According to Religion News Service, Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas voted Sunday to leave the United Methodist Church. The congregation, one of the largest in the denomination, cited ongoing disagreements regarding governance and organizational structure as the primary reasons for the departure.
The vote follows a period of tension between the local church leadership and the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. While the congregation has maintained a significant presence within the denomination for decades, recent shifts in regional oversight and administrative policies have prompted members to seek independence. Church officials stated that the decision to pursue disaffiliation was finalized after several months of internal discussions among the membership.
The North Texas Conference confirmed that it is aware of the congregation’s vote. Regional leaders have indicated that the process of formal separation involves several legal and financial requirements established by the denomination’s Book of Discipline. These requirements typically include the settlement of pension liabilities and the payment of apportionments to the regional body.
A spokesperson for the church said, "This decision reflects the congregation's desire for greater autonomy in its operations." The church leadership emphasized that the vote was the result of a lengthy discernment process involving the entire membership.
The departure of Highland Park United Methodist Church represents a notable shift for the denomination, as the congregation has historically been among the most influential in the region. The move comes as several other congregations across the country have also opted to exit the denomination in recent years, citing varying concerns over church law and regional authority.
The regional conference office stated that it would continue to follow established protocols to address the departure of the local congregation. Representatives from both the church and the conference are expected to meet in the coming weeks to finalize the transfer of property and the resolution of outstanding contractual obligations.
The formal disaffiliation process is expected to conclude by early next year, pending the completion of legal filings. The church board plans to provide updates to the congregation regarding the transition timeline during its next scheduled meeting in December.