Global Methodist Church grows

At the end of 2025, the Global Methodist Church (GMC) announced that it now includes more than six thousand churches worldwide.

The GMC launched on May 1, 2022, when conservative Methodists sought to preserve the doctrinal integrity of the historic Christian faith by severing ties with the United Methodist Church (UMC). The main issues under debate for decades have been the authority of Scripture and the church’s stance on gay marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ+ clergy. After years of internal turmoil, the GMC was formed by those seeking to uphold more traditional Christian teaching on these matters.

Despite its rapid growth, the GMC has not placed itself on the solid footing of God’s Word. It still allows women to serve as pastors. Its Book of Doctrines and Discipline, which outlines major doctrines and general practices, is considered “a living document” that will continue to mature as the church grows.¹ That’s a bad sign for those hoping to confess and uphold the truth of Holy Scripture. The trouble in the Methodist Church has its roots in the early 1900s, when churches replaced a focus on sin and salvation with an emphasis on social gospel and political activism.

We know that God is still working through his Word and there are fellow Christians in these churches. Perhaps God can use us to reach a Methodist friend who needs to hear about the certainty of the Scriptures.

Religious rights upheld

In February 2026, a judge awarded a group of parents a $1.5 million settlement from the Montgomery County (Maryland) school board, following a lawsuit on religious rights. The parents represented different religious backgrounds but filed their suit together in 2023 after the district introduced a new language arts curriculum that included LGBTQ+ themes and eliminated any religious opt-out option. The parents argued that the removal of their ability to keep their children from being exposed to this material violated their religious rights. In June 2025, the US Supreme Court agreed.

This case shows the tensions existing in our pluralistic society. Whether in the public school system or not, God has entrusted Christian parents with a high calling—namely, to raise children who know their Savior and his Word (Ephesians 6:4). Sometimes parents also need to stand up for them in the public square.

Immigrants, ICE, and churches

The US government has recently expanded immigration enforcement through Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as part of a broader effort to increase deportations and enforce immigration law. These actions have prompted protests and political backlash, particularly after controversial incidents involving enforcement tactics and protester deaths. Critics argue the operations are overly aggressive, at times unlawful, and harm immigrant communities, while supporters say they are necessary to uphold immigration law and maintain public safety.

In July 2025, the Greater Milwaukee Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America joined ten other church bodies in a lawsuit against the Trump administration because of an ICE policy that allows agents to take action in “sensitive” areas like churches and schools.² In January 2026, a group of people upset with ICE disrupted a church service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minn., because they believed the pastor was a local ICE official. As of the end of February, the US Department of Justice had arrested 39 people for violating the religious freedom of these congregants.³ The ICE immigration issue has literally entered the church.

Christians can disagree about how best to handle this complicated topic but will want to avoid rhetoric that foments hatred, division, or fear. Rather, we need to be present with the love of Christ. “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).

Learn more about how to discuss the topic of immigration enforcement with your family.

¹christiandaily.com/news/global-methodist-church-surpasses-6-000-congregations-worldwide

²wpr.org/news/greater-milwaukee-lutheran-lawsuit-trump-ice-agents-churches

³christianpost.com/news/30-more-indicted-over-cities-church-worship-service-disruption.html

Author: Benjamin Schaefer
Volume 113, Number 05
Issue: May 2026