A Texas Supreme Court ruling deals a setback to Southern Methodist University’s move to gain independence from The United Methodist Church’s South Central Jurisdictional Conference.
The Texas Supreme Court heard arguments to determine if Southern Methodist University could change its articles of incorporation without a United Methodist jurisdiction’s approval.
Even as The United Methodist Church faces mounting disaffiliations, those who plan to remain United Methodist are working together more across jurisdictional lines. Jurisdictional conferences also elected more women and more people of color as bishops.
The Rev. Robin Dease, who was a write-in candidate on the first ballot for bishop in The United Methodist Church’s Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference, was elected Nov. 3 on the 25th ballot at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. She received 206 votes, the exact number needed.
