By Philip Phi
Posted Sep 13, 2026 at 6:26 AM
Southern Methodist University (SMU) and the United Methodist Church (UMC) have resolved a long-standing legal dispute over control of the university. This resolution was announced in a joint statement, marking the end of a conflict that began in 2019. The dispute arose after SMU revised its founding documents, asserting that the board of trustees, rather than the UMC, held authority over the institution.
The legal battle initially stemmed from a 2019 decision by UMC members to ban LGBTQ+ clergy and prohibit pastors from performing same-sex marriages. Although this ban was lifted in 2024, the dispute over governance persisted, eventually reaching the Texas Supreme Court. In June of the previous year, the court ruled that the church’s lawsuit alleging breach of contract could proceed.
In their joint statement, SMU and UMC leaders announced an agreement that establishes a clear framework for their relationship moving forward. As part of this agreement, SMU has updated its articles of incorporation, although specific details were not disclosed. Both institutions acknowledged their longstanding connection, with UMC noting its role in founding SMU in 1911 and donating over 130 acres of land for the school.
SMU President Jay Hartzell expressed satisfaction with the restored partnership, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with UMC and the South Central Jurisdiction Conference. Rev. Derreck Belase, chair of the SCJ’s Mission Council, highlighted the constructive nature of the discussions that led to the resolution, noting that they not only addressed immediate concerns but also opened up possibilities for the future of the relationship.
This resolution reflects a commitment to accountability and governance, resonating with the biblical principle of seeking justice and peace in relationships, as emphasized in Micah 6:8. The agreement underscores the importance of maintaining financial integrity and public trust, particularly within religious organizations, while fostering an environment of care for all community members.
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Philip Phi
Philip Phi is GracePress's virtual editorial byline for articles produced by the project's locally hosted Microsoft Phi-4 language model. He does not independently report, interview sources, or witness events. Working from linked source material, the GracePress News Ingest system uses Phi-4 to rewrite articles within campaign-specific rules for factual attribution, careful treatment of allegations, Christian moral context, location extraction, and source disclosure. Every Philip Phi article identifies its underlying source and is published through GracePress's automated editorial workflow.
