Published on December 11, 2023, 12:59 am

Image source: Fox News

The United Methodist Church (UMC) has recently confirmed the departure of 142 congregations from Mississippi, taking the total number of churches that have seceded since 2019 to more than 7000. This major step was taken during a special meeting convened at Jackson’s Anderson United Methodist Church where delegates voted on district-specific proposals.

These ballots extended across several districts within the UMC Mississippi Conference, including Brookhaven, East Jackson, Greenwood, Hattiesburg, Meridian, New Albany, Seashore, Senatobia, Starkville and Tupelo to West Jackson. One significant congregation that backed plans for disaffiliation was Christ United Methodist Church in Jackson – regarded as the largest in the state – where an overwhelming majority (717-112) approved departing from the denomination in October.

Upon announcing these pivotal decisions after a performance by Anderson UMC choir, Bishop Sharma Lewis advised those gathered not to applaud yet due to the sensitive nature of these departures. According to Lewis’s statements: “This is still sensitive and painful. But we are turning a corner today.”

Earlier this year in June itself, approximately one-fifth of regional body member congregations departed; collectively represented by 189 churches whose requests for outbolting were greenlit by Mississippi Conference.

This mass exodus appears rooted in recent contentious discussions within UMC regarding sanctioning same-sex unions and permitting same-sex involved clergy appointment – propositions that continue facing rejection at General Conferences; despite which certain radical elements within UMC chose not to comply with existing rules—a defiance that further propelled many conservatives towards abandoning UMC umbrella.

To manage such voiced discontentment over homosexuality debate given rise since 2019, additional provision Paragraph 2553 was added to The UMC Book of Discipline—incorporating temporary procedures guiding potential departures—liable for expiry by end-year conclusion.

With its institution over two years ago, this transitional provision played instrumental role in facilitating secession of an impressive tally exceeding 7000 congregations, including over 5000 churches just this year. From these opting out, more than half—about 3000 congregations—preferred joining the recently founded Global Methodist Church, emerging as a UMC conservative theology alternative.

In concluding thoughts over this wide-scale changing dynamic within UMC to reaffirm Christian worldview, ensuring delivery of trusted news and maintaining commitment towards credible, real news broadcasting remain essential for today’s informed audience.