seeing a special session of the Liberia Annual Conference called to consider a motion to begin the process of withdrawal from our Church…
The Liberia Conference is another giant United Methodist annual conference. The departure of these two conferences in what it looks like will be a very short period of time will almost certainly be unprecedented in the world of Protestant Christianity. And, you know what? There was another way to have done this.” (Added 6-6-2024)
“Post General Conference Reflection: Divine Invitation to Unwrap the GC Outcomes” by Leah Wandera via UM Insight (from MFSA Voices). “This past General Conference was a resurrection. A restoration. A divine work of God. Jesus just turned and invited us United Methodists to participate in completing this divine obligation.” (Added 6-6-2024)
“Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda” by Lonnie Brooks via UM Insight. Ten missed opportunities at the Charlotte General Conference. Reprint of his Facebook post. (Added 6-6-2024)
“Cameroon and Senegal Also Lost in Cote d’Ivoire Exit” by Wes Magruder via UM Insight. “In 2020, the General Board of Global Ministries handed over its two Mission Initiatives in Cameroon and Senegal to the Côte d’Ivoire Annual Conference, where they became districts under the episcopal leadership of Benjamin Boni. Therefore, unless the districts’ leadership chooses otherwise, Cameroon and Senegal will go wherever Côte d’Ivoire goes.” (Added 6-6-2024)
“United Methodists in the Ivory Coast: One Vote, One Million Departures, Many Questions” by Darryl Stephens via UM Insight. “The failing merger of the UMC and the Methodist Protestant Church of Côte d’Ivoire exposes the difficulties of realizing United Methodism’s global ambitions. The ambition for global expansion appears to be motivated by a U. S. imperialistic mindset.” (Added 6-6-2024)
“Methodist church regrets Côte d’Ivoire’s split from the union as lifting of LGBTQ ban roils Africa” by Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi via News Break. “The church has aligned with the Rainbow Movement, and this is also a threat to our African traditions and human existence at large,” read a petition by church members, calling on their Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa to act. (Added 6-6-2024)
Post by Alfred Kwabena Mensah via Facebook. [image calling for a special session of the Liberia Conference to consider UMC exit]: “Bishop Samuel J Jr Quire no need for hiring armed police! Just call the special session! You know we United Methodists love you but want you to do the right thing!!!! Tomorrow we are coming outside to remind you of the many messages and decisions made to upholding scripture as our only guide.” (Added 6-6-2024)
Tweet by Charisma News. “Sadly the #UMC is not the only denomination that has abandoned God’s Word for the ways of the world. Read our #TopNews: https://tinyurl.com/4epkrm4v” (Added 6-6-2024)
“2024 Czechia Annual Conference” via UMNS. May 24-26 Prague session: “However, the timetable for the withdrawal of the United Methodist Church in Czechia from the worldwide United Methodist Church — and therefore also from the Central Conference of Central and Southern Europe — was the main topic of discussion.” (Added 6-6-2024)
“Ivory Coast Methodists leaving the United Methodist denomination” by Genevie Roby via World. “The United Methodist Church Council of Bishops said Wednesday it would help The United Methodist Church of Ivory Coast work to become independent. The annual conference last week voted to leave in response to the denomination’s recent vote to allow same-sex weddings and LGBT clergy. The Ivory Coast group, which goes by the acronym EMUCI, has made up a sizeable chunk of the United Methodist Church’s membership.” (Added 6-6-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. What General Conference 2020/2024 had the opportunity to do, but did not: Address jurisdictions, reform episcopacy, reform the general agencies, and seven other misses. (Added 6-6-2024)
“OPINION: This Pride Month, our rights are under fire” by F. Willis Johnson via Midland Daily News. UM Clergy: “The world of religion remains a complex, often fraught arena. The recent schism within the United Methodist Church over LGBTQ+ inclusion is a stark reminder that houses of worship can be both sources of comfort and sites of pain for queer individuals. As some Methodists welcome all into their congregations, others have splintered off, digging in their heels. Such practices aren’t unique to Methodism — from synagogues to mosques, religious communities grapple with reconciling doctrine and compassion, with wildly varying results.” (Added 6-6-2024)
“On Religion: The United Methodists Steer Left — And Into A Sea Of Red” by Terry Mattingly via Religion Unplugged. “This General Conference urgently moved to modernize many UMC doctrines and laws after the exit of 7,659 congregations in America’s biggest church split since the Civil War.” (Added 6-6-2024)
“Ivory Coast splits with UMC but other African conferences slow to follow” by Fredrick Nzwili via Christian Century. “Some Kenyan officials say the conference will take a final decision about how to respond to the US church at its annual meeting in August. But Muthuri explained that the African church has yet to confront LGBTQ clergy in its own ranks.” (Added 6-5-2024)
“COB commits to work with Cote d’Ivoire Conference as it prepares to leave UMC” By Bishop Tracy Smith-Malone via UMC Council of Bishops. “While we grieve Cote d’Ivoire Conference’s decision to separate from The United Methodist Church, we commit to work with them through the process of becoming an Autonomous Methodist Church.” (Added 6-5-2024)
“Côte d’Ivoire votes to leave denomination” by Heather Hahn and Chadrack Tambwe Londe via UMNS. UMS coverage of the Ivory Coast exit. Financial and demographic implications discussed. See accompanying Photo Retrospective. (Added 6-5-2024)
“Dispatches From the United Methodist Diaspora: Remember the Struggle of What Has Been” by Courtney Jones via Good Faith Media. The negative financial impact of the UMC on LGBTQ folks described. “There is now much self-congratulatory posturing, as though this is the end of something and not the beginning. I have to imagine those who are still affiliated see the writing on the wall of a dwindling mainline denomination, with each generation more and more open to fluidity of sexual orientation and gender expression.” (Added 6-5-2024)
“Compassion UMC in Ocala offers women in need hope, care, and a path forward” by Joe Henderson via Florida UM Conference. In a space that once housed a disaffiliating Hispanic ministry, the Becks launch a congregation focused on battered women and women battling addiction. The district office is located in the Ocala church, too. (Added 6-5-2024)
“Rev. Mike Schafer Selected as GM Church’s First Connectional Operations Officer” by Walter Fenton via GMC. “After an extensive search process, the Global Methodist Church’s Transitional Leadership Council confirmed at its Monday, June 3, 2024, meeting that the Rev. Mike Schafer will serve as the denomination’s first Connectional Operations Officer.” Schafer is President of the West Plains conference and will assume duties after Keith Boyette’s retirement at General Conference. He will have a humbler job description than Boyette. (Added 6-5-2024)
“Deacons Presiding at the Altar?” by Matthew Kemp via The Living Church. Sacramental authority is a sticking point in the unity plans between the UMC and TEC, such as sacraments being administered by licensed but not ordained clergy. The UMC’s decision to grant sacramental rights to deacons has widened that gap. (Added 6-5-2024)
“The exodus of the faithful” by Al Mohler via World. “Of course, the theological disaster did not start with homosexuality. It began with theological liberalism and surrender to the spirit of the age. By the time the UMC met last month, speakers lined up to voice their “preferred personal pronouns” and assorted sexual and gender identities. It was like a drama based on Romans chapter 1. They just capitulated to the LBGTQ revolution and cloaked it all as a giant Pride event.” (Added 6-5-2024)
Tweet by Talbot Davis: “Well, #UMCGC has been over for about a month now but I just realized something. EVERYONE expected it to redefine marriage in the #umc, which it did. NO ONE expected it to redefine singleness, but it managed to do that as well.” (Added 6-5-2024)
Post via Zambia Annual Conference (Facebook). “Bishop KASAP further said that, a candidate who wishes to contest for the office of the bishop should not have a fellow marry a fellow man or woman marries a fellow woman is not welcome to lead the church in Africa. He further, mentioned that the Africans must respect the authority of the bible and serve God as it should be. In response to the speech of the Bishop, delegates expressed joy to the speech.” (Added 6-5-2024)
“Church, Take a Breath” by Bishop Bill McAlilly via Nashville Episcopal Area. “Many of you have received commentary on what happened and did not happen at the General Conference. Here are my key takeaways…” (Added 6-5-2024)
“Ivory Coast Conference Leaves United Methodist Church” via Decision Magazine (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association). The delegates added: “In Africa we do not believe we know better than Jesus. We do not believe we know better than God. We do not believe we know better than the Bible.” (Added 6-5-2024)
“More than 1M Methodists leave church over same-sex rule change” by Taylor Delandro via The Hill. “The Ivory Coast division had been the denomination’s largest jurisdiction overseas with more than 1.2 million members.” See also Blaze Media, Toronto Sun, and IFN Coverage. (Added 6-5-2024)
“State Supreme Court rejects appeal by Wiregrass, Alabama churches blocked from leaving United Methodist” via WDHN . Dothan local coverage. See also WMBB Coverage in Florida. (Added 6-5-2024)
“1M ditch United Methodist Church, after changes to marriage definition and LGBT clergy ban” by Heather Preston via Premiere Christianity (UK). “The EMUCI, which represents around twelve per cent of the denominations membership, argues the UMC’s doctrinal changes “deviate from Holy Scripture” and “sacrifice its honor and integrity to honor the LGBTQ community,” according to reports from La Croix International.” (Added 6-5-2024)
Post by Ben Horrocks via UM Clergy Facebook Group. Sharing the letter by Bishop Frank Beard questioning the actions of the Charlotte General Conference. See comments. (Added 6-5-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “Is it possible that the next wave of separations of local churches and, perhaps, even of annual conferences from The United Methodist Church could be precipitated by what the General Conference of 2020/24 did with ¶425.1 of the Book of Discipline?…” (Added 6-5-2024)
“United Methodists to close and sell UAB ministry house near Dreamland BBQ” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “The Rev. Tyler Cantrell, a former director of the UAB Wesley Foundation and former president of the board of directors who left the board in 2022, said the conference did not emphasize the student ministry enough. “It was just so hard to get any support,” Cantrell said. “I think they just had the plan of selling the house.” (Added 6-4-2024)
“STATEMENT of the Global Methodist Church in Croatia” by Vatroslav Župančić via Croatia GMC. “We call upon all church conferences, local churches and organizations that are still in communion with the UMC, and that do not share its recently adopted false teaching and unbiblical practices to respond to the call of the Lord Jesus Christ addressed in the book of Revelation “Come out of her, my people, lest you partake of her sins, and not receive from her evils!” (Rev. 18:5).” (Added 6-4-2024)
“One Heart: Talking About the Removal of Restrictive Language in the Book of Discipline” by Bradley Laurvick via UMC Discipleship. “This article is written knowing that you, as a United Methodist Church leader or member, may get questions from those within and outside your congregation in the coming weeks and months related to decisions made at General Conference in 2024…” (Added 6-4-2024)
“Part 2: Ending some chargeable offenses” by Taylor W. Burton Edwards via Ask the UMC. Second installment in an analysis of the changes made at the Charlotte General Conference. See also “Part Three: Clergy Formation.” (Added 6-4-2024)
“Is it time for you, and your congregation, and maybe your annual conference to consider leaving the United Methodist Church now?” by Scott Field via WCA. “The UMC hierarchy might have convinced themselves that disaffiliation is over, but the season of denominational separation continues. Denominational leaders, in many cases, have demonstrated that they are not trustworthy sources of information or assistance to you. But information and assistance is available.” (Added 6-4-2024)
“United Methodists lose 1 million members in 1 day over new stance on premarital sex and homosexuality” by Madalaine Elhabbal via Catholic Vote. “For reasons of conscience,” the statement concluded, “before God and before his word, supreme authority in matters of faith and life [the Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church-Côte d’Ivoire] decides to leave the United Methodist denomination.” (Added 6-4-2024)
“Alabama Supreme Court rules against 44 churches trying to leave the UMC” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “In October 2023, 42 churches filed suit against the Alabama-West Florida Conference, arguing that the conference was wrongfully delaying the dismissal process.” (Added 6-4-2024)
“How Far is Too Far?” by Bishop Frank Beard via Illinois Great Rivers UM Conference. “The question, ‘How far is too far?’ is raised because I believe there are some lines that we do not have the luxury of crossing, even with the goals of love, liberation, and liberty. The church of Jesus Christ should never be guilty of promoting or accepting sin of any kind. A careful reading of some of the things that were removed from our Book of Discipline left me scratching my head and wondering if we went a bit too far.” (Added 6-3-2024)
“UMC Nigeria Episcopal Area Rejects Same Sex Marriage” by Jethro Yerga via Echo Express. Ande Emmanuel’s group removed. “Also, members at the Session resolved that if the Special Session of the Central Conference was not conducted before the General Conference 2024, the UMC Nigeria Episcopal Area Board of Trustees by the meeting are mandated to begin the process of changing the name of the church “because currently, there are Gay and Lesbians Bishops including clergy and this is a clear violation of church laws”. (Added 6-3-2024)
“United Methodist split: Alabama Supreme Court rejects appeal by 44 churches blocked from leaving” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. (Added 6-3-2024)
“‘Strangely warmed’ by General Conference experience” by Amanda Bonnette-Kim via UMNS (Commentary). “As petition after petition was accepted, as I watched decades of harm and exclusion be undone, as I watched new policies that would take accountability for harm perpetrated by The United Methodist Church solidify into rules we are to abide by, I felt my heart strangely warmed.” (Added 6-3-2024)
“Bishop’s Office Response to Demonstration” via UMC Ebenezer (YouTube). “The Rev. Alan Gurupira, Admin Assistant to the Bishop addresses the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area United Methodists on the demo by a group of members outside the Zimbabwe West Annual Conference Head Office on the 30th of May 2024.” (Added 6-3-2024)
“United Methodist Church Protest Against Same-Sex Marriage In Liberia” via LiberianPeople (YouTube). Protest demanding a special session to consider exit from the UMC. (Added 6-3-2024)
“1 million people exited the United Methodist Church in a single day and I can’t imagine why” by “John Knox” via Not The Bee. “The UMC has been destroying its numbers by embracing LGBTQ+ “affirming” politics designed for “inclusion.” But it turns out that most gay folks don’t want to go to church.” (Added 6-3-2024)
“Duke Memorial United Methodist Church going viral on TikTok for playing “HOT TO GO!” on the first day of pride!” via Reddit. (video). A Durham, NC United Methodist Church plays gay dance anthem “Hot to Go” by Chappell Roan on its steeple carillon bells to kick off Pride Month. See also the viral TikTok. (Added 6-3-2024)
“Korean Methodists debate cutting ties with UMC after votes allowing same-sex marriage, gay clergy” via Christian Post. Reprint of coverage from Christian Daily International. (Added 6-3-2024)
“UM Annual Conference: Wisdom for Remaining Traditional Types” by Bob Phillips via PeopleNeedJesus.net. “You’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.” (Added 6-3-2024)
Post by Genevieve Bergman via Facebook: Protesting OK Conference inaction: “I want to give a HUGE shout out to Bishop Jimmy Nunn, the Annual Conference Council, and half of the voting delegates of the Oklahoma Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church for saying a huge $%&(! YOU to the LGBTQ people of Oklahoma on the FIRST DAY OF PRIDE. Today in a cowardice act of non-action, the Oklahoma Annual Conference adjourned before choosing to affirm LGBTQ people in the state.” See Similar Post and context here. (Added 6-3-2024)
Post by PlainSpoken via Facebook: “There was drama at the close of the Oklahoma Annual Conference of the UMC today when they failed to pass this resolution below. They had some close votes and ran out of time. Eventually they just closed the conference session. A conference official posted on FB that people were cussing him out and tagging him in angry FB posts about it….” (Added 6-3-2024)
Conflicting Reports: Post by Harry Kanawa via Facebook. [Photos] Nigerian: “UMCN episcopal area Joined special call session held at UMCN Mcbride Jalingo Taraba state on the 01st June 2024. Resolutions. 1. Unanimously voted will leave UMC since HOMOSEXUALITY has been legalized. 2. Special call session to be approved by cabinet and Bishop to conduct elections. 3. Bishop Yohanna of Nigeria area to inform the state and federal government the removal of incompatible language in the BOD and our Resolution of leaving the church Unanimously. Check the votes counting on the photos via here. We move.” [See Conflicting Report] (Added 6-3-2024)
“Same sex marriage is against the constitution of Nigeria and tradition of Africa – Clergy” by Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo via Champion News. “The leadership of Southern Conference of United Methodist Church wish to call and appeal for total calmness as strong measures have been put in place to discuss the ugly incident that is even against Nigeria Constitution, and our tradition in Africa, with the Registered Trustees, Cabinet members, Board of laity, council on ministries, which will finally lead to special call session, before letting the entire world know our reactions to the ungodly lifting of ban on Homosexuals.” (Added 6-3-2024)
““Cut off all communication with UMC.” My voice grows louder.” by Kim Jin-young of the Christian Daily. “In particular, the attendees decided through the meeting to: △ demand that the denomination (KCC) disassociate itself from the UMC; △ ask candidates for this year’s Episcopal president election about withdrawal from the NCCK (National Council of Christian Churches in Korea); △ demand that queer theology be defined as a heresy; We decided to make every effort to get NCCK withdrawal approved at the administrative general meeting.” (Added 6-3-2024)
“Korean Methodists debate whether to sever ties or remain after UMC General Conference’s change on homosexuality” via Christian Daily Asia. “Recently, the MHMC held an Emergency Seminar and Meeting in Response to the UMC Crisis at Incheon Sungui Methodist Church, where Pastor Nak-in Kim (retired from Lord’s Church in Southern California) lectured, highlighting the pro-homosexual trends within the UMC.” (Added 6-3-2024)
“‘It’s time for churches to take a stand’: Faith leaders respond to aggressive Pride Month push” Erica Thomas via 1819 News. “Some churches have allowed the normalization of LGBTQ ideals, even allowing gay pastors in some cases. Just last month, the United Methodist Church lifted its ban on LGBTQ clergy. The “Reconciling United Methodists of the North Alabama Conference” group used the Pentecost, May 19, to hype up congregations for Pride Month.” (Added 6-3-2024)
“United Methodists choose inclusion for all as standard of its church” by Dorothy S. Boulware via The St. Louis American. “Greater Northwest Area Bishop Cedric D. Bridgeforth told UMC News that removing condemning language on homosexuality opens the church to a worldwide conversation.” (Added 6-3-2024)
“When Full Inclusion Isn’t” by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “As the Traditional Incompatibilists prevailed at GC19, the Progressive Incompatibilists prevailed at GC20/24. Just as striking, however, is the fact that not only did the Progressive Incompatibilists not provide a way for the few remaining Traditional Incompatibilists and Traditional Compatibilists inclined to do so to withdraw, they rebuffed every attempt to get that done while they were adopting provisions that were as objectionable to the Traditionalists as the legislation adopted at GC19 was objectionable to the Progressive Incompatibilists.” (Added 6-3-2024)
Post by Tim Beardsley via Facebook. [Video] “Liberia UMC protest to petition the Bishop Quire of Liberia Annual Conference to call a Special Conference to allow the church to vote to leave the UMC. This is all because of UMC General Conference in Charolette approving LGBT marriage and clergy in the UMC, so Bishop Quire let Liberia vote at Special Conference….” (Added 6-3-2024)
“Embracing Opportunities: A Bright Side to the United Methodist Church Situation” by Lynn Malone. “Traditionalists, you wanted to “wait and see.” Well, you waited and now you’ve seen. It is time to make a decision about where God is calling you in the future. Embrace the season. Embrace the challenge. Embrace the opportunity. But always, keep looking on the bright side!” (Added 6-2-2024)
“Should Conservatives Stay?” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “Friends, I felt like I needed to comment a bit on the predicament of those with a biblical fidelity who are still within the UMC. I have had a series of conversations with people representing different positions on this question. I wanted to make clear where I stand, and to give encouragement to those of you who aren’t sure how to navigate these things. I hope this offering of mine gives some clarity. God bless you and your churches.” (Added 6-1-2024)
“Open Letter to a Post-General Conference United Methodist Church” by North Texas UM Delegate Jessica Vittorio via Medium. As shared in UMNS’s Daily Digest: “As the sun rises on my flight, so a new day rises in the worldwide UMC, a new day indeed.” (Added 6-1-2024)
Post by Rob Renfroe via Facebook. “Centrists and progressives in the UMC decided that if they had to lose Africa to pass a liberal sexual ethic, that was a price worth paying. Well, they just lost a million African members. I’ve been to Côte d’Ivoire twice. Great people.” (Added 6-1-2024)
“1 million-member regional body leaves United Methodist Church over gay marriage, clergy” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “The Côte d’Ivoire Conference based in West Africa voted earlier this week to leave the UMC after the denomination’s decision to remove rules banning the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of people in romantic same-sex relationships from its Book of Discipline.” (Added 6-1-2024)
By Request: Text of amended Par. 425.1, UMC Book of Discipline. The text of the revised Par. 425.1 requiring clergy to be appointed without regard to sexual orientation. Conferences are to train local church SPRC’s to receive clergy regardless of sexual orientation. (Added 6-1-2024)
“United Methodist church members in Tallahassee react to lifted ban on LGBTQ clergy” via WCTV (YouTube). Local feature from Florida. (Added 5-31-2024)
“Friday, May 31 Weekly Live Stream” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). Weekly discussion of Methodist news items. This one focuses on the Ivory Coast exit. (Added 5-31-2024)
““If we cannot think alike, we may love alike”: Can the Methodist schism over queer clergy and same-sex marriage yet be healed?” by Glen O’Brien via ABC.net. “The pitting of scripture and tradition over against reason and experience has resulted in a sail too stiff to catch the wind of the Spirit and a consequent rupture in the Methodist community.” (Added 5-31-2024)
“1.2 Million West African Methodists Leave UMC After Denomination Redefines Marriage” by Mark Tooley via The Roys Report. “The quickness of the Ivorian exit may inspire other United Methodist regions in Africa to act likewise. United Methodism in Africa is overwhelmingly conservative and displeased with United Methodism’s new direction set by the recent General Conference.” (Added 5-31-2024)
“Côte d’Ivoire votes to leave denomination” via Good News Magazine. Coverage of the Ivory Coast Conference’s exit. (Added 5-31-2024)
“1 million-plus Africans vote to leave UMC after liberal delegates chose rainbow flag over Bible” by Steve Jordahl via American Family News. “On Tuesday, a conference within the UMC, the United Methodist Church in the Ivory Coast, voted to cut ties with the U.S.-based United Methodist Church – or what’s left of it – over liberal orthodoxy that permits open homosexuality in the pulpit.” See also here. (Added 5-31-2024)
“Alabama Supreme Court upholds dismissal of UMC disaffiliation lawsuit brought by 48 Methodist churches” by Caleb Taylor via 1819 News. “There is something extremely unsettling about changing the rules during the course of the game. I question whether this process was fair. However, as noted, we simply do not have the jurisdiction to decide this matter,” [Justice Bryan] added. (Added 5-31-2024)
“United Methodism, the Ivory Coast, Announcements, and Salvation Army Ecclesiology” by Andy Miller III via More to the Story Podcast (YouTube). Livestream update. (Added 5-31-2024)
Alabama Supreme Court Decision via PDF. “Because exercising jurisdiction over this case would entail resolving a dispute on the basis of religious practice or doctrine, we affirm the trial court’s judgment dismissing the suit.” Justices Bryan & Mitchell: “The Conference’s treatment of the churches raises serious concerns about the fairness of the process in this case… There is something extremely unsettling about changing the rules during the course of the game.” Justice Cook: “I am concerned by the churches’ claim that the Conference unfairly engineered the disaffiliation process to prevent their departure from the UMC…’Lucy pulling the football away as Charlie Brown tries to kick it.'” (Added 5-31-2024)
Post via Baltimore-Washington WCA via Facebook. “Following the lead of the Ivory Coast (Cote D’Ivoire) Annual Conference, the Rwanda Provisional Annual Conference has voted to leave the United Methodist Church. More will follow after these: Rwanda, a Provisional Annual Conference under Burundi, voted yesterday to leave the United Methodist Church. Rwanda, which had five districts with more than 50 clergy, has decided to leave the UMC following the decision taken recently by the UMC to lift the ban on LGBTQ practices and change the marriage definition and other related issues.” (Added 5-31-2024)
