Church files lawsuit against UMC, seeks control of its property

Church files lawsuit against UMC, seeks control of its property

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Friday, October 18, 2024 iStock/D:532811041 A church in Alabama has filed a complaint against a regional body of The United Methodist Church, seeking a court order confirming that they own their historic property. Church Street Methodist Church of Selma, which reportedly has a membership of around 350 and is … Read more

Church in nation’s capital seeks to remove J Edgar Hoover plaque

Church in nation’s capital seeks to remove J Edgar Hoover plaque

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Friday, August 16, 2024 Capitol Hill United Methodist Church of Washington, D.C. | Screengrab: chumc.net A church in Washington, D.C., has decided to remove a plaque from their sanctuary that was dedicated to former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover due to his checkered history on race issues. In 1966, … Read more

‘Several hundred’ Nigerian congregations will remain UMC: bishop

‘Several hundred’ Nigerian congregations will remain UMC: bishop

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Friday, August 09, 2024 A procession of United Methodist bishops leads the opening worship at the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. | Mike DuBose/UM News The United Methodist Church says there are hundreds of congregations in Nigeria that won’t be leaving the denomination over its … Read more

Methodist denominations dispute who controls Nigerian Church

Methodist denominations dispute who controls Nigerian Church

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Wednesday, August 07, 2024 During the opening worship service of the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, on April 23, 2024, five United Methodist bishops from around the world celebrate communion with participants. | Paul Jeffrey, UM News The mostly theologically liberal United Methodist Church and the … Read more

UMC removes rule that homosexuality violates Christian teaching

UMC removes rule that homosexuality violates Christian teaching

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Friday, May 03, 2024 Amanda Mountain and Bridget Cabrera pray outside the Charlotte Convention Center on May 2 following a decision by the 2024 United Methodist General Conference to approve a revision of the denomination’s Social Principles. The newly approved document eliminates a statement that the practice of homosexuality … Read more

Lesbian UMC bishop laments denomination’s ban on ‘queer clergy’

Lesbian UMC bishop laments denomination’s ban on ‘queer clergy’

Karen Oliveto previously claimed Jesus had bigotries, raised concerns about making Him into ‘an idol’ By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Monday, April 29, 2024 United Methodist Church Bishop Karen Oliveto preaches a sermon at First United Methodist Church of Charlotte, North Carolina, on April 28, 2024, during the UMC General Conference. Oliveto’s election was … Read more

Alabama Supreme Court sides with megachurch over UMC conference

Alabama Supreme Court sides with megachurch over UMC conference

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Saturday, April 13, 2024 The Supreme Court of Alabama in Montgomery, Alabama. | Wikimedia Commons/Michael Barera https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Montgomery_December_2018_39_(Supreme_Court_of_Alabama).jpg The Alabama Supreme Court has rejected a request from a United Methodist Church conference to kill a lawsuit filed by a megachurch trying to secure the rights to its church property as … Read more

UMC regains control of breakaway Illinois church property

UMC regains control of breakaway Illinois church property

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Friday, April 05, 2024 Naperville Korean Methodist Church in Indian | Screenshot: Google Street View An Illinois-based regional body of the United Methodist Church regained control of church property that was involved in litigation with a group that broke away from the denomination. Last month, a judge ruled in … Read more

UMC’s proposed budget will be the smallest in 40 years

UMC’s proposed budget will be the smallest in 40 years

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Wednesday, February 28, 2024 View of the stage during the United Methodist Church’s special session General Conference inside the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri, on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. | United Methodist News Service/Kathleen Barry The United Methodist Church may soon approve the lowest budget for … Read more

Churches continue to leave UMC after separation provision expires

Churches continue to leave UMC after separation provision expires

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, January 28, 2024 A worship service at St. John’s United Methodist Church of Aiken, South Carolina, on November. 12, 2023. | Screengrab: YouTube/St. Johns UMC of Aiken Congregations within the United Methodist Church continue to leave the mainline Protestant denomination, even after an official disaffiliation process expired at … Read more