The Latest Breaking News from United Methodist Church

Megachurch pastor with nationwide following enters race for US Senate in Kansas

He had considered running as an independent candidate, telling his congregation that he could bridge partisan divides

The Independent UK · Apr 30

Missouri churchgoers are stunned as connections between their pastor and Jeffrey Epstein’s private island come to light

A Missouri pastor just found herself suspended after her church discovered she previously managed Jeffrey Epstein’s private island. Bishop Robert Farr of the Missouri Conference of The United Methodist Church placed Rev. Stephanie L. Remington on leave last Thursday, March 13, pending a review by the episcopal office. 

The Mary Sue · Mar 19

United Methodist Pastor Comes Out As Transgender Mid-Sermon — Who Is Rev Phil Phaneuf And What Was The Church's Response?

Rev Phil Phaneuf came out as transgender during a sermon, drawing support from church leaders and sparking debate on gender identity in Methodist communities.

International Business Times UK · Dec 3, 2025

One fourth of United Methodist churches in US have left in schism over LGBTQ ban. What happens now?

United Methodist churches had a five-year window to leave the denomination over disputes involving its bans on same-sex marriage and ordaining LGBTQ persons

The Independent UK · Dec 15, 2023

California bishop acquitted in first United Methodist court trial of its kind in nearly a century

A United Methodist Church court has acquitted a California bishop of all charges in the first trial of one of the church’s bishops in nearly a century

The Independent UK · Sep 22, 2023

Congregations leave United Methodist Church over defiance of LGBTQ bans

The largest mainline Protestant denomination in the U.S. is shrinking due to disputes over LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex marriage. About 20% of United Methodist congregations have left in recent years.

WEKU · Jul 25, 2023

Memphis teen 1 of 2 charged in church leader's 2022 killing

Prosecutors say a 15-year-old boy and a 21-year-old man have been indicted in the carjacking and fatal shooting of a prominent United Methodist Church leader in Memphis, Tennessee

The Independent UK · Feb 28, 2023

Meet the Idaho Christians pushing for greater LGBTQ representation in government

BOISE, Idaho — Meridian Parks and Recreation Commissioner Dom Gelsomino recently recalled a speech he’d made in 2018, as a delegate to the Idaho GOP State Convention.

Tribune News Service · Dec 6, 2022

Hundreds of Texas churches seek approval to leave the United Methodist Church Saturday

DALLAS — The regional governing bodies of the United Methodist Church are called annual conferences. They typically meet once a year to conduct church business. But two of those Texas conferences will meet this weekend in special sessions to approve the withdrawal of potentially hundreds of churches from the UMC.

Tribune News Service · Dec 2, 2022

LGBTQ-friendly votes signal progressive shift for Methodists

The United Methodist Church moved toward becoming more progressive and LGBTQ-affirming during U.S. regional meetings this month

The Independent UK · Nov 12, 2022