The Board of Trustees of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church has voted to seize the assets of Mt. Bethel UMC and will operate the church effective immediately, the latest move in an escalating crisis with the East Cobb congregation.

In a statement issued late Monday, North Georgia Conference Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson said that “exigent circumstances” prompted the move, after Mt. Bethel strongly and publicly refused to accept the appointment of a new senior pastor,  and made other moves she said violated the denomination’s Book of Discipline governing document.

The North Georgia Conference statement said that Mt. Bethel leaders and attorneys were notified Monday by Conference attorneys that the property seizures are immediate, and that the church has 10 days to complete the transfer.

According to UMC policies, individual congregations do not own properties or assets but are held in trust for the denomination.

Mt. Bethel church activities and operations will continue under the management of the trustees, according to the statement.

“The Trustees are mindful of the concerns of employees, families, and members of Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church and the families connected to the Mt. Bethel Christian Academy. Employment, instruction, activities, and worship at the church and Academy will continue, but under the direction and control of the Conference Board of Trustees,” according to the statement, which you can read in full here.

You can read the rest of the story HERE

3 Comments

  1. If Mt. Bethel and its WCA allies surrender the substance of claims and do not vigorously defend the reputation and integrity of Mt. Bethel’s narrative, it will be appear to the whole United Methodist connection that the contrary narrative published and promoted by the conference is the only correct and authoritative account. Such a development would make Mt. Bethel and its WCA allies look like fools.

  2. So much for do no harm during the period waiting for GC 21. Expect Mt. Bethel will become a huge financial drain on the conference now.

  3. Lambrecht spends a good bit of time citing the BOD. The only part Hupert-Johnson and most other progressive Bishops are concerned with The Episcopal Fund. The Episcopal Fund pays for bishops’ salaries, office and travel expenses, and pension and health-benefit coverage. I do NOT think clergy/Bishops should take a vow of poverty, but dad gum.

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