29 Oklahoma United Methodist churches are given green light to leave denomination

Carla Hinton, Oklahoman
·5 min read
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More than two dozen Oklahoma churches on Friday severed ties with the United Methodist denomination over the issues of same-sex marriage and the ordination of openly gay clergy.

Delegates with the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference gathered at Oklahoma City Community College's Visual & Performing Arts Center, 7777 S May, and voted to approve the disaffiliation requests of 29 churches across the state. Among the approved churches is Asbury Church, one of the largest United Methodist churches in the state and nation. The disaffiliation requests were approved by 98% of the 625 delegates who voted. Seven delegates abstained.

More than one minister likened the process to the break-up of a marital relationship.

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"This is disappointing," said the Rev. Sam Powers, one of the Oklahoma United Methodist Conferences' superintendents. "It felt a little bit like going to your divorce."

The regional conference's meeting, called by Bishop Jimmy Nunn, marked the first time that United Methodist congregations across the state could withdraw from the denomination over the issues of same-sex marriage and openly gay clergy ordination — topics that have the nation's second largest Protestant group — and Oklahoma's second largest faith group — immersed in a schism that has been taking place over a period of several years. Other churches wishing to cut ties over the issue will have two more opportunities to do so — in May 2023 and October 2023.

The Rev. D.A. Bennett, senior minister of St. Andrew's, 2727 SW 119, said his church's move to cut denominational ties on Friday was the culmination of a lengthy process.

"We have been thinking about this, praying about this for so long and now that it's here, it's just kind of hard to believe," he said.

Bennett said his church members supported the United Methodist Church's current stance against same-sex marriage and ordination of openly gay clergy but they were less enthusiastic about refusal on behalf of the denomination's leaders to consistently punish individuals who violated this church policy.

"Part of our disappointment has been that our covenant has been broken and there hasn't been consistency," Bennett said. "There have been instances of open defiance and disobedience."

The minister said his church is not angry with anyone and he didn't think anyone was upset with him or his congregation. He said several people approached him to hug him after Friday's vote.

"We really have different visions for the church and when we have different visions for the church, it creates chaos and confusion and conflict," he said. "I'm thankful that our church said we just have a different vision so that's what we're going to pursue."

Meanwhile, the Rev. Mark McAdow, senior minister of Willow View Church in Enid, described his congregation's withdrawal from the United Methodist Church as a "bittersweet time for our church."

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"I believe people of conscience who are disaffiliating believe sincerely they are doing the right thing to honor Christ and his word and I believe those remaining believe they are honoring God as well," McAdow said.

Besides Asbury, St. Andrew's and Willow View, other churches whose requests to split from the denomination were approved on Friday included:

  • St. Mark's, Bethany;

  • Abiding Harvest, Broken Arrow;

  • First United Methodist-Ardmore, Ardmore;

  • First United Methodist-Tulsa, Tulsa;

  • St. Paul's, Boise City;

  • Fairview United Methodist, Slapout;

  • Victory Memorial, Guymon;

  • Fargo United Methodist, Fargo

  • Hooker United Methodist, Hooker;

  • Kenton United Methodist, Kenton;

  • Tyrone United Methodist, Tyrone;

  • St. James, Tulsa;

  • Leonard United Methodist, Leonard;

  • Paoli First United Methodist, Paoli;

  • Whitebead United Methodist, Pauls Valley;

  • Faithbridge, Heavener;

  • Mannsville United Methodist, Mannsville;

  • Hodgen United Methodist, Hodgen

  • Pathway (Davis First) United Methodist, Davis;

  • Pocola First United Methodist, Pocola;

  • Redland United Methodist, Idabel;

  • Nardin United Methodist, Nardin;

  • Lone Wolf United Methodist, Lone Wolf;

  • First United Methodist-Hollis, Hollis;

  • Gould First United Methodist, Gould.

  • Granite United Methodist, Granite

Oklahoma United Methodist Conference leaders said the churches will be considered officially separated from the United Methodist Church 14 days after Friday's vote to allow the churches time to meet all financial obligations required for disaffiliation. The churches had to meet a set of requirement before Friday's vote, including: Holding a congregation-wide vote with at least 66.7%, or two thirds, of the congregation voting in favor of severing ties with the denomination; paying any unpaid annual apportionments (which support ministry outside the local church) for previous years, as well as the current year, plus annual apportionments for an additional year after disaffiliation; and pay any agreed upon pension liability.

Nunn, bishop of the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference and Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, addressed the crowd before the vote. He spoke about unity and encouraged those feeling disillusioned by the schism to take heart.

"Some of you may be wishing these days were behind us — let me assure you, you are not alone," Nunn said.

"Oklahoma, we've got a lot to be proud of. I want to say that this season will come to an end."

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Like Powers, the Rev. Trina Bose North likened the church exits to a divorce. Crown Heights United Methodist Church, where North is senior pastor, has decided not to disaffiliate. The church is part of the Reconciling Ministries Network, a network of churches, individuals and faith groups working toward full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals in the United Methodist Church.

North said she had hoped the denomination might be able to work out its differences over LGBTQ issues but that hope withered away at the United Methodist Church's contentious 2019 General Conference, the United Methodist Church's law-making assembly.

"Now, it's become clear that we cannot find enough common ground in mission and ministry to remain together as a denomination," North said. "What is happening here is that we cannot find common ground and this is as relationally sad as a divorce."

The special meeting is expected to continue on Saturday at OCCC.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma United Methodist Conference approves the exit of 29 churches