The United Methodist General Conference that ended May 3 approved a plan for full communion with Episcopalians, pending approval by the 2027 Episcopal Church General Convention.
But what about the Global Methodist Church – which started May 1, 2022 and welcomed thousands of former United Methodists who left to join the new denomination within the past two years?
The president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops this week issued a statement clarifying there is no official relationship with the Global Methodist Church.
Full communion means each denomination fully embraces the other as part of the universal Christian church and recognizes their sacraments as authentic; clergy from one can serve in the other church.
United Methodists can take communion in an Evangelical Lutheran Church, a Moravian church, any one of five historically African American Methodist denominations, or various Methodist churches in other nations.
But a statement released May 14 by the United Methodist Council of Bishops made it clear that United Methodists are not currently in communion with Global Methodist churches.
“Holding Scripture’s call for Christian unity before us, we lament that some have chosen to leave The United Methodist Church,” wrote Bishop Tracy S. Malone, president of the Council of Bishops.
“At the same time, we must clarify that the Global Methodist Church has no official relationship with The United Methodist Church and has not been endorsed by any of its official bodies. There has been no request for such a relationship and, as such, there is no communication taking place to negotiate a common understanding of our two bodies.”
The document noted there is a process for establishing full communion with other denominations.
“This commitment is a beacon of hope, signaling our optimism for future relationships,” Malone wrote. “However, at the heart of such relationships is a mutual recognition that each denomination is a faithful expression of ministry in the name of Jesus Christ, bearing the marks of one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.”
Then the letter called out Global Methodist leaders for criticizing the United Methodist Church and its recent actions, which included embracing same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBTQ clergy, which the Global Methodist Church opposes.
The United Methodist General Conference repealed its previous bans on same-sex marriage and ordination of openly LGBTQ clergy at the General Conference.
United Methodists also updated their Social Principles, deleting the phrase, “homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching,” which the denomination adopted in 1972.
“The mission of the church to make and nurture disciples of Jesus Christ is enhanced when various bodies of Christ collaborate in a mutual ministry of grace and respect,” Malone said.
“Likewise, the mission of the church is harmed by the denigration of one body at the expense of another. To that end, we call upon the members of the Global Methodist Church to formally recognize The United Methodist Church as an authentic and valid denomination and to cease all efforts to coerce members of The United Methodist Church to join their fellowship. Likewise, we commit ourselves to the same standard of respect and grace.”
The Global Methodist Church has attracted more than half the 7,700 church departures and now claims 4,280 churches, with more than 700 in the application process.
One Global Methodist leader predicted this month that United Methodist churches will continue to leave after the “debacle” at the General Conference in Charlotte.
Statewide in Alabama, more than half of United Methodist congregations disaffiliated – about 555 churches. Most of those departures have taken place since 2022.
“We believe that the ministry of Christian discipleship requires us to be co-laborers who work together in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord,” Malone wrote.
“In order to maintain the integrity of this mandate, we cannot in good conscience enter the mission field with the members of the Global Methodist Church until there is a clear understanding of this mutual recognition. We pray that we may do so with a spirit of charity even as we expect it from others.”
The document left a door open for bridging the gap.
“We remain open and hopeful for future conversations with the Global Methodist Church that might lead to reconciliation and healing,” Malone’s statement said. “This openness is a testament to our commitment to unity and peace. This will not happen with words and actions that undermine and disparage one another.”
One day, the two denominations may live in peace, Malone said.
“Even as we call for this spirit of mutual recognition from the leadership of the Global Methodist Church, we earnestly pray that God will help us to lead The United Methodist Church in working to fulfill Christ’s own prayer that someday, all who believe in Him will live in unity and peace.”