Alma, Arkansas Methodist church split from denomination approved
HOT SPRINGS - Alma's Methodist church was one of 38 churches in the state that requested disaffiliation from the denomination Saturday in a special session of the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church.
In a hand vote of delegates Saturday afternoon, churches that had over 90% of members wanting to leave the denomination were approved for disaffiliation. For Methodist churches with less than 90% approval, the delegates voted on disaffiliation for those churches individually.
Methodists talked Saturday about feeling hurt, heartbreak and even anger, as they prepared for a possible parting of ways with churches leaving keeping their own houses of worship as well as debt.
United Methodist churches that have requested a split could join the more conservative Global Methodist Church, church leaders report. The Alma United Methodist Church would leave the denomination on Dec. 31, 2022, according to an agenda posted about the Saturday special meeting.
Arkansas Bishop Gary E. Mueller concurred with district superintendents and called the meeting from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 in Horner Hall of the Hot Springs Convention Center.
Mueller, in his opening devotional, said that he feels, "the Body of Christ" was being torn apart.
"It's a significant difference of opinion in this room," Mueller said. "There is pain. There are some who are crying out because they think this is unfair. I know that this well may be a hard session. But I also know something else. Even in this moment we can be the church. Even in this moment we can show the world the difference Jesus Christ makes and how we behave and how we treat each other. Even in this moment we can act with a heart of peace instead of a heart of war."
Oklahoma Bishop Jimmy Nunn was in attendance at the Arkansas meeting Saturday. In Oklahoma, 29 Methodist churches were given the green light to leave in October.
More:29 Oklahoma United Methodist churches are given green light to leave denomination
United Methodists:United Methodists grapple with schism as 300-plus churches leave across U.S.
On the special meeting agenda was the request for "ratification of disaffiliation agreements with various congregations of the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church." Also on the agenda was the consideration to adopt a process "for the transfer of churches from the Arkansas Conference to one of the Pan-Methodist denominations or another denomination."
Key takeaways from its start:The new, more conservative Global Methodist Church just launched
Issues over abortion and sexual orientations including LGBTQ rights have been at the forefront of the schism.
At Alma United Methodist Church the vote to split was 91%.
The Rev. Bud Reeves, pastor of Fort Smith First United Methodist Church, said the church voted in June to stay in the United Methodist Church. Reeves spoke at the meeting, stating that he thinks a vote should be taken on each church requesting a split instead of one blanket vote.
"We have come from all over the state, and this is an important gathering," Reeves said.
There were about 600 Methodist delegates in attendance Saturday.
Leaders became emotional talking about a heartbreaking split. Conference Chancellor Michelle McGee explained how churches will keep their own properties and debts. And that each church leaving has been advised to seek legal counsel.
She said there has been a spirit of cooperation despite the disagreements.
The Rev. Blake Bradford, the conference dean of the appointive cabinet, said it is a trying time for Arkansas Methodists.
"I have seen hurt and grief and sometimes anger. And I myself have been broken-hearted. So I have in prayer again, and again and again, asked God to guide me to lead appropriately."
Bishop Mueller stated in his opening devotional that he thought the meeting could be finished before the University of Arkansas Razorbacks football game against the University of Mississippi at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. The comment drew some laughter, and maybe a few signs of relief. But he then said there were not guarantees, and the meeting would continue until the work was finished.
"We may not be done in time for the Hogs kickoff tonight, but I promise we will be for their game with Missouri next week," Mueller said shortly after a lunch break. Delegates were figuring out how to use tablets and other devices to vote electronically at the meeting. But with Wi-fi problems, the votes were counted by delegates raising hands.
All current clergy members of the Arkansas Annual Conference, including appointed local pastors, were authorized to participate in the Saturday special meeting.
The 38 churches requesting disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church on Saturday included the following:
Alma, Amity, Ashbury/Magnolia, Bellefonte, Bethesda Campground, Bland Chapel, Bruce Memorial, Cabot, Christ/Texarkana, Dalark, Delight, Fordyce First, Grace/Conway, Heber Springs First, Hebron/Carlisle, Heritage, Hinton, Holly Springs/Sparkman, Holly Springs/Texarkana, Jonesboro First, Kibler, Mount Tabor, Mount Zion/Lonoke, Mountainside, Parkers Chapel, Piney Grove, Saint John/Hope, Saint Mark/Eldorado, Saint Paul, Eldorado, Saint Paul/Searcy, Searcy First, Siloam Springs First, Smyrna, Sparkman, Stuttgart First, The Journey, Washington, and Westside.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Alma, Arkansas Methodist church split from denomination approved
