United Methodist Church Cuts Ties With Asbury Theological Seminary Over Marriage Dispute
The United Methodist Church has removed Asbury Theological Seminary from its list of approved schools, citing the 103-year-old institution's stance on traditional marriage. The decision marks a significant break between one of Methodism's most prominent seminaries and its parent denomination.
The United Methodist Church officially removed Asbury Theological Seminary from its approved schools list in late June 2026, ending a relationship that stretched back more than a century.
The denomination cited disagreements over the seminary's position on traditional marriage as the reason for the split. Asbury, founded in 1923 in Wilmore, Kentucky, has long been known for its evangelical and Wesleyan theological commitments.
The move comes as the UMC continues to navigate deep divisions over sexuality and marriage following years of internal debate. The denomination formally split in 2024, with more theologically conservative congregations departing to form the Global Methodist Church.
Asbury gained widespread attention in February 2023 when a chapel service at its affiliated undergraduate college sparked a weeks-long revival that drew tens of thousands of visitors from across the country.
Seminary officials have not yet issued a formal public response to the UMC's decision. Students currently enrolled at Asbury who are pursuing UMC ordination may need to transfer credits or seek alternative pathways to ministry credentials within the denomination.
The removal does not affect Asbury's accreditation or its ability to operate. The seminary remains affiliated with other Methodist and evangelical bodies and continues to enroll students from a wide range of Protestant traditions.
This decision reflects the broader realignment happening across mainline Protestant denominations as congregations and institutions sort out their positions on marriage, sexuality, and ordination standards.
