I thought Rev. Cheesehead in particular might be interested

[murielm99]

in this.

Of course, I don't mean her exclusively, or United Methodists exclusively. It is a sad story. This nice little rural church in our area is breaking away because the denomination is "too liberal" The group cites homosexuality as one area of difference. That is odd, because as far as I know, the UMC still has a very traditional and benighted attitude toward gays. The congregation is giving up their historic building, because it belongs to the denomination, and moving into a funeral home temporarily.

The story:

Zion Congregation Leaves Church Behind

By Amee Bohrer
The Journal-Standard

Pearl City - Salt and smiles mingled often Sunday morning as two men stood on the altar, taking pictures of their congregation. Mini-packets of Kleenex lined the outside edge of every pew, and two video cameras were set up in the balcony to record the 10:15 worship service at Zion Community Church.

It was a full house, with 158 members of the congregation in attendance.

And it was -for now- the last chance for the congregation to conduct its Sunday service in this building, at 10100 W. Sabin Road, Pearl City.

Although they have broken from the United Methodist Church, there is no division in the congregation's hopes for the future for its church, though the building they have called home for generations will be silent and empty next week.

more:

http://www.journalstandard.com/articles/2005/08/15/local_news/news01.txt

[RevCheesehead]

1. Very interesting.

No comments from the UMC, the DS, or the Bishop. If this is in the Northern Illinois conference, I know their Bishop. He was my DS who brought me to my current appointment. Hee-Soo is a good man, and this must break his heart.

Also, this article has scooped the United Methodist News Service - I haven't gotten anything from them yet (and I'm on their mailing list). Of course, it could appear today or tomorrow - but I wonder if they'll even report about it.

This action is highly unusual. These people are essentially saying "I no longer wish to be United Methodist." They have given up.
:(

[Sgent]

2. It was my understanding

that UMC churches were owned by the local district...

Is that correct? If so I guess they are buying the church?

[RevCheesehead]

3. All church property belongs to the conference.

It is held in trust by the local congregation, but if and when the church dissolves, the property reverts to the conference. This usually happens when a congregation is so small it closes its doors. But it also is there to prevent dissidents from leaving and taking the building with them.

There was a church in Maryland, I believe, that left the church, and left their brand-new multi-purpose mega-church, along with a $3 million debt to the conference. Nice, eh? :eyes:

Still no word from the United Methodist News Service.

[Sgent]

4. Ouch

You would think the conference would require a deposit (say 30-50%) before they gaurenteed a loan, or allowed an expansion -- to prevent just this situation.

[murielm99]

5. No, they are not buying the church.

They are leaving it sit empty. They will be holding services in a rented facility, in this case a funeral home.

The UMC says they will be using the building for conferences and other purposes. They own the building.

We had a Presbyterian church in our area do the same thing about fifteen years ago. They were taken over by fundies. The fundies ran out the regular members and split from the church. They bought the building from the Presbyterians.