Global Methodist Church

The Global Methodist Church (shortened to GM Church, or GMC) is a Protestant denomination based in the United States founded on conservative Methodist precepts[2] that are aligned with the holiness movement.[3] At the United Methodist Church's 2019 General Conference, church leaders supported a plan that would prohibit same-sex marriages within their church, leading to discussion of potential schisms between conservatives and liberals within the denomination.[4] The United Methodist Church is expected to vote on a proposal, "Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation", in 2024 to formalize the separation.[5][6] If formally erected, the Global Methodist Church is anticipated to be among the largest conservative Christian denominations in the United States.[7]

Global Methodist Church
ClassificationProtestant
OrientationMethodist · Holiness
TheologyWesleyan
GovernanceConnectionalism[1]
(modified episcopal polity)
FounderConservative members within the UMC
OriginAnticipated May 1, 2022
Separated fromUnited Methodist Church
Official websiteglobalmethodist.org

History

In 2016, at the United Methodist Church's General Conference in Portland, Oregon, delegates voted 428 to 405 to delay conversation on homosexuality and proposed a review of ecclesiastical restrictions. Despite the UMC prohibiting the ordination of "'self-avowed practicing' gay clergy", one Filipino and more than a hundred American clergy in attendance at the General Conference came out as gay.[8]

Two major plans regarding the UMC's position on homosexuality were suggested at the 2019 General Conference in St. Louis, Missouri: the Traditional Plan, which supported the denomination's current stance against same-sex marriage, and the One Church Plan, which called for the loosening of restrictions. Supporters of the Traditional Plan, citing the Book of Discipline, succeeded in passing their proposal with a delegate vote of 438 to 384.[9] Prior to the April vote, discussion of possible schisms over gay issues had grown following a February special session that recommended the Traditional Plan.[4]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, plans to discuss and formalize the Global Methodist schism–including that of the Global Methodist Church–were delayed until 2022. In August and September of that year, the UMC General Conference is expected to vote on the proposal referred to as the "Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation".[5] However, Reverend Keith Boyette, chairman of the Transitional Leadership Council of the Global Methodist Church, published a letter in January 2022 that expressed concern this General Conference would also be delayed.[10] In February 2022, the UMC announced that it was examining again postponing the General Conference.[11] Not wanting to wait for the General Conference to occur, some conservative United Methodist congregations have left the United Methodist Church to become a part of the Free Methodist Church, a traditionalist Methodist denomination aligned with the holiness movement.[12][13] On March 3, 2022, the Global Methodist Church's website announced that the denomination would "officially launch on May 1, 2022".[14]

Beliefs

Denominational beliefs are currently listed in the proposed Transitional Book of Doctrines and Disciplines until the first convening General Conference of the GMC can adopt an official book of doctrines and disciplines.[15]

Organization

Much like the UMC, the GMC will have an episcopacy that will oversee annual conferences. Unlike the UMC, bishops within the GMC will be consecrated to serve for a set term, as opposed to a lifetime role.[16] The role within the UMC of district superintendent will be replaced with that of a presiding elder.[17]

See also

References
  1. "Our Beliefs & Governance". Global Methodist Church. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  2. Zauzmer, Julie (3 January 2020). "United Methodist Church is expected to split over gay marriage, fracturing the nation's third-largest denomination". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  3. "Accountable Discipleship in the Global Methodist Church" (PDF). Wesleyan Covenant Association. p. 3. Retrieved 18 April 2022. The class and band meetings combined to flesh out what Wesley meant by the term “social holiness,” or the personal and corporate pursuit of “Christian perfection,” sanctification, and renewal in the image of God. ... Wesley’s use of the term applies directly to the individual and corporate pursuit of holiness, recognizing that disciples of Jesus need one another to grow in grace, to pursue both the individual and corporate disciplines of discipleship, and to hold one another accountable. The model of early Methodism provides a pathway for the revival of the pursuit of holiness in the new Methodist movement. The development of an intentional path to discipleship brings individuals who are new to the Christian faith under the guidance and direction of seasoned disciples and a small group of peers who are spurring one another on to perfection.
  4. Miller, Emily McFarlan (7 March 2019). "The 'Splainer: What happened at the United Methodist General Conference?". Religion News Service. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  5. Miller, Emily McFarlan (2 March 2021). "Conservative United Methodists Plan Breakaway Denomination". Religion News Service. Retrieved 2 November 2021 – via Christianity Today.
  6. "General Conference further postponed to 2024". United Methodist Church. March 3, 2022.
  7. Tooley, Mark (4 March 2021). "Global Methodism's New Church". The Gospel Coalition. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  8. Hahn, Heather; Hodges, Sam (18 May 2016). "GC2016 puts hold on sexuality debate". United Methodist News Service. United Methodist Church. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  9. Hahn, Heather; Gilbert, Kathy L.; Butler, Joey (26 February 2016). "2019 General Conference passes Traditional Plan". United Methodist News Service. United Methodist Church. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  10. Boyette, Keith (12 January 2022). "Launch of Global Methodist Church Eagerly Anticipated" (PDF). Global Methodist Church. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  11. Adams, Liam (25 February 2022). "United Methodist leaders weigh postponing conference where vote on split is expected". The Tennessean. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  12. Hahn, Heather (8 February 2022). "Church disaffiliations, court cases mount". United Methodist News Service. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  13. Taylor, Scott (4 March 2020). "Free Methodists think UMC split could help them grow: Dating from days of slavery, splinter church against 'changing rules to fit their needs'". Northglenn Thornton Sentinel. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  14. "Global Methodist Church Sets Official Launch Date". Global Methodist Church. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  15. "What do Methodists Believe? | Learn More | Global Church". 2021-07-06. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
  16. "Organizational Distinctives Pamphlet" (PDF). Global Methodist Website. Retrieved April 10, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. "transitional book of doctrines and disciplines" (PDF). Global Methodist Church. Retrieved April 10, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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