The United Methodist Church is facing a major challenge as it prepares for its upcoming General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. Following a recent schism in the U.S. that led to the departure of one-fourth of its churches, the church is now grappling with the possibility of a similar outcome in other parts of the world where about half of its members reside. The issue is particularly significant in Africa, which is home to the majority of United Methodists outside the U.S. While most bishops in Africa are in favor of remaining in the denomination, there are calls for regional conferences to disaffiliate.
Delegates at the upcoming General Conference will address a wide range of proposals, including repealing the church’s ban on same-sex marriage and ordaining LGBTQ individuals. The African perspective is divided, with some like Jerry Kulah of Liberia advocating for African churches to leave the denomination, while others like Jefferson Knight oppose disaffiliation. Knight argues that a schism would mean abandoning the rich spiritual legacy of the UMC in Africa and severing valuable international ties. He suggests regionalizing the church to allow each region to set its own rules based on local contexts and cultures.
The United Methodist Church has a long history of international presence, with missionary efforts spreading Methodism to Africa and other continents. Today, the church has members from four continents participating in legislative gatherings and mission activities. More than 7,600 U.S. congregations have left the denomination in recent years, primarily due to disagreements over LGBTQ policies. The upcoming General Conference will consider proposals to allow international churches to disaffiliate under more favorable terms, a provision that currently only applies to American churches.
The debate within the UMC over LGBTQ issues has been ongoing for decades, with the church progressively tightening its bans on same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBTQ individuals. While traditionalists have won past votes on these issues, a growing number of progressive delegates could potentially overturn these policies at the upcoming conference. The concept of regionalization, allowing regions to set their own rules, is also under consideration. Proponents argue that regionalization would bring parity to different regions and accommodate diverse cultural contexts, while opponents raise concerns about the potential fragmentation of the church.
The future of the UMC in Africa remains uncertain, with differing views on disaffiliation and LGBTQ policies among bishops and members. While many African bishops oppose LGBTQ ordination and marriage, they also express a commitment to remaining in the denomination. Nigerian Methodists, in particular, hold conservative views on sexuality and may influence decisions regarding disaffiliation. The outcome of the General Conference will determine the path forward for the United Methodist Church and its global membership, with implications for its unity and mission outreach.
Overall, the upcoming General Conference presents a critical juncture for the United Methodist Church as it grapples with internal divisions, theological debates, and cultural differences across its global membership. The decisions made at the conference will shape the future of the denomination and determine its stance on key issues such as LGBTQ inclusion and regional autonomy. The outcomes will not only impact the UMC’s internal dynamics but also its relationships with churches and communities around the world. As delegates gather to deliberate on these complex and contentious matters, the unity and mission of the United Methodist Church hang in the balance.