“AL Supreme Court blocks appeal by 45 United Methodist churches suing to leave the denomination” by Scott Johnson via Lagniappe (Mobile). [paywall] “The Alabama Supreme Court has unanimously sided with the United Methodist Church in blocking 45 congregations from leaving the denomination. However, multiple justices said the UMC was unfair to do so.” See background here. (Added 5-31-2024)
TikTok via Jeremy Steele. A UM Clergy explains his rejection of the evangelical Gospel he learned as a youth at his childhood UM church in Florida. (Added 5-31-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “Despite what some folks are saying to the contrary, the United Methodist Cote d’Ivoire Annual Conference (Ivory Coast) has made available a copy of the resolution it adopted in which it expressed its intent to withdraw from The United Methodist Church. Now, mind you, the language in which that Conference functions and conducts its business is French, so the text of the resolution is in that language. You can access it by following this link:” (Added 5-31-2024)
Post by Florida Provisional Conference of the GMC (Facebook). “Please join us in celebrating the news that as of May 28, 2024, three new provisional annual conferences began operations: 1. Central African Republic Provisional Annual Conference 2. Panama Provisional Annual Conference 3. Tanzania Provisional Annual Conference.” (Added 5-31-2024)
Post via Mid-Texas Conference of the GMC. “Important Update: praise God! The judge has granted a motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed against 27 churches by the Rio Texas UMC Conference. We trust in God to continue to see these churches through. Thank you all for praying and fasting. All glory to God!” (Added 5-30-2024)
“United Methodist Church members in anti-gay demo – petition bishop over votes on LGBTQ policies” by Tapiwa Svondo via New Zimbabwe. “During the proceedings, the atmosphere clearly showed that Africans are not valued. This shows that the General Church only accommodates Africans to gain the legitimacy of a global church. See also here. (Added 5-31-2024)
“Partnership allows Struthers church to remain open despite being deemed ‘non-vital’” by Dave Sess via WKBN. “The church didn’t even miss a Sunday service after being kicked out of its building. It has a heavenly Partner and now an earthly one, too, to reach the Valley.” (Added 5-31-2024)
“United Methodists to lose 12% of global membership as African churches exit over LGBTQ-friendly move” by Mark Kellner via Washington Times. The UMC, its Ivorian leaders said, “has preferred to sacrifice its honorability and integrity to honor the LGBT” and thus “is no longer suitable” for the local church and has voted to leave the denomination. (Added 5-31-2024)
Overheard: A judge in San Antonio, Texas dismissed the Rio Texas Conference’s suit against 27 congregations who exited without going through the disaffiliation process. (Added 5-31-2024)
“Living in Our Contradictions” by Paul Graves via UM Insight. “Is this contradiction as glaring to you as it is to me? Our denomination has been living in this contradiction for 52 years. Unknown numbers of LGBTQ persons, their families and friends have been destructively impacted by this contradiction.” (Added 5-30-2024)
“UMC Faces Turbulence Over LGBTQ Bans’ Removal” by Cynthia Astle via UM Insight. A round-up of reactions to Charlotte, including Ivory Coast exit. (Added 5-30-2024)
“SHOUTS OF JOY. CRIES OF LAMENT. Queer Clergy Reactions to an Historic General Conference” via UMC Queer Clergy Caucus. “Yes, we overcame restrictions against LGBTQIA+ people becoming clergy and preventing all marriages from being celebrated in our denomination. These deletions, however, have only moved the UMC to a neutral position on the value of LGBTQIA+ people and our place in the denomination.” (Added 5-30-2024)
Tweet via UMNS. “The #UMC Queer Clergy Caucus released a statement sharing joy at General Conference’s removal of restrictions against LGBTQ people. “Now, the hard work begins of repairing wounds and reconciling ourselves back to each other as disciples of Christ…” [LINK] (Added 5-30-2024)
“LETTER: The Methodist schism” by Leonard Maki via the Delta County Independent. “Churches and individuals need an anchor. Our society is becoming more decadent and provides no better anchor than a lead weight at the end of a fishing line. Wesley was a lighthouse who believed plainly taught Holy Scripture should be that anchor – Jesus being the Savior and Light of the World. Jesus’ ‘love and inclusivity’ did not extend to those seeking the ‘approval of men rather than the approval of God.’” (Added 5-30-2024)
“Côte d’Ivoire Breaks From United Methodist Church” by Jessica Eturralde via Ministry Watch. “EMUCI joined the UMC in 2002, but says the denomination now “deviates from the Holy Scriptures” and prefers “to sacrifice its honor and integrity to honor the LGBTQ community,” according to La Croix International.” (Added 5-30-2024)
“Exodus Begins: Over 1,000,000 Members in One Day” via Church History Stories (YouTube). “In this video, we explore the significant decision made by the United Methodist Church in the Ivory Coast to leave the denomination. This departure follows controversial changes at the 2024 General Conference, which redefined the church’s stance on marriage and sexual behavior. With over 1.2 million members, this move represents a major shift within global Methodism, potentially setting a precedent for other conservative regions in Africa. What could mean for the future of the United Methodist Church worldwide?” (Added 5-30-2024)
Tweet via UMNS. “We have a fuller story [on the Ivory Coast exit] coming likely next week.” (Added 5-30-2024)
“United Methodist Church members in Harare, Zimbabwe, protest against homosexuality” via ZimPapers Digital (YouTube). Video of Zimbabwe protest against the changes made at General Conference, asking for a special session of annual conference. See also here and here. (Added 5-30-2024)
“Pharisees, liberals and liars: The UMC’s battle for faith” by Kelvin Chitowo and Haggai Muchapondwa via The Zimbabwe Independent. Opinion and Analysis: “THE 2024 United Methodist Church (UMC) General Conference convened in Charlotte, North Carolina, was marred by controversy and thereafter resulted in an unfounded direction on the church’s position on human sexuality. It damned the pillars of the church, notably perverting the 2016 book of discipline and disregarding the bible and then moving forward to push for a Trojan horse of so-called “regionalisation”. (Added 5-30-2024)
“United Methodist Members Protest Against Gays In Harare Following Church’s New Controversial Stance On Same-Sex Marriages” by Siyabonga Mpini via Harare.com. “The members are at the UMC head offices in Milton Park, Harare. They are also presenting a petition to the church’s national leadership.” (Added 5-30-2024)
“Historic downtown Atlanta church targeted for housing conversion” via Urbanize Atlanta. “Gorman plans to remake the sanctuary into a roughly 4,000-square-foot, rentable event space where the inclusive Methodist church would continue to host worship services, according to Invest Atlanta, which has approved $2 million in Eastside Tax Allocation District funding to support the adaptive-reuse venture.” (Added 5-30-2024)
Post by Tim Beardsley via Facebook. (Photo and video) “Today the Zimbabwe UMC leadership are protesting against Bishop Nhiwatiwa and the UMC GC outcome demanding a special Annual Conference to decide their way forward!!” (Added 5-30-2024)
“One Million United Methodists Exit in One Day” by Mark Tooley via Juicy Ecumenism. “But likely not for very long, as the impact of the dramatic General Conference liberalization sinks into African churches. Ivory Coast’s example will be instructive for many others. In five years, very probably nearly all of Africa will have exited United Methodism, leaving a rump church of perhaps several million U.S. members.” (Added 5-30-2024)
“What the Côte d’Ivoire Departure Means for the UMC” by David Livingston. “A conference that has voted to leave the denomination would obviously not have voted for regionalization. While the conference could still technically vote on the amendments since actually leaving the denomination will still take some time, they certainly could not do so in good conscience.” (Added 5-29-2024)
“New: United Methodist Church Members to Demonstrate Against Homosexuality” by Daily Mail (Zimbabwe). Police grant permit for a peaceful demonstration at the UMC headquarters. (Added 5-29-2024)
“Unity talks underway for US Methodists and Episcopalians after LGBTQ+ clergy ban lifted” by Heather Preston via Premiere Christianity (UK). Last week, ECUSA’s General Convention vowed to “continue dialogue” with the UMC “with the goal of reaching full communion” and to “celebrate” the UMC’s “historic and sweeping changes” to its Book of Discipline and Social Principles. (Added 5-29-2024)
“‘We create space for diversity to thrive’: Honolulu’s UMC” by Sandy Harjo-Livingston via KHON. “The conversations sparked by the removal of harmful language have been profound. Rev. Yuh described meetings with Tongan clergy and laity, as well as Korean clergy, where they navigated the implications of the church’s decision.” (Added 5-29-2024)
“Methodist church now includes all-inclusive in doctrine” by Steven Powell via Bainbridge Island Review. “On the other side, Silverdale Community Church left the United Methodist Church in May last year and subsequently joined the Global Methodist Church and have seen numerical growth since then, pastor John Weston said.” (Added 5-29-2024)
“POV: Schism in the Methodist Church Explained” by Robert Alan Hill via BU Today. Dean of Chapel at Boston University explains the UMC Schism. (Added 5-29-2024)
“Decision of the Ivory Coast Annual Conference” via Ivory Coast UM Conference. Declaration: “Whereas the United Methodist Church from the postponed 2020 General Conference held from April 23 to May 3, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina, in the United States, is not based on any biblical and disciplinary values, Considering that the new United Methodist Church is now based on socio-cultural and contextual values which have consumed its doctrinal and disciplinary integrity, Considering that the new United Methodist Church has preferred to sacrifice its honorability and integrity to honor the LGBT,Considering that the new United Methodist Church which distances itself from the Holy Scriptures is no longer suitable for the Annual Conference of Côte d’Ivoire… (Added 5-29-2024)
“United Methodist Church: Ivory Coast Annual Conference Says No to Homosexuality” by Yao Firmin Bonfils Ndri via FratMat.info. Includes the text of the May 28 Declaration by the Ivory Coast Conference to leave the UMC. (Added 5-29-2024)
“A Creative and Viable Option: Trustees to Propose Relocation of United Methodist Center to Sugarloaf Property” via North Georgia Conference. The Fountain at Sugarloaf was denied disaffiliation by the North Georgia Annual Conference. Now, the Conference is taking over the church as its headquarters. See Sugarloaf Timeline. (Added 5-29-2024)
Post by Jeff Greenway via Facebook. “Good news! Friends, On Tuesday, the Transitional Leadership Council authorized and approved the beginning of operations of three new provisional annual conferences in the Global Methodist Church: Tanzania Provisional Annual Conference, Central African Republic Provisional Annual Conference, Panama Provisional Annual Conference. In Christ, Keith Boyette, Transitional Connectional Officer.” (Added 5-29-2024)
“A New Reformation” by Jane Ellen Nickell via UM Insight. “The recent division of the UMC is a notable event in a similar religious reformation, but we cannot see the complete arc. Those who follow us will see where these changes led, along with which events pushed it forward, and which held it back.” (Added 5-29-2024)
“A brief history of Methodism in Côte d’Ivoire” by Tim Tanton via UMNS. A 2009 profile of the Ivory Coast Methodism. The Ivory Coast Conference voted to depart the UMC in May 2024. “The denomination has 900 churches and 100 preaching points, and its membership is growing 7 percent to 8 percent annually, according to the conference. This thriving church is led by a relatively small number of pastors – about 109 – with help from 6,000 local pastors and 7,000 to 8,000 class leaders.” (Added 5-29-2024)
“Podcast #27: The Divided United Methodist Church, Part II” by Paul Thomas via Substack. As promised, below is Part II of “The Divided United Methodist Church,” with a detailed look at the “new thing” God is doing in the Global Methodist Church.” (Added 5-29-2024)
“Oklahoma United Methodists to meet for first time after exits, LGBTQ+ restrictions removed” by Carla Hinton via The Oklahoman. “We understand that there are people in our churches who are on all different sides of issues related to human sexuality, property ownership and the trust clause. We understand that we’re still a diverse annual conference, but the decisions that the General Conference made allow all of our churches to continue to be who they want to be in their context.” (Added 5-29-2024)
Post by Michael Christian via Friends of the GMC Facebook Group: “First I’d like to apologize to this GMC group as a member of the UMC… If we had been paying attention, we would have been planning an exit strategy pre-pandemic. Now after this vote the UMC is pushing back… I’m sure that in time these questions and venting from UMC members still in shock will die down on your GMC site. Keep us in your prayers as we move through this unchartered territory.” (Added 5-29-2024)
“Some things in the rearview mirror are closer than they appear, and others are farther away…at least for former, now disaffiliated, United Methodists.” by Scott Field via WCA. “So, what then is our reaction to and relationship with the “fellowship of the stuck”; the United Methodists who are just now coming to the conclusion that they, too, must join us in the journey of departure and new beginnings?” (Added 5-29-2024)
“Ivorian Methodists break from United Methodist Church over LGBTQ decisions” by Guy Aimé Eblotié via LaCroix International. [paywall] “The United Methodist Church of Ivory Coast (EMUCI) has withdrawn from the United Methodist Church over its ordination… of homosexual pastors and the celebration of same-sex marriages.” (Added 5-29-2024)
Comment by Wayne Marshall Jones via UM Clergy Facebook Group: “The Protestant Methodist Church in Côte d’Ivoire was related to British Methodism until it became independent in 1985. Then in 2004 it became a provisional annual conference of the UMC and elected a bishop who was previously president of the independent church. That was a “merger” (like with the EUB in 1968 that was a denomination of similar size!) but without careful planning and negotiation. They wanted to be like the UMC in Africa with bishops! So with the political support of the now-departed UMC conservatives who wanted more African delegates to the GC (they got only 2 more initially for all their politicking!), it was something like a ‘shotgun wedding’. Without the cake. No wonder they are the first to leave in Africa. Something like a quickie divorce, though it will take years to finalize. Hopefully they won’t be around to vote against regionalization! I shed no crocodile tears. They lack the long UMC history and awareness of the perceived advantages of remaining UMC. So I say, it’s better to just do it now! Get out while the getting’s good. Before the next GC changes the rules.” (Added 5-29-2024)
“Conservatives Living into ‘New Reality’ of the UMC – A Conversation with Randy Frye” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “UMNews picked up an article published by the Holston Annual Conference, which was essentially an interview with conservative clergy, the Rev. Dr. Randy Frye, who is a self-proclaimed conservative (though he hates labels) who will be staying in The United Methodist Church. In the article, he talks about how the legislation at the most recent General Conference only brings the issue of gay marriage “back to neutral,” and how the denomination is still making room for conservatives like us.” (Added 5-29-2024)
Video via Les Amoureux de la musique Gospel (Facebook). Seems to be a video of the special session at which the Ivory Coast Annual Conference decided to leave the UMC. See also here. (Added 5-28-2024)
Post via Espérance TV (Ivory Coast UMC) Facebook. Video in French describing how a meeting between the bishop and General Conference delegation triggered a series of meetings related to the 1-million member conference’s relationship with the UMC. Facebook provides translation via Closed Caption feature. Comments can also be translated. See also this Video for a news style report of a special session of the Ivory Coast Annual Conference held in the wake of the Charlotte General Conference. (Added 5-28-2024)
Email by Roland Barnhardt via (PDF). As shared by Talbot Davis, disaffiliated clergy who paid into Brotherhood/Sisterhood of Western North Carolina are no longer eligible for benefits. (Added 5-28-2024)
Post by Louis Kasongo via Facebook. “Disobedience to God has serious consequences. Like this old prophet, so Bishop SCHOL ,well known as a great Manipulator, managed to manipulate Bishop Mande, the annual conference of Tanzania as well as the Homosexuals of GNJ (New Jersey) through lies, pushing them to come in this Church of Homosexuals, publicly demonstrate their oddities which are ruining and killing the Church in Africa, particularly that of Tanzania!” (Added 5-28-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “The United Methodist Church did what its elected delegates thought it had to do at its recently concluded General Conference. In doing that it might have sown the storm and is now reaping the whirlwind. The Cote d’Ivoire Annual Conference, one of the Church’s largest with about 1,000,000 or so members reported, has just today voted to begin the process of withdrawal from the Church.” (Added 5-28-2024)
“Côte d’Ivoire votes to leave denomination” via UMNS. “ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire (UM News) — Members of the Côte d’Ivoire Conference, meeting in special session on May 28, voted to leave The United Methodist Church. The decision comes after the denomination’s General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, where delegates voted on several changes, including the wording of the church’s definition of marriage and the removal of restrictive language regarding LGBTQ people, as well as approved a regional structure that now will go to the annual conferences for a vote. The Côte d’Ivoire Conference was provisionally received into the denomination at the 2004 General Conference and fully received in 2008. It automatically became one of the denomination’s largest conferences and last reported more than 1 million professing members.” (Added 5-28-2024)
“Committees approve ongoing dialogue with the United Methodist Church, with goal of full communion” by Melodie Woerman via Episcopal News Service. “This resolution is saying that we move forward with considering full communion with the United Methodist Church, but we want some specific action items to take place,” the Rt. Rev. R. William Franklin, assisting bishop in the Diocese of Long Island and chair of the Standing Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations, told the committees. “I would say this is not just a study document that’s been proposed, but an action plan to keep this moving.” (Added 5-28-2024)
“Four reasons churches left the United Methodist” via Bible Walk (YouTube). “General Conference 2024 ended with thousands of fewer United Methodist and United Methodist churches. Explore 4 different reasons churches chose to disaffiliate and leave the denomination.” (Added 5-28-2024)
“Considering Charlotte – Progressive Triumphalism and Sexual Licentiousness” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “Mark Holland published a piece that was over the line for a lot of folks, and he was pressed to make an apology for “harm” that it did. Lonnie Brooks has already aired a concern for progressive ‘triumphalism’ that was seen before, during, and is now being seen after the UMC’s General Conference. Odell similarly has the concern that this progressive takeover bodes badly for black and brown people, as these issues have now been racially coded.” (Added 5-28-2024)
“A pivotal decision by the Methodists and what that means for the Church #discernment” via Eyes on Jesus Podcast (YouTube). “In this episode of the Eyes on Jesus podcast, hosts Drew and Tim discuss the surprising statistic that only 6 percent of Christians hold a biblical worldview and how recent decisions within denominations, particularly the United Methodist Church, reflect and potentially contribute to this trend.” (Added 5-28-2024)
“General Conference budget impacts local churches” by Charlie Moore via Baltimore-Washington Conference. “So, it certainly follows that this reduction will generate significant potential for reducing the BWC Mission Share asks to our local churches. I must quickly add that, even though I am a member of the CFA, I cannot fully predict exactly how this will translate into the next four years of our Conference Mission Share Budgets.” (Added 5-28-2024)
“The quest for religious reform goes global” by James Dorsey via Modern Diplomacy. “Earlier this month, the United Methodist Church, a mainstream Protestant church with some 5.4 million followers and 30,000 houses of worship in the United States that has lost up to a quarter of its membership because of its increasing tolerance of same-sex marriage, called on its investment managers to divest from Israeli bonds as well as Turkish and Moroccan securities.” (Added 5-27-2024)
“Gratitude and Good Spirit Accompany Eurasia Area Departure” by Christie House via Global Ministries. “According to the Discipline, Eurasia will remain in the United Methodist connection until the Eurasian Central Conference meets in 2025 and a final vote for autonomy is ratified, at which point it will transition to its new status and will be free to create its own structure and guidelines.” (Added 5-27-2024)
“Historical sketch of The UMC” by Ashley Boggan via UMC Council of Bishops. A sketch of the UMC prepared by the COB for the National Council of Churches, highlighting theological pluralism and mentioning schism as challenge. (Added 5-27-2024)
“A look into the United Methodist Church’s decision to lift its LGBTQ bans” by Leoneda Inge, Stacia Brown via WUNC. North Carolina Public Radio coverage. (Added 5-27-2024)
“Staying with United Methodism: A Personal Testimony” by Riley Case via Juicy Ecumenism. “I, for one, still want to hold out hope. I want to keep my ties with United Methodism. I want to speak of what things might be done to move the church in a positive direction. I cannot do this as an outsider. I have many friends still United Methodist who are feeling abandoned by fellow evangelicals. That is why I am staying, at least for the moment, with the United Methodist Church.” (Added 5-27-2024)
“Church Says It Did Not Authorize ‘People’s Commencement’ Protest After Harvard Graduation Walkout” by Elyse C. Goncalves and Matan H. Josephy via The Harvard Crimson. “The leadership of Harvard-Epworth [UM] Church, the venue that held the ‘People’s Commencement’ following the pro-Palestine walkout at Harvard’s graduation, said they were angered and dismayed that the church became the site of a large-scale protest, according to a Friday email sent to the church’s congregation.” (Added 5-26-2024)
“Fears of Split in United Methodist Church… Local Leaders Contemplate Future” by Veronica Gwaze via The Sunday Mail (Zimbabwe). Fallout of the Charlotte General Conference in Zimbabwe. (Added 5-26-2024)
Post by John Meunier via UM Clergy Facebook Group. What compatibilism has a tough road ahead in the UMC. (Added 5-25-2024)
Tweet by Reconciling Ministries Network. On Highland Park UMC’s statement that it will not host same-sex weddings: “And yet – although the BoD has changed, the #UMC does not change until people change. This is one of the reasons why the path forward is just beginning. Until every church is a place where all God’s children are affirmed, our work is not done. #umcgc #faithfullylgbt” (Added 5-25-2024)
“Progressive Triumphalism at the UMC General Conference” by Lonnie Brooks via PeopleNeedJesus.net. Twelve instances of progressive triumphalism at the Charlotte General Conference. (Added 5-25-2024)
“Apology for Previous E-Mail” by Mark Holland via Mainstream UMC Email (PDF). “A few friends and colleagues reached out with constructive criticism and opened my eyes to reading my own words through a new lens. They saw, especially in the short 2nd paragraph and the longer 3rd paragraph, language that felt flippant and minimized queer experience and queer personhood.” (Added 5-25-2024)
“Cecil Williams, Whose San Francisco Church Became a Haven, Dies at 94” via New York Times. Profile of former United Methodist who built a progressive inter-religious mega church in the heart of San Francisco. See also AP coverage of his April 22 death. (Added 5-25-2024)
“Methodist Pastors: Church Views Grow through Fresh Interpretations of Bible” via Post Bulletin. [paywall] “We continually discern new meaning and understanding from these ancient texts — not because secular pressures cause the church to abandon its witness…” (Added 5-25-2024)
“Same sex marriages OK’d at Quapaw Quarter United Methodist” by Frank Lockwood via Northwest Arkansas Democrat. “Weeks after the nation’s second-largest Protestant denomination dropped its ban on same-sex marriage, one of its Little Rock congregations has voted to eliminate its own rules restricting wedding rites to heterosexual unions.” (Added 5-25-2024)
“The splintering of the United Methodist Church” by Jonathan Chang ad Meghna Chakrabarti via WBUR. Radio interview with Beth Stroud, Ashley Boggan, and Bishop LaTrelle Easterling. (Added 5-25-2024)
“Photos: Graduates walk out of Harvard commencement” by John Waller via Boston.com. Israel Protest: “After marching out of commencement and blocking streets in Harvard Square, the protesting students filed into Harvard-Epworth United Methodist Church for what they called the ‘People’s Commencement.'” (Added 5-24-2024)
“What Would Regionalization Look Like?” by Thomas Lambrecht via Good News. “Anxious congregations have been inquiring from renewal group leaders how to move forward in disaffiliating from the UM Church in light of the changes made at the General Conference.” (Added 5-24-2024)
Post by David Persons via UM Clergy Facebook Group: “It is a shame we can’t and won’t love each other. I guess winning was more important. The ruins of John Wesley’s revival lie all around us as a direct result. Want to know who to blame? I discovered who the other day when I looked in the mirror. You will discover the same truth. The right wing is to blame. The left wing is to blame. The radical moderates in the middle are to blame. The people who said and did nothing hoping it would all miraculously go away are to blame.
