{"id":2687903,"date":"2026-10-19T16:08:01","date_gmt":"2026-10-19T20:08:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/court-set-to-deliver-big-win-to-70-churches-seeking-to-leave-united-methodist-denomination\/"},"modified":"2026-10-19T16:08:01","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T20:08:01","slug":"court-set-to-deliver-big-win-to-70-churches-seeking-to-leave-united-methodist-denomination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/court-set-to-deliver-big-win-to-70-churches-seeking-to-leave-united-methodist-denomination\/","title":{"rendered":"Court Set to Deliver Big Win to 70 Churches Seeking to Leave United Methodist Denomination"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcourt-set-to-deliver-big-win-to-70-churches-seeking-to-leave-united-methodist-denomination%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2687903&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>South Carolina Methodist churches seeking to break away from the United Methodist Church are on the cusp of winning a round in their legal battle.<\/p>\n<p>About 70 congregations are seeking to leave and take their property with them, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.christianpost.com\/news\/court-to-side-with-70-south-carolina-churches-seeking-to-leave-the-umc.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Christian Post<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>They have been opposed by the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist church, which holds that the property of individual churches is held for them in trust by the denomination rather than being owned outright by each local church, as noted by <a href=\"https:\/\/docklinemagazine.com\/faith\/judge-plans-to-toss-methodist-suits-against-68-south-carolina-churches-the-fight-isnt-over\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dockline<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>As noted in a February post from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.advocatesc.org\/news\/umcsc\/legal-action-continues-in-the-umcsc-property-lawsuit\/article_1037c8d6-b0f8-409d-99bf-fdddac8eb031.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Advocate<\/a>, the churches are among those that did not want to abide by the 2024 United Methodist Church decision to strike from its rules language that said \u201cthe practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">A South Carolina judge intends to dismiss UMC lawsuits against about 70 churches seeking to leave, the S.C. conference says. #UMC #SouthCarolina #Methodists #Courts #ChristianPost<br \/> https:\/\/t.co\/5yEwJ3NDsI https:\/\/t.co\/Sb47hW8LFm<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 The Christian Post (@ChristianPost) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ChristianPost\/status\/2110460674581176811?\">October 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>At the time, bans against ordaining LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex marriages were also removed.<\/p>\n<p>The conference said in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.umcsc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Separation-Litigation-Update-10-13-26.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">statement<\/a> issued last week that Circuit Court Judge Brian M. Gibbons \u201cintends to issue an order dismissing the cases brought by the Conference and local United Methodist churches.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe final orders have not yet been written or entered. Attorneys representing the separating churches have been asked to prepare proposed orders for the judge\u2019s consideration and signature,\u201d the conference said.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">The South Carolina Conference of the #UMC suffered a major setback this week in its legal fight over departing churches. According to a press release, the judge intends to issue an order dismissing the cases brought by the conference.<br \/> Read more: https:\/\/t.co\/GqDf3Q1t7D<\/p>\n<p>#UMCSC https:\/\/t.co\/khhrOxMLIQ<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 South Carolina United Methodist Advocate (@advocatesc) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/advocatesc\/status\/2110382064335827415?\">October 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe recognize that this news may bring disappointment, concern and questions for many across our Connection. In moments such as these, we are reminded that our trust rests not in any single court decision or legal proceeding, but in the God who continues to lead the church through seasons of uncertainty and change.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The conference said the upcoming decision will not be the end of the legal battle.<\/p>\n<p>It said an appeal was likely.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere remains much ministry before us,\u201d said UMC South Carolina Conference Bishop Leonard Fairley, as quoted in the update. \u201cPeople are hungry for the Gospel.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo, we will continue to seek justice faithfully, pursue the appropriate legal avenues available to us, and trust God with what lies ahead. And through it all, we will remain focused on our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In 2023, 113 South Carolina churches broke away amid a national schism of LGBT policies, the Advocate reported. Another 112 did so in 2024. After that, the denomination said disaffiliation under the policy in question \u201cwas no longer permissible.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The South Carolina case comes against a backdrop in which Highland Park Methodist Church in Dallas is considering leaving the United Methodist Church.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Church Council said a lawsuit from the Horizon Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church to block changes in bylaws that gave more control to the church than the conference is interference in church governance, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wfaa.com\/article\/life\/faith\/highland-park-umc-leaders-vote-leave-united-methodist-church\/287-82a3abb1-fc72-41a5-93c7-fc936c8575ca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WFAA-TV<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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About 70 congregations are seeking to leave and take their property with them, according to the Christian Post. They have been opposed by the South Carolina Conference of the United<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2687904,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/United-Methodist-Church-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2687903","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/United-Methodist-Church-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2687903","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2687903"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2687903\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2687904"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2687903"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2687903"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2687903"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}