Facing a proposed denominational separation, many United Methodists expect big decisions ahead about where they will make their church home.
The proposed split comes after decades of intensifying debate over LGBTQ inclusion. Now the question before many: Do they want to stay with The United Methodist Church or seek out an alternative?
This fall, a number of groups have planned online or in-person events aimed at helping churchgoers discuss and discern which direction they and their congregations might choose. The groups include those who hope to stay United Methodist and those hoping to set up a new, more theologically conservative denomination.
These conversations come at a time when much remains uncertain about when or how such a separation might take place.
The COVID-19 pandemic already has twice delayed General Conference — the denomination’s top lawmaking assembly that has a final vote on any formal separation plan. Questions remain about whether the big meeting, which draws voting delegates from four continents and multiple time zones, can go forward as scheduled on Aug. 29-Sept. 6, 2022, in Minneapolis. Much depends on vaccines and visas.
In the meantime, the delays and uncertainty have left many feeling frustrated…