Pete, at our meeting last night, it was explained to us by the district superintend and this is Iowa, and it may be different in different states with the United Methodist church, real-estate, and other assets are "held in trust" by the local church. Held in trust but owned by the head body.
My suspicion is the main church organizations is finding the paying of current and retired clergy salaries and retirement money. Closing churches and selling that real estate off to get the money is the game plan.. Remember religion is a business.
