schism
After years of loud debate, conservatives quietly split from United Methodist Church
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 2, 2022
(RNS) — After decades of rancorous debate over the ordination and marriage of LGBTQ United Methodists, a schism finally came 'without fanfare, but full of hope, faith, and perseverance.'
United Methodist bishops open spring meeting with message of unity amid schism
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 25, 2022
(RNS) — More than 100 bishops from across the globe are gathering through Friday on Zoom to discuss the future of the denomination, according to the Council of Bishops.
United Methodists: Too much method leads to madness
By Jacob Lupfer — March 4, 2022
(RNS) — The denomination won't take schism for an answer.
Reformed Church in America splits as conservative churches form new denomination
By Kathryn Post — January 7, 2022
(RNS) — Some who remain in the RCA are concerned for the small, nearly 400-year-old denomination’s survival.
The Reformed Church in America moves toward restructuring, prepares for departures
By Kathryn Post — October 17, 2021
(RNS) — The decisions follow decades of debate over LGBTQ ordination and same-sex marriage.
The Reformed Church in America faces rupture over LGBTQ gridlock
By Kathryn Post — October 13, 2021
(RNS) — One of North America’s oldest denominations is already splintering. After a long delay, its General Synod meets this week.
United Methodists would’ve met this week to consider a split. What are they doing instead?
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 15, 2020
(RNS) — Many US United Methodist leaders see the delay as a blessing, allowing more time and cooler heads to consider a split. Others are concerned about ongoing damage after decades of debate over the role of LGBTQ Christians in the church.
The formal United Methodist schism is delayed. We can start sooner.
By Mark Tooley — April 29, 2020
(RNS) — With a vote postponed due to the coronavirus, we can still start moving toward a better Methodist future without endless battles.
United Methodist bishops ask church court to review proposal to split denomination
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 12, 2020
(RNS) — If the court rules the plan is constitutional, delegates could take up the proposal, called 'A Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation,' at the United Methodist General Conference May 5-15 in Minneapolis.
Why schism? United Methodist leaders explain proposal to split the denomination
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 13, 2020
(RNS) — Participants offered a behind-the-scenes look at how they arrived at a proposal, announced earlier this month, that would allow conservative United Methodist churches and conferences to split from the denomination over their beliefs barring LGBTQ United Methodists from ordination and marriage.
Why Jewish mediator Kenneth Feinberg wants to save the United Methodist Church
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 10, 2020
(RNS) — 'I thought that the church and what it stands for and its impact on the day-to-day lives of people was important and that we should step up and try and preserve that, which hopefully we've done,' says Feinberg.
How denominations split: Lessons for Methodists from Baptist battles of the ’80s
By Nancy T. Ammerman — March 5, 2019
(RNS) — Now that the Methodists have reached the precipice, the very complicated organizational work of division has to get underway, and one thing is sure: Nothing will happen quickly.
Why a Southern Baptist is watching the United Methodists
By Alex Ward — March 1, 2019
(RNS) — Evangelical churches, the Southern Baptist Church included, should be mindful of the growing support among their younger members on questions of human sexuality.
United Methodists should acknowledge reality that they are no longer united
By Jacob Lupfer — February 22, 2019
(RNS) — The divide between liberals and conservatives has been baked into the UMC from its inception in 1968. It's time to let go.
Official recognition for Ukrainian church roils Orthodox world
By Nikolia Apostolou — January 2, 2019
ATHENS, Greece (RNS) — Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew's decision to recognize an independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church has led to fears of a schism among Orthodox Christians.
