Southern Methodist University Wants to Sever Ties to Its Church. Can the Church Stop It?

On Wednesday, the Texas Supreme Court heard arguments in a case concerning Southern Methodist University’s (SMU) attempt to separate from the United Methodist Church (UMC). Established in Dallas in the early 20th century by Methodists, the university has sought independence since 2019 amidst disputes within the church over gay clergy and same-sex marriage.https://wordpress.com/

The core issue in the case is whether control of the university rests with its governing board or the church that founded it, embedding its ownership into the school’s bylaws. The ruling could determine if SMU, a significant Methodist institution, will retain its ties to the nation’s second-largest Protestant denomination.

During the hearing in Austin, the justices expressed caution about permitting the separation. Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock noted the long-standing relationship between the university and the church, referring to SMU’s legal strategy as “clever lawyering.” He remarked, “I find it hard to see how equity supports validating this kind of move through the courts.”

SMU revised its articles of incorporation in 2019, naming its board as the “ultimate authority,” effectively replacing the regional church governing body responsible for overseeing congregations in Texas and seven other states. Historically, the university’s articles stated it would be “forever owned, maintained, and controlled” by the church conference. The conference responded with a lawsuit, asserting the university lacked the authority to sever ties without approval. Although a district judge sided with SMU in 2021, an appeals court overturned the decision.

Allyson N. Ho, representing SMU, argued that the school’s actions complied with Texas corporate law, emphasizing that the changes aligned the bylaws with state regulations for nonprofits. Publicly, however, SMU has cited doctrinal disagreements within the UMC as a reason for separation, particularly issues surrounding gay rights, which they claimed hindered the school’s ability to attract students from diverse backgrounds.

In 2019, as the UMC reinforced bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ clergy, SMU’s stance on non-discrimination—including sexual orientation and gender identity—clashed with church policy. President R. Gerald Turner indicated the need to sever formal ties before anticipated schisms in the denomination.

Since then, the UMC has reversed its policies, allowing same-sex marriage and LGBTQ clergy as of 2024. However, these changes came after significant fragmentation within the church, with some congregations leaving to join the newly formed Global Methodist Church, which opposes such inclusivity.

Justice Debra Lehrmann suggested the dispute might no longer be necessary given the UMC’s policy changes. However, Sawnie McEntire, counsel for the church, argued that SMU had already cut ties irreparably, dismissing their reasoning as doctrinal disagreement.

A spokesperson for SMU declined to comment on the ongoing litigation.

SMU was initially envisioned as a flagship Methodist institution west of the Mississippi. Although its practical connections to the church have waned over time, the relationship remains symbolically significant. Rev. Dr. Derrek Belase of the South Central Jurisdiction Mission Council noted that losing the church connection risks eroding the Methodist character central to SMU’s identity.

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, supporting the church, argued that allowing SMU to unilaterally break away undermines the principle of church autonomy and could lead to government interference in ecclesiastical matters.

While many U.S. universities with religious origins, such as Vanderbilt University, have severed ties with their founding denominations, SMU’s bylaws were designed to prevent a similar outcome. In the century since its founding, SMU has grown significantly, with over 12,000 students, a $2 billion endowment, and achievements such as hosting George W. Bush’s presidential library and joining the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Last week, SMU announced that Jay Hartzell, the current president of the University of Texas at Austin, would become its next president, marking another milestone in its development.