Federal Judge Rules Against Breakaway Methodist Church in Property Battle with UMC

A federal judge has ruled that a regional body of the United Methodist Church is the rightful owner of an Arkansas church property that once belonged to a congregation that disassociated from the conference in 2022. 

The UMC Arkansas Annual Conference announced Tuesday that Special Circuit Judge Gary Arnold ruled in their favor, meaning the breakaway First Methodist Church could be ousted from the property it called home.

Permanent possession of the historic church campus located at 801 S. Main St. in Jonesboro, Arkansas has been granted to the Arkansas Conference,” the denominational group stated. 

Pastor John Miles told his congregation that the decision meant they would not be able to occupy the property “for the foreseeable future.”

“Although I am discouraged, this is what I expected,” Miles said in a video message this week. “Our judge has been quite clear that he did not think we had a case from the beginning. Now, I just want to be absolutely clear with you we believe he’s in error. We believe we have a strong case. We have our appeal all set up, and we will proceed with that appeal.”  

He said that despite losing their facility, they will continue to

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