The United Methodist Church is suing Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, one of its largest and wealthiest congregations, over bylaw revisions that allegedly sever ties to the denomination. Highland Park, with over 19,000 Easter attendees and ties to figures like George W. Bush and Ross Perot, updated its bylaws in 2022 to gain autonomy in clergy hiring and remove references to the United Methodist Church and its Book of Discipline.

The Horizon Texas Annual Conference filed the suit, claiming the changes violate the denomination’s trust clause and constitute a quiet departure while maintaining a United Methodist facade. Highland Park’s leadership called the lawsuit unnecessary and unjust, passed a resolution rejecting the bishop’s authority, and stated the changes were made for legal protection during denominational uncertainty, citing a 2020 Texas Supreme Court case allowing property retention after denominational splits. Senior Minister Matt Tuggle confirmed he is under disciplinary review for undermining the bishop’s authority.