Human Sexuality

Asbury Memorial Church in Savannah, Ga., is leaving The United Methodist Church in support of LGBTQ inclusion. The church, with more than 300 members, is the first since 2016 to leave expressly in opposition to the denomination’s bans on same-sex weddings and “self-avowed practicing” gay clergy. Photo courtesy of Asbury Memorial Church.

Church exits denomination for LGBTQ equality

The United Methodist Church has seen multiple disaffiliations lately, but a Georgia church is the first in recent years to leave expressly in support of its LGBTQ members.

Local Church

A view of the Granger, Ind., campus of Granger Community Church, which has left The United Methodist Church. It has been one of the denomination’s largest and best-attended churches, but leaders wanted to control who would be the next pastor. Photo courtesy of Granger Community Church.

Indiana megachurch leaves denomination

Granger Community Church, wanting to choose its own pastor, agrees to pay about $2.6 million to Indiana Conference.

Local Church

Yavapai County Superior Court upheld the claim of the Desert Southwest Conference to keep property used by Camp Verde Community Church. The Camp Verde congregation departed The United Methodist Church in 2017. Photo courtesy of Find-A-Church, United Methodist Communications.

Desert Southwest's claim to property upheld

A judge’s order compelled the relocation of a congregation that withdrew from The United Methodist Church.

Local Church

The Mississippi Conference and the congregation of First Methodist Church in Louisville, Miss., reached a settlement in a lawsuit over church property filed in 2018 after a majority of the congregation voted to withdraw from The United Methodist Church. This file photo shows the church sign in 2018. Photo courtesy of First Methodist Church.

Mississippi church property dispute settled

The Mississippi Conference and a Louisville, Mississippi, congregation settled a 2-year lawsuit filed after most of the congregation voted to leave The United Methodist Church.

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