Methodist congregations across the United States are presently asking themselves whether to stand for truth rather than compromise. In a podcast interview with Andy Miller of Wesley Biblical Seminary in Mississippi, traditionalist Robert Renfroe of Good News Magazine argued that it is time for the two sides of Methodism to go their separate ways.
Renfroe argued that the differences between United and Global Methodists run deeper than sexuality. Instead, they are connected to the cardinal doctrines of the faith—the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus, and his death and physical resurrection as the propitiation for our sins. Renfroe explained that progressives—including bishops and pastors—view these doctrines as nonessential to the Christian faith.
Renfroe summarized, “We just have two different views about what God is calling us into the world to do and be…. two different views about what it means to follow Jesus, [and] two different views about some of the most important theological doctrines.” He added, “You’ve got two different tribes theologically, and it’s just time to go our separate ways.”
Renfroe argued that the progressive Methodists push the line on not only sexual ethics but also the nature of Jesus. He pointed to liberal seminaries teaching that there is more than one way to God.
“Christianity is Christ. It’s who He is, what He did for us. And if we have really divergent views on Him, we may not even have the same faith,” he said.
While centrists argue that these are cherry-picked examples, Renfroe argued that “the reality is that it’s not just a few isolated instances. It’s something that the United Methodist Church allows its pastors, professors, and bishops to teach.”
He compared permitting false teachings to a camel’s nose under the tent. “If you allow it, it doesn’t matter if it’s your personal belief or not; you’ve already given in,” he said, arguing that the false doctrines will eventually “pull the tent down.”
Renfroe predicted that “the progressives will want to speed up the process where persons are required to perform gay marriages, and every annual conference is required to ordain practicing gay persons.” Because there is no moral line, Renfroe expects “that the sexual ethic of the United Methodist Church is going to be pressured to become more and more liberal.”
Renfroe noted that centrists will find themselves in an uncomfortable position. “Either [centrists] are going to have to go through this whole battle again, just the goalpost has been moved a little bit, or they’re going to have to give in,” he stated.
As Renfroe noted, the problem with pluralism within the denomination is “that’s not going to last very long without becoming a major bone of contention.”
Renfroe asserted that a church can accept diverse members—like gay, straight, broken, whole, black, white, etc.—but also stand for sound doctrine. “I don’t want theologies that are so diverse within the denomination that I’m a part of that it’s acceptable to doubt the Divinity of Christ, the Resurrection of Christ, the fact that he died on the cross to save us from our sins. I don’t want to be in that kind of church because I think it undermines faith,” he stated.
He argued that progressives see full inclusion as a matter of justice and love. “If you think that the United Methodist Church long-term is going to allow you to practice injustice in its name, it’s not going to work like that,” Renfroe stated.
Renfroe and Adam Hamilton, in his counterpoint with Andy Miller, agreed that adding LGBTQ+ inclusive language to The Book of Discipline will not cause growth in the United Methodist Church. “You’re not going to get secular people, non-believers, non-church people to start getting up early on their Sunday morning, come to your church, and sing songs that they don’t understand, give 10 percent of their income to your church budget, and start following Jesus because you’ve liberalized your sexual ethic,” Renfroe asserted.
Renfroe pointed to other mainline Protestant churches like the United Church of Christ, the Presbyterian Church USA, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, which have seen decreases in membership since liberalizing their theology. “[Sexual ethics] are not what’s keeping them from being faithful followers of Jesus or being attracted to the gospel,” he summarized.
Ultimately, Renfroe is grateful for the United Methodist Church and described sadness about leaving the church. “I pray for the United Methodist Church, that it will be faithful to the Gospel and to God’s desire to welcome all and to preach the truth, to contend for the faith, and to make this world a better place in the name of Jesus,” he said. Likewise, he urged those in the United Methodist Church to pray for the Global Methodist Church.
The link to the podcast recording can be found here.
Comment by David on July 10, 2023 at 6:43 am
Well, the Roman Catholic Church has not liberalized its theology and has suffered serious membership loss as have the Southern Baptists. This constant harping on membership loss to criticize denominations makes little sense when that are clearly other factors at work besides doctrinal positions.
Comment by David S. on July 10, 2023 at 9:07 am
David, bless your heart, you all cite, what about RCC and SBC? Well, first, the RCC is actually more like the current UMC or COE. There is the official theology, and then there is practice. In practice, the RCC is much more liberal in particularly the United States than most people realize. One needs to look more at a parish by parish, or diocese by diocese numbers to determine how that denomination is growing or shrinking.
