United Methodist bishops meet, look to pivot after 2,400+ churches disaffiliate
Chicago, USRNS About 100 active and retired United Methodist bishops from across the globe are meeting this week in Chicago for the first time in person since the COVID-19 pandemic and since the launch one year ago of the Global Methodist Church, a conservative denomination formed for United Methodist churches looking to disaffiliate over LGBTQ […]
In the US, UMC top court rules disaffiliating clergy don’t automatically lose credentials
United StatesRNS The United Methodist Judicial Council ruled on Tuesday that clergy will not automatically lose their credentials if their churches leave the denomination. The decision comes as the second-largest Protestant denomination in the United States continues to splinter over the ordination and marriage of its LGBTQ members. According to the latest tally by United Methodist […]
In the US, judge dismisses lawsuit by Florida United Methodist churches
United StatesRNS A Florida judge has dismissed a lawsuit originally brought by more than 100 United Methodist churches wishing to immediately disaffiliate from the Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Eighth Judicial Circuit Court Judge George M Wright granted a motion to dismiss the suit on Monday, saying the court lacked jurisdiction. The United Methodist […]
Cyclone Freddy: How churches are mobilising relief for African landslide, flood victims
TONNY ONYULO reports on how church leaders are acting to bring aid to those impacted by the devastating storm…
Global Methodist Church releases list of recommended schools for hopeful clergy
United StatesRNS How does one become a pastor in the new Global Methodist Church? The fledgling Methodist denomination, a home for congregations and clergy that have broken away from the United Methodist Church amid ongoing debate over the role of LGBTQ Christians, has announced a list of recommended educational institutions for candidates seeking ordination as a deacon […]
In the US, North Carolina judge dismisses lawsuit by 36 United Methodist churches
United StatesRNS A North Carolina Superior Court judge dismissed a lawsuit filed last year by 36 United Methodist churches demanding to sever their ties to the denomination. Superior Court Judge Richard L Doughton issued an oral ruling on Monday dismissing the suit brought against the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, its […]
Meet the organisation preserving and promoting the stories of Black Methodists in the US
RNS When most people think of the United Methodist Church, Carol Travis said, they don’t picture Black people. “People still think that the United Methodist Church is white,” said Travis. “You don’t see enough Black faces even though we have been there from the beginning. We never left.” The congregation of East Calvary Methodist Episcopal […]
United Methodists: Bishop Scott Jones moves from “extreme centre” of UMC to new Global Methodist Church
He isn’t the first bishop to leave the United Methodist Church for the fledgling conservative denomination. But his exit has arguably caused the greatest stir reports EMILY MCFARLAN MILLER, of Religion News Service…
“Not a real schism”: Four years later, UMC exodus less a gush, more a trickle
YONAT SHIMRON and EMILY MCFARLAN MILLER, of Religion News Service, report that an analysis of departing churches suggests the country’s second-largest Protestant denomination will be weakened, but it is unlikely to break…
In the US, South Carolina’s largest UMC church set to leave denomination
United StatesRNS South Carolina’s largest United Methodist church is gearing up to break from the denomination with a formal vote expected next month. Mt Horeb United Methodist, located in Lexington, South Carolina, about 27 kilometres from Columbia, the state capital, has for some time been inching toward a disaffiliation vote. For the past several years […]