United Methodist Insight Exclusive
United Methodist Insight asked Bishop John Schol to respond to reports about his visit to United Methodists in Nigeria, where former bishop John Wesley Yohanna and his cabinet announced July 29 that they had left The United Methodist Church for the Global Methodist Church. Bishop Schol provided the following account via email Friday morning (Aug. 2). It has been edited for readability only and is verbatim from the bishop's email.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Bishop Schol refutes reports that he was "held hostage" during his visit.
Bishop John Schol
The people of Nigeria are passionate in their faith and conviction and have been one of the fastest growing church in the world. The grew from 28,000 in 1968 to as many as 1,000,000 in 2014. Since 2015 they have reduced to more than 600,000 because of people leaving the Nigeria Episcopal Area due to concerns about leadership.
Bishop John Schol traveled to Nigeria to support former bishop, Yohanna in conducting four special annual conference sessions to share the Path Forward Covenant (see attached) and to elect new conference leadership. This Covenant was agreed to by John Wesley Yohanna, West Africa College of Bishops’ leadership and members of the Council of Bishops. A key part of the Covenant was the election of new leadership following General Conference as required by The Book of Leadership.
The election of leadership has been in contention since 2021 when new leaders were “elected” that supported John Wesley Yohanna and movement to align with a breakaway denomination. The cabinet was resistant to the election of new leadership, most likely because many in Nigeria want to stay UMC and likely the cabinet did not have the votes to elect leadership to support going with a breakaway denomination. This was a particular concern because Bishop Yohanna’s term was completed in December and a new Bishop would be elected.
Bishop Schol upon his arrival was to meet with Bishop Yohanna and the main complainant about how the special sessions would proceed, then the cabinet, Path Forward Team and finally delegates who had gathered the night before the special session. The meeting with Bishop Yohanna and the main complainant went very well and there was agreement about how to proceed.
In the second meeting, the cabinet as a whole bullied Bishop Schol verbally and two superintendents pushed and shoved Bishop Schol. The cabinet would not allow Bishop Schol to meet with the Path Forward Covenant Team, a group of 20 laity and clergy from across Nigeria to listen to people over six months about their hopes and direction, and to meet with the delegates.
In the guest house, the cabinet blocked the exit so Bishop Schol could not leave. Bishop Schol further listened to the concerns of the cabinet and indicated that we would revisit the visits in the morning. The next morning Bishop Schol met with several of the delegates one to one or in small groups. The cabinet was firm in their decision.
The cabinet brought 250 delegates (annual conference session delegates) into the mission compound who they believed were supportive to their cause. Another 500 delegates gathered outside the compound. At some point someone called the police. The 250 delegates outside the guest house were beginning to be agitated and wanted to see Bishop Schol.
The police believed there was a potential for a clash between the delegates inside the compound and those outside the compound (those who wanted to remain UMC). The asked Bishop Schol to meet with four leaders from each group to diffuse any tension. Bishop Schol felt it was best to meet with both groups individually. The cabinet protested any meeting. Later the police said it is important for Bishop Schol to meet with the group outside the guest house. The police asked Bishop Schol to pack his things and then they escorted Bishop Schol outside. People held signs that said "no LGBTQ in Nigeria" and "no regionalization."
The crowd calmed down and Bishop Schol explained his purpose and desire to assist the delegates to make decisions for themselves. They began to cheer. When Bishop Schol finished speaking, he went down to greet the crowd and people pressed forward to shake his hand. As the police escorted him to a vehicle, people continued to shake his hand and thank him.
As Bishop Schol left the compound the 500 delegates cheered to see Bishop Schol and that he was all right. Later the 500 delegates and 150 of the 250 delegates met together and agreed they wanted to see the following:
- The Path Forward Covenant move forward.
- Nigeria stay in the UMC.
- Bishop Yohanna be replaced.
Bishop Schol says that he recognized the tension and worked to diffuse the tension. He felt support and appreciation from the delegates. He expresses deep appreciation for the people of Nigeria and their concern for the future of the church.