Some 12 judges in Arkansas have recused themselves from a lawsuit filed by a United Methodist Church congregation seeking control of church property after the regional conference rejected the church's disaffiliation vote and suspended its pastor.
The judges say they may face conflicts of interest in the case from First United Methodist Church of Jonesboro.
The Craighead Circuit Clerk's Office has asked the Arkansas State Supreme Court to assign a special judge to the pending lawsuit.
According to The Christian Post, First UMC voted to leave the denomination in July. The congregation reported more than 1,300 members participating in the vote, with 69 percent voting in favor of disaffiliation and 31 percent voting against it.
In November, the UMC Arkansas Conference rejected disaffiliation requests from First UMC and two other churches but approved the disaffiliation votes of 35 other congregations.
"The three churches who did not receive ratification for disaffiliation, have the option to restart the process or resubmit to the next called session, which date has not been officially announced yet," stated the conference at the time.
Jonesboro church also requested a temporary restraining order against the Arkansas Conference and filed for a preliminary injunction to block any attempt to prevent the congregation from using the church building during the ongoing lawsuit.
Then, on Dec. 15, the Jonesboro congregation held a meeting in which over 600 members voted in favor of disaffiliation from the UMC.
The regional body responded by suspending First UMC Senior Pastor John Miles for holding the December meeting, the vote violated the UMC Book of Discipline.
Arkansas Bishop Gary Mueller said the meeting "was not authorized in accordance with our long-held church structure."
"I am deeply saddened that we find ourselves in the current situation," the bishop added. "No one wins, and we all lose; most of all, the Body of Christ and the mission to which Jesus calls us. I want to ask you to pray that hearts of peace will prevail and a positive way forward will be found."
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Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.
