Oklahoma Supreme Court hears arguments in United Methodist disaffiliation cases
At 10 a.m. Thursday, the Oklahoma Supreme Court convened to hear arguments from the Oklahoma conference and representatives from Church of the Servant and First Church OKC.
The nine justices gave 25 minutes to OKUMC, then 30 minutes to the respondents, and five again for rebuttal to the OKUMC.
Attorney Ross Plourde argued that district and state courts should not have jurisdiction in deciding ecclesiastical issues in denominations.
Counsel for the two churches, Cheryl Plaxico, argued that the issue at hand was purely a property dispute, and should be the sole domain of the courts, citing unfair treatment by the conference.
Of concern for the justices is whether or not the Book of Discipline is a contract, which would then put it under the jurisdiction of the courts. Plourde argued that, though the Book of Discipline is a covenant, it is not a contract under United States contract law. Churches agree to ge governed by the Book of Discipline, which is updated every four years, when they become United Methodist churches.
The Supreme Court assumed jurisdiction in the case, with all nine judges concurring. Two justices are special appointees, as two recused themselves.
When the full opinion is made, it will be available on the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s website.