Highland Park United Methodist Church votes to leave UMC (Highland Park, Texas)

Members of Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas overwhelmingly voted to leave the United Methodist Church. The decision, made by a vote of 90.35 percent, was announced on October 26, with the church council stating that the congregation would now worship as Highland Park Methodist Church. The vote, which received about one-third of the congregation’s 15,000 members, marks a significant shift in the church’s relationship with the denomination.

The church council expressed that the decision was not made lightly, acknowledging the emotional weight of the choice. “This was not an easy decision, and we know it has not been made lightly,” the letter to members stated. “For many of us, it is a painful, difficult, and emotional decision. For others, the decision was straightforward.” Despite the division, the council affirmed that the church would continue to operate as it has and remain united by its identity and mission in Christ.

The vote comes more than two months after the Horizon Texas Conference filed a lawsuit against the church. The conference argued that changes to Highland Park’s bylaws in 2022 improperly removed oversight by the denomination and the congregation. The suit was amended on October 15, adding a second count accusing the church of breach of contract and asserting that the changes are void. The conference is seeking a permanent injunction to prevent further breaches of the church’s articles and bylaws.

The Horizon Texas Conference released a statement following the vote results, reiterating its commitment to the congregation and ministry of Highland Park United Methodist Church. “We understand that this is a deeply personal and emotional time for many members of the congregation,” the statement said. “While individuals are free to make their own decisions about their religious affiliation, a congregational vote does not, by itself, sever a local church’s relationship with The United Methodist Church.”

The conference emphasized its responsibility to uphold the shared covenant among United Methodists. “We continue to ask that Highland Park’s governing documents be restored in accordance with United Methodist governance,” the statement added. The lawsuit followed meetings in October, which were part of the conference’s efforts to address concerns over the church’s governance and its relationship with the denomination.

The decision to leave the United Methodist Church reflects a broader trend of congregations seeking independence amid internal divisions. As Highland Park moves forward with its plans to operationalize the changes by December 1, 2026, the church’s journey underscores the challenges of maintaining unity in the face of differing beliefs and practices. The situation highlights the delicate balance between preserving tradition and adapting to the needs of the congregation.

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