PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
GLOBAL NEWS Fights erupt over West Africa church property UMC, Global Methodists in legal battles in Liberia, Nigeria over ownership BY EVELINE CHIKWANAH
BALLOT 3 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11
postponed 2020/2024 General Conference session in April/May 2024, have strengthened this commitment by explicitly recognizing the church’s role in combating racism, racial inequity, colonialism, white privilege, and white supremacy both within the denomination and in broader society. These changes reflect a critical shift in the church’s acknowledgment of and response to deeply entrenched racial injustice. Things to consider 1. Explicit Acknowledgment of Racism – The inclusion of terms like “white supremacy,” “white privilege,” and “colonialism” represents a significant departure from previous language that may have been more vague or indirect. By explicitly naming these issues, the church confronts its own history and complicity in systemic injustices, marking a pivotal moment in its moral and ethical evolution. 2. Commitment to Active Anti-Racism – Declaring that the United Methodist Church must live as an actively anti-racist institution challenges the church to move beyond passive acknowledgment of racism. This language signifies a commitment to proactive measures, calling for tangible actions that dismantle
racist structures within the church and society, thereby fostering a culture of accountability. 3. Response to Historical Context – These changes arise in the context of broader societal movements advocating for racial justice, including the civil rights movement and more recent protests against systemic racism. By aligning itself with these movements, The United Methodist Church positions itself as a relevant and responsive body that seeks to address systemic racism rooted in historical injustices of the Church. 4. Emphasis on Unity and Healing – The language promotes a vision of The UMC as a community that actively works to root out discrimination and oppression. This approach emphasizes the need for unity and healing within the church, encouraging members to engage in dialogue and reconciliation, thus fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment. 5. Moral Leadership – By incorporating this language into its Constitution, The UMC positions itself as a leader in the fight against racism within religious and social contexts. This sets a precedent for other denominations and organizations, encouraging a conference shall be elected from 74 the clergy members in full connection and shall be elected by the clergy members of the annual conference or provisional annual conference who are deacons and elders in full connection, associate members, and those provisional members who have completed all of their educational requirements and local pastors who have completed course of study or an M. Div. Master of Divinity degree from a University Senate-approved theological school or its equivalent as recognized in a central conference and have served a minimum of two consecutive years under appointment immediately preceding the election. 75 74. Amended 1996 75. See Judicial Council Decision 1181. Amended 2008. If ratified, the paragraph would read as follows: ¶ 35. Article IV. The clergy delegates to the General Conference and to the jurisdictional or central conference shall be elected from 74 the clergy members in full connection and shall be elected by the clergy members of the annual conference or provisional annual conference who are deacons and elders in full connection, associate members, and those provisional members who have completed all of their educational requirements and local pastors who have completed course of study or a Master of Divinity degree from a University Senate approved theological school or its equivalent as recognized in a central conference and have served a minimum of two consecutive years under
broader commitment to justice and equity in faith communities.
6. Legacy of Reform and Justice – These proposed changes connect to the long history of reform within the United Methodist Church, reflecting a legacy of addressing social issues. By explicitly confronting racism, the church reaffirms its mission to promote justice and equity, continuing the work of past leaders and movements within the denomination. Conclusion The commitment reflected in the changes in Article V represents a significant step forward for The United Methodist Church in its pursuit of racial justice. The proposed changes hold significant historical importance as they explicitly acknowledge systemic racism and commit The United Methodist Church to actively combat it. These changes challenge the Church to claim its prophetic witness as a redemptive and transformative force in both its community and the wider society, dedicated to the principles of equity, dignity, and respect for all individuals. Prepared by the General Commission on Religion and Race of The United Methodist Church 75. See Judicial Council Decision 1181. Amended 2008. Editorial note: The proposed change of language in this paragraph related to central conferences would be changed to reflect the necessary updates should the Proposed Constitutional Amendment related to Regionalization be ratified. What is the effect of approving the amendment? The amendment specifies the educational requirements for licensed local pastors to participate in clergy delegate elections. They must be “local pastors who have completed course of study or a Master of Divinity degree from a University Senate-approved theological school or its equivalent as recognized in a central conference and have served a minimum of two consecutive years under appointment immediately preceding the election.” This revision wouldn’t increase or decrease voting access to licensed local pastors in central/regional conferences. It clarifies what an M. Div. means and clarifies qualifying theological schools and equivalents. Consistent with the worldwide nature of the church, the educational requirements inserted here ensure that those voting for clergy delegates have completed the denominational-standard expectations for theological education. Prepared by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church
Children Village to continue their worship, only to be attacked again. “We urge all members of the UMC to not only pray for a resolution but also to take up arms — not of violence, but of unwavering conviction, solidarity and love,” he said. “Together, we can ensure that our churches remain havens of peace, acceptance and unity in Christ, undeterred by outside forces intent on division.” United Methodist properties in contention in Liberia include 72nd United Methodist Church, New Georgia, Ebenezer, James Edward Marshall, St. Matthew and Doe Juah sanctuaries. Paynesville Magistrates Court ruled in favor of the Liberia Annual Conference on March 1, condemning the attack on pastors appointed by Bishop Quire and the removal of United Methodist Church signage.
