The Delay of the General Conference: A Blessing in Disguise for Africa

by

Special to United Methodist Insight

The postponement of the General Conference (GC) of the Global Giant, the United Methodist Church (UMC), from May 2020 and now penciled for August/September 2022 affected the life of the Church in one way or the other. That as it may, the delay due to the havoc caused by the covid 19 pandemic worldwide, can also be viewed positively, for it gives Africa time to act. The delay gives the UMC in Africa ample time to understand, and relay correct information to her members about what is taking place in this global giant amid propaganda that is circulating, meant to confuse people. Therefore, the delay, though with the pains that come with it, is actually a blessing in disguise for Africa.  

A blessing in disguise

One must acknowledge that the postponement of the GC brought with it pains and anxieties as the Church is kept in waiting, anticipating what is likely to happen once the GC finally sits. However, on the brighter side, the delay is a blessing for the UMC in Africa, and probably other parts of the world besides the United States of America. It is a blessing because it gives Africa time to understand what is really taking place in this global church, the UMC. One can only imagine what would have happened had the 2020 GC taken place as scheduled and the split would have taken place. Surely, the UMC in Africa would have been caught off guard without adequate information to really understand what would have taken place. The church in Africa would have been placed in a chaotic situation because of lack of information of the dynamics at play.

Africa, you may ask, why predict a chaotic church full of confusion? Here is the answer: At this very moment, few clergy members in our conferences across Africa understand what is really going on in the UMC. And we are not talking of any other clergy; we are talking of the ordained elders in the church who are unaware of what is going on. Worse still, the majority of our laity is in total darkness, only a handful of our laity is aware of the wind of change that is approaching.

Lack of information spells disaster for Africa because the few who are knowledgeable may take advantage of the situation to manipulate innocent church members. This may result in members making uninformed decisions, and this will not be good for the church. Therefore, the delay gives Africa adequate time to act and inform her members of what is really taking place in the UMC.

What does the delay mean for Africa?

The delay gives Africa a chance to disseminate correct information of what is going on in the UMC to her membership in its entirety right down to the grassroots. It is every member’s right to know the truth of what is going on in the church. This should not be a preserve only for the few, but the debate must be taken to everyone without any form of segregation. Africa must not create a situation where only the few who are knowledgeable of what is happening will make decisions for the majority of her members because of lack of information.  

The delay means Africa must not waste time but get into action and make sure that the debate is taken right down to the local church level. Even the least of the members in rural areas have the right to know what is going on explained to them in their own languages and at their level of understanding. Denying members information won’t be healthy for the church, because eventually they will get to know the truth. And when they get to know the truth by themselves, one can foresee chaos in the church. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Truth pressed to earth shall rise again,” the truth will always prevail. Lies cannot stand the test of time and cannot last long. Africa must give her members the true picture of what is taking place, for it is “the truth that will set us all free.” Suppressing the truth won’t help you, Africa, give information to your people.

The Zimbabwe Episcopal Area must be commended for taking the initiative in discussing the Christmas Covenant and the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation, even though the debate was held for the top leadership only. But at least it is one step in the right direction. It is high time that other conferences across Africa must follow suit without any delay. The debate must now go to every corner of Africa.

A bitter pill to swallow

The truth about what is transpiring in the UMC today may be a bitter pill to swallow for others, but the truth needs to be known by every member through correct information. Why this assertion? It may be a struggle for some to let the members know the truth because of personal interests. The lack of interest in giving her members information by Africa may be seen as a deliberate move to advance individual interests and will upon innocent members. As discussed above that will be very dangerous; no matter how bitter the pill may be it must be swallowed. Regardless of what one believes in the current debate, when it comes to dissemination of information, it must be done faithfully without distorting facts. Africa, let the people decide what they want.

Dissemination of information must be neutral to the effect that the members will be able to make their own independent decisions based on true and correct information availed to them. It would be embarrassing for Africa for others to be labeled as “liars” when the people get to know the reality of what is taking place in the church on their own. So, to avoid such a scenario Africa must start giving her people correct information, just present the facts as they are. Africa must swallow her pride and start giving her members correct information without any delay.

Why is information being withheld?

The real reason why information is taking so long to get to your members, Africa, may not be very clear. One may not understand why delay the dissemination of such crucial information but can only speculate.

Africa is largely traditionalist and therefore is more likely to continue on this path should the impending split take place. This could be one of the reasons why information is not being given to Africa’s members in time. This may be a deliberate move by some African church leaders to catch her people by surprise where they must decide on crucial matters of their faith without adequate information. Information is power. Once the members get information, they will have the power to decide what they want. That is to remain traditional, and this means leaving the post-separation UMC by the majority of members in Africa to a new denomination that will uphold the Wesleyan Tradition if the Protocol sails through at the GC. It seems there are some who are afraid of this likely outcome, hence the withholding of information. Because by now at least pastors should have been well versed about the shenanigans in the church. But alas, only few of them are well versed across Africa.

There may be also a strong false feeling of protecting the flock through withholding of information. Some may feel, “why bother especially the old folk in rural areas with such information?” Such information would disturb their faith journey; therefore, it is better to withhold it from them. They should only see things happening without their input. This would be a very serious crime against your own members, Africa. This is a serious matter that affects their faith journey and what they believe in. Therefore, every member across Africa must be given correct information of what is taking place in the Church beforehand. No one should be taken advantage of because of lack of information. Every member should be able to make his/her decision based on correct information availed to her/him.

The way forward  

The beginning point should be to equip pastors, lay delegates to the annual conferences and circuit lay leaders. These are key leaders, Africa, if you are to give your members information of what is happening in the Church and the possible outcome. The use of technology should become handy in this age of the pandemic. Virtual workshops must be held wherever they are possible. WhatsApp online meetings must be utilized to equip these leaders at conference or district level. The trio of pastors, delegates and lay leaders will then take the information back to their respective circuits and disseminate it to the members. Africa, the noble thing to do during this “grace period” before the GC sits is to give your members information.

Conclusion

It is my contention that Africa must give information of what is happening in the UMC to her members well before the GC sits in August/September 2022. Africa, no matter how bitter the pill may be, your members have the right to know the truth of what is taking place in the Church. Empower your members by giving them correct information. The hope is that Africa takes this message seriously and acts accordingly.

The Rev. Tendai Maxwell Nyagano is a clergy member of the Zimbabwe East Annual Conference.