[Vigilanteman]

UMC has very nice buildings in many downtown areas, including the city nearest to me about 3 miles away. Their main revenue seems to be leasing out their parking lot on the weekdays to lawyers and such who ply their trade at the nearby courthouse.

Drive by during the Sunday services and count about a dozen cars in their parking lot. I kid you not.

UMC friend tells me that is about typical in most of Pennsylvania.

[circlecity]

“The denomination has more than 6.2 million members in the U.S”

These numbers are vastly inflated. They can’t put a fraction on that in the pews on Sunday.

[Republican Wildcat]

The UMC has been engaged in a long battle over the church’s teachings on sexuality, prompting more conservative churches to leave the denomination. The UMC’s official stance, as outlined in the Book of Discipline, labels homosexuality a sin, bars the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals and prohibits the blessing of same-sex marriages. However, progressive United Methodists have on several occasions defied the rules by ordaining openly gay clergy or officiating same-sex marriages. In December, a UMC pastor was relieved of his duties after participating as a drag queen in the HBO reality series “We’re Here.”

No need for such a "battle" if you just read the Bible - it isn't exactly ambiguous when it comes to those teachings. If you just want a social club do it somewhere else.

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

I have been away from the UMC a long time, but I know the church my father attended is conservative and the conference is generally conservative. The last few years that church has avoided any explicit connection with the UMC: their roadside sign just says Bethany Church and their online presence mentions nothing about the UMC. Their website has a detailed summary of beliefs that should satisfy any traditional Christian. I expect they may consider the UMC brand to be toxic, and they are planning to leave.

[bobbo666]

Good on them. If “your church” has left your beliefs, it is time to leave the church.

I just wish more Catholics would do the same and create a church without child diddlers and priests openly forsaking their vows by being actively gay.

[Salman]

I've said it here before.

The big religious divide in the present age isn't primarily within or between Christian denominations. Nor between Christians and Jews, nor even between deists and atheists.

It's Sodomy versus non-Sodomy.

Sodomy is the official religion of the ruling class.

Also see my tagline.

[jagusafr]

“The visa issue is a reality that is simply outside our control as we seek to achieve a reasonable threshold of delegate presence and participation. Ultimately our decision reflects the hope that 2024 will afford greater opportunity for global travel and a higher degree of protection for the health and safety of delegates and attendees.”

Bravo Sierra. The Wesleyan Covenant Association has been able to get its foreign delegates to the Global Gathering their visas. And WCA offered its assistance to UMC leadership for the general conference delegates and was ignored. They just don’t want to bring the Protocol for Separation to a vote because they’re having seller’s remorse for letting the properties and pensions of those who separate go with them.

[Jane Long]

The UMC conference chair/leaders remind me of the RINOs.

Just keep kicking that can to avoid facing REALITY.

[Jane Long]

Which is the conservative faction?

Global or Free Methodists? Neither? :)

Anyone know?