UMC African Bishops Repudiate WCA, Africa Initiative

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UPDATED Sept 14, 2022

MUTARE, Zimbabwe – A majority of The United Methodist Church (UMC) bishops in Africa have condemned the Africa Initiative group and the Wesleyan Covenant Association (WCA) for spreading falsehoods about The United Methodist Church in Africa.

On Sept. 14, the Africa Initiative issued a four-page reaction to the bishops' statement. (See details below).

At the Sept. 8 close of their meeting at Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe, the bishops declared that they would have nothing to do with both the Africa Initiative and WCA as those two groups are now working for and promoting Global Methodist Church, a denomination that has not been approved by the General Conference of the UMC.

Editor's note: Absent from the list of endorsers was Bishop John Wesley Yohanna of the Nigeria Episcopal Area. For several years, Bishop Yohanna has been in conflict with a group of pastors and laypeople who have accused him of working to take the Nigeria Area into the Global Methodist Church. His administration currently is being reviewed by the West Africa College of Bishops, headed by Bishop Benjamin Boni of Cote d'Ivoire, because of multiple complaints lodged against him.

On Sept. 9, a loyalist group, Africa Voice of Unity, issued a statement suporting the bishops' action.

"We celebrate the courage of our African bishops who, in coming out to make such a bold statement, have declared their willingness to lead us in the United Methodist Church beyond the next General Conference," the statement read.  "Their act of boldness is an example for all people of faith of what it means to embody one’s faith and leadership with wholeness and integrity.

"We affirm the call of our bishops to the Africa Initiative to desist from maliciously spreading false information about the United Methodist Church with an intent of wooing United Methodists in Africa into the Global Methodist Church," the statement continued. "We call on all United Methodist Conferences in Africa to rally around our bishops as they lead the Church in Africa to a sustainable future we all desire to see as United Methodists in Africa."

Read the full statement at the end of this article.

UPDATE: A UM News article by Eveline Chikwanah of Zimbabwe reported the following reactions from Bishop John Wesley Yohanna of Nigeria and Jay Therrell of the Wesleyan Covenant Association: 

Yohanna sent a brief statement by email to UM News, stating that while he respects his fellow African bishops’ views, he continues to support the Africa Initiative and WCA.

“The Africa Initiative and Wesleyan Covenant (Association) are pushing for obedience to the Bible and the Book of Discipline. Why should we not associate with them?” said Yohanna, who did not attend the meeting. Yohanna is a member of the United Methodist Commission on Communication, which oversees UM News.

Jay Therrell, the WCA's president, said the advocacy group and sister organizations have long worked together with African leaders as equal partners, and the WCA's Global Council has leaders from across the African continent.  

"We are deeply disappointed, but not surprised, by the statement purported to come from all the African bishops," he said. "We have been told the statement is not supported by all the bishops in Africa and lament that it insinuates that it is."

He added that the WCA believes "strong-arm control tactics by some African bishops infringe upon the Christian freedom of their members to speak into the current and future direction of The United Methodist Church and their role in it. We remain committed to working with theologically conservative Methodists across the continent of Africa to empower their witness to the faith and their right to make informed decisions about their future in the church."

The Africa Initiative issued a response Sept. 13 to the African bishops' statement. The Africa Initiative statement opens:

"However, we are shocked, surprised, and ashamed that some of our episcopal leaders (some have written to disassociate themselves from the allegations) would devote their valued annual gathering, not to address vital issues confronting the church in Africa, but on allegations against the Africa Initiative without making any inquiries of its leaders of their concerns. Contrary to the so said call for unity, they released a declaration of war. During the tenure of the late Bishop John K. Yambasu of the Sierra Leone Area, he always extended invitation to the leadership of the Initiative to the annual gatherings of the Africa College of Bishops to offer briefings. At such forums, episcopal leaders made inquiries of the Initiative’s activities, and provided guidance. Contrary to that approach, the current leadership of the College of Bishops selected to discredit the Initiative and levy allegations without any due process, consistent with our Book of Discipline (BOD, 2016, Para. 2701-2719). This is unfortunate. Whatever the misunderstandings, we could have settled them around the “fire hart or under the palaver hut” where African elders and their subjects meet to settle their disputes. Instead, some of our leaders decided to go public with unauthenticated allegations."

The statement is signed by several Africa Initiative leaders including its general coordinator, the Rev. Dr. Jerry Kulah of Liberia. Read the full statement.

Here is the text of the bishops' statement, which can be downloaded here:

STATEMENT FROM AFRICA COLLEGES OF BISHOPS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2022

AFRICA UNIVERSITY, MUTARE, ZIMBABWE

Whereas we, the Bishops of The United Methodist Church in Africa, remain committed to the teachings of the Bible and to the doctrines of our Christian faith and heritage;

Whereas the Africa Initiative was created to advocate for African causes, issues and representation in The United Methodist Church agencies and gatherings such as the General Conference;

Whereas the Africa Initiative has lost its original goal of helping The United Methodist Church in Africa;

Whereas the Africa Initiative is now working with Wesleyan Covenant Association to destroy our United Methodist Church;

And whereas the Africa Initiative is working with and supporting the Global Methodist Church, a denomination that has not been recognized by the General Conference;

Therefore, we, the Bishops of The United Methodist Church in Africa, declare the following:

  • We will dissociate from any activities of the Africa Initiative and will not allow any activities of the Africa Initiative in our areas.
  • We will not allow or entertain any activities of the Wesleyan Covenant Association who are wrongly influencing God’s people in our areas.
  • We will not tolerate anyone giving false information about The United Methodist Church in our areas.

We will continue to be shepherds of all of God’s people throughout our beloved continent.

Bishops present:

Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa

Bishop Ntambo Nkulu Ntanda

Bishop José Quipungo

Bishop Daniel Lunge

Bishop Owan Kasap

Bishop Daniel Wandabula

Bishop Samuel Quire

Bishop Mande Muyombo

The statement is supported by other African Bishops who were not present:

Bishop Benjamin Boni

Bishop Gabriel Unda

Bishop Warner Brown

Bishop Joaquina Nhanala

Bishop Gaspar João Domingos

This article was created with information from the Rev. Dr. Maidstone Mulenga, director of communications for the United Methodist Council of Bishops. Insight Editor Cynthia B. Astle contributed the editor's note and updates in this article.