Over 6,000 conservative congregations of the United Methodist Church, about one-fifth of the total number in the U.S., are preparing to leave the denomination over rifts about the role of LGBTQIA people in the church. This comes amid growing defiance of the church’s policies prohibiting same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQIA people. More conservative members decided to launch the separate Global Methodist Church as states like Texas, Alabama, Kentucky and Ohio have seen the largest number of departures. Progressive congregations are expected to propose new church laws that allow same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ people in 2024.