The Global Methodist Church (GMC) is a Methodist denomination formed in 2022 as a result of a split with the United Methodist Church (UMC).
The GMC was launched on May 1, 2022, by traditionalist members who left the UMC to uphold what they considered "theological and ethical Christian orthodoxy." Its name signifies its commitment to global evangelism rooted in early Wesleyan Methodism.
Its formation followed years of debate within the UMC over human sexuality and ordination standards. Despite several votes reaffirming the UMC's traditionalist stance, one Filipino and more than a hundred progressive American UMC clergy in attendance at the 2016 General Conference came out as gay. When the Traditional Plan was again passed in the 2019 General Conference of the UMC, several UMC clergy refused to adhere to it.
As a result, the traditionalist caucuses began to plan the formation of a new traditionalist Methodist denomination, the Global Methodist Church. At launch, the GMC comprised around two dozen Bulgarian churches and a potential Philippine plant. Within a few months, over a thousand U.S. congregations disaffiliated under varying terms, and by early 2024, the GMC counted 4,615 local churches in 31 provisional annual conferences.
The GMC's doctrines align with historic Wesleyan-Arminian theology. Core sources include the Christian Bible as authoritative Scripture, the Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline, and the Catechism of the Global Methodist Church, along with an affirmation of Trinitarian doctrine, Christ's atoning work, and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. The GMC holds to a traditionalist stance opposing same-sex marriage and non-celibate LGBTQ+ clergy, while affirming ordination for both women and men.
Drawn from the founders of Methodism, John and Charles Wesley, the GMC's emphases include mission ("to make disciples of Jesus Christ who worship passionately, love extravagantly, and witness boldly", values (a methodical pursuit of holiness, rooted in prayer, accountability, and social outreach), vision (joining God to bring reconciliation, new life, and Christ's presence to all people), and core confessions (upholding the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds alongside Wesley's Standard Sermons and Notes as doctrinal standards).
The Global Methodist Church practices a connectional system with a modified episcopal polity. Bishops serve for defined terms rather than life tenure. They function as "general superintendents," guarding doctrine and practice collectively rather than overseeing single annual conferences. Presiding elders replace the UMC's district superintendents to supervise clusters of congregations. A connectional operations officer leads denomination-wide administration from the GMC headquarters in the United States.
Local congregations own their property outright; there is no trust clause.
By mid-2024, the GMC encompassed nearly 4,500 congregations and a similar number of clergy across all inhabited continents. While the majority of initial disaffiliations occurred in the United States, entire national groupings have joined. In Europe, all UMC congregations in Bulgaria and Slovakia transferred at launch, and churches in Croatia and conferences in Eurasia and the Nordics are in transition. In Asia, the Philippines formed the Covenant Philippines Provisional Annual Conference immediately upon launch, and Filipino expatriate congregations in the Middle East joined soon after. In Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo Provisional Annual Conference was established in 2022, planting dozens of new churches and partnering on building initiatives. Other African congregations navigate complex disaffiliation processes to align with the GMC. Nearly 2,000 local churches and 2,400 clergy globally had joined the Global Methodist Church by its first anniversary.
Topics related to the Global Methodist Church are appropriate resources for this part of our web guide.
Recommended Resources
The GMC was founded in 2022, following a split from the United Methodist Church, by traditional Methodists seeking to uphold historic Christian orthodoxy and Wesleyan-Arminian theology. The official denominational website discusses its core beliefs and mission, global reach and structure, practices, and culture. Contacts, digital resources, publications, documents, news and updates, connections, events, and links to other useful online resources are set forth.
https://globalmethodist.org/
Global Methodist Church Florida Conference
The Florida Conference of the Global Methodist Church is a regional body that unites local Global Methodist congregations across the state. Its primary mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness throughout Florida. Its mission, vision, and purpose are set forth, along with its supporting conference ministries, a directory of GMC churches in Florida, digital applications for church and clergy, and Conference Cabinet biographies and contact details.
https://floridagmc.org/
Global Methodist Church Heartland
The Heartland Annual Conference represents GMC congregations in Kansas, Oklahoma, and beyond. Its website communicates the Global Methodist Church's commitment to making disciples of Jesus Christ and spreading scriptural holiness worldwide. Key sections of the website outline the Conference's mission, core beliefs, scriptural authority, and the doctrinal heritage of the GMC. An interactive map and search tool can be used to locate member congregations, and events are announced.
