Arkansas United Methodist Conference and FUMCJ Settle Lawsuit
JONESBORO, Ark. – On August 28, 2024, First United Methodist Church of Jonesboro (FUMCJ) reached a resolution in the lawsuit filed by First Methodist Church (Petitioner FMC) in December 2022 against the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church. FUMCJ was involved as an intervenor in the case. The parties entered mediation and reached the following agreement:
- Petitioner FMC confirms it is not First United Methodist Church Jonesboro, Arkansas (FUMCJ), and has no rights to FUMCJ property or interests. - FUMCJ will hold all legal title to its real and personal property in trust for the United Methodist Church, as provided in The Book of Discipline. - Petitioner FMC, First Methodist Church of Jonesboro, Inc. and any entity using a specifically identified EIN will pay FUMCJ a cash settlement of $1.1 million. - Petitioner FMC relinquishes all claims to any estate or trust funds where FUMCJ is a beneficiary. - Petitioner FMC will cease using the domain fumcjonesboro.org which is an asset of FUMCJ. - Petitioner FMC assumes all FUMCJ’s debt, excluding mortgage indebtedness incurred prior to August 1, 2023. - Petitioner FMC will not use FUMCJ’s EIN, name, or related identifying information. - FUMCJ is responsible for paying the current mortgage balance on its property, and the mortgages and promissory notes with First Community Bank remain unaffected by Petitioner FMC’s lawsuit. - All claims in the lawsuit will be dismissed with prejudice, and a joint motion to dismiss will be filed within five business days of the settlement payment and fulfillment of the terms of this agreement. - The parties will take no action or make comments to disparage or harm any other party regarding the lawsuit or their settlement agreement.
FUMCJ Senior Pastor Michael Roberts is pleased with the settlement made in a spirit of grace and peace: “We are deeply grateful for the resolution of this matter, which allows our congregation to continue worshiping and serving in the place we call home. This church has been a beacon of faith for generations, and we are thankful that it will remain so for many more to come. As we move forward together, we hold fast to the words of Psalm 133:1, 'How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.' May we continue to be a light in our community, welcoming all, bound together in love and service to our Lord."
By Order of July 8, 2024, Judge Gary Arnold denied Petitioner FMC’s motion for summary judgment against the Arkansas Annual Conference and granted the Conference’s motion for summary judgment, dismissing Petitioner FMC’s claims against the Conference. He also denied Petitioner FMC’s motion for summary judgment against the intervenor, FUMCJ, and granted FUMCJ’s cross-motion for summary judgment, dismissing Petitioner FMC’s claims against FUMCJ. In summary, the United Methodists were allowed to remain in their historic property at 801 S. Main and were declared “the true First United Methodist Church of Jonesboro.” The property is held in trust for the United Methodist Church in accordance with the denomination’s Book of Discipline.
FUMCJ has a rich tradition of offering a wealth of outreach programs and ministries for the Jonesboro community and beyond, including Sunday School classes, youth programs, United Women in Faith, choir and other music ministries, Vacation Bible School, mission projects such as the Ozark Mission Project, and United Methodist Men. Living out the purpose, United in Christ, FUMCJ welcomes all, nurtures hope, and transforms lives, reflecting God’s grace in a shared journey of faith. Services are currently held on Sundays at 9:45 a.m. (modern style of worship) in Wesley Hall, with concurrent Sunday School and a classic style of worship in the Sanctuary at 11 a.m. Beginning September 15, modern worship will transition to 9:15 a.m., with Sunday School at 10:10 a.m.
