MOBILE, Ala. — Christ United, a west Mobile congregation with a membership approaching 5,000 people, has officially ended its affiliation with the United Methodist Church after its request was ratified during a special conference session.
Bishop David Graves, serving the Alabama-West Florida Conference as bishop in residence, presided over the Sunday, Nov. 12 ratification. The vote made Christ United one of eight churches in the conference — which counts 311 congregations — approved to depart the denomination this round.
“Today is another somber day in the life of the Alabama-West Florida Conference,” Graves said in a statement, adding that he wished the departing churches well as they “navigate ministry in a new season.” He also thanked congregations that chose to remain United Methodist and held off on departure discussions pending more information.
A long-running denominational fight
The split traces back to a dispute that has roiled the denomination since 2019, when United Methodist delegates reaffirmed church positions opposing gay clergy and same-sex marriage. The repeated battles over human sexuality have strained congregations on both sides of the issue.
The Rev. Dr. Robert Couch, lead pastor of Christ United, said the constant fighting had taken a toll. “The issues of human sexuality, for too long, have distracted and divided the United Methodist denomination and, in turn, our local church,” Couch said. He noted that each round of debate had also caused harm to LGBTQ persons as the church restated its positions.
Couch said the congregation requested disaffiliation so it could move past the controversy. For now, Christ United will operate as an independent congregation for one to two years while its leadership discerns whether to affiliate with another denomination or network.
“Christ United will continue our focus on loving God, loving people, and changing the world as we have for nearly 45 years,” Couch said.