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UMNews) – United Methodists in parts of West Africa remain locked in struggle with members of the Global Methodist Church, as both sides fight for control and ownership of United Methodist properties. In Nigeria and Liberia, the conflict has spilled over into the courts, where hearings are set for several property disputes. The tension also has resulted in violence in both countries, including an attack this week on vehicles carrying Nigeria Area Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel and other United Methodists traveling with him following a joint assembly of the annual conferences there March 17- 23. Attacks in December left three dead in Munga Dosso, Nigeria. Amid the turmoil and legal battles, United Methodists in both countries have continued to focus on the church’s broader work. In separate conference sessions, they indicated support for the denomination’s plan for worldwide regionalization — a realignment that would give each of the church’s geographic areas equal decision-making authority; and they adopted resolutions defining marriage as being between a man and a woman, countering accusations by Global Methodists about the denomination’s stand on marriage. LIBERIA Former United Methodists launched the Liberia branch of the Global Methodist Church on Feb. 14 and immediately sought to wrest control of some United Methodist sanctuaries. This led to the March 2 arrest and brief detention of the Rev. Jerry Kulah, leader of the Global Methodists in Liberia, for allegedly violating a court order. Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr., who leads The United Methodist Church’s Liberia Conference, confirmed that the church was fighting for control of several sanctuaries. “Immediately following our 192nd annual conference session, the Global Methodist Church began to seize some of our local churches by force, criminally removing our logos from the edifices and replacing them with GMC insignia,” Quire said. “This has led The United Methodist Church to resort to the legal process.” He confirmed that seven property cases are before the courts in Liberia. “The legal process is very tedious and cost intensive. We’re very hopeful that with God on our side and some financial support from our partners, we will overcome,” he said. “While we were at our conference, a GMC surrogate filed an injunction in court for the sole purpose of disrupting and closing down of our conference. By the grace of God, this attempt was thwarted by our legal team. Praise be to God!” Quire said. Jefferson Boye Knight, the director of Human Rights Monitor and vice president of the men’s organization in the Kakata-Farmington River District, said, “The attack on The Liberia Annual Conference is not merely a confrontation between two factions; it represents a larger struggle for the soul of our faith community.” Knight cited unrest at the Duahzon United Methodist Church in Margibi County, where over 300 congregants gathered for worship but were met with hostility when a group of Global Methodist supporters appeared, claiming rights to the same space. “This situation escalated to the point where police intervention was necessary,” Knight said. “They instructed both parties to refrain from entering the church building until a court could adjudicate the rightful ownership. In a commendable display of faith and resolve, the UMC members sought refuge in the Bishop Judy Craig
Photo by Priscilla Muzerengwa, United Methodist Communications Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr. (right), who leads The United Methodist Church’s Liberia Conference, walks beside Bishop James Boye-Caulker of the Sierra Leone Conference during the 192nd session of the Liberia Annual Conference, held Feb. 10-16 in Gbarnga, Liberia. Quire said the church was fighting for control of several sanctuaries in Liberia that were seized by members of the Global Methodist Church following the annual conference session.
