After United Methodist Split, Churches Experiencing Spiritual Refreshment
Some churches who separated from the United Methodist Church are finding their congregations breaking open with a new spiritual refreshment.
As reported by CBN News, after going through the grueling process of leaving the United Methodist Church, those that have since left, joining either the Global Methodist Church or staying independent, are finding a spiritual refreshment.
Several of the main issues that have been ongoing in the United Methodist Church the past few years is the open acceptance of LGTBQ clergy, biblically questionable values and a universalist treatment of the Scriptures.
The Rev. Keith Boyette told CBN News, “We believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, that no one comes to the Father except through Him, and there’s salvation only in the name of Jesus…The United Methodist Church likes to call itself a big tent so it would permit other beliefs about Jesus and would permit its pastors to proclaim other viewpoints of Jesus, that He might not be the only way of salvation.”
In an online question and answer section of the United Methodist Church, questions about clergy and same-sex marriage are discussed head-on, including the possibility of changing certain phrases and actions when discussed at next year’s general conference.
“The 2024 General Conference will certainly consider legislative proposals that would drop several existing prohibitions. There are items that could authorize clergy who choose to do so to preside at same-sex weddings or union ceremonies,” the website states. “Another would drop the prohibition on annual conferences and general agencies to provide any funding for any activity or publication that promotes ‘the acceptance of homosexuality.'”
The conference will also consider dismissing policies that do not allow practicing LGBTQ members to work as clergy.
As these topics continue to hit home within the Methodist Church, the most recent split was in Michigan as the largest Methodist Church in the state left the affiliation, according to Fox 17 News.
While this initial split has been difficult, it has brought the churches who left the United Methodist Church hope for the future.
Pastor Jason Smith shared that he sees “God moving in ways I never thought possible until this past month.”
Rev. Boyette also believes that “we are on the cusp of great spiritual awakening…”
In 2020, Dr. Michael Brown wrote a prediction on Charisma magazine that what was happening in the Methodist Church was God’s separation between the wheat and weeds. In 2021, the plans to create the Global Methodist Church were revealed. Since then, churches have been flocking to this new denomination. If the new Global Methodist Church stays true to the message of Christ as the true way to eternal salvation and hope, their increase is likely to continue. {eoa}
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Abby Trivett is a marketing copywriter and coordinator and Staff Writer intern for Charisma Media.
