Two regional governing bodies of the United Methodist Church in Texas over the weekend finalized the split of 439 congregations from the denomination.
The
Northwest Texas Conference in Lubbock, encompassing Lubbock to the panhandle, granted approval for 145 of its 200 churches to disaffiliate on Saturday. In Houston, during a separate session the same day, the
Texas Annual Conference, which covers Houston and East Texas, approved the departure of 294 churches. There are four regional governing bodies of the UMC in the state of Texas.
The church departures come after decades of discord at the national level that came to a head in 2019 when the
General Conference voted to uphold the denomination’s statements on homosexuality by narrowly passing the “Traditional Plan” in a vote of 438 to 384. The General Conference, made up of an equal number of clergy and laity, is the highest legislative body of the United Methodist Church.
The “Traditional Plan” did not change the church’s longtime doctrine on homosexuality. Homosexuals may not be ordained as clergy, according to the UMC
Book of Discipline. Clergy is banned from performing same-sex marriage ceremonies, and the church is not permitted to use funds to promote sexuality or to violate its commitment “not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends.”
“There’s always going to be misinformation out there. Currently, the UMC is not changing any of its doctrine or policies until a vote is taken at the next general conference, which will not be held until 2024,” the Rev. Kimberley Carney of Fairwood United Methodist Church in Tyler told
KETK News in September. Fairwood said it plans to remain in the denomination. It’s not known if the church will change its statements on homosexuality at the next General Conference.
They are not exiting because of a disagreement with the UMC policies on homosexuality but rather the unrest for those disregarding the doctrine.
“It’s not the denominational structure that troubles us. It’s what’s happening across the denomination that is contrary to what we see as solid biblical teaching,” said Jeff Gage, senior pastor at Lanes Chapel United Methodist Church in Tyler, KETK reported.
“Part of this decision is homosexual marriage. And there are many who want to celebrate homosexual marriage within our churches, and that pastors will officiate in those services,” Gage continued. “But for those of us whom ... we see that that is not a marriage blessed by God, we know we’re not going to do that.”
Congregations wishing to depart are required to complete the seven-step UMC
disaffiliation process to retain their properties and assets, as outlined by a 2019 ruling. The process includes reaching a two-thirds majority vote as well as paying two years of apportionments to the UMC and any unfunded pension liability.
Last month, White’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Southlake congregation also voted in favor of leaving the denomination. White’s Chapel is part of the Central Texas Conference.
“After long months of prayer, discernment, and conversation, tonight, our church voted by an overwhelming majority (93.6%) to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church,” co-pastors John McKellar and Todd Renner wrote on Nov. 7 in an update on the church’s
website. “In total, 2,505 members voted: 2,338 for disaffiliation and 160 against (with 7 abstaining).”
Larry Duggins, executive pastor for Ecclesial Affairs at White’s Chapel Church, told The Epoch Times that it agrees with the UMC doctrine on homosexuality, but it wasn’t the only reason the church is leaving.
“While homosexuality is the presenting issue at White’s Chapel, it is not the sole reason for the decision to leave,” Duggins said. “Other things that come into our play is we feel that the UMC has a hefty bureaucracy,” told The Epoch Times.
Duggins said the local church wants to have greater control over its finances and the missions it serves.
“The current rulings in place regarding disaffiliation make it financially advantageous for a congregation to act now. White’s Chapel is looking forward to having greater control over its assets and denominational expenses to be able to direct money dollars into the local, regional, and international mission,” he said.
In September, the
Central Texas Conference, which includes Fort Worth, approved the disaffiliation of 81 churches. White’s Chapel, along with several more, started the process of leaving in June. Its departure will be approved at the annual session in June 2023, with finalization expected by August.
More than 50 churches belonging to the North Texas Conference, which encompasses Dallas, have started their disaffiliation process, according to
The Dallas Morning News. Of those, only six have voted to leave, and 10 decided to remain with UMC before taking a vote. A special session will be held in March to vote on the disaffiliation of churches in the North Texas Conference.
Disclosure: Jana J. Pruet is a member of the United Methodist Church.