The SBC’s drop in numbers seems not to be solely for the same reasons as what happened with the mainlines once they apostatized themselves. Furthermore, certain denominations in their current form, such as the PC(USA) upon the 1983 merger has had nothing but declining membership. Lifeway Research’s 2023 analysis of the data indicates that like the RCC, it is probably due to a variety of reasons, including better record keeping, which many a church, across denominations, has long been bad at doing.
But, if it gives you great comfort to ignore facts, then be my guest.
Also, there is a strong argument that in reality, most orthodox believing, non-denominational churches (I do NOT include those within the Prosperity Gospel/Word of Faith cult) represent one of two varieties – Baptistic or Pentacostal-Holiness – with the principal difference being over cessationism. So you kind of need to look at those trends as well for a better assessment as non-denominational to understand the shifts.
Comment by Stephen C Weber on July 10, 2023 at 2:00 pm
I live in Lancaster County PA. In our town (Mount Joy) there are three UMC churches.
Two observations:
1) Two of them are former EUB Churches. At least one of the former EUB churches is disaffiliating. This church has a nice building with EUB still designated on an inscription on the main building thus it was built before 1968 or merger. However the UMC is insisting on a huge payment for the congregation to retain the building. Apart from doctrine and sexuality issues this blatant greed by UMC leadership is enough that I would never set foot in a UMC church again (apart from a funeral).
2) The three churches are within 3 miles of each other. It sure seems the UMC could settle this w/o the greed and still have a presence in the area while allowing one or two of the churches to disaffiliate. The other is liberal leaning would probably stay UMC. I wonder how many towns are like this.
Comment by Pastor Mike on July 10, 2023 at 4:09 pm
David – Since I am a pastor and helped to recently shepherd our church out of the UMC, I’ll explain why we disaffiliated. Paramount in the decision to leave was over the failure of bishops and conferences to adhere to our denominational doctrinal standards. That was the number one reason. There was a lack of trust in UMC episcopal leadership. Also, there was an increasing hostile and intolerant denominational environment towards conservative orthodox pastors like me. My former bishop directly threatened clergy with chargeable offenses if they led their congregations out of the UMC. She also threatened retired UMC clergy if they pastored non-UMC churches. Way down the disaffiliation list was “over issues of human sexuality.” BTW, these reasons were not isolated one-off instances, but were repeated throughout our conference. How do I know? Other pastors contacted me, and we shared notes.
So, it’s not an intellectual exercise like you treat so many topics here. It’s not a matter of scurrying off and finding some obscure citation to back whatever pseudo-intellectual point you are trying to lord over others. This is real life. It impacts thousands of people – especially Christians. Real churches, pastors and church members are going through this turmoil and wreckage.
I thank God that He has led myself and our church and many other congregations out from the death spiral of the UMC and given us a chance at rebirth and new beginnings. I don’t think that is something that you will never understand or even care about.
Comment by Kenneth Brownell on July 12, 2023 at 6:50 am
J. Gresham Machen said it all back in 1923 in his seminal and prophetic book, Christianity and Liberalism. He argued that admirable as many theological liberals or modernists are that orthodox Christianity is a different religion than Liberalism. Liberals like Harry Emerson Fosdick and moderates criticised him, but Unitarians and agnostics such as HL Mencken said he was right. And he was. But it was the apostle Paul who, inspired by the Spirit, said it first in 2 Cor. 6:14-18.
Comment by Jana Whealdon on February 9, 2024 at 9:11 am
Why, then, do you still plan to attend GC as a delegate? Please relinquish your spot to someone who supports the UMC as the “big tent” denomination it has long been. John Lomperis just made his leap to the GMC. I wish you would as well. Go in peace and serve the Lord.
Comment by Dan Burress on March 21, 2026 at 1:10 am
I am a former United Methodist, I am now a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.We have clear and precise standards regarding the definition of marriage, given directly to us, through the Lord, who has made His will known through His living prophets and Apostles in these last days.I was utterly horrified, as I watched the UMC 2 0024 General Conference.It was a total clown show, with wolves and false teachers, having their fangs of false doctrine, rip into my former faith, as they propped up their lies with smooth speech, and the vain arguments of the spiritually dead.My sister and I packed our bags and are gone forever, and will not return.There are several former United Methodist in our growing local church and more are going to come! As part of our core doctrine, we teach the principles found in what is called the ”Family Proclamation”given to us as a covenant people in September of 1995, through the First Presidency and the Quorum of the 12 Apostles.Directly from the Lord, the Family Proclamation,defines marriage ONCE and for all time, it emphasises faith in Jesus Christ, as both Lord and Savior, it deals with the eternal nature of our gender and who we really are as either sons or daughters of God, and much more.It is short, concise and to the point,to us as we understand it, the Lord has spoken about the above issues, end of debate!Yours in Christ, Dan.