“The court caution(s) all parties against violence as there is no excuse for violation,” the judgment stated. “As for the issue of access to the church, the court says the disassociating party should allow the church to remain at status quo pending the decision of the civil law court. That is to say whoever that was in charge of the church in terms of the LAC UMC that supervise the church remain in charge of that church until the court decide.” Several other cases regarding Liberia Annual Conference properties are also set to be heard in court. Kulah confirmed he was arrested and briefly detained for about two hours: “I was arrested and released; now I am a free man.” He said no charges were filed against him. He asserted that he was arrested “at the 72nd Global Methodist Church,” one of the disputed properties. “The police said they heard that there was rioting and stone throwing,” Kulah said. “They could not answer when I asked who was rioting. When church members gather to worship in an open space were they rioting among themselves? They could not answer, and there was no video footage to back up their allegations.” To fight misinformation that the Liberia Annual Conference was “a gay church,” the 192nd session, held Feb. 10-16, adopted a resolution affirming the position taken by the denomination’s West Africa Central Conference gathering in December. “Marriage within The United Methodist Church in the West Africa Central Conference is defined as a union between a man and a woman, consistent with Biblical standards, applicable to the national laws, traditions and customs of annual conferences within the central conference,” the resolution stated. The session also authorized the conference board of trustees “to take all necessary legal actions, including but not limited to litigation, to codify, document, secure and recover all real and personal properties held in trust for Conference session included electing annual conference leadership and votes on the denomination’s worldwide regionalization plan, which conference voters overwhelmingly supported. To be ratified, regionalization requires the support of at least two-thirds of the total number of voters at annual conference sessions around the world. Sessions will be holding votes through October, and the Council of Bishops expects to announce whether regionalization has received the necessary vote totals for ratification in early November. the Liberia Annual Conference of the UMC.” Quire said major achievements of the Liberia
NIGERIA Meanwhile, The United Methodist Church in Nigeria has initiated legal processes to recover properties taken by former members who have joined the Global Methodist Church. The properties include the conference secretariat (head offices), sanctuaries, orphanages, schools and bank accounts. The United Methodist Church in Nigeria is also suing the Corporate Affairs Commission to restore its registration as a religious denomination. A court hearing set for March 3 was postponed to April 28, to give defendants time to file legal papers. As in Liberia, church leaders in Nigeria also unanimously resolved to uphold the West Africa Central Conference’s traditional definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman who are of consenting age. The resolution came during the joint assembly for The United Methodist Church’s Southern Nigeria, Northern Nigeria, Central Nigeria and North East Nigeria conferences. The joint conference witnessed the ordination of 65 pastors and deacons and also overwhelmingly voted for the worldwide regionalization plan of The United Methodist Church. Other resolutions focused on developing youth leaders, revitalizing the Clean Water Project to buy a borehole-drilling rig, observing Partnership Sunday and centralizing pastors’ salaries. The meeting also resolved that pastors returning from the Global Methodist Church should follow due process and adhere to United Methodist Church rules and regulations of reinstatement as enshrined in the Book of Discipline and ordination creeds. “The United Methodist Church in Nigeria is a powerful church, though it has passed through a crisis of lack of effective leadership over the past two decades,” Nigeria’s Bishop Emmanuel said. “Now things are turning around, people are turning to us to offer something different, and we are trying to make sure we build a united body and create space for everyone that wants to belong and practice their God-given talent.” Following the joint assembly on March 25, Emmanuel reported that one of the church’s vehicles carrying United Methodists who had attended the meeting was attacked as it headed to Bambur in Karim Lamido for ministry work. Emmanuel said the vehicle was stopped by people chanting Global Methodist Church of Nigeria slogans. While no one was injured, one vehicle was damaged and the group was forced to reroute off-road. WEST AFRICA CHURCH PROPERTY CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
Ballot 4 – Paragraph 35 – Clergy delegate elections Current reading of paragraph 35 ¶ 35. Article IV. The clergy delegates to the General Conference and to the jurisdictional or central appointment immediately preceding the election. 75 74. Amended 1996
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