Decide

Community Forums

We consider our small group forums during summer 2022 among the most valuable interactions for our leadership team to gain member insights and input during the disaffiliation phase. Because of the success of these events, we are planning a new series of community forums as we enter phase two — the discernment phase of future affiliation. This page will be updated with event details as they become available.

Final vote results: 2,678 FOR disaffiliation — 96.3%

Congregational Vote Update - August 7, 2022

Thank you for your interest in the special called church conference held on Sunday afternoon, August 7, 2022. More than 3,000 people, nearly one quarter of the congregation’s 14,231 members, filled the Sanctuary and Harvest Worship Center to cast ballots in the vote after completing the required period of denominational discernment that began on June 8, 2022.

The ballots were collected, counted and certified by the independent accounting firm of Harper Pearson, Company, PC, of Houston, Texas.

2,678 members voted in favor of disaffiliation — 96.3% of the total ballots cast.

Following the vote, Senior Pastor Mark Sorensen commented, “I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude for each one of you — for your faithfulness and for your bold support of our ministry together here at The Woodlands Methodist Church. So, thank you for showing up today. Thank you for filling our worship spaces. And thank you for casting a ballot. Our congregational vote was a success because of your involvement and your support of our shared mission to Win People to Jesus Christ, Disciple Them in Faith, and Help Those in Need.

Sorensen went on, “For us, disaffiliation was just the first step in a multistep process that includes discernment and then future affiliation. With this vote behind us, we are truly able to move forward in faith. I couldn’t be more excited or expectant for our next season of ministry together.” Watch pastor Mark’s post-vote video message here.

Member Small Group Forums

Join us for a discernment overview and panel discussion with pastors and lay leaders in our church.

Advanced registration is required

Seating is limited at each small group forum to keep the gatherings more personal. Child care is available at select forums.

Advanced question submission

We want to be adequately prepared to answer your questions, so please submit them in the form field included on your registration form at the links below. The deadline for submitting questions with your registration is seven days prior to each event. We will do our best to get to all the questions, but we cannot guarantee they will be answered at the forum if submitted after the seven-day advanced deadline.

Forum 1 — The Church at Woodforest
Wednesday, July 27 | 6:00 p.m. | Worship Center

Complete

Forum 2 — The Woodlands Campus
Saturday, July 30 | 11:00 a.m. | Asbury Hall, Main Building

Complete

Forum 3 — The Woodlands Campus
Monday, August 1 | 6:00 p.m. | Asbury Hall, Main Building

Complete

Forum 4 — The Woodlands Campus
Thursday, August 4 | 6:00 p.m. | Loft Worship Center

Complete

Forum 5 — The Woodlands Campus
Friday, August 5 | 6:00 p.m. | Asbury Hall, Main Building

Complete