Highland Park UMC Minister Addresses Lawsuit-Related Grief in Sermon

Highland Park United Methodist Church’s senior minister, the Rev. Matt Tuggle, addressed his congregation during two Sunday services, expressing the profound grief the church community has experienced due to a lawsuit filed by the Horizon Texas Annual Conference. This legal action, initiated by the regional governing body of the United Methodist Church, accuses the church’s leadership of attempting to sever ties with the denomination without following the required procedures.

The lawsuit alleges that in 2022 and 2023, Highland Park UMC altered its governing documents to exclude references to the United Methodist Church, its regional conference, and the denomination’s Book of Discipline. These changes reportedly affected the church’s bylaws and articles of incorporation. Documents from the Texas Secretary of State reveal that the church changed its name in state filings to Highland Park Methodist Church in November 2022, while maintaining its “doing business as” name as Highland Park United Methodist Church.

Bishop Ruben Saenz, who oversees North Texas churches, stated that these changes were made without the necessary approval and limited the congregation’s involvement in church governance. The church, however, has denied these accusations, asserting that the lawsuit lacks merit and that they were caught off guard by the legal action.

In his sermons, Rev. Tuggle emphasized the emotional toll the lawsuit has taken on the church community, underscoring a commitment to transparency and accountability. As the church navigates this challenging period, the situation highlights the importance of governance and integrity within religious institutions, echoing the biblical principle of justice and care for the community, as reflected in Micah 6:8.

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