After the United Methodist Church voted to keep the status quo when it came to its opposition of same-sex marriage and gay clergy, local congregations are wondering where the denomination may go next. The “traditional plan” was passed by a 53-47 percent margin after the “One Church” option which would have given individual congregations more flexibility on the issues was defeated on Monday. Rev. Michael Morris of Cavalry UMC in Egg Harbor and Gibraltar’s Zion UMC  said before the vote took place that if a split happens, so be it.

If a break-up does occur, it would come almost 51 years after the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church merged to form the current UMC.