"[5][10][11] Congregations that left the UMC to form the Global Methodist Church opposed recognition of same-sex marriage and the ordination of non-celibate gay clergy.

Supporters of the Traditional Plan (who were aligned with the traditionalist caucuses), citing the Book of Discipline, succeeded in passing their proposal with a delegate vote of 438 to 384.

[24] Prior to the April vote, discussion of possible schisms over gay issues had grown following a February special session that recommended the Traditional Plan.

[30] The denomination's name was chosen in the spirit of a quote from the father of Methodism, John Wesley, who stated with regard to evangelism, that "The world is my parish.

In August and September of that year, the UMC General Conference was expected to vote on the proposal referred to as the "Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation".

[31][32] However, Reverend Keith Boyette, chairman of the Transitional Leadership Council of the Global Methodist Church, published a letter in January 2022 that expressed concern this General Conference would also be delayed.

[37] They selected Jay Therrell of Florida as their leader, replacing Keith Boyette of Virginia, who will remain in as a member of the GMC's leadership.

[49] The church also selected Mike Schafer of Texas as its first connectional operations officer, the lead staff member for the denomination, succeeding Keith Boyette, who retired after holding the role on a transitional basis.

The Romania-Bulgaria Conference had already voted to leave the UMC,[37] and in June the Evangelical Methodist Church in Zagreb, Croatia, joined as a member congregation of the GMC.