United Methodist Church
Breakaway Texas UMC megachurch reveals plans for new Methodist denomination
By BeLynn Hollers and Emily McFarlan Miller — May 9, 2023
SOUTHLAKE, Texas (RNS) — White’s Chapel plans to invite others to join the Methodist Collegiate Church once its disaffiliation is approved by Central Texas United Methodists next month.
UMC bishops request 2026 General Conference as hundreds more churches disaffiliate
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 8, 2023
CHICAGO (RNS) — To date, at least 2,804 churches have left the United Methodist Church since 2019, according to United Methodist News Service.
Their church is leaving the UMC fold. They found refuge in a nearby ‘Lighthouse.’
By Yonat Shimron and Emily McFarlan Miller — May 4, 2023
(RNS) — The United Methodist Church is turning its attention to taking care of those who want to remain and rebuilding and fortifying its ranks.
United Methodist bishops meet, look to pivot after 2,400+ churches disaffiliate
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 1, 2023
CHICAGO (RNS) — United Methodist bishops from across the globe are meeting this week for the first time in person since the COVID-19 pandemic.
UMC top court rules disaffiliating clergy don’t automatically lose credentials
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 26, 2023
(RNS) — A Wisconsin bishop had required clergy whose churches were disaffiliating to give up their jobs or their credentials.
Judge dismisses lawsuit by Florida United Methodist churches
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 20, 2023
(RNS) — A second lawsuit, by 36 churches in North Carolina, was also dismissed last month.
UMC clergy reportedly face complaint, church trial after marrying nonbinary couple
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 19, 2023
(RNS) — The Rev. Paige Swaim-Presley and the Rev. Elizabeth Davidson say they were informed in late February a formal complaint has been filed against them, allegedly for officiating a same-sex wedding.
Why Christian women are key to ending the criminalization of Black girls in schools
By Emily Jones — April 11, 2023
(RNS) — Historically, Christian women have been particularly vocal advocates in educational spaces.
These are the schools the Global Methodist Church recommends for hopeful clergy
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 22, 2023
(RNS) — The fledgling Methodist denomination, which broke away from the United Methodist Church last year amid ongoing debate over the role of LGBTQ Christians, has announced a list of recommended educational institutions for candidates seeking ordination as a deacon or elder.
Judge dismisses lawsuit by 36 United Methodist churches
By Yonat Shimron — March 21, 2023
(RNS) — The North Carolina churches sued in state courts to leave a denomination they view as having strayed from its theological moorings on LGBTQ issues.
For United Methodists’ top court, 2024 is the new 2020
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 15, 2023
(RNS) — Three of the most recent decisions released by the Judicial Council dealt with resolutions that annual and jurisdictional conferences have approved regarding the denomination’s stance on LGBTQ inclusion.
Meet the organization preserving and promoting the stories of Black Methodists
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 1, 2023
(RNS) — After funding from the United Methodist Church General Conference ended and in-person events were put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, the AAMHC is looking for donations in order to continue its work.
Memphis teen 1 of 2 charged in church leader’s 2022 killing
By Adrian Sainz — March 1, 2023
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — In July 2022, a prominent United Methodist Church leader in Memphis, Tennessee, was found in the driveway of her home with gunshot wounds.
Bishop Scott Jones moves from ‘extreme center’ of UMC to new Global Methodist Church
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 27, 2023
(RNS) — 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.
Nikki Haley says she’s Christian, but it’s complicated
By Khyati Y. Joshi — February 16, 2023
(RNS) — Dogged by questions about her faith, what is she trying to prove?