In disagreement over same sex relationships, United Methodists lose a quarter of churches

RELIGIONS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – A new study has found that the United Methodist Church has lost 7,631 churches – a quarter of the total number – due to disagreements over same sex  relationships.

Study done by the Lewis Centre for Church Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington DC, found  in the Northwest Texas Conference, 81 per cent of churches left.

The North Alabama Conference came next with 52 per cent leaving.

More than half have affiliated to the alternative conservative Global Methodist Church, others have become independent.

Bishop Thomas Bickerton, president of the church’s Council of Bishops, said the split reflected political differences, with the more politically conservative areas in the south producing conservative churches.