Dallas UMC megachurch sued by regional body says church was 'caught completely off-guard' by legal action

'This matter will be resolved and God's will will be done'

By Ian M. Giatti, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, August 13, 2026

Clergy and other leaders at a prominent Dallas megachurch say they were “caught completely off guard” by a lawsuit filed by a regional body of the United Methodist Church.  

In a video message shared with the congregation of Highland Park United Methodist Church (HPUMC), the Rev. Matt Tuggle explained why HPUMC leadership did not directly address the lawsuit filed by the Horizon Texas Conference.

“Many of you are probably wondering why you heard about this in the media first and not directly from us. There’s one reason for this,” Tuggle said in the Aug. 12 video emailed to members. “I want you to know that myself, our clergy, our staff and lay leadership were caught completely off guard by the filing of this lawsuit.”

Tuggle described the leadership team as “disappointed and bewildered” by the action. “We have been a faithful United Methodist Church and have always supported United Methodist leadership,” he said, noting that church leaders had met with Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. twice in the preceding week and offered proposals on “how to move forward together.” 

“At no point did the bishop give any indication that his staff had been preparing for legal action for several months and that a lawsuit was pending,” Tuggle said.

The Horizon Texas Conference filed a civil lawsuit on Aug. 10 in Dallas County District Court. It seeks court clarification on the church’s governing documents and a longstanding property deed.

Conference leaders allege that HPUMC’s Church Council changed the articles of incorporation and bylaws in 2022 and early 2023 without the knowledge of the congregation or the conference and without approval through a properly called charge conference, as required by the UMC Book of Discipline.

Those changes, according to the conference, removed longstanding references to The United Methodist Church, the conference and the Book of Discipline. The conference also contends the amendments limited members’ rights to participate in key decisions, including those affecting the church’s denominational affiliation, and altered how the Church Council and Pastoral Relations Committee are selected and exercise authority over pastors.

Bishop Saenz, who also serves as president of the UMC's Council of Bishops, has said the conference sought to resolve the matter privately since last fall, with efforts made in October, December and March.

"Despite these efforts, the parties were unable to reach an agreed resolution, leaving the Conference with no reasonable alternative but to seek judicial relief," the conference claimed in its amended petition.

Saenz has described the situation as "a challenging and important moment" for the church, the conference and the broader Wesleyan movement.

"In moments of consequential disagreement, we are called to treat one another with honesty, humility, care and grace," he said in a statement. He has also framed the conference's goal as restorative rather than punitive: "Our purpose is not punishment; it is restoration, bringing the original governance structure back into alignment with the Book of Discipline, so this church can move forward faithfully."

The conference maintains that HPUMC remains a United Methodist congregation within the Horizon Texas Conference and says it is acting to protect the congregation, the church's United Methodist identity and the sacred trust built by generations of members. It emphasizes that a "faithful path to resolution remains available" after months of unsuccessful efforts to resolve the matter privately.

HPUMC, one of the largest congregations in the conference with more than 16,000 members, has rejected the conference’s characterization. 

Calling the lawsuit “an unwarranted overreach” and “meritless,” Tuggle said HPUMC has continued to honor all commitments to the conference, including financial contributions, with payments made as recently as the previous week. The changes to corporate documents, he said, followed guidance from Texas court decisions in 2020 and were done “by the book and in the best interests of our church.”

“[Saenz] says that in times of disagreement, we’re called to treat one another with honesty, humility, care and grace, and we agree on that,” Tuggle said. “And that is how we have chosen to behave throughout this process, and how we will continue to approach this process with integrity, confidence, and faith. And I have great confidence that with God’s steadfast hand, this matter will ultimately be resolved, and God’s will will be done.”

He asked members to pray for the congregation, its leaders and conference leadership, while stressing that preparing for Sunday worship and ministering to the church family remains the priority.

In a separate statement released earlier this week, the Rev. Paul Rasmussen, HPUMC’s former longtime senior minister who now serves as minister-in-residence, called the lawsuit “among the more unnecessary and egregious betrayals of a loyal ministry partnership I’ve witnessed in 26 years as a United Methodist pastor.” He likened the conflict to the biblical story of Cain and Abel and said the claims in the suit are “outrageous and false,” leaving the corporate issues for the courts. 

The case remains pending in Dallas County District Court. Both sides have said they prefer a path toward resolution while continuing to affirm their commitment to integrity, care and the mission of the church.