Articles advocating (or explaining) the splitting up of The United Methodist Church or remaining connected, including articles about of the very personal decisions of individuals, LGBTQ or allies, whether to stay or leave for more welcoming churches or denominations.
by Heather Hahn
June 18, 2019
For congregations that want to leave The United Methodist Church, a breakup also could get very expensive.
Delegates to the special General Conference in February approved two measures that enable churches to exit based on disagreements related to the status of LGBTQ people in the church. The disaffiliation plan in effect suspends the denomination’s centuries-old U.S. trust clause under limited conditions. That means for the first time in its history, the denomination has set procedures for U.S. congregations to withdraw from the denomination and take their buildings with them. Before a departure, those congregations could be on the hook for anywhere from tens of thousands to more than a million dollars.
Annual conferences — church regional bodies — have the final word on what their churches owe. [Continue reading; links include South Georgia's plan, and Chancellor's Association resolution]
This page will try to keep up with stories of disaffiliations by churches, schools, and organizations, and formal charges against pastors who fit the new definitions of "homosexual" or who choose to marry same-gender couples.
Note that the disaffiliation plan approved at the February General Conference has been declared null and void by the investigation into the voting irregularities at the Conference. See this article and this article.
Two Large Texas Churches Vote To Disaffiliate (UMNews, Aug. 9, 2022)
Mosaic UMC, OKC, claims "year of holy resistance" and will disaffiliate if no positive changes at GC2020 (PDF).
9 New England churches consider disaffiliation (UMNews, Sept. 26, 2019)
Anna Blaedel faces yet another trial in a long series of trials. (UM-Insight, July 30, 2019)
Strong statement against disaffiliation from California-Nevada Extended Cabinet. ... calls for work to facilitate exit of WCA and Good News churches.. (Cal-Nev, July 1, 2019)
Seven Mississippi Churches Disaffiliate after Annual Conference votes to allow. Long-standing issues with denomination....Property stays with Conference; suit filed.
University of Mount Union Disaffiliates ...the Board of Trustees decided to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church, while affirming the importance, for the University’s future, of vibrant campus ministry and spiritual life programs. ...The University will continue to emphasize its Methodist and Wesleyan heritage and commitments.
Colorado Springs Methodists consider leaving historic denomination amid LGBTQ exclusion "For decades, Methodists have stuck together while arguing about human sexuality. Now, it looks increasingly likely that their denomination is headed for the same kind of divorce that divided Presbyterian and Episcopalian groups." Pastors Olon Lindemood and David Amrie talk about their grief over the death of the UMC in this long and thorough article.
A black licensed local pastor is terminated because he raised the possibility of disaffiliation (though it is unclear whether it was due to the limited application of JCD 1379 to conscience differences over sexuality).
Baldwin-Wallace University, Berea, Ohio, has ended its affiliation with the UMC.
Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware and Otterbein University in Westerville are waiting to see the outome before they disaffiliate, but they disagree with the new stances. "We are deeply uncomfortable with the church in its current position and would not remain in a long-term relationship if that’s the only expression of Methodism,” Ohio Wesleyan's President Rock Jones said.
Rev. Anna Blaedel, director of the University of Iowa's Wesley Center is resigning. Blaedel, 37, "has been actively under complaint from the United Methodist Church for more than a year for being out about their sexuality. Blaedel has received two other formal complaints related to queer issues since 2016." However, Blaedel will continue to respond to the complaints. (Note that the new, more restrictive minimum sentences don't take effect until January 1, 2020.)
Outspoken LGBTQ advocate the Rev. Andy Oliver faces charges in the Florida Annual Conference for having performed a wedding for a lesbian couple. Oliver's "congregation took out a full-page newspaper ad to apologize for the decision. His church website announces that it provides 'an altar for all' and is committed 'to support and celebrate same-sex marriages.'"
Here is a collection of the more personal reflections on whether to stay in The United Methodist Church or leave. Not so much about dividing or staying together, but taking yourself out of the fight or staying to fight on... Granted, the decisions are similar to those faced by congregations, annual conferences, and even jurisdictions or central conferences. But these are more personal reflections on the issues.
What To Do? Stay or Leave? -- by Ben Roe
A reflection on the dilemma facing LGBTQIA clergy and laity, and their allies, as the UMC becomes even more legalistic, punitive, and unwelcoming to "practicing homosexuals" -- actually anyone who values the gifts of LGBTQIA persons as friends, members, colleagues, pastors, and bishops.
What To Do About Ordination? -- by Yonat Shimron
After finally accepting her call to preach, Spencer Cullom took a step of faith and began the years-long process to become ordained in the United Methodist Church. She believed God called her to become a United Methodist minister. And she hoped that her denomination would drop its restrictions against LGBTQ clergy and allow her to follow that call.... [Read how she decided...]
Leaving As An Act of Love -- Ken Wilson
...oh how I wanted the church I loved to abandon the policies that many are willing to reluctantly abide in order to keep their churches from — I don’t know — imploding, losing too many members, defaulting on the mortgage? Suffice to say I know the tortured thinking pastors and congregations go through. But in the end, the choice is stark: whether or not to uphold a false unity that depends on scapegoating Gender and Sexual Minorities. Because beneath all the arguments in an inclusive-leaning place like United Methodism is the institutional realpolitik, echoing the high priest at the time of Jesus, “It’s better that a few should suffer, than the entire church go through such a major disruption.”
The discussion continues: split the UMC into several parts or stay united somehow? Are the differences really irreconcilable?
Its not a pretty picture. Actual disaffiliations are on a different page.
UM-Insight and Hacking Christianity have been carrying articles on the subject. They are two of the main sources for the stories below.
Anna's case has been "resolved"--with them being on "voluntary" leave, and a trial being "avoided." Story from Iowa Conference. November 13, 2019
Anna Blaedel has been hounded out of the ministry (at least for awhile). Story from Hacking Christianity.
Anna's continuing ministry at "Enfleshed."
A look at The "Just Resolution." A forward-looking and reparative justice approach was attempted. Rev. Blaedel points out the brokenness that has happened by this (and many other similar complaints--br).