Everybody had to win. Instead. we all lost. Big time.” (Added 5-24-2024)
“The teaching that can unite us” by John Meunier. “My wish is that across United Methodism we could give careful attention to the doctrines that gave rise to our movement and in them find a source of unity and purpose that has evaded us for the last many decades.” (Added 5-24-2024)
“On toward Christian perfection after General Conference” Commentary by Joelle Henneman via UMNS. Trans pastor: “The work is not done. We took giant steps at General Conference 2020, but we have not reached Christian perfection quite yet.” (Added 5-24-2023)
“Africa Initiative: United Methodism in Africa is not for sale to Western Cultural Christianity” by Jerry Kulah via PeopleNeedJesus.net. The Africa Initiative issues a statement protesting the process and outcomes of the Charlotte UM General Conference. (Added 5-24-2024)
“Woman defrocked from UMC over same-sex relationship reinstated” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. Also includes report of Highland Park UMC’s decision not to host same-sex weddings. (Added 5-23-2024)
“LETTER: A church for all” by Robert Anders via Delta County Independent. “The Methodist Church’s decision to embrace love and inclusivity is a shining example of how religious institutions can adapt and evolve to better reflect the true message of their faith. We pray for a future where all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or any other aspect of their identity, are welcomed and celebrated.” (Added 5-23-2024)
“OP-ED: The Wave Of Homosexuality And The Speed It’s Taken In United Methodist Church” by Eddie Harmon via News Public Trust (Liberia). “Reports from the United States earlier this month (May) said that United Methodist General Conference, the church’s global legislative body, voted to overturn every ban on LGBTQ people. The historic changes include a new definition of marriage as a lifelong covenant between “two people of faith,” rather than solely between a man and a woman, and a repeal of its ban on LGBTQ clergy.” (Added 5-23-2024)
“The Myth of Neutrality” by Thomas Lambrecht via Good News. “The church is not neutral, but an active proponent of the acceptance, indeed affirmation, of homosexuality, transgenderism, and even a libertine sexual ethic. While in Charlotte, we read and heard repeatedly that these changes are only the first step of where progressive United Methodists intend to lead the church. What used to be proscribed became accepted, what was accepted is becoming promoted, and what is promoted usually becomes eventually required.” (Added 5-23-2024)
“UM & Global Resources on Regionalization” by David Scott via UM & Global. “UM & Global offers the following resources to assist in conversations about regionalization and what it means to strive to be a church that structures itself in internationally equitable ways…” (Added 5-23-2024)
Post by F. Gordon Hubbell via Facebook. “A few days ago, the head of the United Methodist Council of Bishops wrote a letter to the Global Methodist Church that essentially said “If you keep badmouthing our church we’ll keep badmouthing yours” and calling for a well-intended “truce” in a rather strange way with lots of “church words” that mean nothing to the average Methodist of either stripe… It was childish meanness. Let’s end it here and now.” (Added 5-23-2024)
“Episcopal Nominations” via Upper New York UM Conference. “..mindful of the slim chance that elections are carried by the Northeastern Jurisdiction due to the significant budget reductions made to the Episcopal Fund by the General Conference and the work being done by the Inter-Jurisdictional Committee on Episcopacy to allocate bishops across jurisdictions, the UNY delegation strongly recommends that the Annual Conference session of United Methodists of the Upper New York does not endorse candidates to the Episcopacy in 2024.” (Added 5-23-2024)
“Defrocked in 2004 for same-sex relationship, a faithful Methodist is reinstated as pastor” by David Crary via Associated Press. National coverage of Beth Stroud’s celebrated re-frocking. (Added 5-23-2024)
“Post or New Mainline Protestantism?” by Mark Tooley via Juicy Ecumenism. How to describe the denominations that came out of old Mainline denominations? (Added 5-23-2024)
“The Methodist surrender” by Carl Trueman via World. “The UMC lost sight of what it means to be human.” (Added 5-23-2024)
Overheard: It was shared in a ZOOM call with General Conference Delegates from the Susquehanna Conference that not only had 2553 expired due to General Conference action, but the Susquehanna Conference will not allow 2549 to be utilized for churches who now want to leave with their property. When some individuals followed up with conference officials after the ZOOM call, they were informed “In the Susquehanna Conference there is no longer a process in which a local church may leave the United Methodist Church with their facilities.” (Added 5-23-2024)
“‘I want my church to accept them.’” by Tom Lee via UMNS. “Tom Lee received a letter in 2019 from a former pastor who acknowledged his role in crafting the 1984 legislation barring gay clergy. The Rev. Richard Timberlake had come to change his stance and regret his role in that General Conference decision. Lee participated in fulfilling his pastor’s dying wish and imagines many more, dead and alive, carrying such hopes.” (Added 5-22-2024)
“Defrocked pastor reinstated after LGBTQ bans lifted” by John Coleman via UMNS. “The inspiration of that moment intensified when worshippers, numbering nearly 500, began to sing “Draw the Circle Wide,” which has become an unofficial anthem of the United Methodist movement to extend full ministerial, membership and marital rights to LGBTQ members.” (Added 5-22-2024)
“Responding to the United Methodist Church disrepect to the LGBT and their trash moves.” by Edward Sebesta via Dallas Gay Liberation. “My anger over the United Methodist Church (UMC) and their casual silliness and shenanigans is great. Their self-congratulating behavior trivializes our humanity. Examining what they have done closely shows that it truly trivial and trivializes our humanity. Their paternalistic conceits are insufferable.” (Added 5-22-2024)
“As United Methodist Church Empties Out, PBS Celebrates LGBTQ vs. ‘Heteronormativity’” by Clay Waters via NewsBusters. “But after laying out those grim facts, Bennett didn’t grill his guest, Rev. Valerie Jackson, about the mass exodus from the denomination. He certainly didn’t invite an opposing religious conservative voice into the debate.” (Added 5-22-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook: “Mark R. Holland, the principal person involved with the United Methodist caucus group, Mainstream UMC, has released a newsletter this morning that I think to a great extent illustrates the concern I expressed early on about the probability that the success of the Progressives at General Conference would be accompanied by and followed with a triumphalism that could threaten further undoing of the Church.” (Added 5-22-2024)
“Personal Remarks and Action on the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, 2024” by Daniel Griswold. “I’ve discerned that my path is now diverging and I’ll be joining The Global Methodist Church which continues to uphold a Discipline that may not be perfect in polity (it is still a work in progress) but that the doctrines and teachings will continue to contain and maintain the boundaries for marriage and human sexuality that are still in force from the ancient days to Jesus Christ alluded to by the Apostle Paul and upheld through the millennia until this current time.” (Added 5-22-2024)
Post by Julia Singleton via Facebook. [picture] “Rev Dr Beth Stroud was reinstated as a full elder today after losing her credentials for being in a same-sex relationship many years ago. This was such a powerful moment when the bishop knelt in front of her and she laid hands on him. Day one of conference has been an emotional roller coaster! Giving thanks for so much of it.” (Added 5-22-2024)
“UMC megachurch won’t host same-sex weddings despite denomination’s rule changes” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. Nevertheless, [Highland Park UMC pastor] Rasmussen said clergy could perform same-sex weddings at other venues in the community “based on their conscience,” saying that it was important because “we have always been a big tent centrist church.” (Added 5-22-2024)
“Apocalyptic Homophobia” by Mark Holland via Mainstream UMC (PDF of a E-Mail). “But here we are in 2024. An entire anti-gay denomination has formed out of the irrational fear that accepting homosexuality will destroy the church. Twenty-five percent of the United Methodist Churches in the US have disaffiliated because they fear that homosexuality presents an existential threat to them. Think about the power of this fear. It has broken generations of church connections and ministry.” See also here. (Added 5-22-2024)
Post by Bishop Ruby Nell-Estrella via Facebook. Philippines Central Conference Bishop: Human sexuality positions are not church law. The Philippines will continue to hold to traditional understandings of marriage. (Added 5-22-2024)
“The Bright Red Line: Why Methodists Aren’t United” by Scott Field via WCA. “The decisions of the United Methodist General Conference are perhaps perceived by its delegates and leaders to bring the time of disaffiliation and departure to an end. Things are now, as they may believe, “settled.” Many others still within the UMC, however, see something else. They see the “handwriting on the wall”; a biblical reference (Daniel 5, esp. vv. 25-28) that infers the UMC, for them, has been weighed in the balances and does not measure up; it has been tried and found wanting.” (Added 5-22-2024)
“The Global South Would Like a Word with United Methodists” by Phillip Wingeier-Rayo via UM Insight. “With the Traditionalists moving on, we have an opportunity to embrace our mission again of spreading Christ and engaging in love as action. We can preach the radical gospel of a table that is open and set for all humanity. Will the US Conferences finally treat the many national and regional conferences of the Global South as equals and embrace their strategies, theologies, and communal practices as our own, or are we so wedded to control through the purse that seeing their agency isn’t possible?” (Added 5-22-2024)
Post by Bill Foster via Facebook: Personal Credo: “Why Do I remain United Methodists?” (Added 5-22-2024)
“Defrocked in 2004 for same-sex relationship, a faithful Methodist is reinstated as pastor” by David Crary via Associated Press. Beth Stroud was reinstated by the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the UMC. (Added 5-22-2024)
Tweet by UM Jeremy Smith: Criticized lay woman Dixie Brewster for saying in an interview that she would be disappointed if her kids decided to attend a UM church. (Added 5-22-2024)
“Same-Sex Marriage: Taraba Methodist Dissociates Self” by Lamini Chuye via ait.live (Nigeria). “Since the Global Conference in North Carolina, in the United States of America, where the rights of Lebians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgenders, and Queer Community have been accepted to be recognised by the United Methodist Church in America, the church in Nigeria, Taraba State, has been embroiled over where it stands.” (Added 5-21-2024)
“Blessed Are Those Who Refuse to Add to the Noise” by Ben Gosden via Substack. “It’s easy to ‘take a stand’ with our opinions in ways that just add to the division and polarization. It’s the status quo these days.” Talking points to calm down a traditional congregation. (Added 5-21-2024)
“FULL INTERVIEW_Bishop Emerito Nacpil Journey into the Truth” via FMO News. Interview with a retired Filipino bishop on the outcome of the Charlotte General Conference. See also “What is Next for the Regionalization Plan?” (Added 5-21-2024)
“Considering Charlotte – Fallout From a Sea Change Conference” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken. A post-General Conference episode analyzing the outcome of the Charlotte General Conference. (Added 5-21-2024)
Post by Doug Damron via Facebook: “A next step to dismantle the UMC’s system of aphartied is to remove the power of local church Trustees to determine who may be wed in a local church. Matters of determining fitness for a wedding ceremony belongs exclusively to the appointed pastor not a property committee…guaranteed appointment needs to be fiercely guarded.” (Added 5-21-2024)
“Be Happy in Hope” by Bishop Dan Schwerin via UM Insight. “The prohibitive language related to weddings for our siblings who identify as LGBTQ+ was removed from our Book of Discipline. Clergy who identify as LGBTQ+ need not live in fear of being brought up on charges. Mandatory penalty language was removed. Until 1972 our predecessor bodies that make up the UMC did not have any such language in the Book of Discipline. In some ways we are coming home to what was.” (Added 5-21-2024)
“All the World and None of God” by Bret Walker. Critique of the ordination service of the Greater New Jersey Conference: “…one of the most disgusting displays of hedonism I have ever seen.” See also here. (Added 5-21-2024)
“Report from General Conference 2024” by Bishop Christian Alsted via UMC Nordic and Baltic Region. “General Conference has passed regionalization and has given the central conferences authority to set policies and boundaries for marriage, ordination and licensing for ministry and enabled them to delegate the same authority to annual conferences. I believe, these decisions will empower the global church to move forward out of decades of conflict into a time of renewed focus on our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” (Added 5-20-2024)
“Communique on the Outcome of the General Conference” by Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa via Zimbabwe Annual Conference. (Added 5-20-2024)
“The Recap | Post-General Conference episode” via United Methodist Communications. (Video). Positive take on the actions of the Charlotte General Conference. (Added 5-20-2024)
“Part 1: Decentering the United States: The United States Regional Committee” by The Rev. Taylor W Burton Edwards via Ask the UMC. First in a series on the actions of General Conference. (Added 5-20-2024)
“The Way Forward For Methodist | Post UMC General Conference | With Shane Raynor” by Lucas Curcio via Method Ministries (YouTube). Former staffer for UM Publishing House, now GMC, talks about the state of the UMC. (Added 5-20-2024)
“Why I’m Staying” by Bishop Sharma Lewis via MS Conference YouTube. The mission has not changed. “I have spent much time in… discernment over these past few weeks.” She is staying and appeals for others to stay, as well. (Added 5-20-2024)
“Where Will You Stand?” by Hannah Adair Bonner. A former mentee of Joe DiPaolo criticizes him for his traditional stance. (Added 5-20-2024)
“If You Hope To Speak For God, You’ll Hear A Myriad Contrary Voices” by Paul Prather via Religion Unplugged. On the UMC General Conference: “Very messy. No matter how sincere you are, you might turn out eventually to have been wrong. No matter how many Scriptures you cite to prove your point, those who disagree will trot out contrary passages to demonstrate why you’re tragically misguided — if not heretical.” (Added 5-20-2024)
“Priestesses and goddesses in the church?: What gender language “monitoring” at the United Methodist General Conference reveals” bu Colin Smothers via World. “It is no wonder that a denomination confused about what a man or a woman is, even to the point of coercing delegates to announce their “preferred pronouns” every time they got up to speak, would be confused about God’s “preferred pronouns.” (Added 5-20-2024)
“Making room in the UMC for the Spirit’s work” by Javier Viera via Christian Century. “Put simply, the church’s regions outside the United States now have a greater influence and vitality than those within the US, yet much of the financial and organizational power structure remains firmly ensconced in the US. For much of the last 50 years, traditionalists within the US have been theologically aligned with those outside the US, but those non-US regions have remained financially reliant on the more theologically progressive churchwide leadership. With the sizable exodus of traditionalists from the United Methodist Church over the last five years, the theological and political dynamics shifted considerably, setting up a dramatic and consequential assembly.” (Added 5-20-2024)
“Methodist Reversal: Protestant Denomination Ends Mainline Anti-Gay Bans Over Sexuality After Decades” via Milwaukee Independent. It took decades of activism for a change that was “so very healing,” said McAvoy, pastor of Shepherd of the Valley United Methodist Church in Hope, Rhode Island. A member of the Queer Delegate Caucus at the UMC General Conference in Charlotte, she was grateful to be part of the historic moment. (Added 5-19-2024)
“The Challenges Facing the GMC in Nigeria” via Ande Emmanuel via UM Clergy Facebook Group. “…Now that the General Conference is over, we are optimistic in Nigeria the the United Methodist Church will regain all that it has lost as a result of this attack from the GMC. God bless the United Methodist Church!” (Added 5-18-2024)
Tweet via @UMC_CommonSense: “For the #gideon who said my #church members can no longer be Gideons because of the #UMC General Conference reference decisions: -I wasn’t going to let you speak at my church anyways since Gideons don’t support women in ministry. So it works out.” (Added 5-18-2024)
“A year after split from United Methodists, breakaway Fayetteville church set to hold first services in new location” by Frank Lockwood via Arkansas News-Democrat. A congregation launched by Pastor Carness Vaughan from Central UMC is moving into a more permanent location in the Northwest Arkansas Mall. (Added 5-18-2024)
“A need for clarity on singleness and sex” by John Meunier. “Whatever the reason for this revision was, this paragraph as amended seems incredibly non-specific when it comes to unmarried clergy candidates. It also includes some standards that seem very hard to act upon. For instance, how does a Board of Ordained Ministry or clergy session determine if a candidate has failed to practice “careful and honest communication” as part of their “faithful sexual intimacy”? (Added 5-18-2024)
“Is the United Methodist Church Guilty of Apostasy?” via CBN News (YouTube). “It’s not just the UMC’s betrayal of scripture” but it’s the “actual destruction and denial of the Word of God…” Christian apologist Alex McFarland says the UMC’s decision to lift restrictions on same-sex marriage & gay clergy breaks his heart. He explains how former church members who have now joined the Global Methodists, suffered emotional and psychological abuse for remaining faithful to God’s Word. (Added 5-18-2024)
“Area Methodist churches’ full embrace of LGBTQ Christians likely to be ‘a process’” by Jeff Keeling and Clarice Scheele via News11 (TN). Fuller said her memories of the UMC she grew up in are generally of a loving place and she never heard “sermons that were like, gay people are going to hell … I don’t want it to come off like I was traumatized.” (Added 5-18-2024)
“Methodist pastor discusses major shift in church over LGBTQ inclusion” via PBS. “Geoff Bennett discussed the changes with Rev. Valerie Jackson of Park Hill United Methodist Church in Denver and the Reconciling Ministries Network.” (Added 5-18-2024)
TikTok via YourCalvinist. Parody news coverage of the UMC General Conference. (Added 5-17-2024)
“Weekly Live Stream for May 17, 2023” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). Discussion of Methodist topics from a traditionalist point of view. Update on actions by the UMC against Rickman’s live commentary on General Conference. (Added 5-17-2024)
“Schism Among the Methodists” via Premiere Christian Newscast (UK). “The United Methodist Church in the United States has also gone through a painful five years of divorce, with up to one in four congregations choosing to leave… Guests this week: – Tom Berlin, UMC bishop in Florida – Gregory Palmer, UMC bishop in Ohio – Timothy Tennent, president of Asbury Theological Seminary – Heather Hahn, assistant news editor for United Methodist News – Megan Fowler, religion journalist and contributing writer at Christianity Today.” (Added 5-17-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “The folks who sold regionalization in this form to the General Conference voters from the Central Conferences showed mastery of the art of salesmanship in a way that is rare. I mean, these folks could sell freezers to the Inupiak of Northern Alaska.” (Added 5-16-2024)
Repost: “Anglican Unscripted 856 – The United Methodist SPLIT” via AnglicanTV Ministries (YouTube). An interview with Ryan Danker. [Everyone keeps sending me this, so I am posting again!] See also here. (Added 5-16-2024)
“‘Open hearts’: Metro Detroiters welcome United Methodist …” by Marnie Munoz via Detroit News. [paywall] (Added 5-17-2024)
Tweet via Eric Huffman: “At 15, Chloe Cole (@ChoooCole) was led to trans from female to male (via hormones & a mastectomy). Soon after surgery, she regretted it and chose to de-transition. Now she’s a voice for the voiceless. It was an honor to speak w/her on @MaybeGodPod!” LINK (Added 5-17-2024)
“He feared coming out. Now this pastor wants to help Black churches become as welcoming as his own” by Darren Sands via Religion News Service. “It remains a volatile issue in some quarters. The African Methodist Episcopal Church, for example, is expected to vote at an upcoming national meeting on a measure which would allow AME pastors to conduct same-sex marriages.” (Added 5-17-2024)
“Bishop Beard General Conf Town Hall 5-16-24” via Vimeo. The bishop of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference hosts a town hall meeting about the recent General Conference. At about 47:00, he discusses a proposed gracious exit plan for churches that want to exit. (Added 5-17-2024)
“Former Woodbury pastor accused of possessing meth is compliant with drug treatment, lawyer says” by Lisa Backus via Middletown Press. “His attorney said he didn’t know Miller’s status with the Methodist church or whether his client would be returning as a pastor. “He’s focusing on his health and dealing with his addiction,” Ruane said. (Added 5-17-2024)
“United Methodist Church reverses anti-LGBTQ policies, allowing gay clergy, same-sex marriages” by “Since 1986, [Broadway UMC] has enthusiastically included and celebrated LGBTQ+ people, regardless of the wider church community’s discriminatory rules and practices, Lyall explained.” (Added 5-17-2024)
“The United Methodist Church Has Gone Off the Deep End…” by Gospel Partners Media / Wretched (YouTube). “The United Methodist Church has gone off the deep end… In this video, Todd Friel reacts to the recent viral clip from the UMC conference, and shares his perspective on it as a Bible-believing Christian.” (Added 5-17-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook: A critique of a statement by UMC bishops about the Global Methodist Church. (Added 5-16-2024)
“It Was a Good General Conference for Europeans” by David Scott via UM & Global. “European United Methodists are a very small group spread out over many countries in languages. In many ways, they are functionally marginal to a denomination that is overwhelmingly African and North American.” (Added 5-16-2024)
Tweet by Jeremy Smith: Depicts the progression from the Traditional Plan, Skipping the One Church Plan, and adopting “The Simple Plan” drafted by Queer UM‘s approved in 2024: “We should have listened to faithful queer #UMC folks all along.” (Added 5-16-2024)
“Frogs” by Nan Smith via UM Insight. “…For, like the frogs, the delegates took advantage of the right conditions and they recognized that the time was ideal. So emerged new legislation; emerged new possibilities; and the potential for new life. From this General Conference arose some grace-filled legislation – legislation that will hopefully serve to guide and shape The United Methodist Church as we move into this new season of what it will mean to be the church.” (Added 5-16-2024)
“Great Plains Delegate: ‘It’s Great to Do the Church’s Work’” by Jesi Lipp via UM Insight. Great Plains LGBTQIA+ Delegate: “I’m glad I got to be a delegate to a General Conference that really felt like the church being the church, instead of one marked by harm and toxicity. We have done good work, and come so far, and also we are no where near where we need to be and still have much to do.” (Added 5-16-2024)
“Commentary on Recent Changes Coming From the UMC Conference” by Pastor James Pauley III via Shinnston News (West Virginia). “I was asked this week by a progressive pastor, ‘Why stay?’ That’s easy. Wesley himself was an Anglican preacher his entire life. He never separated – his was a reform movement, not a “split.” The ‘split’ was a necessary thing in America because of the Revolutionary War. But he spent the remainder of his life preaching the Gospel with the goal of “spreading scriptural holiness across the land.” I’m not called to leave at this time. I’m called to stand up in the face of all this and say, ‘No.’” (Added 5-16-2024)
