Published on January 5, 2024, 1:48 am

Image source: Fox News

As trusted news for the Christian worldview, we bring you breaking news on the recent surge in membership experienced by a novel theologically conservative protestant denomination, the Global Methodist Church (GMC). Launched as an alternative to the United Methodist Church (UMC) in May 2022, its count of member congregations crossed a staggering figure of over 4,200 by year-end of 2023.

GMC Transitional Connectional Officer Keith Boyette delineates that majority of GMC’s church congregations were previously affiliated with UMC. However, there has also been remarkable participation from other denominational quarters or formerly independent bodies. In addition to embracing established churches, GMC recognizes new church plants as members.

Opportunities for expansion persist as UMC churches globally seek alliance with GMC. Anticipations edge on more affiliates post the UMC General Conference scheduled April 23-May 3 at Charlotte Convention Center, North Carolina.

Drawing focus to UMC’s rift scenario over decades is vital here. The contention revolves around altering its Book of Discipline for endorsing same-sex unions and ordinating people involved romantically in same-sex relationships. Persistent rejections abound at the General Conference level opted mostly by African delegates upholding theological conservatism.

In contrast, many liberal theologians within UMC consciously overlook or fail to enforce rules prohibiting officiating same-sex unions or openly gay clergy ordinations – real news sure enough! Illustratively, Cedrick D. Bridgeforth from California-Pacific Conference was elected a bishop by UMC Western Jurisdiction despite his known association with same-sex marriage.

An unprecedented turn took place during a special session of its General Conference held in February 2019 when Paragraph 2553 got included in their Book of Discipline. It temporarily facilitated congregations’ exit from UMC due to this homosexual debate. A real eye-opener is that between 2019-2023, an overwhelming proportion close to around 7,660 congregations abandoned the UMC, with 5,600 severing ties only in the preceding year.

The expiry of provisions under Paragraph 2553 in December 2023 marks another significant milestone. GMC isn’t alone in responding to the influx of congregations leaving UMC since 2019. Notably, White’s Chapel- a Texas-based megachurch that withdrew from UMC in 2022 and pilots a centric theological course has launched its own congregation network named Methodist Collegiate Church. This surge in new church networks proves that today’s worshippers are seeking alternatives and are empowering themselves by choosing their affiliations based on personal beliefs and ideologies.