Bishop Addresses HPUMC Lawsuit Over Governance Document Changes

Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. of the Horizon Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church addressed the regional governing body’s lawsuit against Highland Park United Methodist Church over changes to the church’s governing documents in a video message on August 26, 2026. Saenz emphasized that “the conference and the congregation are not adversaries,” stating that governance decisions made by the church are what now stand between them. He expressed hope for restoration, noting that the congregation has contributed significantly to the community through ministry and generosity.

Saenz outlined the changes to Highland Park United Methodist Church’s (HPUMC) governing documents in 2022, which he said removed important United Methodist accountability mechanisms and shifted significant authority to the church council. These changes, he argued, altered how decisions about the church’s future could be made. The bishop acknowledged that conference leaders had engaged in multiple discussions with HPUMC’s senior pastoral leadership and church council members in 2025 and early 2026, raising concerns about the changes before the lawsuit was filed.

Saenz clarified that while some congregants may have felt blindsided by the lawsuit, the church’s leadership had been aware of the conference’s concerns for nine months. He stated that these months were spent working to avoid litigation rather than planning it. The bishop noted that the conference sought resolution but that the church council in March made it clear the governing documents would not be restored.

The lawsuit, previously reported by People Newspapers, alleges that HPUMC changed its corporate name in 2022 to “Highland Park Methodist Church” and removed all references to the United Methodist Church, the Conference, and the Discipline from its governing documents. It further claims the church adopted amended bylaws that eliminated these references. The legal action centers on the implications of these changes for the church’s relationship with the broader United Methodist structure.

The situation highlights ongoing tensions between local congregations and regional governing bodies within the United Methodist tradition. Such disputes often revolve around the balance between local autonomy and denominational oversight, a theme echoed in Micah 6:8, which calls for acting with justice, mercy, and humility. As the legal proceedings unfold, the focus remains on the governance and identity of the church within its broader denominational context.

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