Remembrances of the old Methodist church under the Cattle Creek Camp site shed. Photo Lisa Rudisill
The United Methodist Church has officially split. 113 South Carolina Methodist churches officially left the ranks of Methodism and declared themselves “non-denominational churches.” This break-up comes after administrative leadership of the South Carolina conferences of the second largest national denomination—Methodism—declared their member churches would be given the choice to remove from United Methodist membership and keep their independent properties, this choice being open for a specific period of time.
This is a huge movement among an American religious community unlike any we have ever seen in the entire history of our nation! A similar schism in the Methodist denomination has taken place in South Carolina’s sister state of North Carolina recently.
The United Methodist Church formed in 1968 from the union of Methodist denominations that split over slavery in the 1800’s. All the Methodist churches sprang out of the Methodist Episcopal Church which separated from the Church of England in 1784.
The split comes after years of turmoil in Methodism—nationally–over issues primarily of supporting gay/LGBTQ pastors and marriages within the denomination. In fact, for several decades, many smaller and more rural churches, along with portions of urban membership, have questioned a denominational movement led by national leaders into a generally more liberal Biblical and world view not in keeping with these members. The split has only widened in recent years with the acceptance of openly gay pastors and leaders and the performances of actual same sex marriages in some Methodist churches.
What a sad week in church history!
I became aware as a child from my mother who was born in Branchville (Orangeburg County) of the Cattle Creek Campground. Remotely located, the campground features wooden “tents”–so called because the gathering began with the pitching of tents by families each year like the Bible instructs to commemorate the Israelites in the desert, so that all generations would remember their exodus from Egypt. It became a special time for local children and families in my mother’s times, especially around the time of the Depression when any joyful times were appreciated.
The wooden “tents” in long buildings were constructed in a type of semi-circle. In the center now stands Cattle Creek Methodist Church, a small historic church, and the “Meeting Tent” in the center, a revival shelter. For days or more, Methodists who travelled from quite some distance (by horse and buggy in earlier days) would bring their families to share in the preaching, singing, and fellowship of the Camp Meeting.
How innocent and family-friendly are these Camp Meetings! When my Mom told us of her great fun as a child at Camp Meetings in the 1920’s and 1930’s, she spoke with such excitement and joy. You could tell how much these religious Methodist gatherings meant to her. It touched my heart.
CattleCreekMeetingTent.JPG
Cattle Creek Camp Meeting began in 1792 and it is nearly as old as America itself. A similar Methodist Camp Meeting also began north of Charlotte around the same time. Other Methodist Camp Meetings (smaller and more local) have grown into “Assemblies”–a more modernized denominational “vacation together,” with conferences and preaching and singing at events held annually.
I feel fairly certain that the conservative-minded Methodists who attend and support these historic campgrounds will keep them intact for the future—especially South Carolina’s Cattle Creek Campground. But the larger denomination is a real question.
What will become of the Methodist Church in America, whose great founders Reverend John Wesley and hymnist brother Charles came from England to plant congregations and spread a “free denomination” (the English church persecuted all dissenters in the early 1700’s)? Their “Good News” Gospel grew across America into such a great church denomination touching so many millions of lives. It is hard to know the crystal ball future for this mainline denomination in America, but it seems clear that liberal, “woke,” sexuality-confusion-spreading groups, even within the church itself, have created great harm and division within this major Protestant denomination. With those who practice Christian worship feeling more and more threatened each day in America, what will such awful divisions do to our religious heart? Will Americans be able to keep their faith going strong as independent, non-denominational churches or will this dis-union of sister churches make outside attacks more dangerous—and make gatherings of church groups even MORE at risk?
Lisa C. Rudisill, M.T.S., is a magna cum laud graduate of NC State University and Liberty University where she earned a Master of Theology. She writes novels about her family history during the Civil War in North and South Carolina. She is a freelance writer, editorialist and a contributor to The Standard newspaper. Please “like”, comment, share with a friend, and donate to support The Standard on this page to assure the continued availability of news that is ignored too often by the dominant media.
The bulk of TheStandardSC video media channel has been censored by dominant social media groups like YouTube. YouTube, owed by Alphabet (Google), removed and destroyed all of our video work without permission or remuneration. That has stopped all potential donations from our many supporters on that venue. If you want to continue to see independent thought and reports please “like”, comment, share with a friend, and donate to support The Standard on this page to assure the continued availability of news that is ignored too often by the dominant media.
Independent journalism is more critical than ever at this time in our country when it seems the dominant media has taken control of the national and local narrative with a leftist agenda. When you support The Standard, you support independent media and freedom of the press at a time when all our Liberties are under attack! Join us now and support freedom of the press! Would you click the donation button now? You can help get critical information into the hands of your friends and neighbors for as little as $1 a month! A monthly donation of $25, $100, $500 or more, helps alert local churches, businesses, and others in our community of the pending dangers confronting us and are heading our way. Please help us ring the bell of truth and Liberty today and make a donation to The Standard!
RSS - Posts