Bishop Dedicates New Church
Bishop Samuel Quire of Liberia, shown here dedicating a new church in 2023, is being pressed to hold a special session of the Liberia Annual Conference to vote on disaffiliation from The United Methodist Church.
Special to United Methodist Insight
Following the conclusion of the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, annual conferences worldwide are gearing up for the ratification of the constitutional provisions approved during the conference. As efforts are underway to implement these decisions, a challenging situation has emerged within the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church where certain elements aligned with the Global Methodist Church, a breakaway denomination from the UMC, are advocating for a special session in Liberia.
These elements, who are allies of the breakaway denomination, are pushing for a special session within the Liberia Conference, citing homosexuality as their primary reason and justification for the conference to consider leaving the denomination. They have been spreading misinformation that the Liberia Conference is a gay church, which is false and misleading. They are particularly targeting members in rural areas with this misinformation in an attempt to sway opinions against the UMC.
However, it is important to note that there is resistance to these calls for a special session, and there are voices urging Bishop Samuel Quire and the Liberia Conference to exercise caution and wait before making any decisions. The implications of rushing into such a session, especially with controversial issues like disaffiliation and using homosexuality as a divisive tool, could have far-reaching consequences for the church and its members moving into the future.
The motives behind the call for a special session are not entirely clear, as proponents of the special session are unable to provide satisfactory answers to questions about its necessity. Some reasons for such a call include taking votes for the Liberia Annual Conference to disaffiliate from the UMC, which is impossible because there is a closure on disaffiliation, a decision that was taken at the just-ended General Conference.
It appears that these pro-GMC individuals pushing for a special session in June or July want to use the opportunity to leverage the issue of homosexuality as a weapon to persuade delegates to leave the UMC and join the GMC. Their ultimate goal seems to be to influence the outcome of the session in favor of the GMC, as the GMC is set to have its first general conference from September 20-26, 2024, in the United States. The leaders of the GMC in Liberia are under significant pressure to secure favorable reports from Liberia that indicate progress in their efforts, potentially leading to more defections from the UMC to the GMC.
In response to these calls for a special session, we stand firm in rejecting such a proposition. It is essential to recognize that unity and informed decision-making are crucial during this critical period for the church. Instead of succumbing to divisive tactics, we urge the Liberia Conference to focus on educating its members about the outcomes of the General Conference and the importance of the upcoming ratification process.
Bishop Quire, as a respected leader within the Liberia Conference, has been urged by these elements to convene a special session in July. However, we believe that the priority should be on unity, education, and preparation for the 192nd annual conference scheduled for February 2025. It is during this annual conference that the necessary discussions and decisions should take place, with a focus on upholding the values and principles of the United Methodist Church.
The path forward for The United Methodist Church in Liberia lies in fostering dialogue, understanding, and unity among its members. By engaging in constructive conversations, educating United Methodists and staying true to the core beliefs of the UMC, the Liberia Conference can navigate through these challenging times with resilience and strength.
As we move forward, let us remember the importance of unity, respect, and love within the church community. By standing together and remaining steadfast in our commitment to the principles of the United Methodist Church, we can overcome obstacles and emerge stronger, united in our faith and shared values.
Jefferson Knight 2024
Jefferson Boye Knight, Director, Human Rights Monitor, Liberia Annual Conference, The United Methodist Church and First Vice President, Conference Men Organization, Kakata-Farmington River District of the Liberia Confrence.