Many local United Methodist churches have found themselves in a position to either abandon the buildings and assets that they have stewarded for years or to litigate. Many churches, like Fifth Avenue UMC, have chosen to make their appeal in court.

The lawyer representing them is Gavin Parsons. He took some time today to help me to understand a recent decision of an appeals court to compel a trial court to hear their case.

They had previously been dismissed, but the dismissal was odds, given the particulars of the case. We cover those particulars, as well as the implications for other local churches wanting out, in this conversation.

For the recent appeals court decision and rationale: https://law.justia.com/cases/north-carolina/court-of-appeals/2024/23-1013.html

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