In our area I can sense frustration. I was told from several attending area local churches that they are not permitted to choose their pastors and a lot of their money has to go to the organization’s headquarters/council that they say supports a liberal agenda. One pastor told me this year they move their pastors around every 3 years. She is just getting to know her congregation better.
One area Methodist country church had to close because they wanted to disassociate. The church was 100 years old and they owned the property, built it and then remodeled it. . . only to lose it when they split from the UMC. One person from their headquarters told a leader of the church he would rather see it turned into a coon hunters’ facility rather remain a church.
All denominations certainly have their problems . . . It is Satan’s tool to keep eyes off the real reason for a Bible believing churches’ existence . . .to spread the Gospel of the Saving Grace of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
“The church was 100 years old and they owned the property, built it and then remodeled it. . . only to lose it when they split from the UMC.”
Yes, lots of churches joined the UMC in the 60s and folks now don’t remember the fine print. The Church at large owns the buildings.
And yes, UMC don’t choose the preacher, the area Conference does. Our last preacher was there 10 years, but, usually it’s 4. John Wesley said any preacher that stayed more than 4 weeks was there too long, but, 4 years seems good. I’ve met a LOT of good people that way, and, have stayed in contact with many.
It’s all in the UMC Discipline. Many parishioners fail to read it on a regular basis.
As for the leadership, the problem is that most of the folks in charge have gotten there because they have been around since the 60s. Many are leftist that were trying to avoid the draft. The ones who didn’t or were of a conservative bent to start with, are doing the best they can.
Yes, the UMC may split apart over these issues very soon.