“General Conference Recap, History of the United Methodist Church, and the Future of the UMC” via “Means of Grace” podcast, Western North Carolina Conference (YouTube). “General Conference 2024 is over and it was clearly one of the most historic conferences in the United Methodist Church’s history. In this episode of the Means of Grace podcast, hosts Jesse Ennis, John Yeager and Jonathan LeMaster-Smith discuss the 2024 General Conference and its key events, decisions, and updates.” (Added 5-16-2024)
“Anglican Unscripted 856 – The United Methodist SPLIT” via AnglicanTV Ministries (YouTube). An interview with Ryan Danker. (Added 5-16-2024)
“‘Life after Doom’: A Guide to a Better Church, a Better World with Brian McLaren – GYSIS Episode 164” via Get Your Spirit in Shape Podcast via United Methodist Videos (YouTube). “Never waste a good crisis,” Winston Churchill was quoted as saying…. With The United Methodist Church navigating its own crisis during the past few years, McLaren encourages those of us in the church to use the opportunity of all of these challenges to become something we wouldn’t have become any other way and to remember our Wesleyan heritage to claim our role to promote love and justice in the world.” (Added 5-16-2024)
“A Modest Proposal for Peace” by John Alexander Wright via UM Clergy Facebook Group. “Even if my GMC siblings cannot accept same-sex weddings being performed with God’s blessing in their congregations, can they accept as a “second best” possibility the participation of civilly married same-sex couples in the life and ministries of their congregations, much as several generations ago, Methodist ministers could not perform the weddings of divorced persons, yet those couples were welcome to fully participate in the life of the local church.” (Added 5-16-2024)
Post by John Meunier via UM Clergy Facebook Group: “I want to offer a thought that I realize is not popular. The United Methodist Church is attempting — or claiming it wants to attempt — to do something that it incredibly difficult. Indeed, I’m not sure any protestant church has ever pulled it off. We say our goal is to become a vital denomination while making space for people who disagree very deeply about questions of morality and justice…” (Added 5-16-2024)
“Former Woodbury pastor accused of possessing meth is due in court today” by Lisa Backus via Middletown Press. In a statement days after his arrest, church officials with the New York Annual Conference, which oversees Methodist churches throughout the area, said Miller is no longer a pastor at the Woodbury church. (Added 5-16-2024)
“United Methodists approve full communion with Episcopalians: What about Global Methodists?” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. One day, the two denominations may live in peace, Malone said. (Added 5-16-2024)
“Missed opportunities at the UMC general conference” by Bishop Will WIllimon via Christian Century. “As a friend of mine said, we shouldn’t think too much of ourselves. John Wesley ordered his annual conference meetings around self-reflective questions: What to teach? How to teach? What to do? This general conference did none of that. Incremental, modest, Methodist change, wedded with fantasies of a more prosperous tomorrow, led to collective avoidance of acknowledging a difficult truth: we are a denomination that’s aging out of significance.” (Added 5-16-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “…So, one thing I’ve done as a first step here it to add the Calendar Item number to my petition matrix. This will help anybody who wants to download this matrix. If you choose to do that, please note that there’s a new worksheet as part of the workbook on which petitions are ordered by Calendar Item Number. If you want this file, you can download it from this site.” (Added 5-16-2024)
Overheard: “There are 17 churches in Texas who want to disaffiliate and will have their court hearing either tomorrow or Friday.” (Added 5-15-2024)
Post by David Ryu via Friends of the GMC Facebook Group. [photos] “Hi all! I just wanted to introduce myself and share a photo I took. The Korean American Provisional Conference just had their first gathering in Dallas TX and I was finally ordained as a full elder. All glory belongs to God.” (Added 5-15-2024)
Tweet Thread by Ryan Burge: [graph] “Well, it finally happened. The mainline dropped below 10% of the sample in 2022. In the 1950s, historians have said that mainliners were more than 50% of the population. They were 31% of America in 1976. 19% in 1988. 14% in 2004. 10% in 2016. And now, 9%.” (Added 5-15-2024)
Post by Dean Emerson via UM Clergy Facebook Group. “Where is the specific paragraph stating churches will not be forced to accept a gay pastor?” [Fascinating comment thread] (Added 5-15-2024)
“Op-Ed: Conservative cowardice creates chaos” by Tyler Cochran via Christian Post. Mentions UMC and concludes: “Conservatives must seek out leadership opportunities, recruit like-minded people, and form bonds of fellowship within mainstream institutions. If we desire to strive for what is good, we must root out falsehood in a spirit of love refusing to surrender ourselves to panic and despair. And that means reforming social institutions like universities, churches, and community organizations — not abandoning them.” (Added 5-15-2024)
“Historic assembly sets United Methodists on new path” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “However, a number of United Methodists worry that this year’s General Conference went too far in reversing course…. “The danger is the excitement and celebration that took place without considering that it would hurt others, and I am concerned that our actions could have literally donated Africa to other sects and religions,” said Shepherd Mpemba, a delegate from the West Zimbabwe Conference. He is also a newly elected member of the commission that plans General Conference. “I still believe sin is sin and cannot be wished away,” he added. For Mpemba and others, a particular sticking point was how General Conference broadened the church’s position on marriage in the Social Principles. Unlike many matters of church administration, the Social Principles themselves are not adaptable by either central conferences or the proposed regional conferences. (Added 5-15-2024)
“A historic shift in inclusion for the United Methodist Church” via Compass Podcast: Finding Spirituality. “We’re exploring a pivotal moment in the life of the United Methodist Church—the historic 2024 General Conference held in Charlotte, North Carolina. This conference marked a significant turning point, as 93% of the delegates voted to lift long-standing bans on the ordination of LGBTQ+ clergy and the hosting of same-sex weddings by clergy and churches. Our episode will explore the profound impact of these changes, featuring reactions from a spectrum of church leaders and participants, including the first openly gay bishop, Karen Oliveto, and voices like Bishop Kennetha Bingham-Tsai and Reverend David Meredith.” (Added 5-14-2024)
Press Statement by Ande Emmanual via PDF. (As shared by David Livingston) A post General Conference press release prepared for Nigeria which highlights regionalization and downplays human sexuality changes. (Added 5-15-2024)
Methodist Church of Mexico Council of Bishops’ Statement via PDF. “We maintain a Concordat with the UMC which does not make us part of it. We are an autonomous affiliated church. Our relationship with the UMC is fraternal in nature and with total autonomy from it.” (Added 5-15-2024)
“United Methodist Church denies adopting same sex marriage” by Great Ozozoyin via Daily Post Nigeria (MSN). “However, debunking the reports on Tuesday at a World Press Conference in Jalingo, the leadership of the Church in Taraba State, led by Rev. Ande I. Emmanuel, said the Church did not adopt same sex marriage but only adopted the worldwide regionalization plan.” (Added 5-15-2024)
Post by nakedpastor via Facebook. “This is a commissioned cartoon I drew for Christian, who requested it for his father, Larry Nielsen. Larry has served the UMC as a pastor, and worked hard to make the denomination affirming. Finally, just this year, 2024, the UMC voted to repeal its ban on LGBTQ clergy as well as prohibitions on its ministers from officiating same-sex weddings.” (Added 5-15-2024)
“2024 General Conference UMC Selected Legislation Summary (Regionalization, Disaffiliation, Judicial Processes, Social Principles, and Ordination)” via Google Docs. As shared on the Arkansans Being UMC Facebook Group. (Added 5-15-20240
“Mainstream UMC Event” via Grace UMC Olathe (YouTube). Video of the May 14 Livestream event following General Conference. (Added 5-15-2024)
Overheard: A GMC Facebook Group: “Over 6700 members of the North Alabama UMC withdrew from UMC this week after conference. Over 987 in the Northwest Alabama District. Very few left before this week. Not sure rest of states but members calling Bishops around here finding out all they can do is walk. And a lot are.” (Added 5-15-2024)
“Tampa Bay Methodists paved way for LGBTQ acceptance” by Selene San Felice via Axios Tampa Bay. Rachel Hughes tried to tell her parents she was gay as a little girl, but knew she couldn’t. When she joined the Army, she followed “don’t ask, don’t tell.” (Added 5-15-2024)
“United Methodists scrap their anti-gay bans. A woman who defied them seeks reinstatement as pastor” by David Crary, Holly Meyer, and Peter Smith via Associated Press. “Twenty years ago, Beth Stroud was defrocked from her beloved job as a United Methodist pastor in Philadelphia. In a church trial, she was found guilty of violating “Christian teaching” because she had acknowledged living in a committed relationship with another woman.” (Added 5-15-2024)
Post by Kim Driver Luton via Progressive Methodist Facebook Group. “Do you live in the South? Rural Area? I do. It’s rough. Since the General Conference, we have been called all kinds of things. Security had to be increased. Teachers quit our preschool. It’s rough.” (Added 5-15-2024)
Post by Ryan Danker via Facebook. “I’m so glad to be out of this mess. The institutionalist UMs showed me the door as an academic, the GMC were kind enough to offer me a path to ordination, but I’ve found a home in the Episcopal Church and I can’t tell you how relieved I am to be free of this sort of denominational rubbish. I’m as Wesleyan as ever. Conservative. Orthodox. And in love with Jesus. And seeing things like this, relieved.” Link (Added 5-15-2024)
“Adam Hamilton Part 2” by Stan Copeland via Lovers Lane UMC Podcast (YouTube). “Adam Hamilton guest stars again on Hope Connection as we uncover his perspective of hope in the future of the United Methodist Church and his book, Wrestling with Doubt, Finding Faith” See also Part One. (Added 5-15-2024)
“United Methodist Church Bishops clarify relationship with Global Methodist Church” via UMC Council of Bishops. “Even as we call for this spirit of mutual recognition from the leadership of the Global Methodist Church, we earnestly pray that God will help us to lead The United Methodist Church in working to fulfill Christ’s own prayer that someday, all who believe in Him will live in unity and peace.” (Added 5-15-2024)
“United Methodism, the Southern Baptist Convention, and The Salvation Army” by Andy Miller III via More to the Story Podcast. (Added 5-14-2024)
“VIDEO: 2024 UMC General Conference Overview” via Dalton & Tomich (YouTube). “The long-awaited 2024 General Conference has come and gone, leaving churches to answer the question of whether they should stay or leave the United Methodist Church denomination. In our latest video, Daniel Dalton offers his opinion regarding the legal considerations stemming from the decisions made during the Conference concerning disaffiliation and employment matters.” (Added 5-14-2024)
“Arkansas Pastor Comments on Negative Reactions to General Conference” via UM Insight. “The Rev. Dr. John Robbins, senior pastor of Pulaski Heights UMC in Little Rock, Ark., responded to negative pushback against General Conference’s decisions to remove LGBTQ bans by saying that the United Methodist Church rests on a biblical foundation of love, mercy and grace taught by Jesus Christ.” (Added 5-14-2024)
“Unless the Lord Builds the House: How Redeemed Zoomer Means So Well But Is So Very Very Very Wrong” by Anne Kennedy via Substack. “The Global Conservative Methodists, just like faithful Presbyterians, Anglicans, and Lutherans before them are walking in the way of Jesus.” (Added 5-14-2024)
“What Should Trapped Congregations Do?” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). Interview with WCA President Scott Field. (Added 5-14-2024)
Clarification: Munger Place UMC is becoming an independent UM congregation (as opposed to a satellite of Highland Park UMC), not an autonomous congregation as in non-denominational. [Tweet by Andy Nixon: “Delighted to announce today in worship that starting July 1st Munger Place Church will begin a process of becoming an autonomous church rather than being a campus of Highland Park UMC. Grateful to Jesus, Mungerians, and HPUMC for this day. Mungerians, let’s go!” See also Highland Park Pastor Paul Rasmussen’s post GC message. (Added 5-13-2024)]
“I Was Wrong” by Greg Weeks via UM Insight. He supported the One Church Plan, but now regrets that. Fundamentalists, like Neanderthals, must go extinct. He is on board with the “vision of a United Methodist church led by inclusive extremists.” (Added 5-14-2024)
“Decolonizing Wesleyan Theology: Theological Engagements from the Underside of Methodism” by Filipe Maia via UM Insight. “Readers will most likely notice that the language of decline, so common in Methodist circles in North America, is rarely, if ever, mentioned. This is no indication that Methodism flourishes without difficulties in the Global South, but rather a statement about how contributors are less interested in thinking about the numerical decline of Christendom and more committed to a renewed Wesleyan theology that meets the harsh realities of a world still embedded in the structures of colonialism.” (Added 5-14-2024)
“Discipleship Ministries Announces Layoffs within The Upper Room” via Discipleship Ministries (UMC). “Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church announced today the immediate elimination of seven staff positions within The Upper Room. The Upper Room has experienced significant financial challenges in recent years, and these layoffs will begin the work to realign the organization’s resources with its mission-critical ministries. As a self-sustaining unit that operates without general church funds, The Upper Room is sustained by product sales, program offerings, and generous contributions from donors.” (Added 5-14-2024)
“A summary of the postponed GC of The UMC from an ecumenical point of view” by the UMC Council of Bishops. The COB summarizes General Conference for ecumenical partners. (Added 5-14-2024)
“PC(USA)’s LGBTQIA+ Equity Advocacy Committee applauds United Methodist Church vote removing ban on ordaining gay clergy” via presbyterianmission.org. “Both the PC(USA) and this committee share a strong commitment to promoting full inclusion within our church. This path is neither easy nor short. As we move forward into new territory, we acknowledge the dedication, sacrifice and courage of those who have guided us thus far. We also understand that our denomination has experienced and will continue to bear the equality struggles and burdens of our UMC siblings.” (Added 5-14-2024)
“Conservative pastor says he will ‘live in to new reality’ in the UMC” by Annette Spence via Holston UM Conference. “He has reassured his church members that ‘nothing has changed,’ that the First Broad Street they love will continue to welcome people, show hospitality, and offer multiple ministries ‘because that’s who we are.'” (Added 5-14-2024)
“Tilling the Soil for God’s ‘Kindom’—Reflections on the General Conference” by Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai via Iowa UM Conference. “Let’s imagine and look forward together to the ministry that is yet to come, to the lives we have yet to touch, to the ways we can till the soil for God’s “kindom” so that hope can continue to grow.” (Added 5-14-2024)
“What the Methodist split tells us about America” by Laura Bullard via Vox. “The church is not, as it was in the 19th century, a small-scale model of the country. Today, according to Boggan, the church acts more like a lens: a way to see broader national tensions work themselves out on a smaller scale.” (Added 5-14-2024)
“Pivot Point for the Wesleyan Covenant Association” by Scott Field via WCA. “In the aftermath of seismic changes approved at the recent United Methodist General Conference, our email inbox is overflowing. The phone calls, texts, and WhatsApp chats are surging. For the most part, these all seem to settle into four types of inquiries…” Revive Consultancy Series announced. (Added 5-14-2024)
“Departure Timeline” via South Georgia UMC Conference. An updated timeline for South Georgia Conference churches that wish to exit following the most recent General Conference. (Added 5-13-2024)
“Big Read: A Traditionalist Critique of the Watershed UMC General Conference in Charlotte” via PeopleNeedJesus.net. A detailed and annotated list of matters of concern to traditionalists flowing from the most recent General Conference of the UMC. (Added 5-13-2024)
“Resolution calling for more dialogue with United Methodist Church generates much testimony” via Episcopal News Service. “Committee members asked questions about the United Methodist’s adoption of regionalization during its conference. Palmer said it allowed each of the four regions – Africa, Europe, Philippines and the U.S. – to make decisions that affect only them, such as matters of pensions and church finances in the U.S. that aren’t shared elsewhere. In a question about lay presidency, Palmer also affirmed that Methodist lay pastors who are allowed to celebrate Communion in Methodists churches would not be able to do that in Episcopal churches.” (Added 5-13-2024)
“Navigating the Methodist Shift from Orthodoxy” via The Doctrine Matters Podcast (YouTube). Outside commentary. (Added 5-13-2024)
“Disassociation Information” via Holston UM Conference. “The General Conference of The United Methodist Church meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina adopted a number of transformative legislative proposals… In the Fall of 2023, the Holston Conference Board of Trustees issued a Statement committing to seeking a fair and non-punitive means for a local church to disassociate from The United Methodist Church before December 31, 2024… Board of Trustees is honoring its commitment to seek a pathway to provide a fair and graceful means of disassociation for local churches within the parameters of what is permitted in the United Methodist Book of Discipline.” (Added 5-13-2024)
“United Methodism, Albert Mohler, and Slippery Slopes” by Andy Miller III via More to the Story Podcast. A gentle push-back to Al Mohler’s comments on women in ministry being a slippery slope. (Added 5-13-2024)
Tweet by @UMC_CommonSense: “So it’s been two Sundays since #UMC #UMCGC Predictions were rampant from the #GMC and numerous evangelical groups about abrupt and drastic attendance dropoffs and memberships exodus. What have you seen this far?” [interesting range of responses] (Added 5-13-2024)
Tweet by @irEwvJDubya: “Bishop Lewis of the @Mississippi_UMC continues to inflict harm, despite #UMCGC decisions made. I thought she said to trust each other? Why not trust the spirit of the changes in the BOD made by the delegates? Shame on Bishop Sharma.” [images of messages from Paige Swaim-Pressley stating she is being held to the terms of her just resolution and still on involuntary leave.] (Added 5-13-2024)
“UM Leadership Burns Down the Church” by Ray Rooney via AFA. “That is why almost 8,000 churches have left the United Methodist denomination since 2019. We knew it was there too. Only it wasn’t the Holy Spirit that was doing the moving and birthing. It will be interesting to see if the UM elite will be able to convince God it was, after all, His Holy Spirit shattering the biblical definition of sex and marriage.” (Added 5-13-2024)
“UMC today and tomorrow” by SeungRi “Victor” Han via The County. Letter to the Editor: “The overall atmosphere within the denomination is jubilant. But some are grieving. A new report from the Religion and Social Change Lab at Duke University said 24 percent of North Carolina UMC clergy disagree with allowing LGBTQ people to get married or ordained within the denomination. Perhaps less New England clergy are opposed to same-sex marriage, but I am concerned and conflicted.” (Added 5-13-2024)
“Portland Methodists join together to celebrate the repeal of anti-LGBTQ+ rules” by Joni Auden Land via OPB. “Inside the bright chapel, Pride flags were everywhere, as parishioners sang hymns with themes of justice and acceptance… At the start of the service, members also ripped out pages from the Book of Discipline containing the exclusionary language and burned them.” (Added 5-13-2024)
“Should The GMC Have Spilt Off From The UMC? | Discussing Christian Retreatism.” via Method Ministries (YouTube). “In this episode, Wes and Lucas discuss if the Global Methodist Church (GMC) should have spilt off from the United Methodist Church (UMC), and the lessons we can learn from this.” (Added 5-13-2024)
Tweet by Andy Nixon: “Delighted to announce today in worship that starting July 1st Munger Place Church will begin a process of becoming an autonomous church rather than being a campus of Highland Park UMC. Grateful to Jesus, Mungerians, and HPUMC for this day. Mungerians, let’s go!” See also Highland Park Pastor Paul Rasmussen’s post GC message. (Added 5-13-2024)
“Promises made, Promises Broken: How the decisions made at the 2024 General Conference of the United Methodist Church affect local churches” by Dan Dalton via Dalton & Tomich. “The delegates to the United Methodist Church, General Conference in 2024 voted to adopt dramatic and sweeping changes to the theology and governance of the denomination that are significant in scope and application. The local church leaders have quickly discovered that they have been lied to by their leaders about having a new path forward. As a result, leaders and pastors in traditional, centrist, and progressive Methodist churches have since reached out to our firm to find out what legal options remain for the local church to leave the denomination since the vote.” (Added 5-13-2024)
Tweet by Mark Tooley: “Concise recall of how Methodist thirst for societal righteousness divorced from doctrine dissolves faith.” [link to “Harvard religion professor Diana Eck on pluralism’s changes, challenges” by Adelle Banks (RNS)] (Added 5-13-2024)
Tweet by Justus Hunter: “While the latest #UMCGC made ecumenical strides with 1.5M Episcopalians, it created new barriers with 1.3B Catholics. The decline of the mainline has shifted the ecumenical landscape. Prayers for the efforts of the @USCCB” (Added 5-13-2024)
“Will Methodists’ decision on ordaining ‘practicing homosexuals’ hurt dialogue with Catholics?” by Kimberly Heatherington via Our Sunday Visitor. “Our dicastery does not have any comment to make about the recent changes to the discipline of the United Methodist Church,” said Benedictine Father Martin Browne, an official in the Western Section of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity. “I would simply point out that our decades-long dialogue with the World Methodist Council, of which the UMC is one member church among 80, continues unaffected,” he said. (Added 5-13-2024)
“A Statement from our Senior Pastor | May 12, 2024” via Pulaski Heights UMC via YouTube. I defense of UMC changes: We all pick and choose which scriptures are more important. (Added 5-13-2024)
“Methodists embrace LGBTQ members even as some hesitate | Faith Matters” by Alexander Santora via NJ.com (New Jersey). “After years of discernment and struggle, the United Methodist Church’s highest legislative body, the General Conference, chose grace and hospitality to govern their welcome of all people including LGBTQ persons and to allow LGBTQ persons to marry in our churches and serve as clergy,” Bishop John Schol of the United Methodists of Eastern Pennsylvania and Greater New Jersey wrote in an email to The Jersey Journal while still at the conference in North Carolina with more work to do.” (Added 5-13-2024)
“New Methodist Leader Talks Hope, Unity, Inclusiveness & God” by Ginny Baxter via Patheos. “The issues are complex, and the future of the United Methodist Church is far from certain. Yet, Bishop Tracy S. Malone peppers her conversation with words such as hope, unity, inclusiveness and God as she settles into her two-year term as president of the United Methodist Church’s (UMC) Council of Bishops.” (Added 5-11-2024)
“United Methodist Church in Denver celebrates LGBTQ+ inclusivity” via Fox31 (CO). “Flemming said the changes to the church are largely thanks to a split within the church that happened over the last couple of years, with more conservative Methodist churches disaffiliating from the denomination to create their own. The changes were made by the United Methodist Church’s governing body at a conference held every four years.” (Added 5-11-2024)
