Discern
Denominational discernment included a rigorous assessment of options, including several other Methodist denominations and independent network affiliations. After careful consideration, Munholland Methodists’ Affiliation Task Force is recommending affiliation with the Global Methodist Church (GMC). Our Church Council agrees with this recommendation.
As a start-up denomination, the GMC offers the truest expression of Wesleyan Methodism while also offering Munholland the greatest opportunity to contribute to its growth in meaningful and long-lasting ways. Recognizing this historic moment in the life of the church, the Affiliation Task Force seeks to advance its mission in ways that are mutually fruitful for both Munholland and the GMC.
WHY the GMC?
Except for the Global Methodist Church, the top five largest Methodist denominations in the United States require some form of the trust clause, which requires the denomination to own church buildings and property. Following the completion of the Agreement to Separate with the Louisiana Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, Munholland Methodist Church took complete ownership of its property and assets.
While independent Methodist networks offer an organic and nimble approach to ministry, they are mainly associated with senior pastors and prefer to exist in groups of 12-24 churches. Structure and accountability are highly relational, and yet also informal. For these reasons, Munholland’s leadership believes the network model lacks the depth, breadth, and formal accountability Munholland Methodist Church seeks in a far-reaching, global connection.
In comparison, the GMC model is being created with a leaner organizational structure, giving more autonomy and authority to local congregations while maintaining strong connectional ties for its member clergy and congregations — and ties that are rooted in the original Wesleyan standards of the Christian faith. Following in the traditions established by John and Charles Wesley, the GMC serves all who wish to join in a “methodical,” warm-hearted pursuit of loving God and serving others as Jesus’ disciples in the world.
Munholland’s Church Council recommends affiliation with the Global Methodist Church because it is the strongest fit in the following areas:
Theology – A refreshed, fully aligned expression of traditional Wesleyan Christianity
Connection – Development of a broad network of like-minded clergy and congregations
Next Generation Leaders – Training and equipping Gen Z for ministry in the 21st century
Church Planting – Starting new faith communities in response to the Great Commission
Global Reach – Practice in all of these areas on a worldwide scale
WHY NOW?
The optimal time to make the biggest impact on the GMC is right now, during the start-up phases of the new denomination. Serving in leadership roles, developing resource materials, and facilitating clergy training and development are just a few examples of immediate involvement. Munholland has a unique opportunity to help develop and form the GMC’s structure, systems, and spirit in ways that will not be possible by waiting to join later.
The East Texas Annual Conference, which covers east Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana, has convened twice and will convene for a third time June 19th, 2024 at First Methodist Shreveport. It is an exciting time to join the East Texas Annual conference, to be a part of this amazing move of God, and to be involved in the formation of this new annual conference.
The Global Methodist Church’s emphasis on engaging the next generation of church leaders in Gen Z-age students is seen in their NexGen Ministries. Equipping and engaging young, adults, youth, and children is a major part of the work of the GMC’s ministries. We want to see our student and young adult ministries thrive. A new movement of God is calling people to life-giving relationship, joyful discipleship, and enthusiastic training in Christian leadership. Munholland sees this as an opportunity to invest in a revitalized model to carry our Wesleyan faith across the next generation and generations to come.