United Methodist Conference files lawsuit against Highland Park United Methodist Church

The Horizon Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church has initiated legal action against Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas. Filed in Dallas County District Court on August 10, the lawsuit seeks judicial clarification regarding the congregation’s governing documents and the terms of a longstanding property deed. Conference officials stated that the legal filing followed several months of unsuccessful attempts to resolve these administrative disagreements through direct dialogue with the church's leadership.

In a video message released on August 26, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. expressed regret over the conflict, comparing his concern for the congregation to the Apostle Paul’s pastoral care for the church in Galatia. Bishop Saenz emphasized that the litigation is not intended to challenge the congregation’s history of ministry or its contributions to the denomination. Instead, he stated the dispute centers on the governance of the institution and the stewardship of church property. The bishop maintained that the conference is seeking to uphold the principle that church leaders act as temporary stewards rather than owners, asserting that the ultimate authority over the church belongs to Jesus Christ.