The United Methodist Church faces breakup as a quarter of its churches leave due to divisions over L.G.B.T.Q. policies. White’s Chapel Methodist Church in Southlake, Texas, once the second-largest United Methodist congregation, has also left the denomination. This exodus marks a significant decline for mainline Protestantism in the United States.
The United Methodist Church Breaks Up The United Methodist Church is undergoing a split over L.G.B.T.Q. policies, with a quarter of its churches leaving. White’s Chapel Methodist Church in Texas, once the second-largest in the country, has left the denomination. The church had been growing but decided to depart due to theological and financial reasons. The denomination's rupture has seen more than 7,500 congregations leave since 2019, with Texas experiencing a significant exodus. As the denomination faces declining numbers and financial implications, some churches are opting to join new denominations or remain independent. Conservative congregations are departing over the issue of ordaining and marrying L.G.B.T.Q. people, which has divided the denomination. The upcoming quadrennial meeting may bring further changes to church laws and potentially trigger more departures. The broader tradition of mainline Protestantism is also facing a decline due to this rupture. The split has implications beyond theological differences, as it also involves issues of power, control, and money. White’s Chapel left due to dissatisfaction with the denomination's theology, policies, and financial matters. The departure was formalized after 93% of the church members voted to leave last year.
The United Methodist Church Breaks Up The United Methodist Church is undergoing a split over L.G.B.T.Q. policies, with a quarter of its churches leaving. White’s Chapel Methodist Church in Texas, once the second-largest in the country, has left the denomination. The church had been growing but decided to depart due to theological and financial reasons. The denomination's rupture has seen more than 7,500 congregations leave since 2019, with Texas experiencing a significant exodus. As the denomination faces declining numbers and financial implications, some churches are opting to join new denominations or remain independent. Conservative congregations are departing over the issue of ordaining and marrying L.G.B.T.Q. people, which has divided the denomination. The upcoming quadrennial meeting may bring further changes to church laws and potentially trigger more departures. The broader tradition of mainline Protestantism is also facing a decline due to this rupture. The split has implications beyond theological differences, as it also involves issues of power, control, and money. White’s Chapel left due to dissatisfaction with the denomination's theology, policies, and financial matters. The departure was formalized after 93% of the church members voted to leave last year.