Mountain Brookâs Canterbury United Methodist Church votes to stay in denomination
The 4,000-member Canterbury United Methodist Church in Mountain Brook will be staying in the United Methodist Church.
On Monday night, the church council voted 87-21 to accept the recommendation of the discernment team, with two abstentions. That will prevent a vote going to the full congregation on whether to leave.
The discernment team, which consists of 11 lay members and Senior Pastor Keith Thompson, has been studying the issue of potential disaffiliation for more than a year, Thompson said in a letter to the congregation today.
“For many, this result comes with joy and relief,” Thompson wrote.
“For many, this result comes with sadness and disappointment. If this is the outcome you had hoped for, I pray that in your relief you will respond with humility and gentleness, recognizing that there are those in our midst who may be deeply disappointed and hurt. Let’s remember that we are first called to love God and love our neighbor, so let us show the love and tenderness of our beloved savior, Jesus Christ, to all we meet today. If this outcome is not what you had hoped for, please know that your church loves you and that there is a place for you, and everyone, within the Canterbury family. We are better because you are part of this church and hope that you come to that prayer-filled conclusion as well. When you are ready, know that your pastors’ doors are open should you wish to talk or pray together. Whether you are relieved or disappointed, please trust that our goal throughout this process was to reach a Spirit-led alignment for the good of the whole church. While our world may subscribe to an ‘us vs. them’ mentality, the people of Christ are called to a higher standard. We are called to be the body of Christ where we honor and value the many different parts that encompass the whole.”
Leadership councils of some other churches have decided not to hold congregation-wide votes, indicating they plan to remain in the denomination.
The 2019 United Methodist General Conference passed legislation that opened a window during which churches could vote to leave and negotiate to take their property with them, if they had concerns about the denomination’s direction on the issue of human sexuality, such as disagreement over potential future approval of same-sex marriage. Churches have until the end of 2023 to leave during that window.
On Nov. 14, 2022, the administrative board of Trinity United Methodist Church in Homewood voted 63-3 to accept the recommendation of a discernment team to stay in the United Methodist denomination and not have a congregational vote on leaving, its Senior Pastor Brian Erickson said. “If the church council doesn’t call for disaffiliation, that church doesn’t have to have a vote,” Erickson said at the time.
Since December, 333 of 638 churches in the North Alabama Conference have left the United Methodist Church, most of them to join more conservative denominations where opposition to same-sex marriage has not been up for debate. United Methodist progressives have been fighting for four decades for full LGBTQ inclusion including approving same-sex weddings, although official United Methodist church policy still holds that homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching.”
A list of questions and answers posted May 18 by the Canterbury Church discernment team anticipated a potential change on the issue.
“The UMC may eventually permit same sex marriage and the ordination of practicing homosexuals,” it said. “The future leadership of Canterbury and the North Alabama Annual Conference will continue to discern these decisions.”
Thompson extended an olive branch to Canterbury members who may have wanted to exit.
“This journey has not been easy,” he wrote.
“It has tested us in ways we did not expect. But, as with any journey worth taking, our faith in God and trust in Jesus have only grown deeper. This occurred for one reason and one reason only – the Holy Spirit has been working, is working now, and will continue to do a great work through the people of Canterbury UMC. I have seen and heard this truth in the faces and prayers of my fellow Discernment Team members, and I have seen and heard this truth from many of you as well. I am grateful for the Discernment Team’s faith and integrity throughout this process, and I pray that you will extend your heartfelt gratitude as well.”
He added: “It is now time for us to move forward with care and compassion for one another. It is time for us to go about the work of sharing the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And, it is time for all of us to embrace a life of discernment, where we open ourselves to the Spirit’s work. I hope and pray that the Spirit will continue to mold us into genuine disciples of Jesus Christ.”
See also: United Methodists after split: ‘God is not finished with us’
Another 132 North Alabama United Methodist churches disaffiliate: Trussville, Helena, Gardendale
‘Division is of the devil,’ United Methodist bishop says as 193 churches disaffiliate
United Methodists ‘crushed’ after being left behind by disaffiliating churches
United Methodists start new congregations where churches disaffiliated in North Alabama
United Methodist split: 198 churches leave North Alabama Conference
Frazer Memorial officially leaves the United Methodist Church