“Naming the Joy (of Being UMC in this Moment)” by Michael Roberts. “Let me count the ways for why I am proud to be a United Methodist in this moment and give thanks to God…” (Added 5-11-2024)
“Split imminent in United Methodist Church” via Zimbabwe Situation. In his statement, the Zimbabwean bishop said homosexuality remained taboo in Christian culture. “Lifting the ban on homosexuality does not change our position as Zimbabwe Episcopal Area, that homosexuality is an abomination to us Africans, and as espoused in the Bible the infallible word of God…” (Added 5-11-2024)
“Not a One Church Plan” by Chris Ritter via PeopleNeedJesus.net. A summary of protective measures for traditionalists included in The One Church Plan but not included by the UMC General Conference. (Added 5-11-2024)
“Big, Earth-Shattering Moments From The United Methodist Church’s General Conference: The Inside Story” by Billy Hallowell via Christian Post. A podcast episode. (Added 5-11-2024)
“Sifting Through Misinformation around the UMC General Conference – A Conversation w/ Tom Lambrecht” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “In this conversation, Rev. Lambrecht helps me to sift through the different things being said about changes in sexual morality, options for disaffiliation, and degrees of progressive takeover. He gave me a lot of clarity.” (Added 5-11-2024)
“Weekly Livestream for May 10, 2024” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). Discussion of recent events in Methodism from a traditionalist point of view. Includes information on legal warnings issued by the UMC against his livestream commentary of General Conference. (Added 5-11-2024)
“Without Debate” by Julie Todd. [See also this same Post on the Love Prevails Facebook Page.] “Bishops thought they were doing good to mitigate harm by using procedural maneuvers to avoid charges and endless, expensive trials that brought bad public relations to their doorsteps. They were stewards of violent, managerial policies and processes and rationalized what they did in the best interest of the institution and themselves. Evasions. Obfuscations. Backroom deals. Their justifications were always political and never theological, because of course none of this was ever justifiable theologically.” (Added 5-11-2024)
“A new day in the United Methodist Church” by David Taffet via Dallas Voice. “Although lesbians and gays had officially been banned from serving as clergy, enforcement of that ban varied from diocese to diocese. Joretta Marshall, for example, was ordained in the Methodist Church in Colorado and was out as she served as dean of Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth. And a number of other gays and lesbians already serving as ministers around the country, with at least two already elevated to bishop.” (Added 5-10-2024)
“Creede Hinshaw: United Methodists’ ‘iceberg’ is melting under its hypocrisy” via Albany Herald. “Their new church is almost a carbon copy of the one they left, with the exception that departing churches own their property, a dubious change. Both old and new churches embrace the same historic Christian faith. Both use the same ritual of baptism and holy communion. Both know Jesus died for sin. Both know Mary was a virgin. Both have district superintendents and bishops. The churches could easily be mistaken for each other, except for their position on gay and lesbian Christians.” (Added 5-10-2024)
“Imminent Breakaway In Methodist Church Over Votes To Accept LGBTQ People” via Independent Probe (Liberia). General news stitched together from various sources. (Added 5-10-2024)
“UMCSC churches have process to discern their future” via South Carolina UM Conference. The South Carolina Conference’s process for local churches seeking separation from the UMC. (Added 5-10-2024)
“UMCSC Trustees: Discerning the best use of God’s grace” via South Carolina UM Conference. “After 113 local churches in the South Carolina Conference separated from The United Methodist Church in 2023, the Trustees of the Annual Conference were entrusted with determining how best to use the seed that God has provided through the tithes of these departing congregations.” (Added 5-10-2024)
“2024 Departure Option for Local Churches” via South Georgia UM Conference. The accompanying timeline gives a July 15 deadline for inquiries and and informal meeting with the DS must also be completed by this date. (Added 5-10-2024)
Overheard: A Texas Church unable to leave prior to the expiration of ¶2553 decided to pursue the “bolt and run” strategy that National Center for Life and Liberty laid out for them since the UMC Trust Clause is not enforceable in Texas. The conference threatened them with legal action but they left anyway. This week Bishop Saenz’ assistant met with the lay leadership of the church and told them that the conference would let them depart with all of their property if they would agree to pay one year of apportionments, and NOT join the Global Methodist Church. (Added 5-10-2024)
“Episode 162: United Methodist Church Update” by John Stephens via Pod Have Mercy Podcast (YouTube). “Today we are joined by Rev. DeAndre Johnson and Pastor Lindsay Kirkpatrick to discuss some changes that are taking place in The United Methodist Church. John Stephens served as a delegate to the United Methodist Church’s General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. The two-week long process uses the first week to divide into 14 different legislative committees connected to every part of the Book of Discipline, UMC church law and polity.” (Added 5-10-2024)
“Opinion: Methodists Keep Up With the Times: The UMC opts for the secular culture’s take on sex over traditional Christian orthodoxy” by Carl Trueman via Wall Street Journal. “That, however, was also the year the UMC adopted a policy that allowed congregations to leave the denomination with their property. Traditionalists did so in droves, with more than 7,000 American churches departing in the past five years, preparing the way for the progressives’ triumph.” (Added 5-10-2024)
“General Conference Reflection: The room where it happened” by Denyse Barnes via Cal-Pac UM Conference. “As the elections for the chair commenced, I was blown away that the two people nominated were a black queer woman and a white man. Bishop Easterling was presiding and allowed questions from the seated committee members. It was very quickly exposed that the white man had assisted 133 churches to disaffiliate and also that he had in the past used conversion therapy on queer people. Not surprisingly he did not succeed with his nomination.” (Added 5-10-2024)
“General Conference Recap” by Bishop Sharma Lewis via Mississippi Conference UMC (YouTube). Focus on discernment and discipleship, not disaffiliation. (Added 5-10-2024)
“Room for Traditionalists?” by Thomas Lambrecht via Good News. “It is highly ironic that at the 2019 General Conference, traditionalists passed an exit path for progressive congregations who could not abide by the Traditional Plan – an exit path that the vast majority of progressive churches were unwilling to use. But in 2024, the “champions of tolerance and grace” refused to pass an exit path for traditionalists who could not abide by the decisions made by this General Conference – an exit path that traditionalist congregations are more than willing to use.” (Added 5-10-2024)
“It is Time to Leave the United Methodist Church” by Jared Henry via blog. Nazarene pastor reflects on the actions of the UMC General Conference. (Added 5-10-2024)
Post by Stan Crosby via Facebook. A Northwest Texas Conference clergy withdraws his membership in the UMC following the actions of General Conference. (Added 5-10-2024)
“The Years of Nagging Are Over!” by Gabriel Bamba Mususwa via UM Insight. A Zambia delegate writes in support of regionalization. (Added 5-10-2024)
“‘I have come not to bring peace, but a sword’: Conflict and the Body of Christ” by David Watson via Substack. Written in light of Methodist divisions: “peace should be our default setting as Christians, but sometimes conflict is necessary.” (Added 5-10-2024)
Unification Plan for the Central, North, and Northwest Texas Conferences of the UMC. The Horizon Texas Conference: “In response to new realities, the mission of The United Methodist Church (UMC), to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, has ignited a vision of unity among United
Methodists of the Central Texas Conference (CTC), the North Texas Conference (NTC) and the
Northwest Texas Conference (NWTC).” (Added 5-10-2024)
“Responding to the Decisions of the Recent General Conference” by Hughey Reynolds via blog. “…the forgone conclusion that a local church which holds conservative values should now leave the denomination because of the changes enacted by General Conference is a misguided emotional reaction.” (Added 5-10-2024)
Post by Mary John Dye via Facebook. A progressive clergy responds to Chris Ritter’s Info Sheet on Notable Changes that run counter to Traditional Methodism. (Added 5-10-2024)
“Navigating the Paradox of Inclusion” by Bill Foster via UM Clergy Facebook Group. “The danger arises when the principle of inclusion is oversimplified or absolutized, detaching it from the broader context of Christian doctrine. An overemphasis on inclusivity can inadvertently lead to a new form of exclusion. For instance, the zealous pursuit of inclusiveness can sideline those who hold traditional interpretations or prioritize doctrinal fidelity. This results in the creation of an ‘in-group’ characterized by a perceived inclusivity and an ‘out-group’ of those who dissent, ironically fostering the very division the inclusive intent sought to eliminate.” (Added 5-10-2024)
“‘There was palpable joy’: Lubbock United Methodist Church reacts to ban lifted on LGBTQ clergy” by Julianna Washburn via Everything Lubbock. “Nick Harpster, who is the public relations and advocacy coordinator for LubbbockPRIDE, said he hopes this change in LGBTQ inclusion when it comes to religion, can carry on to other denominations as well.” (Added 5-10-2024)
“What next for Methodist churches after major change to LGBTQ+ stance?” by Jeff Keeling and Clarice Scheele via WJHL (TN). “I know there are some people that have indicated, ‘I can’t stay here anymore,’ and I understand that, I fully understand that,” Frye, who’s been a UMC pastor for 43 years, told News Channel 11 Wednesday as light poured through the windows of First Broad Street UMC. “I don’t like it, because I hate to see them leave.” (Added 5-10-2024)
“Creeping Heresy in Methodism – A Conversation with Andrew V. Sullivan” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). “Andrew V. Sullivan is a PhD candidate in History, doing his dissertation on Wesleyanism, currently completing his program at Liberty University. A sixth-generation Texan, he aims to serve the Global Methodist Church in the academy, helping to train up a new generation of faithful Methodist clergy to spread scriptural holiness across the land. He is of exceptional knowledge in Methodist history and theology.” (Added 5-9-2024)
“Approved language of Par. 425.1, Open Itinerancy” via Daily Christian Advocate Online. Annual conferences are now to train local church PPRC Committees to receive pastors regardless of sexual orientation. This was approved 606-91 at the UMC General Conference. (Added 5-9-2024)
“GC Wrap-Up with Livestream” by Mark Holland via Mainstream UMC. A May 14 panel livestream will feature Bishop David Wilson and Great Plains delegation folks. (Added 5-9-2024)
Post by Mike Holly via Facebook (Brian Erickson’s post). A response to the “What Happened at General Conference” summary authored by Chris Ritter. (Added 5-9-2024)
“Joe DiPaolo: What I Saw at General Conference” via PeopleNeedJesus.net. “I saw a denomination which has now fully embraced the progressive political vision of contemporary American society. As a result, it has sacrificed its identity as a colony of the kingdom of God which transcends the politics of any individual nation and undermined its ability to speak prophetically to all sides and factions in American society – or in any other.” (Added 5-9-2024)
“The United Methodist Church Embraces Sin” via Voice of Reason Radio. “This week, Chris addresses the recent decision by the United Methodist Church to overturn the prohibition on ordained actively homosexual persons and why this matters to the church at large.” (Added 5-9-2024)
“A Post Mortem on the UMC – A Conversation with Rob Renfroe of Good News” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “He knew that the long term agenda of evangelicals would lose, so he gave no resistance. His only purpose in attending was to support those remaining evangelicals who would otherwise be trapped, advocating for a way for them to exit. For that, he was maligned and insulted, even by a person or two speaking on the floor of plenary. I wanted to take some time to hear from Rob himself to ask about things that went on behind the scenes at General Conference, and to ask him about his plans for the future now that this chapter has closed.” (Added 5-9-2024)
“UMC pastor: Church’s LGBT vote goes too far” by Will Davis via Monroe County Reporter (Macon, GA). “They have gone a little too far.” (Added 5-9-2024)
“Draw The Circle Wide”—United Methodist Church Repeals Ban on Gay Clergy, Allows LGBTQ Weddings” by Elisha Goselin via World Religion News. “We get it, the United Methodist Church wants to be done with disaffiliation,” said the Rev. Rob Renfroe, president of the conservative advocacy group Good News. “They want to step into this new day. We do not want to keep them from that. But how can disaffiliation be over when it never began for the majority of United Methodists?” (Added 5-9-2024)
“You Think You Know the Word of God. But What If It Changes | Opinion” by Paul Prather via Lexington Herald-Journal. [paywall] (Added 5-9-2024)
“‘Very Liberating’: Local Methodists Exult in New Openness to LGBTQ Clergy, Members” via Lakeland Ledger (FL). [paywall] Bishop Berlin interviewed. (Added 5-9-2024)
“Regionalization of the United Methodist Church” via World. “Some African churches want to restructure the denomination while others believe that sacrifices Biblical orthodoxy.” (Added 5-9-2024)
“The United Methodist Church just held a historic vote in favor of LGBT inclusion. Here’s what that means for the organization’s future” by Sarah Maddox via CBS News. Boyette does not think regionalization will be helpful for the United Methodist Church. “I believe in the long run, there will be a decline in the membership of the United Methodist Church because of the decisions it has made,” he said. (Added 5-9-2024)
“No, the UMC Isn’t Over; Quite the Opposite” by Mary John Dye via UM Insight. Response to WCA’s most recent article. (Added 5-9-2024)
“A pastoral letter on the United Methodist Church General Conference” by Bishop Elizabeth Eaton via ELCA. “These significant actions and the UMC’s witness to the ecumenical vocation we share come as we celebrate 15 years of full communion. The ELCA rejoices and gives thanks to God for the opportunity to proclaim together, from this point forward, that Christian teaching is for all people and that the gifts of all are welcome and needed to serve Christ’s church.” (Added 5-9-2024)
“WJ to keep 5 bishops, must transfer 2 from other jurisdictions” by Alyssa Fisher via Western Jurisdiction. “The report also answered a looming question of how the Western Jurisdiction would fill upcoming vacancies left by retiring Bishops Karen Oliveto and Minerva Carcaño. The approved recommendation of the committee is to move two bishops from other jurisdictions into the Western Jurisdiction.” (Added 5-9-2024)
“Local leaders discuss Methodists’ changes to LGBTQ+ stance” via WJHL (TN). “This is the first of a two-day look at liberalizing changes to United Methodist Church (UMC) policy and positions surrounding human sexuality and LGBTQ+ issues that were approved at the church’s just-concluded General Conference. It features analysis and opinion from two Northeast Tennessee delegates and longtime UMC leaders — one theologically conservative and one theologically liberal, but both intent on remaining committed to the denomination.” (Added 5-8-2024)
“UMC General Conference? Talk with Jordan Peterson?” by Daniel Hixon via YouTube. A former UM, now Anglican, offers a summary video of what happened at the UMC General Conference. (Added 5-9-2024)
“Broken Legacy: United Methodist General Conference Explained” by Church History Short Stories via YouTube. 25-minute summary video: “From the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Kansas to small churches like New Hope United Methodist, the United Methodists have undergone a dramatic shift. The UMC division and infighting, and the way it came about, can be hard to understand. The General Conference of the UMC has met and there is happiness, hurt feelings, and anger. This video describes the changes and the controversies.” (Added 5-9-2024)
Post by Adam Hamilton via Facebook. Tuesday Vespers video includes some reflections on General Conference, including Hamilton’s discomfort with how people were asked to introduce themselves at plenary sessions, and GMC critiques. Defends change in chargeable offenses. (Added 5-8-2024)
“General Conference Debrief Information” via The Kentucky UM Conference. Summary document of legislative enactments of the General Conference, along with comments by Bishop Fairley. (Added 5-8-2024)
“The Powerless Church” by Cal Thomas [no paywall on this one] via Townhall. “Marriage between a man and a woman IS compatible with Christian teaching. The majority of delegates should read and obey the Scriptures that John Wesley, the founder of their denomination, preached without compromise.” (Added 5-8-2024)
“Filipino Provisional Annual Conferences Flourishing in the Global Methodist Church” by Walter Fenton via GMC. “Like all regions beyond the U.S., United Methodist local churches in the Philippines were not allowed to exercise a UM Church provision to disaffiliate from the denomination. Nevertheless, the Mega-Manila conference has eighteen local churches, ten mission churches, and it is currently reviewing the applications for three more. The largest church, St. John Methodist Church in Quezon City, averages over 150 in worship, while smaller congregations in outlying villages average around 40. The local churches in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates face some governmental restrictions when it comes to building churches; they tend to meet in homes or rent venues for church activities.” (Added 5-8-2024)
“Investigative reporter says UMC’s sin-affirming road was paved with left-wing money” by Parrish Alford & Billy Davis via American Family News. “According to its own words, another target for the Arcus Foundation is the continent of Africa and African nations. The press release mentions Africa four times. Groups such as Reconciling Ministries Network, mentioned above, is also trying to “win over” religious leaders in Liberia. A group called Fellowship Global is working in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.” (Added 5-8-2024)
“Progressive Ideology and the Downfall of Mainline Denominations” by Riley Case via Juicy Ecumenism. “Today it can be argued that Machen’s perspective was correct and his critics were wrong. It is not that “fundamentalism” (conservative Christianity) was dying and modernism was the wave of the future. It is rather that the Christianity represented by the modernist leaders of the mainline churches is dying and that evangelical and traditionalist Christianity, so spurned by the modernists of 100 years ago, is the best hope for the future of the faith.” (Added 5-8-2024)
Overheard: The new Par. 425.1 of the UMC Book of Discipline reads: “¶ 425.1. Responsibility—1. Clergy shall be appointed by the bishop, who is empowered to make and fix all appointments in the episcopal area of which the annual conference is a part. Appointments are to be made with consideration of the gifts and evidence of God’s grace of those appointed, to the needs, characteristics, and opportunities of congregations and institutions, and with faithfulness to the commitment to an open itineracy. Open itineracy means appointments are made without regard to race, ethnicity origin, gender, color, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or age, except for the provisions of mandatory retirement. Annual conferences shall, in their training of staff-parish relations committees, emphasize the open nature of itineracy and prepare congregations to receive the gifts and graces of appointed clergy without regard to race, ethnicity origin, gender, color, disability, marital status, economic condition, sexual orientation, or age. The concept of itineracy is important, and sensitive attention should be given in appointing clergy with physical challenges to responsibilities and duties that meet their gifts and graces. Through appointment-making, the connectional nature of the United Methodist system is made visible.” Per Petition 20315-HS-¶425.1-G (Added 5-8-2024)
“United Methodism: How Conservative Won the Debate, but Lost the Denomination” by Jack Johnson via First Things. “First, the UMC is fast lurching to the left. Second, progressives didn’t take over the denomination by presenting a compelling vision so much as by simply ignoring the denomination’s democratic form of church law to such a degree that the denomination itself became ungovernable, leading to a mass exit of conservatives. Third, this “new” direction for the UMC came about not through “the work of God,” as many progressives argue, but rather because the pandemic allowed the UMC bureaucracy to strike a final blow against the democratic majority. Finally, Methodist/Wesleyan denominations around the world remain remarkably unified in defending traditional Christian teaching on human sexuality. Only the British Methodist Church (one of the few Wesleyan denominations declining more quickly than the UMC) has also significantly altered its church law regarding human sexuality.” (Added 5-8-2024)
“Upholding Faith and Unity: The Case for Remaining United Methodist Amidst General Conference Decision to Amend the Book of Discipline” by Jefferson Knight via UM Insight. “Here in Africa, where cultural norms and legal frameworks often prohibit same-gender marriage, the approval of the ordination of gay pastors within the United Methodist Church poses a challenge to traditional beliefs and values. However, the passage of the regionalization petition offers a path forward that allows African United Methodists to maintain our faith and continue our ministry in accordance with biblical principles, cultural context, and national laws.” (Added 5-8-2024)
“Episode 998: Methodists Change their Pronouns to was/were” via Relatable Podcast with Allie Beth. “Today, we discuss the United Methodist Church’s recent decision to allow the ordination of self-proclaimed homosexuals as well as same-sex “marriage.” The United Methodist Church has struggled with this issue for the past few years and even strengthened its position on traditional marriage in 2019. So, what changed?” (Added 5-8-2024)
“‘The Storm is Passing Over’” by Andi Woodworth via Georgia Voice. “There will be more storms ahead. The United Methodist Church still has work to do to deconstruct our embedded racism and structural colonialism. We have much to repent of and to repair in our relationships with the LGBTQ community. If I am any example, squalls may come up, and tears will be shed as joy and grief pop up as we mark this moment. However, for United Methodists, it seems like something major has shifted. The storm of exclusion is passing over. Hallelujah!” (Added 5-8-2024)
“Homosexuality neither sin nor heresy: UMC” by Choi Si-young via Korea Herald. ““The Bible says homosexuality is a sin and consecrating gay clergy amounts to heresy,” President Jung Seo-young of the Christian Council of Korea said in a statement Saturday, made in response to the UMC decision to lift its 40-year-old ban on ordaining gay clergy Wednesday…. “The UMC has never taught that homosexuality is a sin. Some individual United Methodists may have believed this, and that would be their right, but the denomination has never taught this,” the Rev. Taylor W Burton Edwards, a United Methodist Communications director, told The Korea Herald.” (Added 5-8-2024)
“Uniting the United Methodist Church” by Barry Yeoman via The Assembly. “The church’s General Conference, which concluded last week in Charlotte, was the first test of whether the remaining members can forge a new path on same-sex marriage, lesbian and gay clergy, and international accord.” (Added 5-8-2024)
“Next Generation Institutional Hope – A Conversation with Mark Tooley” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “In this conversation, Mark and I talk Wesleyan political theory and try to share an understanding of how contemporary institutions work. Mark explains his political framework of choice, Whiggery, alongside other models of more reactionary conservatism (which I generally adopt). It is a robust discourse, in which a final hope for the Global Methodist Church is offered. I hope this conversation is a blessing to you in the way that it was to me.” (Added 5-8-2024)
