Sixty-seven congregations in Arkansas have officially disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church, being part of a wave of departures driven largely by the mainline Protestant denomination’s ongoing debate over LGBT issues.
A hearing will be held Tuesday in the lawsuit between Jonesboro First United Methodist Church and state United Methodist officials over control of the congregation s assets.
The state s largest United Methodist congregation is splitting three ways after reaching what it is calling an "Amicable Reconciliation and Separation Agreement."
Since covid-19 erupted, there have been a lot more empty pews in Arkansas, though some long-absent worshippers are beginning to return, religious leaders say.