Three Franklin County United Methodist Churches leave over LGBTQ+ issues and theology
Peter GillThree United Methodist churches in Franklin County have chosen to split with their denomination amidst a nationwide schism over sexuality and theology.
Reynoldsburg Community Church and Riverside Church in Upper Arlington disaffiliated at the beginning of this year, and Canal Winchester Faith Church will disaffiliate beginning June 30.
The last disaffiliation was finalized during the annual United Methodist Church West Ohio Conference, which took place from June 1-3 in Dayton. The three exiting churches represent 5% of United Methodist congregations in Franklin County. However, in the West Ohio Conference — which covers most of central, northwestern, southwestern and southern Ohio — 26% of churches have chosen to leave in the past year.
The Rev. Brian Straub, a retired pastor from Upper Arlington who supports disaffiliation, said that many of the disaffiliating church leaders say the denomination has become too progressive on LGBTQ+ issues, though he said this is a symptom of deeper theological differences.
The umbrella church bans gay marriages and LGBTQ+ ministers, but some individual churches and clergy have chosen to defy those bans. The West Ohio Conference last week passed legislation calling for “justice and empowerment for the LGBTQIA+ community.”
“I am always saddened by any person or congregation believing they need to sever their relationship with The United Methodist Church,” said Bishop Gregory Palmer, the area’s episcopal leader. “However, I honor their right to choose what they believe is the best path for them to serve Jesus Christ.”
The United Methodist Church is a mainline Protestant denomination that traces its origins to John Wesley, an 18th century English revivalist. U.S. membership was around 6.5 million in 2019.
In the Ohio West region, 253 out 974 churches have chosen to leave since last year. Nationally, more than 4,300 churches have disaffiliated since 2020.
Ohio Wesleyan University and the Methodist Theological School in Ohio, both located in Delaware County, as well as the OhioHealth hospital network remain affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
Straub is an organizer for the West Ohio Chapter of Wesleyan Covenant Association, a group that is helping churches disaffiliate. He said many of the churches disaffiliating are joining the more conservative Global Methodist Church, which was founded in 2022.
“I believe that the issues around LGBTQ are symptoms of a deeper conflict within the denomination,” Straub told The Dispatch. “The irreconcilable differences lie around the issues of theology, how we read and apply the Bible in our lives. That relates to issues such as, is Jesus Christ truly the Son of God? Is salvation only through Him? Are we called to follow the teachings of the Bible rather than change some of what we believe to blend in with our current culture?”
The Rev. Marcus Atha, senior minister at North Broadway United Methodist Church on Columbus' North Side, disagreed with Straub's interpretation of the Bible.
"The basis of the Bible is Jesus teaching us to love one another, not judge or exclude one another. So I feel the churches that are leaving are ignoring that powerful love of Jesus Christ ... and that doesn't change with culture," Atha said. "We have trans folks and LGBTQ folks ... and they're fully engaged and fully welcome here at the church."
Atha said that in his church, which is remaining within the fold, there has been a mix of "grief and anger at the bigotry" amidst the schism.
But, Atha added, "I sense just a renewed excitement for growth and for welcoming and openness. I think our church is more excited about the future than I've ever seen them before."
In order to disaffiliate, two-thirds of church members must support the move, and then the annual conference must vote to release the congregation. Although the national church has historically asserted ownership over local church buildings and other property, in 2019 it decided to allow local churches to disaffiliate with their properties intact as long as they do so by the end of 2023.
Bill Brownson, chief financial officer for the West Ohio Conference, said the disaffiliating churches are mostly in rural areas, but the denomination is still “represented in all the counties in our conference.”
In 2014, around 64% of United Methodist Church members nationally were more than 50 years old and 94% were white, according to the Pew Research Organization.
Palmer said that he still sees his denomination as a big-tent organization.
“I think there is a place for diversity of opinion on human sexual expression and identity. And the denomination has a place for that kind of diversity of opinion,” he said.
“I think that the church is always — if it's healthy — wrestling with its theology and its doctrines.”
Peter Gill covers immigration, new American communities and religion for the Dispatch in partnership with Report for America. You can support work like his with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America at:bit.ly/3fNsGaZ.
pgill@dispatch.com