Photo courtesy of The Orchard
The Orchard
The Orchard, which denominational data lists as the 16th highest in worship attendance in the United States, and another large congregation, Getwell Road United Methodist Church, have each begun steps to leave the denomination.
One United Methodist congregation has separated from the denomination, and a second continues in a period of discernment, according to a recent issue of the conference newsletter, The Circuit Rider.
In an article titled “The Orchard Separates from Miss. Conference,” the chairs of the conference’s Council on Finance and Administration and its Board of Trustees announced that an “amicable separation” between the two bodies had been reached. Previously appointed clergy at The Orchard surrendered their credentials and are no longer United Methodist ministers.
“The Orchard Church has ownership of its property and will continue their ministry in their satellite locations,” the article reads. “The superintendent will be working with those members who wish to remain United Methodist to find them a church home.”
A second article titled “Praying through ‘A Period of Discernment’,” reports “Bishop James Swanson Sr. continues to solicit prayers for himself and those involved in ‘a period of discernment.’ Pray for the bishop, the congregations of Getwell Road UMC of the Senatobia District and The Orchard UMC of the Tupelo District, the pastors of these congregations, their district superintendents, and the Mississippi Conference treasurer. The bishop covets your prayer for a fruitful resolution as this process is ongoing. To read Swanson’s full statement on “a period of discernment," go to http://bit.ly/2ltKThe.”
The full Mississippi Conference newsletter can be found here.