The United Methodist Church lost one-fourth of its U.S. churches in a recent schism, with conservatives departing over disputes on sexuality and theology.
Bishop John Wesley Yohanna of the United Methodist Church delivers a message to church members Dec. 10, 2023, at the church's headquarters in Jalingo, Nigeria, during a celebration of 100 years of Methodism in the country. The bishop invited the congregation to remember the early missionaries and the sacrifices they made. But separately, he has said the Nigeria church may split from the denomination over differences on ordination of LGBTQ people and same-sex marriage. of its U.S.
But Jefferson Knight, also a delegate from Liberia, opposes disaffiliation. He said a schism would amount to forsaking the rich spiritual legacy of the UMC in Africa and would severe its valuable international bonds. Today, members from four continents vote at legislative gatherings, serve on boards together, go on mission trips to each others’ countries and are largely governed by the same rules. U.S. churches help fund international ministries, such as Africa University in Zimbabwe.
Opponents say overseas churches already can disaffiliate under church rules – and some conferences in Eastern Europe have taken such steps. But proponents say the process is too cumbersome. That year, “the traditionalists won the vote but they lost the church” said the Rev. Mark Holland, executive director of Mainstream UMC, which advocates for lifting the church-wide bans and for a “regionalization” proposal allowing each region to decide on such rules.by electing more progressive delegates to the upcoming General Conference.
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As a landmark United Methodist gathering approaches, African churches weigh their future.The United Methodist Church lost one-fourth of its U.S. churches in a recent schism, with conservatives departing over disputes on sexuality and theology. Now the question is whether the church can avert a similar outcome elsewhere in the world, where about half its members live.
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