North Georgia Episcopal Area

A lawsuit and countersuit between the North Georgia Conference and Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church in Marietta, Ga., has concluded with the megachurch agreeing to pay about $13.1 million to leave the denomination with property. Image courtesy of Google Maps.

Conference, megachurch reach legal settlement

Mt. Bethel Church has agreed to pay $13.1 million to the North Georgia Conference to leave The United Methodist Church with property.

Local Church

Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church has filed a counterclaim in response to a lawsuit by North Georgia Conference trustees. The legal dispute deals with property. Photo by Wendy Parker, East Cobb News.

Mt. Bethel countersues conference leaders

Attorneys for Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church argue that the North Georgia Conference is blocking the congregation’s efforts to disaffiliate.

Local Church

During an April 26 press conference given by Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church, Jody Ray surrenders his clergy credentials in response to being reassigned by Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson. Church leaders also announced the congregation is beginning the process of disaffiliating from The United Methodist Church. Screenshot of livestream courtesy of Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church.

Megachurch seeks exit over appointment strife

Leaders of the largest church in the North Georgia Conference say their pastor’s appointment process was mishandled. The bishop gives a different account.

General Church

Bishop John K. Yambasu prays with the Rev. Byron Alexander, a conference page, during the 2019 General Conference in St. Louis. Photo by Kathleen Barry, UMNS.

How will denominational divide affect mission?

Directors of Global Ministries express pain and concern over how the deep divide since General Conference 2019 will affect United Methodist mission work and mission giving.

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