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This is a defining moment in the life of Munholland Methodist Church. We share a goal of upholding our traditional, Wesleyan heritage to share with future generations in the coming decades. Reflecting on what we believe as faithful Christ followers, who we are as a church body, and how we are serving the world is central to the process of denominational affiliation.
As we look to other biblically grounded expressions of Methodism, there is a desire to retain the classic Wesleyan model of congregational connectionalism — that is, moving together in the direction of growth and renewal not as individual churches, but as a network of churches that are theologically and socially aligned.
Munholland’s Affiliation Task Force and our Church Council recognizes the value in maintaining the connectional model to uphold its historic, Wesleyan tradition and laying the groundwork for future growth and vitality that only comes from shared community.
Therefore, the Affiliation Task Force and the Church Council have recommended that Munholland join the Global Methodist Church.
Launched on May 1, 2022, the Global Methodist Church (GMC) is the new expression of traditional, Wesleyan theology.
Here is an overview of who the Global Methodist Church is:
As a new denomination, the GMC’s structure and administration are early in development. It is led by Bishop Scott Jones, Bishop Mark Webb, Bishop-Emeritus Bob Hayes, Transitional Connectional Officer Keith Boyette, and a 17-member Transitional Leadership Council representing congregations and clergy in the United States, the Philippines, Eastern Europe and Africa. Its inaugural general conference is set to convene 12 months from now. The GMC model is being created with a leaner organizational structure, giving more autonomy and authority to local congregations while maintaining strong cross-connectional ties.
MISSION
To make disciples of Jesus Christ who worship passionately, love extravagantly, and witness boldly.
CORE BELIEFS
That the one God – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – has created all things; that Jesus Christ, through the power of His cross and resurrection, is the Lord and Savior of all the world; and that the Holy Spirit empowers the people of His church to worship and praise God and to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world in word and deed.
DENOMINATIONAL SIZE
As of September 2023, the GMC includes 3,200 congregations worldwide and add many more congregations weekly.
ACCOUNTABILITY
The GMC has an enhanced system of accountability for clergy and bishops including a judicial process, committee on investigation and global trial court. The GMC carries the option to involuntarily disaffiliate congregations that are found to be in non-compliance of doctrines or disciplines. Likewise, a congregation can voluntarily disaffiliate from the GMC retaining full property and assets.This creates accountability for congregations and leadership alike. Bishops serve within a defined leadership term and then return to ministry in the local church. Clergy are not guaranteed appointments.
ORDINATION STANDARDS AND CLERGY SELECTION
Ordination in the GMC requires graduate level work to be done by the ordinand. 10 masters level classes are required for the ordination of a deacon, and 10 additional masters level classes are required for the ordination of an elder. These 20 masters level courses are equivalent to a Master of Divinity. Clergy must go through a process of examination at many levels throughout the time leading up toward ordination. Details of the clergy and ordination standards can be found online at the GMC Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline.
In the appointment process, churches have main control of the search and selection process. Churches may search within the pool of GMC candidates to find possible matches. Those candidates are then interviewed by the SPRC of the congregation. The Bishop is then asked to seal the appointment. Churches may also opt for their Presiding Elder to lead the selection process.
WOMEN CLERGY
The GMC affirms the calling and ordination of women into the clergy at all levels.
DIVERSITY
As a global denomination with member churches in Angola, Bulgaria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, England, Panama, the Philippines, Slovakia and the United States, the GMC is committed to ethnic and racial diversity, and insists on the equal treatment of all church members. In the East Texas Annual Conference, missional objectives, concrete actions, and funding are focused on integrating culturally diverse congregations and planting new churches for all people and languages.
TRUST CLAUSE
The GMC does not have a trust clause. Member churches maintain complete ownership of property and assets throughout their affiliation with the GMC.
MARRIAGE AND SEXUALITY
The GMC views human sexuality as a gift of God. Marriage is affirmed and defined as a covenant of loving and monogamous relations between one man and one woman. The GMC welcomes all persons in the life of the church, including people identifying as LGBTQIA+. All are called to participate in the church’s ministries while maintaining its traditional, biblical teachings regarding sexual relations between a man and a woman.
Go to Globalmethodist.org for more detailed information on the Global Methodist Church