Religion · Atlantic City, NJ Metro · September 29, 2026
South Jersey Churches Appeal Ruling in Fight to Exit UMC Conference
Seven South Jersey congregations are appealing a court ruling in their effort to leave the Greater New Jersey Conference of the United Methodist Church, according to the Burlington County Times. The churches sued in January 2024 in Cumberland County Superior Court in Bridgeton, saying the conference's support for same-sex marriage and gay clergy prompted their desire to depart, and objecting to what they call "ransom"-like conditions the conference set for them to keep their church properties. In May, Judge Robert Malestein granted summary judgment for the conference, ruling that a secular court cannot resolve what is fundamentally an ecclesiastical dispute within a hierarchical church, and that interpreting the UMC's Book of Discipline would violate the First Amendment. The churches appealed June 19; the case is now before the Appellate Division and has been assigned to a confidential settlement program. Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi stated that no rule currently allows congregations to leave with their buildings, noting that provision expired December 31, 2023, and said she is meeting with the congregations to address their concerns.
Source: Burlington County Times
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Why Bible-Believing Christians Should Care
This case shows what happens when a denomination's governing body adopts positions—affirming same-sex marriage and ordaining clergy in same-sex relationships—that directly contradict the historic biblical teaching the denomination was founded to uphold. Congregations that hold to Scripture's teaching on marriage and sexuality now find themselves fighting in civil court simply to leave with property they built and funded, facing conditions their lawsuit calls a ransom. Christians should recognize that a denomination's name and reputation can persist long after its governing structures have departed from the biblical positions members assume it still holds, and that exit provisions matter far more once doctrine has already shifted.
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. — Genesis 2:24
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From the book
Governance as defense, applying Counter-Rule 8. Rule 8 depends on the ability of activists to bring endless motions and resolutions to disrupt governance. The answer is hardening the structure. Governance documents should prevent small minorities from hijacking the agenda. That means super-majority requirements for changing doctrinal standards and property clauses that protect a local congregation's assets from a predatory hierarchy.
— Chapter 17, “Defensive Strategy”
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