The churches leaving are conservative, and they are leaving over procedural and theological issues, Baillie said.
Perhaps the most divisive of these issues has been the biblical view of homosexuality.
At least one recently-ordained UMC pastor is a drag queen under the name “Penny Cost.”
Bishops appoint UMC pastors to churches without churches getting a vote. Any UMC congregation could get an open, active homosexual pastor if its bishop put the pastor under abeyance.
“You are assigned a pastor. It’s not just that this person is being ordained. He could be assigned to your church,” said Bailie.
Perhaps the most divisive of these issues has been the biblical view of homosexuality.