“A Response to the Primates Meeting in Rome” via Gafcon (Anglican Communion). “The truth is that most of those who refused to attend are leaders of Gafcon and the Global South, and our absence was not accidental, but intentional. Though we do pray for the unity and health of the Anglican Communion, we chose not to attend because, as last year’s Kigali Statement made clear, the current divisions within the Anglican Communion are neither minimal nor new. These divisions have arisen from more than 25 years of “repeated departures from the authority of God’s Word” that, despite the persistent warnings given by the majority of Anglican Primates, have continued unabated.” (Added 5-7-2024)
“Friends, we are not where we were!” by Bishop Frank Beard via Illinois Great Rivers UM Conference. “The dust has not settled, but it is clear and obvious that the United Methodist Church has changed. Some would argue that it has changed for the better, and others that it has changed for the worse. Your local church can and will make the decision on how the action of the General Conference affects your congregation….The IGRC will offer an opportunity for churches to enter a process for exercising a gracious exit. This process will be shared at the Annual Conference session in June 2024.” (Added 5-7-2024)
Overheard (Updated): Local reaction stories abound: See Dallas News, WBOY, The Chronicle, and Beaumont Enterprise, KEVN, Journal & Topics (Chicago Area), Oak Ridger. WCTV (FL). (Added 5-7-2024)
“God breaking down walls: UMC ends ban on gay clergy, same-sex marriages” by Crystal Graham via Augusta Free Press. “The climate in the United Methodist Church is very different than the climate in 1972, the year I was born. Incidentally, that was the same year I was declared to be incompatible with Christian teaching,” she said. “This declaration was made one month before I was born.” Fretwell is what she calls “neuro-queer;” she grew up in New Hope, a small town in ruby-red Augusta County, a place that gay people often find unforgiving and cruel. (Added 5-7-2024)
“After Vote to Repeal LGBTQ Bans, Many Gay Methodists Are Now Fully Out” by Yonat Shimron via Word & Way (RNS). “But for Daly, a 42-year-old gay man, the actions of his denomination carried personal symbolism, too. As the first same-sex married minister in the North Carolina Conference or region, he was freed of the heavy burden of having to negotiate his identity in a denomination that until last week officially sanctioned and censured people like him.” (Added 5-7-2024)
“UMC Bishops To Promote Ratification of Regionalization Legislation” via UMC Council of Bishops. “The Council of Bishops has unanimously agreed to dedicate time, effort, and encouragement to promoting ratification across the connection and providing leadership to every annual conference. Constitutional amendments must be passed by two-thirds of the aggregate/combined votes of all annual conferences.” (Added 5-7-2024)
Tweet by Mark Tooley: “Good piece but conservatives “lost” denomination by 1920s. They continued as subculture until denomination no longer mattered & was in fact an albatross, prompting their recent largely successful exit.” (Added 5-7-2024)
Information Sheet: “What Happened at the General Conference of the UMC?: Version 2.2” by Chris Ritter via PeopleNeedJesus (Four-page PDF). This version provides additional detail about the new category of “sexual orientation” added eleven times as a diversity category for the general boards, judicial council, the Connectional Table, and conference leadership bodies. (Added 5-7-2024)
Tweet Thread by Liam Adam: A religion reporter working for The Tennessean wraps up his coverage of the UMC General Conference. (Added 5-7-2024)
“Methodists Gone Wide” by Gene Veith via Patheos. [paywall] “The United Methodists were willing to break their church for the cause of homosexuality…” (Added 5-7-2024)
“Presbyterians’ Latest Sexuality Showdown Follows Methodists’ Historic Shift” by Richard Ostling via Religion Unplugged. “While that drama develops, the sexuality spotlight shifts to America’s Presbyterian Church (USA), which has already approved gay clergy and marriage but is heading into a different sexuality fuss that carries some risk of another church split…No doubt the hottest issue there will be proposed amendments to the Book of Order that affect remaining Presbyterians who oppose the new sexuality. The proposal comes from Olympia Presbytery in Washington State, with concurrences filed by regional presbyteries in six other states. One amendment would add “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” to the categories in which discrimination has “no place in the life of the Church.” (Added 5-7-2024)
“‘Our Views on Marriage Remain Unchanged’: Methodist Church in Singapore Responds to Vote by America’s United Methodist Church” via Salt & Light. “MCS has been autonomous from the UMC since 1968. MCS has its own Book of Discipline which embodies and preserves its core Methodist beliefs, order and rules as exemplified by John Wesley, the founder of Methodism.” (Added 5-7-2024)
“Forty Years” by Cynthia Astle via Baptist News Global. “Greg Neal, my former pastor who’d been run out of the North Texas Conference because he dared marry his husband, Kade, drew me into a giant bear hug. We wept almost uncontrollably on one another’s shoulders, scarcely daring to believe that the words “self-avowed practicing homosexual” were no longer a bar to ordination.” (Added 5-7-2024)
Tweet by Chris Ritter: “Just to review: A ‘doctrine’ is something a church teaches. A ‘doctrinal standard’ is a measure to which those doctrines are to conform. Have a great day.” [UMC doctrine has changed. UMC doctrinal standards are nearly impossible to change.] (Added 5-7-2024)
Tweet by Jeremy Smith: “I’m grateful to serve a church where no one has sent me an angry email saying they are leaving The UMC because it has removed harmful anti-LGBTQ language from our polity. Not. A. Single. One. I realize my privilege 😢 My heart goes out to those with different responses.” (Added 5-7-2024)
“Pastoral Response to UMC General Conference” by Daniel Humbert via Trietsch UMC. Pastor of a large church in Flower Mound Texas says church doctrine has not change and highlights local decision-making. (Added 5-7-2024)
“UMC Makes Historic Shift: Reverses Gay Policies and Embarks on Worldwide Restructuring” by Ginny Baxter via BeliefNet. A round-up of General Conference actions, focusing on regionalization. (Added 5-7-2024)
“Eight Reasons the Church Should Not Embrace LGBTQ-Affirming Theology” by Gary Stidham. “Last week, the UMC embraced a view of sexuality that is rejected by virtually all “majority-world” Christians in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It’s rejected by the persecuted church around the world and, actually, every church in history – from the time of the Apostles until fifty years ago after the Sexual Revolution. But the UMC’s new view of sexuality IS embraced by Hollywood, mainstream media, elite universities, and most major corporations. The UMC isn’t becoming more authentically Christian; it has become more worldly.” (Added 5-7-2024)
“The United Methodist Church: A Celebration of Global Unity” commentary via Dallas News. [paywall] “With 11 million members in 60 countries representing our unity and diversity, the mission of the United Methodist Church transcends borders…” (Added 5-7-2024)
“Churches React to UMC Homosexuality Position” via The Herald (Zimbabwe). The Council of Churches Founder thanks the Zimbabwean delegation for resisting.Bishop Moyo: “Whether I am paid, I would not accept that.” See also coverage here as ecumenical bodies in Zimbabwe reject the actions of the UMC General Conference. (Added 5-7-2024)
“The United Methodist Church is No More” by Scott Field via WCA. “Last Friday (May 3), nearly two weeks after it began, the General Conference came to an end. So did the United Methodist Church itself…at least the UMC as we have known it. Some rejoice at a birth to be celebrated. Others grieve a death to be mourned. How about you?” (Added 5-7-2024)
“The UMC General Conference: What Happened?” by Mark Tooley via Firebrand Magazine. “Progressives swept the table at General Conference, opposed only by Africans and a smattering of remaining U.S. traditionalists, with perhaps a few Filipinos and Europeans. One third of the delegate seats were supposed to have been African. But visa problems kept 25-30% of African delegates from attending.” (Added 5-7-2024)
“United Methodist Church Formally Abandons Biblical Standards for Human Sexuality” via West Virginia WCA. Reprint of PNJ Summary, and links to two other summaries. (Added 5-6-2024)
“Discussing The UMC General Conference & Plans Forward | With @plainspokenpod” via Method Ministries (YouTube). Interview with Jeffrey Rickman about the UMC General Conference. (Added 5-6-2024)
“Requiem” by James Gibson. “The discipline of holiness of heart and life willfully cast aside for indulgence in homosexual hedonism. The preaching of Christ crucified callously rejected for “social justice” virtue signaling. A rich heritage of Christian hymnody gleefully trampled upon while dancing to the music of the O’Jays.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“Full interview: Bishop Karen Oliveto” via Next9News (YouTube). “One of the largest Christian denominations in the country made history today led by United Methodists here in Colorado and the West. United Methodist Church delegates overwhelmingly voted to repeal the church’s ban on LGBTQ clergy.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“Pastor looks to future after United Methodist Church revised its LGBTQ policies” by KSHB (Kansas) (YouTube). LGBTQ pastor interviewed. Lay leader, “This doesn’t mean we are happy about more people leaving the church.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“African Methodists take a stand for biblical marriage after United Methodist Church adopts pro-LGBT measures” by Chris Enloe via The Blaze. “A group of African Methodists released a statement last week, taking a stand for orthodox Christian teaching on sexual ethics. The United Methodist Church joined ranks with other progressive American denominations last week when, at its general conference, the church reversed prohibitions on LGBT clergy, same-sex weddings, and rules against LGBT-practicing members.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“Letter from America: We love the Methodists; Zimbabwe’s Bishop tells US General Conference!” By Ken Mufuka via News Day (Zimbabwe). “Methodist Bishops are funded from the General Episcopal Fund decided upon by the General Conference. Whereas African bishops receive each an emolument of US$88,888 each, their US counterparts receive US$180,900 each. Further African educational institutions are generously funded from the General Conference. The US saints, though now a minority in the Global United Methodist Church, bear by far over half the costs of the church. Oliveto’s heresies go beyond same sex marriage. If Oliveto and her cohorts have their way, in addition to same sex marriages.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“Supporting LGBTQ+ Friends and Family as an Ally: Areas for active support of queer people in 2024, from religion to healthcare” by Nancy Freeborne via Psychology Today. “The United Methodist Church recently made a bold move that will likely break their larger organization into smaller units. In one group will be those who support LGBTQ+ church members and clergy, and in the other, those who actively oppose active gay people in the church or who subtly dismiss them. This large mainline Protestant church leadership voted to reverse a ban on practicing gay clergy, a welcome change for many who worship in the Methodist tradition.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“Defiant rainbow warriors in UMC jubilant over a ‘fictional’ Jesus” by Parrish Alford via American Family News. “There were some holdouts still within the denomination but that, of course, is an overwhelming super-majority of people to abandon the biblical position on the issue,” Joseph Backholm told the Washington Watch program last Friday. (Added 5-6-2024)
“Opinion: The Powerless Church” by Cal Thomas via The News Herald. On the UMC: A powerless church tells us what we want to hear rather than what we need to hear. (Added 5-6-20204)
“Alumni Testimonials from Historic 2024 UMC General Conference” vis Boston University School of Theology. “As a historical United Methodist seminary, Boston University School of Theology has a strong contingent of alums — including Bishop LaTrelle Easterling (STH ‘04), Bishop Sally Dyck (STH ‘78, CAS 76), and Bishop Deborah Kiesey (STH ‘76) — who attend and participate in the General Conference, in addition to sending a group of students to the Conference on a travel seminar.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“A New Home for Many Methodists” by Matthew White via The Stand (AFA). “Though initially opposed to it, Tooley now sees the GMC as a necessary and worthwhile endeavor.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“Methodists remove anti-LGBTQ policies” by Brian Bromberger via Bay Area News (San Francisco). “Delegates also adopted a revised broader definition of marriage ‘as a sacred, lifelong covenant that brings two people of faith (adult man and adult woman of consenting age or two adult persons of consenting age) into a union of one another and into deeper relationship with God and the religious community.'” (Added 5-6-2024)
“United Methodist Church Repeals Biblical Rules on Homosexuality: A former lesbian’s perspective” by Janet Boynes via The Stream. “Unfortunately, the United Methodist Church as a whole has chosen to align with the deceptive theology that Jesus died so we can feel good about ourselves as we continue to live in sin.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“Historic Changes at General Conference Lead to Emotional Service at Lafayette’s First United Methodist Church” by Todd Rossnagel via Louisiana UM Conference. Rev. Katrena King expressed dual sentiments: celebration of progress and lament of past pains. “We felt it was important for us to come together and worship, to pray and give thanks, to both celebrate the changes in our denomination and also lament the pain that preceded this change,” Rev. King stated. (Added 5-6-2024)
“An expert lays out the United Methodist Church’s journey to end its LGBTQ ban” by Diego Lopez and Arun Rath via All Things Considered (NPR). “GBH’s All Things Considered host Arun Rath spoke about this shift with Graham Kelder, who teaches religion, politics and law at Suffolk University, and who is a member of the Methodist Church himself.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“Global Methodist speaker: More United Methodist churches will leave over LGBTQ ‘debacle’” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “Gene Floore, lay leader for the Alabama Emerald Coast Conference of the Global Methodist Church, predicted that the General Conference’s official change in policy would lead to a new wave of United Methodists leaving to join the Global Methodist Church, which has staked out a more conservative position on social issues.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“United Methodist Church” via Wikipedia. Article on the UMC updated to include outcomes from General Conference. (Added 5-6-2024)
“4 ‘woke’ moments from UMC General Conference” via Christian Post. “From pronouns to diversity monitors, the following pages highlight four occurrences at the UMC General Conference that raised the eyebrows of critics, including the popular Twitter account Woke Preacher Clips. ” (Added 5-6-2024)
Overheard: Regarding the National Center for Life and Liberty litigation involving 38 local congregations against the Baltimore-Washington Conference (BWC) of the UMC, NCLL has filed a motion for disqualification in regards to the Honorable (Judge) Michael Malone who has been assigned the case. Per the motion, on April 23, 2024 during a Conference Status meeting, Judge Malone disclosed that he and family members are parishioners of a local UMC congregation within the BWC. (Added 5-6-2024)
Post by Mary John Dye via Facebook. Decries misinformation in a UMC/GMC comparison chart. (Added 5-6-2024)
“United Methodists took historic steps toward inclusion but ‘big tent’ work has just begun” by Liam Adams via USA Today (Yahoo! News). “It may take some time,” Texas pastor the Rev. John Stephens, a general conference delegate, said at a Thursday news conference, accompanied by a fellow delegate and three bishops. “I think the church is going to have to earn some trust.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“Zim United Methodist clerics lose fight to block gay rights” via ZimNow (Zimbabwe). Forbes Matonga: ““This is for us a betrayal of The Gospel of Jesus Christ in favour of Western secular culture. The United Methodist Church is a Connectional Church, meaning one church found on four Continents. “So, what happens to one part of the body affects all. Our children are at risk of being introduced and being dragged into this heathen culture as they go and get educated in the United Methodist Universities and Colleges in the USA,” he said. (Added 5-6-2024)
“African Church Elder Stands Firm Against Denomination’s Rewrite of Marriage, Holds Bible High and Declares ‘This Is the Word of God’” by Jack Davis via Western Journal. “Liberian delegate Rev. Jerry Kulah of the Africa Initiative said, Methodists are ‘willing to lose Africans and Africa to fulfill this progressive agenda.'” (Added 5-6-2024)
“In lopsided vote, what remains of UMC hits bottom of slippery slope” by Steve Jordahl via AFA News. Sidebar: “UMC delegates lectured about rules of progressivism” (Added 5-6-2024)
“United Methodist Church Votes to Embrace LGBTQ Clergy and Same Sex Marriages in Historic Shift” by Sarah Johnson via Hoodline. “Fueling the long-awaited reform, approximately 25% of conservative UMC congregations broke away from the fold between 2019 and 2023—a move that significantly tilted the scales toward the inclusion of LGBTQ individuals in church operations. Jeff Koperski, a religious studies professor at SVSU, explained to ABC12, “This is going to be something that opens up the opportunity for gay weddings, gay clergy, and a whole bunch of other things.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“United Methodist Church’s change on same-sex marriage triggers discordant voices from Africa” by Obed Minchakpu via Christian Daily Africa. “The Mainstream UMC is responsible for pushing this satanic agenda in the United Methodist Church. Rev. Ande’s shift in position shows he cannot be trusted to remain faithful to the ethics and doctrines of the Christian faith. We should not be deceived, gay marriages will not be restricted in America alone, but will affect the global UMC congregations,” Absalom said. (Added 5-6-2024)
Tweet by Mark Tooley: “Always amazing when USA progressives insist African Christians don’t have their own strong views but are just manipulated by USA traditionalists.” [link to Mark Wingfield article] (Added 5-6-2024)
“And also with the UMC: Where doctrine ends and culture begins” by Mark Wingfield via Baptist News Global. “This is not an African issue; it is an American issue. It is the same battle every Protestant denomination in America has fought in recent years. And it is a battle for strict orthodoxy to a certain way of reading the Bible often touted as biblical inerrancy. It allows no collaboration or compromise.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“What the UMC Really Just Did” by James Emery White. “So in capitulating to culture, the UMC has not saved it’s future, but instead ensured its lack of one.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“A Critique of General Conference Actions” via PDF. A thorough critique of the actions of the recent General Conference of the UMC from a traditionalist source. This includes links to legislation and offers detailed analysis on several points. (Added 5-6-2024)
PNJ Info Sheet: “What Happened at the United Methodist General Conference? Version 2.0” by Chris Ritter (PDF). This version corrects a statement that the funding ban (Pars. 806.9, 613.19) was not only eliminated, but reversed. Although the petition called for it to be reversed, the legislative committee removed this feature. I apologize for the error. The revised summary reads: “Annual conference and general church monies are no longer prohibited from being used to promote the acceptance of homosexuality. The General Commission on Archives and History has already announced the formation of a new “Center for LGBTQ+ United Methodist Heritage” using apportionment dollars.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“United Methodists accept LGBTQ clergy a year after fallout at historic Shreveport church” by Brendan Heffernan via Shreveport Bossier City Advocate. “Downtown Shreveport’s First Methodist Church voted overwhelmingly to disaffiliate with the United Methodists last year and has since become one of a few dozen Ark-La-Tex churches to affiliate with the Global Methodists, according to the Trinity Provisional Annual Conference, the Global Methodist governing body over East Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas.” (Added 5-5-2024)
“Methodists end anti-gay bans, closing 50 years of battles over sexuality for mainline Protestants” by Peter Smith via AP. “The reversals can be seen as marking the end of a half-century of epic battles and schisms over LGBTQ involvement — not only in the United Methodist Church but in U.S. mainline Protestant denominations overall. Those are the tall-steeple churches in myriad town squares and rural crossroads, traditionally “big-tent” and culturally mainstream congregations — some predating America’s independence.” (Added 5-6-2024)
“Blessing for Queer Siblings and Allies – Lea Matthews” via St. Paul and St. Andrew (YouTube). “All harmful language against queer persons like the incompatibility clause or the reductive and hurtful definitions of queer identity as “self-avowed” or “practicing” have been removed from the Discipline. All oppressive or restrictive structures of exclusion directed towards queer persons like marriage bans, ordination bans, immorality charges, and wedding bans on church property, have been lifted from the Discipline. Hooray! Hallelujah! It was thrilling to be there, to witness justice being built back, one small piece at a time.” (Added 5-5-2024)
“A Tale of a New Church” by Thomas Lambrecht via Good News. A summary of UMC General Conference actions. (Added 5-5-2024)
“What Did You Expect?” by Lynn Malone. “I’m not one to say, “I told you so,” so I won’t tell you that what I expected to happen, happened. What happened? The United Methodist Church changed this week.” (Added 5-5-2024)
PNJ Info Sheet: “What Happened at the United Methodist General Conference? Version 1.7” by Chris Ritter (PDF). This version clarifies that divestment from Israel by church agencies is urged, not mandated. This version adds changes to Par. 304.2 (ordination standards) that leave room for single clergy to have consenting, monogamous sex. (Added 5-5-2024)
Overheard: Late in General Conference, ordination Standards were changed to allow sex outside of marriage. In 20173-FO-¶304.2-G, Ordination standards were changed as follows: “fidelity in marriage and celibacy in singleness, social responsibility, and growth in grace and in the knowledge and love of God social responsibility, and faithful sexual intimacy expressed through fidelity, monogamy, commitment, mutual affection and respect, careful and honest communication, mutual consent, and growth in grace and in the knowledge and love of God.” Monogamous sex outside of marriage is no longer expressly prohibited for single UMC clergy. The original petition recommended replacing “celibacy” with “chastity.” (Added 5-5-2024)
“A Biblical-Theological Reflection on the Journey to Full-Inclusion in the UMC” by John Alexander Wright via Facebook. “Why has it been so hard for our disaffiliating siblings to see that they placed their trust in and loyalty to an outdated code, instead of “faith working through love”? That they confused loyalty to a previous era’s sexual ethic with loyalty to Christ (to quote H. Richard Niebuhr)?” (Added 5-5-2024)
“A UMC Enroute to the New UMC” by Steve Harper via Facebook. “Doing this, being the Unreviling Methodist Church, we will indeed be enroute to becoming the United Methodist Church that was so courageously and joyfully envisioned and enacted the past two weeks.” (Added 5-5-2024)
“UMCGC: What just happened? The 3Rs Legislative Summary” via Reconciling Ministries Network. A six-page General Conference legislative summary from RMN. (Added 5-5-2024)
“The United Methodist Church is Finally Repenting of Its LGBTQ Discrimination” by John Pavlovitz. “As someone who served in the UMC for 17 years, nearly a decade of those in one of the 100 largest churches in the country—it’s about damn time!” (Added 5-5-2024)
