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Highland Park UMC senior minister the Rev. Matt Tuggle in an undated photo.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Highland Park UMC<\/p>\n
A major vote in North Texas could soon determine a historic outcome for thousands of residents. And no, it\u2019s not the midterm election<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Members of Highland Park United Methodist Church<\/a> will vote this weekend on whether to leave the United Methodist Church<\/a>, the denomination it has been a part of for more than 100 years, and become an independent Methodist congregation. \u00a0<\/p>\n What started as a disagreement over obscure legal language has escalated since August to the leadership of the North Texas church recommending the congregation separate due what they say is a betrayal of trust<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Why is the church considering separating?\u00a0<\/p>\n The dispute started with disagreements over changes Highland Park UMC made to internal and corporate governing documents in 2022<\/a>. The Horizon Texas Annual Conference, the regional governing body of the\u00a0UMC, said the changes amounted to a quiet attempt to distance the church from the denomination.\u00a0<\/p>\n The conference sued the church in August, accusing Highland Park UMC of refusing to revert to its previous governing structure and language.\u00a0<\/p>\n In the weeks after the lawsuit was filed, Highland Park UMC said it never wanted to leave the denomination. The church\u2019s leaders are now saying they lack trust in the United Methodist Church\u00a0and want to govern Highland Park UMC\u2019s own affairs at a local level.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cThe Church Council believes the Conference and its bishop have irrevocably broken the bond of trust that once existed between our Church and The United Methodist Church,\u201d the church council said in a recent letter<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n The conference has said a church can\u2019t unilaterally choose to leave the United Methodist Church.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAny attempt to do so does not diminish the Bishop and Conference’s commitment to continued covenant with Highland Park UMC and its members nor our desire for restoration and reconciliation with this vital community of faith,\u201d the conference said last week in a statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n Related: Highland Park UMC council says church will hold a vote on leaving United Methodist denomination<\/a><\/p>\n When is the vote?\u00a0<\/p>\n The vote will take place at Highland Park UMC Sunday, Oct. 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.,\u00a0and Monday, Oct. 26, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The church said a third party will conduct the electronic voting process. Voting members must confirm their church membership and bring identification such as a driver\u2019s license. A state-issued ID, U.S. passport or military ID are also acceptable, the church said.\u00a0<\/p>\n There are no virtual or proxy voting options, the church said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Highland Park UMC said the only people who are eligible to vote are those registered as professing members in its records as of Sunday, Oct. 25. Members can check their status by texting \u201cmember\u201d to 469-436-5590.\u00a0<\/p>\n More information on the voting process can be found at hpumc.org\/news#votinginformation<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n What\u2019s on the ballot?\u00a0<\/p>\n Voters will vote yes or no to the following question: Shall Highland Park Methodist Church, doing business as Highland Park United Methodist Church, sever all of its ties, affiliations and connections to The United Methodist Church?\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The church said the results of the vote will be determined by a simple majority of total votes cast by eligible members.\u00a0<\/p>\n Related: Highland Park United Methodist Church legal dispute prompts questions of authority and power<\/a><\/p>\n What is the lawsuit about?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n