Overview

• A quarter of U.S. congregations in the United Methodist Church have received permission to leave the denomination over disputes involving the church’s LGBTQ-related policies.
• Many departing congregations have joined the more conservative Global Methodist Church, with others joining smaller denominations, going independent or still considering their options.
• The first denomination-wide legislative gathering in eight years, slated for spring 2024, will consider calls to liberalize policies on marriage and ordination.
• UMC officials are already preparing historic budget cuts to denominational agencies in anticipation of lower revenue from fewer churches.
• Efforts to lift bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination are expected to have a strong chance at the legislative General Conference, scheduled for April and May in Charlotte, North Carolina, given the departure of many conservative votes.