By Bill W. Cooper
Several Methodist churches in Liberia have begun drawing the attention of Bishop Samuel Quire amid the confusion over the United Methodist Church’s stance on same-sex marriage and rights.
This move comes as a denomination struggle with a deepening crisis over its traditional teachings and the growing calls for inclusivity within its ranks, thus reflecting serious discontent among congregations.
The Refugee UMC is the latest to break ranks with Liberia Annual Conference (LAC) by publicly returning the church items to the office of Bishop Quire in Sinkor.
Since mid-October, some church under the United Methodist began taking radicle stance and the latest was when some officials drove to the UMC headquarters to present their church sign post while some other congregations used paint to cover the name of the church on their worship centers until the church leadership decides to uphold its traditional values.
The action of the Refugee Congregation (formerly of the UMC) to break away marks the fourth local church, after the 72nd UMC, John Warner UMC, and New Georgia UMC, to suspend its membership with the Liberia Annual Conference.
However, the move is a response to ongoing internal disputes within the UMC over regionalization and the global denomination’s acceptance of homosexuality, a decision that has been strongly rejected by local churches with a call for Bishop Quire to issue a clear stance on the issue.
It can be recalled that the controversy is triggered from the Global UMC’s decision to affirm the LGBTQ+ community, a position that has divided congregations worldwide with some seen the decision as ungodly and sinful.
In Liberia, some congregations, including Refuge, 72nd, John Warner, New Georgia UMCs, have all taken a firmed stance against its acceptance, leading to growing calls for disassociation and realignment.
The United Methodist Church, one of the largest protestant denominations in the United States, has been grappling with issues surrounding LGBTQ rights for decades or since its founding.
The church’s Book of Discipline, which outlines its policies and practices, has historically prohibited the ordination of “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” and has deemed same-sex marriages as incompatible with Christian teachings.
However, the global United Methodist Church recently, repealed its 50-year ban on LGBTQ clergy, and approved new language opening doors for same-sex marriages within all of the UMC across the globe.
And since Bishop Quire returned in May 2024 from USA, he has allegedly refused to call a session to discuss such critical issue rather, he is accused of arbitrarily dismissing church leaders who speak against gay marriage/homosexuality.
Though he has denounced any acceptance of homosexual marriage in the church, his action has since sparked concerns amongst the congregation leading them to stand against his appearance in any of their churches, calling on the bishop to call for a special session and report to members in Liberia on discussions held at the General Conference in the USA.
Meanwhile, the church now finds itself at crossroads between a unified or divided UMC under Bishop Quire, highlighting the urgent need for dialogue and reconciliation aimed at amicably resolving the impasse.
Also, this remains a major leadership test for the bishop, which might not only shape the future of the UMC but may also serve as a precedence for other denominations facing similar challenges in the ongoing fight for LGBTQ rights within religious communities.
