Highland Park Church Split: Two Congregations Plan Simultaneous Services
A 90% vote to leave the United Methodist Church triggered a legal dispute that has resulted in two competing services scheduled for Sunday in Dallas.
By Layla Richardson ·
Highland Park United Methodist Church and the newly named Highland Park Methodist Church will hold separate worship services at different Dallas locations this Sunday. The split follows a recent congregation vote to leave the United Methodist Church, a move that church leaders claim ended a broken bond of trust with the denomination.
The separation vote passed with more than 90% approval among 4,775 ballots cast earlier this week. The congregation, now operating as Highland Park Methodist Church, plans to finalize its departure from the denomination by December 1. They intend to continue worshipping with the same clergy at their regular facility on Hillcrest Road and Mockingbird Lane.
Bishop Ruben Saenz of the Texas Horizon League of the United Methodist Church contends the vote did not follow UMC policies and is therefore invalid. Saenz removed senior officials from the church and appointed Reverend Andy Lewis to lead the original entity, Highland Park United Methodist Church. Lewis will hold his service at the University Park United Methodist Church.
Saenz stated that the church remains under the denomination's umbrella until the legal dispute is resolved. In a recent video, he expressed optimism that the parties would honor their covenant and restore governing documents. "I believe there is a faithful path forward. And it begins with honoring the covenant we have made together and restoring the governing documents," Saenz said.
Dallas Morning News faith reporter Isabella Volmert noted that Saenz has created an officially sanctioned congregation by removing existing leaders. She reported that members who voted to leave remain concerned about their future but continue to trust their current pastors. Volmert observed that the removal of senior officials has deepened the divide between the two groups.
A non-jury trial between the two parties is set for October 2027. Highland Park Methodist Church leaders said they are confident in their legal position as they prepare for the upcoming services. The simultaneous worship events mark the first public divergence in the church's schedule since the vote.
