The United Methodist Church\u2019s Council of Bishops, ending a five-day meeting Friday, acknowledged the inevitable breakup of their denomination \u2013 a schism that will widen this weekend with the launch of a global movement led by theologically conservative Methodists.<\/p>\n
The breakaway denomination, called the Global Methodist Church, will officially exist as of Sunday. Its leaders have been exasperated by liberal churches\u2019 continued defiance of UMC bans on same-sex marriage and the ordination of openly gay clergy.<\/p>\n
Bishop Thomas Bickerton, who became the Council of Bishops\u2019 new president Friday, described the launch of the new movement as a \u201csad and sobering reality.\u201d Bickerton said he regrets any departure from the UMC and values the denomination\u2019s diversity of thought.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no perfect church,\u201d he said. \u201cThe constant fighting, the vitriolic rhetoric, the punitive behaviors have no place in how we preserve and promote our witness as Christian believers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a> and there is more there<\/a>.<\/p>\n The United Methodist Church (UMC)\u2019s Council of Bishops, ending a five-day meeting on April 29, acknowledged the inevitable breakup of their denomination.https:\/\/t.co\/egv6Nez5fA<\/a><\/p>\n — ponta_fujii (@FujiiPonta) April 30, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n