Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow) – April 22, 2024 – Special Judge Gary Arnold Monday ruled that the congregation of First United Methodist Church Jonesboro can continue to occupy church property at 801 South Main Street.

A post on the First United Methodist Church Facebook page read “Judge Arnold denies Petitioner’s motion for summary judgment against the Arkansas Annual Conference, grants Conference motion for summary judgment. Also the judge denies the Petitioner’s motion for summary judgement against the intervenor, First United Methodist Church of Jonesboro, grants FUMC-J cross-motion for summary judgment against the Petitioner.”

The dispute began July 31, 2022 when the Jonesboro congregation voted 944 to 412 to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church. At the time the Jonesboro congregation was the second largest United Methodist church in the state. The members voting to disaffiliate believed they were entitled to the church property. However, the United Methodist North Arkansas Conference (the Methodist governing body) voted against approving the disaffiliation. Judge Arnold eventually ruled that the group desiring to remain affiliated with the United Methodist Church were entitled to occupy it. At that time the group desiring disaffiliation began worshipping in facilities on the Arkansas State University campus.

On a Facebook video posted today, Rev. John Miles, senior pastor of First Methodist Church Jonesboro (the congregation meeting on the A-State campus) said today’s ruling is what he expected. “We believe the judge is in error, we believe we have a strong case,” Miles said. “We have our appeal all set up and we will proceed with that appeal.”