Mt. Bethel Church — Church Directory

Quick Facts

Pastor — the shepherd God holds accountable Rev. Dr. Jody Ray (CEO and Lead Preacher; senior pastor since 2016)

Founded Historic congregation; left UMC 2021-2022

Denomination Independent Methodist (post-UMC, NOT GMC-affiliated)

Service Times See website (Traditional + Modern Worship)

Men's Ministry No

Kids Ministry Yes

Website www.mtbethel.org

Pastor Credentials D.Min; surrendered UMC clergy credentials in protest 2021; led congregation through $13.1M settlement to independence 2022

10-Point Theological Scorecard

Christology

Is Jesus the only way? (John 14:6)

Orthodox

Strong

Scripture

Inerrancy affirmed? Final authority?

Inerrancy affirmed

Strong

Men's Discipleship

Intentional formation for men?

Verify men's ministry presence

Caution

Soteriology

Faith alone? How is salvation presented?

Wesleyan Arminian

Strong

Gender / Biblical Design

Biblical manhood and womanhood by God's design — patriarchal, complementarian, egalitarian, or affirming gender ideology?

Traditional Methodist patriarchal-leaning structure preserved through schism

Traditional Methodist patriarchal structure preserved through schism

Strong

Leadership Structure

Male elders/pastors? Accountability?

Strong: led by Ray through 7+ years of denominational conflict to independence

Strong

Preaching Style

Expository or topical/therapeutic?

Active preaching ministry under Ray as Lead Preacher

Strong

Mission Clarity

Great Commission central?

10,000+ members; 2,300+ avg attendance pre-schism

Strong

Cultural Alignment

DEI/CRT language? Social justice crowding out gospel?

Notable post-UMC stand: Ray surrendered clergy credentials rather than accept reassignment under UMC progressive bishop. Strong cultural alignment on biblical sexuality.

Strong

Accountability Structure

Denominational home, elder plurality, or external network — is the pastor answerable to anyone?

YELLOW: Independent post-UMC; NOT GMC-affiliated. No connectional accountability — strong on autonomy, weak on external denominational checks.

Caution

Assessment

Mt. Bethel Church Marietta GA is one of the most prominent post-UMC independent megachurches. Senior Pastor Dr. Jody Ray (since 2016) was reassigned by UMC Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson in 2021; he surrendered his UMC clergy credentials in protest, the congregation gathered ~4,700 signatures, and the church ultimately paid ~$13.1M in a 2022 settlement to leave the UMC with property. Importantly, Mt. Bethel did NOT join the GMC — it operates as an independent Methodist congregation. ~10,000 members, 2,300+ avg attendance. The pastor's and congregation's deliberate stand against UMC progressive leadership is theologically substantive. Yellow denominational reflects post-schism independence with no connectional accountability — the autonomy is sometimes a weakness, sometimes a strength.

#independent-methodist#post-umc#post-umc-schism#marietta#georgia#megachurch#jody-ray-leadership#disaffiliated-2022#independent-not-gmc#verified-2026

MOOP Engagement Tracker

How this church was personally verified by the MOOP directory team:

✓ Researched church website