The Global Methodist Church, formed this year as an alternative conservative denomination for churches breaking away from the United Methodist Church, has recommended Beeson Divinity School at Samford University in Birmingham for its future seminary students.

In December, 198 of the 638 United Methodist churches in the North Alabama Conference disaffiliated, or left the denomination. Since then, more than 130 additional churches in the North Alabama Conference have voted to disaffiliate and have requested approval of their disaffiliation by the conference at its next meeting on May 11.

Many have joined or plan to join the Global Methodist Church or join more conservative denominations where traditional Christian bans on same-sex marriage are not up for debate. Some plan to remain independent, while others plan to join the Free Methodist Methodist Church or the Foundry movement, a network of affiliated churches in the Methodist tradition.

Although the United Methodist Church still holds its traditional stance banning same-sex marriage and ordaining openly gay clergy, decades of fighting on the issue prompted many conservatives to leave when a door was opened clearing the way for them to take church property with them.

“We are honored to be serving our brothers and sisters in the Global Methodist Church in this way, and we pledge to do all we can to support the future of its pastoral and congregational ministries,” said Douglas A. Sweeney, dean of Beeson Divinity School.

The Global Methodist Church announced that Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School is among the first group of schools to be approved as one of its recommended educational institutions for the completion of educational requirements by candidates for ordination.

The other seminaries recommended are Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky., Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio, Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, and Wesley Biblical Seminary in Ridgeland, Mississippi.

The six seminaries the Global Methodist Church approved had to demonstrate institutional integrity, financial health and alignment with the theological and ethical principles of the new denomination, said the Rev. Keith Boyette, transitional connectional officer for the Global Methodist Church.

In 2021, Beeson added a Certificate of Wesleyan Studies as an option for Wesleyan students in the Master of Divinity program. The program satisfies educational requirements stipulated by the GMC and will prepare Methodist students for life and ministry in their churches.

“Beeson Divinity School is committed to welcoming students from churches of the Wesleyan tradition,” said Michael Pasquarello III, Beeson’s Methodist Chair of Divinity and director of the Wesleyan Studies certificate program, said this recognition was good for Beeson. “We are thankful at this time for the privilege of partnering with the Global Methodist Church in preparing women and men for the joy of spreading scriptural holiness throughout the world.”

See also: United Methodists start new congregations where churches disaffiliated

United Methodist split: 198 churches leave North Alabama Conference

After split, Methodists go in different directions

Frazer Memorial officially leaves the United Methodist Church