Hundreds more US United Methodist congregations break away over anti-LGBTQ+ tensions

Photo: APH Hundreds more US United Methodist congregations break away over LGBTQ+ tensions

Since 2019, more than Church tightens ban on same-sex marriage in 7,000 congregations

More than 250 more United Methodist congregations have broken with the denomination in North Georgia amid a split over theology and the role of LGBTQ+ people in the church.

More than 250 more United Methodist congregations have broken with the denomination in North Georgia amid a split over theology and the role of LGBTQ+ people in the church.

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The North Georgia Conference of United Methodist Churches voted Saturday to allow 261 congregations to secede or disaffiliate following theological disagreements over bans on same-sex marriage and the ordination of openly LGBTQ+ clergy.

The move, interpreted as conservative congregations choosing to leave rather than discuss or accept the views of more moderate factions within the church, reportedly left about 440 churches remaining in the conference. The denomination said that the exit of parishioners marked a “solemn day.”

Since 2019, 7,286 of about 30,000 United Methodist congregations—many in the Southern and Midwestern U.S.—have been allowed to leave the denomination, according to unofficial data from the United Methodist News Service. . That same year, the United Methodist Church tightened its ban on same-sex marriage and clergy members with gay partners.

The denomination prohibits the marriage or ordination of “self-confessed practicing homosexuals.” But growing opposition to this exclusion has led to conservative congregations leaving the church after the church failed to find a way forward.

“I understand how sad this time is for many , including myself,” said Bishop Robin Deese, leader of the North Georgia Conference. “I just hate that those who leave us – I won't have the opportunity to meet or be with [them].”

< p class="dcr-1kas69x">The departure will take effect at the end of this year, and leaving churches will be prohibited from using the United Methodist brand in their new names and logos.

The latest breakaway comes four years after the national United Methodist Church's decision to grant thousands of congregations additional time to serve after many of their leaders expressed opposition to “changes to the requirements and provisions of the Book of Discipline relating to the practice of homosexuality or the ordination or marriage of avid practicing homosexuals.”