Secessions from the Methodist Church 1960s to 1990s, and 2019-2022

CONGREGATIONS FORMED BY SECESSION FROM THE METHODIST CHURCH OF GREAT BRITAIN FROM THE 1960s TO THE 1990s

CONTENTS:

1933-1999

Genesis and method for this article

The numerical background

The theological background in united Methodism

Congregations formed by seceders the 1960s to 1990s:

their stories

Motifs and patterns

Questions

What did they gain?

What did they lose?

Were they right or wrong?

Please click on this link to read the 60-page article in pdf form:

secessions 1960sff B A5

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ADDENDUM (2022)

I append, without comment or alteration, some information circularised by Rev. Derek Balsdon, Development Worker, Methodist Evangelicals Together, in August 2022:

RESIGNATIONS

Recently someone asked me to share more information about resignations from the Methodist Church in Britain. The figures below are from September 2019 – September 2022. I think the number of ministers is quite accurate, and I suspect that all the other resignation figures are much lower than in reality.

36 Presbyters have resigned, 16 in the active work, 18 of whom are Supernumerary, plus 1 probationer, plus 1 student minister, plus David Hull with permission to serve another denomination.

An additional 3 Presbyters are ending their appointments earlier than expected (two August 2022, one August 2024). There are a number of others who may resign within the next few years.

96 Local Preachers have resigned, or will resign once they have fulfilled current appointments.

19 whole (or substantial parts of) congregations have resigned, amounting to over 550 members, several of whom have set up new churches.

Several other congregations are considering leaving, most of whom would like to leave with their buildings, amounting to over 800 members.

In addition to this I have names of well over 150 individuals who have resigned from their churches.

3 Lay Workers have resigned.

18 new congregations have been established (probably more than this). Some whole (or almost whole) congregations have formed new churches, and in other places a few from different churches have joined together and establish a new church, some of which are flourishing, and seeing people being saved by the Lord Jesus Christ. They are enjoying freedom from the Methodist Church in Britain. Some congregations are staying independent, and some are affiliating to other denominations.