ARCANUM – If you follow much news regarding the Protestant churches in the world, you have likely heard of the changes that are taking place in the United Methodist Church. Since 2019 there has been an opportunity for the churches aligned with that denomination to exit their Conferences, specifically due to differences and disagreements regarding sexuality, and the enforcement, or lack of, relative to the established church doctrine. As a result of this window of opportunity, and the perceived likelihood of continued disagreement, many United Methodist Churches in the State of Ohio have left that denomination. As of this writing, over 250 churches have left the West Ohio Conference, of which Darke County is included. Denomination-wide, over 7,000 churches have left one of the largest Protestant church bodies in the world.
One of the churches that chose to disaffiliate from the UMC was what is now called Trinity Methodist Church in Arcanum. Pastor Doug Baker confirmed that the congregation voted unanimously in the fall of 2022 to leave the Conference; and very shortly after the disaffiliation was complete, that same gathering voted to become a part of the Global Methodist Church.
Pastor Baker confirmed that the reason for leaving the UMC was relatively clear: The denomination had failed to be an agent of transformation to the world and was allowing the world to change the church. Baker quotes from 2 Timothy 4:3-4: “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
“God has put together a clear plan of salvation, and it typically does not involve conforming to the ways of the world around us,” Baker added. “God wants the very best for all of us, and it involves surrendering our sinful nature to His will and way.” He continued, “The mission of the Global Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ who worship passionately, love extravagantly, and witness boldly. This mission takes us to the root of the Methodist movement that began over 200 years ago; reaching out to those who are seeking true joy, hope and peace in their lives. In a world that seems so full of hopelessness, hatred and uncertainty, Jesus wants all to be in a relationship with He and the Father. The plan, and the way… are in place.”
Baker invites all who seek this saving relationship to gather with them at the Trinity Methodist Church in Arcanum at 10:30 am on Sunday mornings. You can also get updates from the church on their Facebook page.
