Highland Park United Methodist Church denominational split

Leaders of the Highland Park United Methodist Church (HPUMC) in Dallas, Texas, recommended that their congregation sever all ties with The United Methodist Church (UMC) following a legal dispute with the Horizon Texas Conference. The church council characterized the conference’s lawsuit regarding changes to governing documents as interference that “irrevocably broken the bond of trust.”

In late October 2026, the congregation voted overwhelmingly to separate, with 90.35% of the 4,775 participants supporting the decision. The church has begun identifying as Highland Park Methodist Church and aims to finalize the separation by December 1, 2026.

On October 29, 2026, Bishop Rubén Saenz Jr. of the Horizon Texas Conference appointed Reverend Andy Lewis as the new senior pastor of HPUMC. As part of this appointment, Saenz removed the current senior pastor, Matt Tuggle, and senior pastor emeritus Paul Rasmussen from their denominational roles. The Bishop asserted that the congregation’s vote does not legally sever its ties to the UMC and that the church remains a recognized congregation.

The local church council described the Bishop’s actions as retaliation. The dispute has resulted in two separate worship paths: members wishing to remain with the denomination will meet with Reverend Lewis at University Park United Methodist Church, while the local council will continue services at the Highland Park facility led by Matt Tuggle. Legal challenges regarding church governing documents and property ownership continue in Dallas County.