“Wrap-up Video: General Conference 2020” via Resource UMC. A 10-minute summary video. (Added 5-5-2024)
“UMC Africa: Unity Statement: We Have Confidence in the UMC” by Ande Immanuel via Facebook. The head of Africa Voices for Unity argues that a statement put forth by Jerry Kulah does not reflect most Africans. (Added 5-5-2024)
“The Regionalization of the Bible?” by Robert Hunt. “It would be interesting to know exactly where the idea of “regionalization of the Bible” came from, but a good guess is that it came from Good News Movement propaganda based on recent writings by Rob Renfroe and others.” (Added 5-5-2024)
“What now?” by John Meunier. “Those of us who feel more loss than gain in the changes the UMC is undergoing will need to navigate our way a bit like aliens and exiles in a foreign land.” Find some friends. Figure out your theology. Follow Jesus Christ. (Added 5-5-2024)
“Methodists-Uncertain Future” via North Virginia Daily (Associated Press). “When the United Methodist Church removed anti-LGBTQ language from its official rules in recent days, it marked the end of a half-century of debates over LGBTQ inclusion in mainline Protestant denominations. The moves sparked joy from progressive delegates, but the UMC faces many of the same challenges as Lutheran, Presbyterian and Episcopal denominations that took similar routes, from schisms to friction with international churches to the long-term aging and shrinking of their memberships.” (Added 5-5-2024)
“A milestone reached in mainline Protestant churches’ decades-old disputes over LGBTQ inclusion” by The Associated Press. This timeline highlights key milestones and flashpoints within the UMC, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, United Church of Christ, as well as in civic life. (Added 5-5-2024)
“‘A better church is possible:’ Methodists celebrate as the church embraces the LGBTQ” by Chelsea Bailey via CNN. “I’m trans and that means if I’m going to be honest with myself and authentic in how I show up in the world, I’m going to have to wade into not just my own congregation, but into my denomination,” Woodworth said. “I was really not sure how that would go.” (Added 5-5-2024)
“Day 11: Final Day. We Did it!” by Mark Holland via Mainstream UMC. “So, take Bishop Sharma Lewis of Mississippi for example. She has refused to follow the abeyance and has continued to file charges against LGBTQ clergy and their allies in her conference. She was actually the presiding bishop on Wednesday when we approved the consent calendar ending chargeable offenses for clergy. (The irony was not lost on many.) She has drawn the ire of her own jurisdiction for her actions; there is no way she would be welcome in the much more progressive Western or Northeastern Jurisdictions. So, even bishops who could move might be hard to move.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“Controversy erupts as United Methodist Church embraces homosexuality, Zimbabwean delegation fumes” by Cynthia Goba via My Zimbabwe News. “However, the Zimbabwean delegation, which was in the minority, said Western culture was eroding traditional church values and posed a risk to younger generations. Speaking from the US, one of the delegates Reverend Forbes Matonga said the decision passed was a betrayal to all Africans and the church at large.” (Added 5-5-2024)
Updated: “What Happened at the United Methodist General Conference?” by Chris Ritter via Team Caffeine (PDF). A summary of legislative actions by the General Conference of the United Methodist Church meeting in Charlotte. [This version includes the detail that the funding ban was not only removed, but reversed.] (Added 5-4-2024)
Overheard: The ban on UMC funds from being used to promote homosexuality was not just eliminated, but reversed. According to UMNS, the provision now says GCFA “should ensure that church funds do not go to anything that rejects LGBTQ people.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“Methodists split and now made BIG changes this week (The Whole Story)” by Ready to Harvest (YouTube). Twenty-minute feature: “What happened in the 2024 General Conference of the United Methodist Church and what is coming?” (Added 5-4-2024)
“What Happened at the United Methodist General Conference?” by Chris Ritter via Team Caffeine (PDF). A summary of legislative actions by the General Conference of the United Methodist Church meeting in Charlotte. (Added 5-4-2024)
“GCAH announces new center for LGBTQ+ United Methodist Heritage” via Resource UMC. “Agency set to begin preserving Queer Methodist history” (Added 5-4-2024)
“Duces, Charlotte!” by Amy Lippoldt via Substack. “The JC has a few more rulings to issue, including one decision requested by GP’s own David Livingston challenging the constitutionality of an amendment made by GPs Mark Holland allowing Jurisdictions to adapt the BOD. I have my money on David on this one, though I applaud Mark’s effort to make a safety net if the last step for regionalization fails.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“Disaffiliation Resolution” via Holston Conference (UMC). “The Holston Conference Board of Trustees is honoring its commitment to seek a pathway to provide a fair and graceful means of disassociation for local churches within the parameters of what is permitted in the United Methodist Book of Discipline.” (Added 5-4-2024)
Overheard: The new Judicial Council Decision 1503 states that a local church Board of Trustees may approve policies “prohibiting the conduct of worship services that include same-sex marriage ceremonies.” The decision, however, is vague on the question of whether pastors are required to honor such policies. (Added 5-4-2024)
“‘A step back in time’: America’s Catholic Church sees an immense shift toward the old ways” by Tim Sullivan via The Independent. “Across the U.S., the Catholic Church is undergoing an immense shift. Generations of Catholics who embraced the modernizing tide sparked in the 1960s by Vatican II are increasingly giving way to religious conservatives who believe the church has been twisted by change, with the promise of salvation replaced by casual indifference to doctrine.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“Commentary: The Word is Love” by Cynthia Astle via UM Insight. Greg Neal, my former pastor who’d been run out of the North Texas Conference because he dared marry his husband, Kade, drew me into a giant bear hug. We wept almost uncontrollably on one another’s shoulders, scarcely daring to believe that the words “self-avowed practicing homosexual” were no longer a bar to ordination. (Added 5-4-2024)
“With a final flourish, United Methodist conference eliminates all anti-LGBTQ policies” by Yonat Shimron via RNS. “They also eliminated provisions that would have charged clergy with immorality if they were not “faithful in a heterosexual marriage” or “celibate in singleness.” Instead, delegates supported adding a requirement of integrity in all personal relationships.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“Who Really Speaks for African United Methodists – ‘R’hetoric” by Stan Copeland via UM Insight. “I first question whether these men truly speak “for the majority of African delegates,” and I doubt that they speak for the majority of United Methodists even in their five annual conferences, especially when their sisters and brothers back home come to know the truth about what has actually happened at the General Conference for the greater good for all.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“African delegates denounce UMC votes to allow LGBT marriage, ordination: ‘We are devastated’” by Michael Gryboski via The Christian Post. “The United Methodist Church has changed the definition of marriage. It now defines marriage differently from what God created it to be in the beginning. It has changed the definition of marriage from how Jesus described it in Matthew 19 as one man and one woman.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“African United Methodist Church disowns General Conference decision to recognise homosexuality” via The Zimbabwe Mail. “However, the Zimbabwean delegation, which was in the minority, said Western culture was eroding traditional church values and posed a risk to younger generations.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“The feared split in the UMC did not occur. Instead, the delegates experienced a new willingness to unite in diversity.” by Klaus Ulrich Ruof via UMC in Germany. “The best General Conference ever.” (Added 5-4-2024)
Post via GMC Philippines. “To Our Remaining Traditionalist Friends in the UMC…” (Added 5-4-2024)
“General Conference Legislative Recap” via Resource UMC. A five-page PDF-style document summarizing legislation passed at General Conference. (Added 5-4-2024)
Tweet by Ryan Burge: [chart showing 60% of UM’s voted republican in 2020] “I’ve only been watching clips here and there from the United Methodist meeting.I do watch the SBC’s annual a bit, as well. I’m always struck by how the people at those gatherings don’t reflect the laity that much…” (Added 5-4-2024)
Overheard: Bishop John Wesley Yohanna of Nigeria joined in a protest against the UMC’s change in the definition of marriage. UMNS: “He said after the protest that he is nearing the end of his episcopal term and wants to stay long enough to help bring reconciliation among United Methodist factions in Nigeria. He said he was still weighing whether he would eventually join another denomination. Yohanna predicted that the new language on marriage will come at a cost to United Methodism. “I’m very sure this will affect the membership of the church in Africa,” he said. (Added 5-4-2024)
“Climate justice legislation fares well overall” by Sam Hodges and Neill Caldwell via UMNS. “General Conference delegates passed in bulk much of the legislation supported by United Methodist climate justice activists. An effort to require United Methodist institutions to divest of fossil fuel company stocks did not succeed.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“GC delegates pass budget, reduce US bishops” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “General Conference delegates passed a denominational budget that represents a 38% to 41% cut to the budget the 2016 General Conference passed. The ultimate bottom line is contingent on giving rates in 2025 and 2026.
Delegates also approved a plan for distributing 32 bishops across the U.S. — which represents a reduction from the 39 active bishops currently serving.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“Is Separation Warranted? Wesley’s Catholic Spirit and the Question of Sexuality” by Matt O’Reilly via Theology Project. “I’m looking forward to participating in the Pro Ecclesia Conference coming up June 10-12 here in Birmingham.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“The United Methodist Church is Destroying My Career – One Pastor’s Story” by Jason E.B. Smith via Substack. “Despite its insistence on progress, the denomination is mired in the binary thinking of the past and leaving destruction in its wake.” (Added 5-4-2024)
Tweet via @UMC_CommonSense: “As powerful as this week at #UMCGC has been, #Sunday is going to hurt for many #UMC congregations. Some will never come back to your #church. Some will be angry. You will lose members and support. Prepare yourself. Pray. Know that doing the right thing is never easy.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“Wesley Biblical Seminary Statement on the UMC General Conference” via Facebook. “We are grieved, if not surprised, by the UMC General Conference’s decision to officially abandon the unchanging standards of the Bible for human sexuality. The denomination has turned its back on the historic teaching of Jesus and the Church, which is for the created goodness of male-female marriage and against all harmful practices of sexual immorality, including homosexuality.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“Oklahomans waiting decades for change celebrate United Methodist vote on same-sex marriage” by Carla Hinton via The Oklahoman. “The United Methodist Church removed anti-LGBTQ+ language from the denomination’s Social Principles guide on Thursday and affirmed same-sex marriage with historic votes applauded by Oklahomans who have been waiting for such change for decades.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“Panelists look beyond General Conference” by Kathy Gilbert via UMNS. “After historic decisions reversing The United Methodist Church’s longtime restrictions against LGBTQ members, church leaders see a denomination where everyone can belong, but they also acknowledge the hard work ahead.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“Ep. 353: United Methodist Church Approves LGBTQ Clergy, Wayne Grudem Retires, Metaxas and Feucht Hit Manhattan” via Ministry Watch Podcast. See also “With Conservatives Gone, United Methodists Vote to Overturn Restrictions on LGBTQ Clergy” by Yonat Shimron (RNS). (Added 5-4-2024)
“May 3 wrap-up: Historic conference comes to a close” by Joey Butler via UMNS. “It could be argued that this was the most consequential General Conference since the 1968 assembly that created The United Methodist Church.” (Added 5-3-2024)
Post by Stan Crosby via Facebook. “My church left me and the historic orthodoxy of John Wesley’s Methodism. They are the schismatics. They are the separatists, and I can no longer be a part of them and keep my vows before God. So today, I sadly begin the process of my official withdrawal from the UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. To God be the glory. Fidelis ad Mortem.” (Added 5-4-2024)
“United Methodist Church delegates make changes in favor of more LGBTQ acceptance” via WCNC News. Interview at Two Rivers UMC in Rock Island, Illinois. (Added 5-3-2024)
“Bishops react to LGBTQ inclusion votes” by Sam Hodges via UMNS. “Some have celebrated the decisions. Others have stressed to their conferences the limits of the decisions, including that they don’t require clergy to officiate at same-sex weddings.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“Conservative Methodists, Unite” by James Antle via Christianity Today. [PDF Here] “After this week’s UMC votes on LGBTQ issues, African Methodists should join American conservatives in the new Global Methodist denomination.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“The United Methodist Church could emerge stronger after its vote to repeal a ban on LGBTQ+ clergy | PennLive Editorial” via Pennsylvania Patriot News. “But something even better could emerge from this turmoil. The new UMC could become a stronger body of believers united in their determination to reach more people with their message of Christianity’s universal love.” (Added 5-3-2024)
Judicial Council Decision 1503: “Nothing in ¶ 2533 of the 2016 Book of Discipline prevents the Board of Trustees of a local church from adopting policies prohibiting the conduct of worship services that include same-sex marriage ceremonies.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“Delegates keep church court busy at assembly’s end” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “In a General Conference that saw big changes regarding the church’s policies on LGBTQ people, the Judicial Council said church boards of trustees still could set policies prohibiting their church from hosting same-sex weddings.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“Let’s Do More History” by Amy Lippoldt via Substack. “There was plenty of tension around the idea of allowing deacons to baptize and preside at communion. After a pretty short debate, the GC voted overwhelmingly in favor. The biggest argument I heard against it was a fear that young people who don’t want to itinerate (going where the bishop sends) will choose deacon over elder.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“United Methodist General Conference Reflections with Rob Renfroe and Tom Lambrecht” by Andy Miller III via More to the Story Podcast (YouTube). “Here is my conversation with Rob Renfroe and Tom Lambrecht where we reflect on the 2024 UMC General Conference.” (Added 5-3-2024)
Tweet by Jeremy Smith: “Okay, final petition clarified the readmission process for LGBTQ+ former clergy or clergy who officiated same-sex weddings and were exited. It passes 72%.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“African Voices are Not Monolithic” by Ande Emmanuel via Mainstream UMC. “Within the context of Worldwide Regionalization as adopted by the General Conference, Africa will hold its definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Therefore, it is a great distortion of fact to give the impression that the United Methodist Church is enforcing every region of the church to accept same sex marriages. In fact, it was an African who suggested the language on marriage we adopted.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“Callously Breaking Covenant: Reflections on UMC General Conference” by Sarah Stewart via Juicy Ecumenism. “It has been heartbreaking to be a United Methodist this week. Among the reasons for traditional Methodists to be angry at what has taken place at General Conference is the overturning of doctrine central to Methodist social witness.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“The General Conference of the United Methodist Church – Mark Tooley, 5/2/24” via Issues Etc. Podcast. Interview about General Conference. (Added 5-3-2024)
Tweet by Jeremy Smith: “Friends. Followers. The progressive and centrist coalition has achieved 100% of their Three R’s Goals: ☑️ Remove Harmful anti-LGBTQ+ language. ☑️ Regionalize our worldwide church ☑️ Revise the Social Principles. Congratulations to the groundwork of a new and vital #UMC.” (Added 5-3-2024)
Tweet by Mark Tooley: [image] “United Methodism deletes clergy adultery as specific chargeable offense by 69% to 31%. #UMCGC” (Added 5-3-2024)
Tweet by UMNS. “General Conference has approved a resolution asking that United Methodist institutions not buy government bonds from Israel and two other nations that have engaged in long-term military occupations. https://buff.ly/4blvAjY #UMCGC” (Added 5-3-2024)
Tweet by Liam Adams: “BREAKING: The UMC General Conference lifted a 28-year-old prohibition on United Methodist clergy and churches blessing same-sex unions, the last major decision by the assembly to remove longstanding anti-LGBTQ+ restrictions. #UMC #UMCGC” (Added 5-3-2024)
“United Methodists Vote to Drop Gay Clergy Ban by Wide Margin: With exodus of conservatives from UMC, liberal agenda advances” via Decision Magazine. “Observers of a decades-long liberal drift in the UMC said they were not surprised by the overwhelming vote. Since 2019, there has been an exodus of nearly 8,000 congregations, most of which were theologically conservative and at odds with the denomination’s changing views on human sexuality.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“Update #4 from the WCA from the General Conference – UMC General Conference: The African Message” via WCA. “Today (Friday, May 3) the UMC General Conference concludes. The dramatic shift signaled by decisions made here will take time to unpack. We’ll start some unpacking ourselves in next Tuesday’s WCA Outlook and in the upcoming WCA ALL CALL Zoom on May 23. United Methodist News Service has a series of daily summaries for the past two weeks for those who are interested.” (Added 5-3-2024)
Tweet by Reconciling Ministries Network. “Petition 20364 has passed! This strikes performing a same-sex wedding and being a “self-avowed and practicing homosexual” from the list of chargeable offenses. It goes into effect at the end of the conference this evening.” [image] (Added 5-3-2024)
“A New UMC Has Begun” via UM Insight. “Grace upon grace, the like of which hasn’t been seen at a United Methodist General Conference since 1968, fell upon the Charlotte Convention Center as delegates created a new United Methodist Church during their April 23-May 3 assembly.” (Added 5-3-2024)
Tweet by Jeremy Smith: Expressing frustration through sarcasm that the Western Jurisdiction will receive two existing bishops from other jurisdictions instead of being able to elect their own. (Added 5-3-2024)
Message by Bishop Frank Beard via Facebook (video). Appeal not to make any drastic decisions in light of General Conference actions. “The mission has not changed.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“United Methodists end anti-LGBTQ policies” by Michelle Boorstein via Washington Post. “The United Methodist Church, one of the largest organized Christian groups in America, ended a slew of anti-LGBT policies this week, including a ban on gay clergy and on penalties for clergy who conduct same-sex marriages.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“UMC removes rule that homosexuality is ‘incompatible with Christian teaching’” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “South Carolina Conference Bishop L. Jonathan Holston said that the vote will have a mixed reaction from the denomination, which has already experienced schism over the LGBT debate.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“Marriage Decision Sparks Protest, Celebration” by Sam Hodges and Jim Patterson via UMNS. (Added 5-3-2024)
Overheard: Jeffrey Rickman’s livestream commentary videos have been removed from YouTube due to complaints filed. Through an attorney, the UMC has requested he not provide this live commentary. He will stream today on Facebook and Twitter. Here: “However, I woke up to see that the denomination has filed copyright claims against my content for the last week. I have written someone named Amy at Everhart Law Firm, who I guess the denomination used to file the claim.” See also: “Final Day of General Conference Proceedings“
(Added 5-2-2024)
“Day 10: Human Sexuality Still Front & Center” by Mark Holland via Mainstream UMC. “Regionalization hinges on agreeing not to agree. If this is the true ethos of the church, then regionalization has a real chance of being ratified. If this is not who we are, we are likely headed for a major divorce, like we recently witnessed in the United States. Those who call themselves “traditional” in the US needed to create distance to demonstrate their position. Africa may not feel the same.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“General Conference 2024: Removal of Paragraph 304.3 from the Book of Discipline” by Bishop Ken Carter via Western NC Conference (YouTube). “It is important to note that this action does not compel any clergyperson or church to act against their conscience or understanding of their calling. United Methodist churches and clergy – progressive, moderate, and traditional – will have the freedom to respond to God’s call to ministry in the ways that are best for their contextual and missional communities.” (Added 5-3-2024)
“Summary of UMCGC Plenary for May 2, 2024” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). (Added 5-3-2024)
Post via Good News Magazine (Facebook). Photo and text of African delegate statement on May 2, 2024). (Added 5-3-2024)
“Agenda for Friday, May 3” via DCA (PDF). Agenda for the final day of GC. (Added 5-3-2024)
“General Conference Daily Wrap-Up: May 2, 2024” via UM Videos (YouTube). A daily wrap-up video produced by the UMC. (Added 5-3-2024)
“Late Morning Plenary: May 2 – General Conference 2020” via UM Videos (YouTube). See also Early Morning Plenary, Early Afternoon Plenary, and Late Afternoon Plenary. (Added 5-3-2024)
Post by Forbes Matonga via Facebook. Key Zimbabwe delegate: “THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE UMC ENDS TODAY. ITS DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE HAS BEEN CHANGED. THE WORLD AWAIT TO SEE AFRICAN UNITED METHODISTS’ NEXT MOVE! I REMIND THEM OF JOSHUA 24;15, ” …..BUT AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSEHOLD I WILL WORSHIP YAWEH”. (Added 5-3-2024)
“Local bishop says United Methodist vote to lift ban on LGBTQ clergy will help church heal” by Samantha Wildow via Dayton Daily News. “Many of the departing churches are joining the conservative Global Methodist Church, created last year. Other congregations have chosen to remain independent or join different denominations. Global Methodist Church doctrine states that human sexuality “is a gift of God” and should be exercised as “a loving and monogamous marriage between one man and one woman.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“Global Methodist Church reacts to UMC votes to allow LGBT clergy, same-sex weddings” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. Launched in 2022 as a conservative alternative to the UMC at a time when many churches were planning to leave the mainline Protestant denomination, the GMC issued a statement Wednesday stating that it “do[es] not have any affiliation with their decisions, nor do we wish to comment or provide commentary on the actions of other religious organizations.” (Added 5-3-2024)
Post by Andy Miller III via Facebook. Advertises a Facebook Live “Post General Conference Reflections” interview with Tom Lambrecht and Rob Renfroe on Friday, May 3 at 1:30 pm CT. (Added 5-3-2024)
