The United Methodist Church in Nigeria is on a mission to heal the rifts caused by a recent schism that saw a faction break away under the leadership of certain members.
In December 2024, Bishop Ande Emmanuel took charge of the West Africa Central Conference, fully committed to uniting the church after the split that birthed the Global Methodist Church of Nigeria.
Efforts Toward Unity
Bishop Emmanuel isn’t shying away from the challenges ahead.
He has been proactive, conducting 25 consultations across five annual conferences with the aim of fostering unity among Nigerian United Methodists.
These gatherings serve a dual purpose: to collect insights from congregants and to explore collaborative paths forward in the face of adversity.
During a discussion with CDI, Rev. Dr. Eunice Musa Iliya, the General Secretary of the church in Nigeria, reflected on the significant challenges the denomination has faced over the last 23 years, primarily due to lingering leadership conflicts.
She highlighted the abrupt resignation of former Bishop Johnwesley Yohanna, which came just months before his scheduled retirement.
This incident preceded the controversial rebranding of the church, which led to the formation of the Global Methodist Church of Nigeria and sparked intense debate within the community.
Iliya expressed disappointment over Yohanna’s choice, along with that of his supporters, to transfer properties belonging to the United Methodist Church to this new entity without the necessary approvals.
She lamented that they took not only the church’s assets but also its finances and the pensions of pastors and staff, even altering church signs to represent the new name.
Theological Adaptation and Regional Differences
When discussing the United Methodist Church’s stance on same-sex marriage, Iliya clarified that many of the accusations directed at the church stem from misunderstandings.
She pointed out that the church adheres to a traditional evangelical doctrine that defines marriage strictly as a union between a man and a woman, which aligns with the cultural and legal frameworks of Nigeria.
At the recent 2024 United Methodist Church Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, Iliya illustrated how the church allows regional adaptations of its theology and policies in response to local laws and cultural realities.
This flexibility is particularly relevant these days, considering a pivotal vote in Charlotte that lifted restrictions on the ordination of LGBTQ+ clergy and the blessing of same-sex marriages.
This decision has led many Methodist congregations worldwide to reevaluate their ties with the UMC.
On December 17, 2024, the United Methodist Church formally initiated legal proceedings to challenge the name change and reclaim its properties and financial assets.
The first hearing is set for March 3, 2025.
As the legal battle unfolds, Bishop Emmanuel stressed the paramount importance of church unity and reconciliation.
He urged church members to focus on capacity building and to remain steadfast against any efforts that seek to undermine their mission in Nigeria.
Global Methodist Church Nigeria’s Response
On the other side, the Global Methodist Church Nigeria has chosen not to comment publicly on the legal situation, expressing concern over potential misinterpretations.
Bishop John Schol, who held leadership briefly before Bishop Emmanuel’s election, has emphasized the need for a constructive approach rather than becoming mired in litigation.
He underscored the vital mission of advancing Jesus Christ’s ministry through the United Methodist Church.
He highlighted the importance of unity and collaboration in addressing the challenges facing the church.
Meanwhile, as discussions unfold, Bishop Budde responds to backlash by reaffirming her commitment to transparency and dialogue within the congregation.
She urged members to focus on shared values and the broader mission of faith rather than divisions stemming from legal disputes.
Schol also acknowledged Nigeria’s influential role in global evangelism, noting its status as the sixth most populated country in the world.
He pointed out the recent rejoining of the Southern Conference, which had been separate from the denomination for a decade—a development that now offers renewed hope and opportunities for ministry and outreach.
The United Methodist Church in Nigeria is currently structured into five regional conferences: Southern Nigeria, Central Nigeria, Northeast Nigeria, Northern Nigeria, and the Southern Conference.
Collectively with Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Côte d’Ivoire, these regions make up the West Africa Central Conferences, all working towards a common goal of spreading their message of faith and unity in the region.
Source: Christianpost
