The Asbury Journal 76/1: 82-108 © 2021 Asbury Theological Seminary DOI: 10.7252/Journal.01.2021S.06
John Lomperis
The Seven Churches of United Methodism, Revisited
Abstract: The United Methodist Church is on the verge of what is expected to be a primarily two-way schism. But the denomination is already rather divided between seven main sub-churches: the global regions of Africa, Europe, and the Philippines, and the four main ideological factions within the United States (American traditionalists, the genuine Methodist middle, institutionalist liberals, and liberationist progressives). Each of these subchurches has important internal divisions, but also distinct characteristics setting them apart. Recognizing the particular features of each is crucial for understanding how the coming schism will impact and is being prepared for by different United Methodists.
Keywords: United Methodist Church, General Conference, Protocol on Grace and Reconciliation through Separation, global church, mainline Protestantism John Lomperis is director of the UM Action program of the Institute on Religion and Democracy. He was elected to serve as a delegate to the United Methodist Church’s 2016, 2019, and 2020/2021 General Conferences. His articles have appeared in the Washington Post, Good News magazine, and The American Spectator. He holds a B.A. in Religious Studies with honors from the University of Chicago and an M.Div. from Harvard University. He has traveled and spoken extensively throughout the UMC in America and overseas. 82
