Liberia UMC Suspends Eminent Methodist Preacher Rev. Jerry Kulah

by

Global UMC

Liberia Daily Observer | Nov. 24, 2024

The crisis within the United Methodist Church (UMC) is deepening by the day as another prominent member of the Liberia Annual Conference clerical group and administrator has been temporarily axed from his position.

The UMC, in a statement on Sunday, noted that it has with immediate effect suspended Rev. Dr. Jerry P. Kulah, Vice President for the Bishop John G. Innis Graduate School of Professional Studies, at the United Methodist University (UMU).

This decision follows recommendations from an investigative committee and the Church Counsel of the Board of Ordained Ministry, citing violations under Paragraph 2702.1 (c, d, e, & f) of the UMC Discipline.

Rev. Kulah, a prominent campaigner for the Global Methodist Church (GMC), is accused of violations under Paragraph 2702.1 (d, e, & f) of the UMC Discipline.

With the suspension Rev. Kulah has been barred from preaching, teaching, counseling, or representing the UMC.

He has been instructed to comply fully with the process, return all UMC and UMU properties in his possession, and restrict his activities to retrieving personal belongings.

The GMC is a Methodist denomination within Protestant Christianity subscribing to views that were propounded by the conservative Confessing Movement. Headquartered in the United States with a presence internationally, the GMC was created as a result of a schism with the United Methodist Church, after members departed to create a denomination seeking to uphold “theological and ethical Christian orthodoxy”.

Rev. Kulah’s suspension, which the UMC says takes place with immediate effect, arises from allegations of multiple infractions that undermine the UMC’s teachings, unity, and policies.

He is accused of undermining UMC unity, and that his actions are alleged to have fostered disunity within the UMC in Africa and violated the church’s commitment to unity.

He is alleged of advocating for disaffiliation with UMC.  In September 2023, according to the statement, he allegedly participated in a Nairobi meeting where GMC members strategized on disaffiliating African churches from the UMC to form independent conferences and elect new bishops aligned with the GMC.

Other key allegations include: Promotion of GMC policies, prioritizing the Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline of the GMC over the UMC’s Book of Discipline 2016, contradicting UMC teachings and laws.

He is accused of affiliating with the GMC, allegedly working as a coordinator for the church’s projects, including a breakaway group, the Mt. Horeb Global Methodist Church, which severed ties with the UMC in May 2022.

“He is also coordinating GMC-Funded Projects, and is reportedly overseeing initiatives like the Boway Development Association, funded by the Mt. Horeb Church of Lexington, South Carolina. These projects operate in Liberia under the GMC banner, despite the UMC’s opposition to such affiliations,” the statement said.

He is said to be a member of a breakaway groups. The statement notes that as a member of the Wesleyan Covenant Association (WCA), Rev. Kulah is accused of supporting initiatives that contradict UMC teachings, including spreading misinformation about the UMC and coordinating The Africa Initiative, which UMC Bishops have criticized for fostering division.

His suspension, according to the church, prohibits him from preaching, teaching, counseling, or representing the UMC. He has been directed to return all UMC and UMU properties and to restrict his access to retrieving personal belongings.

To ensure academic stability, Rev. Dr. George Weagbe has been appointed as the new Vice President for the Graduate School. The UMU administration has assured students and faculty that academic and administrative activities will continue smoothly.

Additionally, students have been explicitly advised not to attend any unauthorized meetings organized by Rev. Kulah, as the university reiterates that it operates under institutional governance and not personal authority.

This decisive action reflects the UMC’s commitment to maintaining integrity and accountability within its leadership while respecting the principles of due process. The investigation into the allegations against Rev. Kulah is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as they become available.

The internal conflict within the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Liberia has intensified leading to legal intervention aimed at restoring order between church leaders and dissenting pastors.

It could be recalled, several pastors have been barred recently from their activities within the church as Gardnersville and Omega Magisterial Courts issue a stay order on their actions, respectively.

The stay order targets several pastors accused of defying the church’s leadership, including Rev. Leo Mason, Pastor Yah Gorgboyee of UMC New Georgia, Rev. Kenneth Jackson of the 72nd UMC in Paynesville, and Rev. Allen Paye of John Warner UMC in Mount Barclay.

Several other punitive actions have already been taken by the UMC Bishop..

However, the legal intervention, UMC authorities said, aims to restore order amidst escalating tensions between church leaders and dissenting pastors. The pastors are restricted from accessing church properties and engaging in church-related activities pending the resolution of ongoing court conferences.