UMC Regionalization, LGBTQ Drama Intensifies -As Breakaway Congregations Protest Pastoral Changes
By Bill W. Cooper
Serious tension is escalating within the United Methodist Church (UMC) as three church congregations are currently protesting the replacement of their pastors by Bishop Samuel Jerome Quire.
The tensions, however, followed after Bishop Quire, at the end of the just-held UMC Annual Conference in Gbarnga, Bong County, announced the replacement of several of pastors at UMC branches for allegedly characterizing and inciting members to believe that the church is a ‘gay church as well as those who detest the ‘so-called’ regionalization.
Some of those affected churches whose members are now agitating against the removal of the respective pastors include 72nd UMC, now the 72nd Global Methodist Church, the Ganta United Methodist Mission Station, and the Duazon Methodist Church.
Recently, the UMC Liberia Annual Conference ( UMC-LAC) held its long-awaited 192nd Annual Conference from February 10 to 16, 2025, in Gbarnga, Bong County, following months of calls from the congregations for the holding of a special conference.
The event, however, brought together clergy, church leaders, and delegates from across the country to deliberate on critical spiritual, social, and administrative matters affecting the church and its mission in Liberia.
The Annual Conference is a cornerstone of the UMC calendar, providing a platform to evaluate the church’s progress, set new goals for the coming year, and address challenges faced by the congregation and the communities it serves.
But interestingly, members then convened separate conferences amid growing discontent with Bishop Quire’s leadership, coupled with the rejection of Bishop Quire’s authority, by the Conference United Methodist Women (CUMW).
This situation also led to the berthing of a new denomination named ‘Global Methodist Church (GMC)’ from those calling themselves ‘Concerned United Methodist Church (CUMC)’, against the indoctrination of gay marriage/practices in the church.
While Bishop Quire also threatened to take legal action against anyone, including the breakaway congregations falsely labeling the UMC as a ‘gay church’, clarified that the church in Liberia does not condone same-sex marriage.
The Bishop also went further by announcing new pastoral appointments, which included the replacement of Rev. Kenneth Jackson and several pastors, a move that has since met backlash, with various congregations expressing outrage, claiming that the decision will not hold.
The congregants also gathered outside their respective church buildings, waving banners and chanting slogans demanding the reinstatement of their pastors and a straight cancellation of LGBTQ practices in the church.
According to the members, Bishop Quire does not have the constitutional or legal authority to make any change affecting their pastors without proper consultation. The action of the Bishop, according to the congregations reflects gross disregard for the wishes of the local church communities.
Some of the members added, “More besides, this structure is ours because it was erected as a result of our hard-earned money and not Bishop Quire or any UMC leadership. So, we as members will decide our fate and not Bishop Quire.”
Also, weighing in on the matter, Rev. Jackson noted, “We feel betrayed by the leadership of the UMC head in Bishop Quire. Some of us have been with this church through thicks and thins, and to witness activities being run by one man is just sad for the Ministry.”
He further vehemently opposed any changes to the church’s traditional teachings, insisting that acceptance of LGBTQ individuals would compromise the church’s moral integrity, the laws of Liberia and an affront to God, the creator.
Rev. Jackson added, “We are at a crossroads, and it is time these that we must decide the fate of our noble Church because the church should be a place where we teach God’s word and do what is right in the sight of God, and not to compromise our biblical beliefs.”
Also speaking, a member of the Duazon Methodist Church identified as Dr. Bropleh condemned the Bishop’s action on the removal of critical pastors from their respective branches, with a cautioned,” We will not accept leaders who do not understand our values and beliefs!”
Bropleh, at the same time, called for dialogue and reconciliation between the UMC and the breakaway congregations, arguing that open communication is essential for healing the rift and finding a common ground.
He added, “We need to sit down and talk about our differences because we cannot continue to operate in silos. The church is meant to be a place of love and biblical teaching as such, we must work together to find a way forward.”
Meanwhile, as the situation continues to unfold, the future of the UMC remains uncertain, as the ongoing protests and divisions within the church raise questions about its ability to maintain unity in the face of deep-seated ideological differences. The outcome of this conflict will not only shape the future of the church but also reflect broader societal attitudes toward LGBTQ rights and inclusion in Liberia.