https://heartlandgmc.org/
Global Methodist Church MidSouth
Representing the MidSouth Annual Conference of the Global Methodist Church, which serves clergy, laity, and visitors across Kentucky, Middle and East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, parts of West Virginia, and select counties in North Georgia, the website offers news, resources, event details, and opportunities to connect and give. Featured is a church directory, information about its governance, connectional funding, membership information, and contact details.
https://midsouthgmc.org/
Global Methodist Church MidTexas Conference
The Conference represents Global Methodist Church congregations in an area that spans from the Red River to the Gulf of Mexico, encompassing North Texas, Central Texas, and the Rio Texas areas. Conference leadership, districts and a map, a statement of beliefs, and a directory of member churches are featured on the website, along with its leadership and lay training programs, prayer workshops, and "Eight Core Values for Christian Leaders." Schedules and contact information are provided.
https://midtexasgmc.org/
Global Methodist Church Missio Dei
Mission Dei is the Global Methodist (GMC) church planting mission in eastern Maine. Currently a missional community in formation, Mission Dei seeks to engage community and culture with the message of the Gospel. Its leadership is introduced, and several informational articles cover many of the activities of Mission Dei and general information about Methodism and the Global Methodist Church. Headquartered in Brewer, Maine, its address, phone number, email address, and a contact form are featured.
https://www.globalmethodistmissionme.org/
Global Methodist Church Mississippi-West Tennessee
The official online home of the Mississippi-West Tennessee Provisional Annual Conference of the Global Methodist Church (GMC) serves as a hub for members, clergy, and visitors, who can learn about the conference's mission, beliefs, events, and how to get involved. An interactive directory allows visitors to the site to locate a member congregation. Conference news, announcements, and other resources include connectional giving forms, job listings, and contact details.
https://ms-wtngmc.org/
Global Methodist Church South Carolina
The GMCSC website serves as the digital hub for the Global Methodist Church in South Carolina, providing resources for clergy, laity, and anyone interested in affiliating, worshipping, or engaging in ministry across the state. The site emphasizes the denomination's commitment to scriptural holiness, local church empowerment, and multiplying disciples for Jesus Christ. Featured is an affiliation guide, an overview of key ministries, schedules, and contact details.
https://www.gmcofsc.org/
Global Methodist Church South Georgia
The South Georgia Annual Conference is a regional body of the Global Methodist Church serving congregations south of a line from Columbus to Augusta. Details on the Conference's purpose, leadership, and denomination are featured on the site, along with teaching materials, videos, and reading plans, information on mission initiatives, and local outreach efforts. Other resources include a calendar of worship gatherings, training seminars, and the Annual Conference.
https://www.sgagmc.org/
Global Methodist Church Upper Midwest Conference
Comprising over 190 GMC churches across Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wyoming, the Conference supports a culture of discipleship by shepherding, connecting, and equipping local congregations. Its leadership, ministries, resources, events, and contacts are published on the website. The Upper Midwest Conference gathers churches from across the region for its Annual Conference. Attendees can register, access the Conference Journal, and find lodging and parking details.
https://www.uppermidwestgmc.org/
Global Methodist Church Virginia
Present in Virginia since July 2023, the Virginia district of the Global Methodist Church represents churches in the state who are affiliated with the GMC. It fosters connections among member congregations across the state. An interactive map and searchable table of GMC congregations are situated on the website, along with details on Annual Conference dates, resources for starting new congregations, contact information, and a history of the denomination and district.
https://www.gmcvirginia.org/
Representing the North Carolina Annual Conference of the Global Methodist Church (GMC), the website serves as the primary online hub for news, event listings, and official documents specific to the North Carolina region of the Global Methodist Church. Upcoming gatherings, meetings, and conference-wide events are listed, along with a document library hosting downloadable PDF resources, contact details, and administrative updates. Member churches are listed on the site.
https://ncglobalmethodist.org/
The Northeast Annual Conference is a region of the Global Methodist Church (GMC), grounded in orthodox Wesleyan doctrine and traditional Methodist ideals. The conference spans all or parts of eleven states and the District of Columbia, including Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, the eastern two-thirds of Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Member churches can be found online.
https://www.northeastgmc.org/
Wesleyan Network for Global Mission
WNGM is a ministry of the Global Methodist Church dedicated to supporting local churches in fulfilling the Great Commission. The website provides resources, strategic partnerships, and a dynamic connectional map to facilitate collaboration and kingdom advancement worldwide. The WNGM helps to identify and develop apostolic leaders, equips churches in best practices, and guides congregations through stages of growth. A strategic partners directory is included on the site.
https://globalmethodist.world/
