The church in scripture is not the church of incorporated denominationalism. The church as the Body of Christ has little if anything to do with the political bodies we know as institutional churches. I remain in the Body of Christ while choosing to separate myself from the church of my fathers which has become apostasy.
Referencing the COE as justification for remaining UMC is a queer juxposition of principles, particularly in light of Methodism’s failure to remain Episcopal Church of England.