Nixon United Methodist Church to serve as Lighthouse Congregation
Over the past few years, the United Methodist Church has been caught in a schism over its stance on LGBTQ rights, and thousands of churches worldwide have been caught in the crossfire — including those in Butler County.
The dividing line isn’t just running between congregations. It’s running right through the pews of individual churches, separating people who had long worshipped together.
Those who come up on the short end of a disaffiliation vote face the dilemma of whether stay or go.
The splintering — often grievous and tense — has spurred new initiatives to provide havens for the unmoored. Some United Methodist regional conferences have begun designating “Lighthouse” congregations — ones that actively welcome people who wanted to stay United Methodist but whose former churches voted to leave. Other conferences use different names, such as “Beacon” or “Oasis,” but the idea is the same.
Nixon United Methodist Church on Airport Road is among those churches that have chosen to — not only stay loyal to the United Methodist Church — but also welcome families from churches that make the decision to break away.