Tweet via Shane Raynor: “Sad to see what laughingstock #UMCGC has turned into. They’ve rejected a traditional definition of marriage, endorsed gay & lesbian clergy, & declared that homosexuality is no longer incompatible with Christian teaching. Plus some anti-Semitism to boot.” [compilation video] (Added 5-2-2024)
Video by Tim Beardsley via Facebook. Video of Jerry Kulah reading a statement by African delegates. (Added 5-2-2024)
“United Methodist Church officially affirms gay marriage… what should we do?” via Redeemed Zoomer (YouTube). “The Traditionalists totally could have won.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“Professor Calls Reconciling Ministries Network UMC’s Most Valuable Player” by Rebekah Miles via UM Insight. “Soon after I officiated at the wedding of our eldest, Anna, and our daughter-in-law, Abby in May 2022, I began what turned out to be a brutal just resolution and judicial process. When I realized that the process was not going well and was advised to get legal help, I called RMN. When my bishop kept changing the terms of the agreement, and, then, insisted he would sign our agreement only if I gave up my vote at Jurisdictional Conference, I texted my friends at RMN.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“Get out of silos and break down walls, bishop says” by Gladys Mangiduyos via UMNS. “Quoting Luke 4:18-19, Estrella noted that the missionary movement continues in United Methodist churches around the world, amid controversies, conflicts, schisms and disaffiliations.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“United Methodist Church Drops LGBTQ Clergy Ban” by James Lasher via Charisma News. “This was not the only measure passed that was accepting of non-biblical sexuality at the conference. On Tuesday, the delegates removed the ability of regional superintendents to punish officiation or hosting of same-sex weddings. Clergy cannot be punished for refusing to to perform or host such events either, but let’s just see how long that remains in the denomination.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“United Methodists Vote to Allow Gay Clergy as Thousands of Congregations Leave Church” by Zach Kessel via National Review. “While the United Methodist Church had been the third-largest Christian denomination in the U.S., the consistent decline in its membership may accelerate after Wednesday’s votes.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“United Methodists, winnowed by conservative exodus, embrace LGBTQ inclusivity” via Washington Times. “In a statement, the African leaders said, ‘We do not accept a change in the definition of marriage, and we will never accept marriage as anything other than one man and one woman. … We are devastated now to be part of a denomination that officially contradicts the Bible’s teaching on marriage and sexual morality.'” (Added 5-2-2024)
“Korean United Methodists commit to support missionaries” by Thomas Kim via UMNS. “We don’t know what difficulties will come to Korean churches after this General Conference,” said the Rev. Chongho James Kim, pastor of Flushing First United Methodist Church in New York. (Added 5-2-2024)
“New Sprout. New Life.” by Erik Alsgaard via UM Insight. “Bishop Karen Oliveto, episcopal leader of the Mountain Sky Conference, preached during a morning worship service, becoming the first openly gay bishop to preach at a worship service during General Conference. New sprout. New life.” (Added 5-2-2024)
Tweet by Liam Adams: “WOW — today’s business ends which means tomorrow is going to be WILD. In addition to all the budget-related decisions, there are 25 outstanding calendar items, 16 of which require action. That includes those two LGBTQ+ inclusion-related petitions. #UMC #UMCGC” (Added 5-2-2024)
Statement by African Delegations via Twitter. A statement from a majority of African delegates states they will not accept the new definition of marriage. “We return to African with important decisions to make.” See on Facebook here. (Added 5-2-2024)
Tweet by UMNS. “Odell Horne, @ConnectNGUMC, requests a declaratory decision from the Judicial Council to determine constitutionality of Paragraph 543.7 as amended by Petition #21040. Chair calls for adoption of motion (1/5 required to affirm). Vote result: 238 (39.73%) YES | 361 NO – motion passes #UMCGC” (Added 5-2-2024)
Letter by Bishop Graves Regarding the Removal of Restrictive Language via Alabama-West Florida Conference (UMC). I am aware that a monumental decision such as today’s will bring much discussion. Because of this we moved previously scheduled meetings over the course of May to a Zoom on May 7th. More information may be found here. Please make plans to attend where we can discuss this and other General Conference matters in further detail. (Added 5-2-2024)
“Thursday, May 2 UMC General Conference Afternoon Plenary (Commentary)” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). live watch of GC2020 of the UMC with traditionalist commentary. (Added 5-2-2024)
Tweet Thread by Liam Adams: “Following major legislative defeats this week, I sat down with leaders of traditionalist groups — Rob Renfroe, Tom Lambrecht and Scott Field — for breakfast to ask about their view on the shift in #UMC politics that we’re seeing. #UMCGC” (Added 5-2-2024)
Tweet by UMNS: Nimia Peralta, Northwest Philippines Conference, says that the Bible cannot be regionalized. (Added 5-2-2024)
Tweet via UMNS: [Video] Jerry Kulah’s floor speech against an amendment that would provide two alternative definitions of marriage. (Added 5-2-2024)
Overheard: The Revised Social Principles have been adopted by GC2020(UMC) removing the language that that practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. (Added 5-2-2024)
“WCA Outlook General Conference Update # 3: MainstreamUMC signals imminent shutdown.” by Scott Field via WCA. “It is widely reported that the UMC General Conference is removing all restrictions related to homosexuality, approving a broad LGBTQIA+ agenda, and moving far beyond the provisions in the original One Church Plan that attempted to make room for progressives and traditionalists coexisting in one denomination. The legislation being approved during the current General Conference makes it abundantly clear that, as Bishop Bickerton said in his opening address, traditionalists that can’t get with the NewUMC agenda should leave.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“United Methodist Church delegates vote to end anti-LGBTQ policies after decades” by Jeff Chamer via Charlotte Observer. (Added 5-2-2024)
“Day 9: Mainstream UMC Agenda (almost) Complete” by Mark Holland via Mainstream UMC. “It is difficult to describe the spirit here. It is a remarkable mix of joy, exhaustion, and disbelief. “Can you believe it?” has been uttered during every tearful hug. It reminds me of when the Berlin Wall fell when I was in college. There was not a big war, or a final attack, the whole premise of separation just collapsed on top of itself.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“Well, that didn’t take long: The United Methodists quickly abandon Biblical Christianity” by Albert Mohler via World. “By a vote of 692 to 51, and without a word of formal debate, the United Methodist General Conference voted to overturn the church’s historic discipline and doctrine on homosexuality. Yesterday’s vote took place in Charlotte, N.C., but the impact will be felt worldwide.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“GCORR Equity Monitoring Report No. 9” via DCA: “This is one of the ideas in cognitive dissonance. The other is our desire is to maintain a vibrant and genuine relationship among regions worldwide. The 93% affirmation is clear and required votes from all across the worldwide conferences present. Yet, we do not know yet how the decision to remove the language will be received in some Central Conferences and Annual Conferences when delegates and bishops return home.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“United Methodists Strike Ban on LGBTQ Clergy” by Yonat Shimron via Christianity Today. A RNS repost by CT. (Added 5-2-2024)
“United Methodist Church votes to divest bonds of Israel and other occupier governments” via Kairos Response. In the first such divestment action by a major Christian denomination, the church has called on all its investment managers to avoid “the governmental debt of each such country until the time when each government ends their military occupation.” (Added 5-2-2024)
Tweet by Jeremy Smith: “The General Commission on Archives and History (@UMCHistory) just announced they are seeking to create a Center for LGBTQ+ United Methodist Heritage to collect Queer Methodist history and stories. This is made possible thanks to the lifting of the funding ban. (Added 5-2-2024)
“Daily Briefing: Thursday, May 2, 2024” by Albert Mohler. Southern Baptist Leader: “A Denominational Surrender: United Methodist Church Reverses LGBTQ Doctrine and Policy” Women pastors are a slippery slope. (Added 5-2-2024)
Tweet via UMNS. Liberian delegate: “A question has been raised from the floor regarding the purpose of using pronouns [and other identifiers] when people introduce themselves. Dawn Wiggins-Hare responds. #UMCGC” (Added 5-2-2024)
Overheard: Following a decision Tuesday to remove the so-called funding ban, the UMC General Commission on Archives and History will open a new center for LGBTQ+ United Methodist history and heritage. Source (Added 6-2-2024)
“UMC live updates: United Methodists face votes on social principles, same-sex unions” by Liam Adams via The Tennessean. “If the two key petitions before the delegates on Thursday succeed, it solidifies a shift from traditionalist-dominated legislative action at the UMC General Conference to a more influential progressive-and-centrist coalition.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“May 1 wrap-up: Gay clergy ban lifted, new retirement plan approved” by Joey Butler via UMNS. “Additional petitions were passed that overturned other longstanding rules prohibiting clergy from officiating same-sex weddings or churches from hosting them. Another vote ended the policy thousands of churches had used to leave the denomination, but created a pathway for churches wishing to return.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“Delegates applaud language change, regionalization” by David Burke via Great Plains Conference. “It’s really exciting that we’ve got the pieces in place for a more inclusive church, and we can recognize the gifts of all of our clergy,” said Hodgkinson, associate conference lay leader. “I hope we can finish the work and get to an inclusive church.” (Added 5-2-2024)
Tweet via @RedeemedZoomer: Project Reconquista Head: “Welp the United Methodists officially sealed their liberal fate. This only happened because the COWARDLY GLOBAL METHODIST CONSERVATIVES RAN AWAY!!! THIS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!” (Added 5-2-2024)
“United Methodists overwhelmingly vote to repeal longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy” via CBS News. “Past General Conferences of the United Methodist Church had steadily reinforced the ban and related penalties amid debate and protests, but many of the conservatives who had previously upheld the ban have left the denomination in recent years, and this General Conference has moved in a solidly progressive direction.” (Added 5-2-2024)
“Daily Christian Advocate – May 2, 2024” via Resource UMC. Daily publication for delegates with legislation, etc. (Added 5-2-2024)
“LIVE: Thursday, May 2 UM General Conference Morning Plenary (Coverage & Commentary)” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). Live watch of General Conference with a traditionalist commentary. (Added 5-2-2024)
“Disaffiliation ends, regionalization moves forward” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “General Conference delegates voted to delete the church disaffiliation policy from the Book of Discipline. They required annual conferences to set a reaffiliation policy for churches that want to return. They also passed the last of the regionalization petitions.” (Added 5-2-2024)
Tweet by Sojourners: “BREAKING NEWS: The United Methodist Church has adopted new language to its social principles, affirming the “right to legal abortion” and denouncing state bans.” [Article] (Added 5-2-2024)
“Removal of LGBTQ ban comes too late for some” by Jim Patterson via UMNS. “I’m deeply troubled, because the church has deviated from the faith,” said the Rev. Jerry Kulah, a Liberia Conference delegate and coordinator of the traditionalist Africa Initiative, in an interview away from the courtyard celebration. “I’m going to deeply reflect and determine how long I can bear with this.” (Added 5-2-2024)
Tweet by Taylor Burton Edwards. “I do not deny this puts many US UMC pastors in difficult places. But how should #UMCGC represent UM congregations vs. UM people given the distribution discrepancy (90% of US UMs do not attend small churches!) #AskTheUMC” (Added 5-2-2024)
“North Texans react to United Methodist Church vote lifting ban on LGBTQ clergy” via Dallas Morning News. ““Several of the queer clergy were sitting together, and when we saw the [vote] got passed, most of us just burst out crying,” she said. “We’ve been waiting our entire careers for this to happen.” (Added 5-1-2024)
“Formula for calculating number of bishops eliminated” by Jessica Brodie via UMNS. “Established that if a jurisdiction wants more than five bishops, the jurisdiction, not the denomination, will pay for those additional bishop costs…” (Added 5-1-2024)
Post by Adam Hamilton via Facebook. Video update celebrating the removal of prohibitions on LGBTQIA+ clergy. (Added 5-1-2024)
“UMC drops decades-old ban on ordaining LGBT clergy without debate” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “Although efforts to change the rules at the General Conference have failed in past years, many theological liberal leaders within the UMC have ignored the rules and allowed individuals who were in same-sex relationships to be ordained or even promoted to bishop.” (Added 5-1-2024)
“Message from Bishop Wallace-Padgett: General Conference (Day 9)” via North Alabama Conference. “Pastors will have the right to choose what weddings to perform. Local church Boards of Trustees will have the right to determine which weddings to host. Persons are not prohibited from ordination due to being in a same-gender relationship. The Conference Board of Ordained Ministries and District Committees on Ministry will continue to have authority to recruit, examine, confirm the calling of and discern the qualifications of those to be credentialed into licensed and ordained ministry. The Bishop and Cabinet will continue to use careful and prayerful consultation in the appointment process, with the goal of clergy/church matches that result in effective ministry.” (Added 5-1-2024)
“United Methodist General Conference repeals bans on same-sex marriage, ordaining openly LGBTQ clergy” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “In previous General Conferences since 1972, African United Methodist churches had repeatedly joined U.S. conservatives to keep the bans on same-sex marriage and gay clergy ordinations, but liberal U.S. conferences have largely ignored those rules since the 2016 election of Bishop Karen Oliveto as the first openly lesbian bishop in the denomination.” (Added 5-1-2024)
Letter by Bishop David Wilson via Great Plains Conference. “These votes offer us a tremendous opportunity as the church to live up to our standards for social justice. I, for one, am excited about the possibilities for ministry that we can do together as we focus on making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” (Added 5-1-2024)
Post via Global Methodist Church (Facebook). Clarifying the GMC is not affiliated with the UMC and committing to be in ministry in the name of Jesus Christ. (Added 5-1-2024)
Updated: “Not a One Church Plan” by Chris Ritter via Team Caffeine (People Need Jesus). The emerging legislation from General Conference is absent the protections offered to traditionalists under the most famous unity proposal. [Correction: One modest protection did pass today: “Add to ¶340.2(a)(3)(a) No clergy at any time may be required to provide for or compelled to perform, or prohibited from performing any marriage, union or blessing . All clergy have the right to exercise and preserve their conscience when requested to perform any marriage, union, or blessing.” (Added 5-1-2024)
“New clergy retirement plan approved” by Sam Hodges via UMNS. “Leaders of Wespath, the denomination’s pension and benefits agency, said a change was necessary due to financial challenges facing a denomination that has steadily shrunk for decades.” (Added 5-1-2024)
Update: “Critique of Week One of the Postponed 2020 General Conference of the UMC” via PDF. Updated and expanded from an earlier version: An anonymous critique of the actions of the legislative committees at General Conference, from a traditionalist perspective. (Added 5-1-2024)
“United Methodist conference begins to drop contentious rules restricting LGBTQ clergy” via Yonat Shimron via RNS. “Among the items that fell away Tuesday were a ban on bishops ordaining LGBTQ candidates for ministry, and a series of mandatory minimum penalties for clergy who officiate same-sex weddings. Both items were adopted by the General Conference in 2019 under the so-called Traditional Plan that solidified restrictive policies on homosexuality. Another ban, on funding for LGBTQ affinity groups or ministries, is much older. It too was eliminated.” (Added 5-1-2024)
“United Methodist Church Reverses Ban on Gay Clergy” via New York Times. (Added 5-1-2024)
“A Pastor’s Letter to a Church Member Who is Tempted by Abortion” by Paul Stallsworth via Human Life Review. “Rev. Stallsworth is an elder in the North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church. Retired from pastoral ministry, he leads the Taskforce of United Methodists on Abortion and Sexuality and edits its newsletter Lifewatch (which concerns Christ and His Church, life and abortion, and marriage and sexuality).” (Added 5-1-2024)
“Why United Methodists’ historic vote means so much to gay Christians like me” Commentary by Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons via MSNBC. “This monumental embrace of the dignity of LGBTQ people will be the most impactful move by any Christian denomination to change its policies in recent years. The United Methodist Church is the largest mainline Protestant denomination in the country, with 5,424,043 members and 29,746 active churches as of 2022.” (Added 5-1-2024)
“Money Talks” by Amy Lippoldt via SubStack. “I’ve been collecting General-Conference-isms, things I’ve overheard that could only be said here and in some way encapsulate the weirdness of this meeting.” (Added 5-1-2024)
Tweet by Jeremy Smith: “Celebration of the removal of harmful language from our book of polity in The United Methodist Church. Hymns, Prayers, Testimonies in small groups, benediction. “We have more work to do. Legislation doesn’t equal change in behavior.” (Added 5-1-2024)
Tweet by Bishop Karen Oliveto: “We who were nurtured in United Methodism’s theology of God’s generous grace can now bring our full selves as we respond to the Holy Spirit’s call into ordained ministry. May we be judged on the fruits of our ministry, not on our sexual orientation or gender identity. #UMCGC” (Added 5-1-2024)
“United Methodists repeal longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy” by Perter Smith via Associated Press. “Delegates voted 692-51 at their General Conference — the first such legislative gathering in five years. That overwhelming margin contrasts sharply with the decades of controversy around the issue. Past General Conferences of the United Methodist Church had steadily reinforced the ban and related penalties amid debate and protests, but many of the conservatives who had previously upheld the ban have left the denomination in recent years, and this General Conference has moved in a solidly progressive direction.” (Added 5-1-2024)
Tweet by Liam Adams: “Right now in the convention hall, an emotional celebration for the LGBTQ+ inclusion-related petitions approved this morning. Delegates and observers tearing up as the group sings, drawing a growing crowd to watch and join in. #UMC #UMCGC” (Added 5-1-2024)
“40-year ban on gay clergy struck down” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “In an emotional morning, General Conference eliminated the ban on “self-avowed practicing” gay clergy. Following the vote at break, delegates and observers sang hymns in joy. General Conferences continues to quietly reverse some of The United Methodist Church’s longtime restrictions against LGBTQ members. More potential changes are to come.” (Added 5-1-2024)
“UPDATED: The Fifty-Year Fight over Scripture & Sexuality in the #UMC (1972-2022)” by Chris Ritter via PeopleNeedJesus.net. Repost of a primer on the long fight over human sexuality that is currently flipping in the UMC. (Added 5-1-2024)
“Day 8: The Elephant in the Room” by Mark Holland via Mainstream UMC. “Today we ended the LGBTQ funding ban! Finally. It was on the consent calendar and passed without a peep… At General Conference 2016 in Portland, there was a petition encouraging the UMC to take steps to stop suicide among LGBTQ youth. These youth have a suicide rate as much as 5 times higher than other youth. The petition failed in committee because we could not fund the mythical “gay agenda.” That defeat rocked that conference. Honestly, if our church is not preventing teen suicide, what the hell are we here for?” (Added 5-1-2024)
“LIVE: Wednesday, May 1 UM General Conference Morning Plenary (Coverage & Commentary)” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken (YouTube). Traditionalist live watch of the UMC General Conference. (Added 5-1-2024)
“Methodists move to undo LGBTQ restrictions, embrace liberalized views on sexual practices” by Mark Kellner via Washington Times. “The financial, clerical, and marriage restrictions were enhanced at a special legislative meeting held in 2019. The vote on how funds are used relative to LGBTQ issues is a first step toward overturning those policies.” (Added 5-1-2024)
Overheard: The key legislation for LGBTQIA+ acceptance will come before the plenary in Consent Calendar A05. This piece of the Simple Plan omits the following long-contended language: ¶ 304.3. While persons set apart by the Church for ordained ministry are subject to all the frailties of the human condition and the pressures of society, they are required to maintain the highest standards of holy living in the world. The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Therefore self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church. It also Amends the footnote 1 to ¶ 304.3 as follows:1.“Self-avowed practicing homosexual” is understood to mean that a person openly acknowledges to a bishop, district superintendent, district committee of ordained ministry, Board of Ordained Ministry, or clergy session that the person is a practicing homosexual; or is living in a same-sex marriage, domestic partnership or civil union, or is a person who publicly states she or he is a practicing homosexual. See Judicial Council Decisions 702, 708, 722, 725, 764, 844, 984, 1020, 1341. This change goes into effect immediately at the close of General Conference 2020. (Added 5-1-2024)
“Agenda for May 1, 2024” via DCA, Resource UMC (PDF). (Added 5-1-2024)
“A new day arrives: Witnessing the work of the Holy Spirit at General Conference” by Woojae Im via Minnesota Conference. “The postponed 2020 General Conference in 2024 finally paves a way forward towards contextualized ministry, unity in diversity, removal of harmful language towards the LGBTQI community, and the revision of our Social Principles.” (Added 5-1-2024)
“UMC General Conference removes much of LGBTQ restrictions in consensus vote” by Cynthia Astle via Baptist News Global. Meredith said the removal of LGBTQ restrictions works in tandem with the approval of worldwide regionalization to become “a generous acceptance.” (Added 5-1-2024)
“UMC live updates: United Methodists face contentious LGBTQ+ rights, disaffiliation debates” by Liam Adams via The Tennessean. “The most high-profile of those proposals facing the UMC General Conference in Charlotte deal with LGBTQ+ rights and likely an expired policy allowing United Methodist churches to leave the denomination, also known as disaffiliation.” (Added 5-1-2024)
“May 1 Daily Christian Advocate (English)” via PDF. Daily publication for delegates of the UMC General Conference with legislation, reports, etc. (Added 5-1-2024)
Repost: Livestream Link for the UMC General Conference. (Added 5-1-2024)
Video by Adam Hamilton via Facebook. A Tuesday Vespers update from General Conference in Charlotte. (Added 5-1-2024)
See Also: January-April 2024, September-December 2023, June-August 2023, March-May 2023, Nov 2022-Feb 2023, Aug-Oct 2022, May-July 2022, Jan-April 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, or earlier.
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