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In a resolution late Thursday, Highland Park United Methodist Church accused the regional governing body of the United Methodist Church of deception, ecclesiastical wrongdoing and threatening its clergy.<\/p>\n
Louis DeLuca\/Staff Photographer<\/p>\n
Highland Park United Methodist Church accused the regional governing body of the United Methodist Church<\/a> of deception, ecclesiastical wrongdoing and threatening its clergy in a strongly worded resolution<\/a> from its church council late Thursday night.\u00a0<\/p>\n The council said the conference\u2019s actions have raised questions about its \u201cecclesiastical and denominational ties\u201d and that for the time being, it no longer recognizes the authority of the bishop.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the interim of discussions with the congregation on how best to respond to these events, the Church through its Council no longer recognizes ecclesiastical authority of the bishop and conference to direct the Church or its Clergy,\u201d the resolution said.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n In a written statement provided by a spokesperson, the conference said Bishop Ruben Saenz and the Horizon Texas Conference love Highland Park UMC and its people. \u201cOur love and care for generations of United Methodists, past, present and future, are what compel the Conference to act,\u201d the statement said.\u00a0<\/p>\n The resolution is the latest escalation<\/a> in what has become a bitter fight between the Horizon Texas Annual Conference and Highland Park UMC, one of the denomination\u2019s largest congregations, over changes the church made years ago to its governing documents.\u00a0<\/p>\n The conference said that a church council cannot decide for an entire congregation or its clergy that the local church will no longer recognize the authority of the UMC, nor can the church council unilaterally restructure a local church to operate out of the denomination.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe Conference will continue to respond with integrity, care and grace for the people of Highland Park UMC, whose voice and United Methodist connection deserve to be protected,\u201d the conference\u2019s statement said.\u00a0<\/p>\n A spokesperson for Highland Park UMC declined to comment further on the resolution.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The Horizon Texas Conference accused Highland Park UMC earlier this month of quietly trying to cut ties with the denomination years ago, when it removed reference to the United Methodist Church, the conference and the Book of Discipline in its governing documents.\u00a0<\/p>\n The conference has said these changes were made without the knowledge of the congregation or conference, which it said is out of line with the denomination\u2019s procedures. The conference has also accused Highland Park UMC of refusing to cooperate when asked to reverse course.\u00a0<\/p>\n The church has acknowledged<\/a> that it changed its corporate documents, but has denied the accusations of misconduct.\u00a0<\/p>\n In a resolution sent via email to the church congregation late Thursday and posted on the church\u2019s website, the church council<\/a> said the conference has raised \u201cecclesiastical and religious concerns.\u201d The council also said the resolution, which was unanimously approved, is not about the merits of the civil lawsuit.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe conference\u2019s treatment of our congregation, its clergy, and its lay leadership, as well as the manner in which the bishop has conducted this coordinated attack on our Church, raises deeply religious, theological, and moral questions about our ecclesiastical and denominational ties,\u201d the resolution said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<\/p>\n