GMC VOTE PASSES BY 96%

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Denominational Affiliation | 2023

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. — Isaiah 43:18-19

The Woodlands Methodist Church (TWMC) is nearing completion of a year-long process to uphold its Wesleyan heritage, core values, theological beliefs and 45-year-old mission to Reach People for Jesus Christ, Disciple Them in Faith, and Help Those in Need.

The process began in the summer of 2022 with the congregational vote to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church and enter into a period of transitional independence. Over the last eight months, a denominational discernment leadership team comprised of clergy, executive staff and lay leaders has studied the best options for future affiliation. Throughout this process, their goal has been to preserve TWMC’s ministries while also studying the most effective ways to enhance and advance the ministries in the coming decades.

Studies are now complete, leaders are aligned, and members of TWMC are being called to a churchwide vote to ratify affiliation with the Eastern Texas Conference of the Global Methodist Church. Visit each section of this website by using the navigation tabs at the top right section of this page for more information on this affiliation recommendation.

Discernment Pathway

Pray

Join us in praying for God’s guidance and provision in preparation for our congregational vote.

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Learn

Learn about the Global Methodist Church and get the basics on what makes us Methodist.

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Align

Read the open letter from TWMC pastors explaining their recommendation to join the Global Methodist Church.

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Decide

Get information for Vision Night and member voting for affiliation, May 7 – 11, 2023.

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Articles

The Global Methodist Church

As traditionalists look to other conservative expressions of Methodism, there is a desire to retain the classic Wesleyan model of congregational connectionalism — that is, moving together in the direction of growth and renewal not as individual churches, but as a network of churches that are theologically and socially aligned.

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What Makes Us Methodist?

What’s in a name? Our names convey not only a sense of identity, but of heritage and distinctiveness. As a community member of The Woodlands Methodist Church, you have likely spoken and written our church’s name countless times. But I wonder how many of us have paused to reflect on what it means to be a Methodist, how that name defines our church and why it even matters.

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Media

Gain perspective with this collection of videos and podcasts featuring our pastors and lay leaders at The Woodlands Methodist Church. New media will be added, so check back for new additions to this library of resources.

Affiliation Vote Results Announcement

May 14, 2023 — Voting has concluded and affiliation vote results are in. Take a moment to hear Board of Trustees Chair Mark Hanley and Senior Pastor Mark Sorensen reveal the exciting response from church membership on affiliation with the Global Methodist Church.

Church Planting

May 9, 2023 — Today, our church is uniquely positioned to identify, train and send future ministry leaders out to share our Wesleyan Methodist traditions — not just to expand a section or two of Montgomery County, but to expand God’s Kingdom here on earth.  

Podcast

Risks and Benefits of the GMC

November 12, 2022 — As TWMC builds a blueprint for the future, does it share a vision and purpose with the Global Methodist Church? Join Pastors Susan Kent, Mark Swayze, and Senior Pastor Mark Sorensen as they discuss the discernment frameworks for future ministry at TWMC in comparison to the denominational offerings of The GMC.

Why Go Global?

July 19, 2022 — Join Rev. Pierce Drake, TWMC’s Pastor of Community Formation, and a very special guest, Rev. Carolyn Moore of the Art of Holiness blog and podcast, to gain understanding and perspectives on the newly formed Global Methodist Church. Moore is a longtime friend of The Woodlands Methodist Church, the current Global Council Chairwoman of the Wesleyan Covenant Association, and a leading advocate for traditional congregations discerning disaffiliation from the greater United Methodist denomination.