There’s a reason many congregations are leaving.
The United Methodist Church (UMC) has faced backlash over its proposal to halt funding to the 1-million-member Côte d’Ivoire Conference, which disaffiliated from the denomination earlier this year before the official deadline. The UMC Council of Bishops has requested that the General Council on Finance and Administration immediately cut financial support to the Ivory Coast church and is exploring ways to secure control of denominational properties in the region.
The controversy arises from claims that the Côte d’Ivoire Conference did not follow the proper process for exiting the UMC. Had they adhered to the official procedures, they would have been eligible for funding until 2028, according to UM News. The Council of Bishops has cited the denomination’s trust clause to justify retaining control over church properties in the West African nation.
Mark Tooley, president of the conservative Institute on Religion & Democracy, criticized these measures as “punitive and vindictive.” While acknowledging the denomination’s ability to cut U.S.-based funding, Tooley expressed skepticism about their success in claiming property in Ivory Coast, suggesting local authorities may not side with U.S. officials. He warned that these actions might discourage other churches from leaving the denomination or, conversely, prompt them to expedite their exit.
The UMC’s handling of denominational properties in Ivory Coast remains unclear, with questions raised about whether the measures pertain to local church buildings or broader assets. Tooley pointed out that local church buildings are typically held in trust by the annual conference, which in this case has declared its independence from the global UMC.
Côte d’Ivoire, one of the UMC’s largest regional bodies, joined the denomination in 2004 after previously existing as an independent Methodist church. Earlier this year, the UMC General Conference approved lifting bans on same-sex unions, ordinations of LGBTQ individuals, and funding for related advocacy groups. The Côte d’Ivoire Conference subsequently voted in May to disaffiliate, citing the denomination’s shift toward “sociocultural and contextual values” at the expense of doctrinal integrity.
UMC Council of Bishops President Tracy Malone acknowledged the Côte d’Ivoire Conference’s decision and pledged to support their transition to autonomy. While expressing regret over their departure, Malone emphasized the importance of maintaining love, respect, and a shared commitment to faith in Jesus Christ despite theological differences.