What happens when a new denomination launches?

United Methodists will gather for worship, attend Bible studies and join in ministries such as housing the homeless and feeding the hungry on May 1 as they do most Sundays. 

That same day, organizers of the Global Methodist Church plan to mark the official launch of their new, theologically conservative breakaway denomination. But don’t expect things in the 13-million-member, international United Methodist Church to look much different come Monday morning. 

Both United Methodist and Global Methodist leaders agree that any separations from The United Methodist Church will take time to sort out.

After all, Methodism’s founder John Wesley instructed: “Do not rashly tear asunder the sacred ties which unite you to any Christian society.”

The United Methodist Church by design makes breaking up — and especially taking church property — hard to do. Wesley himself established the forerunner of the United Methodist trust clause, which states that all church property is held in trust for the entire denomination. That means congregations can’t just leave and take church buildings with them. 

However, the requirements of gaining release from the trust clause have become a source of contention and confusion as churches plan for the future.