Letter to the editor: Reasons for Methodist disaffiliation

Regarding Natalie Frydryck’s op-ed “Young Methodists concerned about disaffiliation, too” (April 9, TribLIVE): I’m a member of a former United Methodist church that chose to disaffiliate. I’ve heard and read opinions about the disaffiliation and have not heard one that told the entire truth.

Our church chose to join the Global Methodist denomination not because of the homosexuality issue but because of the disinclination of denomination leaders (from local pastors to national officers) to correct those under them in their failure to follow the Book of Disclipine which lays out the principals of the UMC faith. The point of contention was that some local and district leaders were teaching that Jesus Christ was a way to salvation, not the way to salvation.

This is an unacceptable failure in faith for a Christian. A Christian must believe in the divinity of Christ. The failure of national and district leaders to challenge this teaching (which breaks with the Book of Discipline that all leaders of the UM promise to follow) without disciplining those leaders is what led to my church’s decision to leave the UM denomination.

As far as not seeing other Methodists again, we still work with other Methodist churches in our area. All Methodist youth still go to the Methodist summer camp, Vacation Bible School is still open to all and our outreach activities are still in full swing.

Christian churches are open to all. The church belongs to God, not to a denomination. Everyone has been, is and will always be welcome in our church and hopefully in all Christian churches.

Victoria Gregory

Humble, Texas