WMBB has reported that the United Methodist Church has won a legal battle against several local churches in Alabama, as the Alabama Supreme Court ruled against their attempt to leave the denomination.
The United Methodist Conference is facing a lawsuit from 44 congregation churches in south Alabama and the Panhandle. These churches are suing the conference for preventing them from disaffiliating.
In a recent ruling, the court affirmed a decision made by a lower court stating that this issue is an internal matter for the church and therefore, outside the jurisdiction of the courts. The root of the conflicts dates back to 2022 when the United Methodist Church revised its regulations to permit same-sex marriages and the ordination of LGBTQ ministers.
Several churches in the locality attempted to break away from their parent organization, including Gulf View United Methodist Church situated in Panama City Beach, First Church of Mexico Beach, Cypress United Methodist Church located in Jackson County, Blountstown United Methodist Church, Shalimar United Methodist, and the First Church of Fort Walton Beach.
