United Methodist Regional Body Sues Prominent Dallas Megachurch
The Horizon Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church filed suit in Dallas County court against Highland Park United Methodist Church, one of the denomination's largest and most prominent congregations, alleging the church amended its 2022 certificate of formation and bylaws to remove all references to the UMC and eliminate members' rights to weigh in on the congregation's denominational affiliation, without the approval process conference leaders say was required. Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. said the conference had tried to resolve the dispute directly since last fall before filing suit.
Highland Park says it changed its corporate documents in line with 2020 guidance from Texas courts on managing church affairs under neutral principles of state law, and its pastor said the congregation was "completely blindsided" by the lawsuit. The case is the latest example of a Methodist congregation and its regional conference disputing who controls a church's property and identity as the denomination continues to work through the aftermath of a wave of congregational departures.
