The United Methodist Church Nigeria has been embroiled in conflict since May, when its parent body, the United Methodist Church (UMC), convened a general conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, and lifted longstanding prohibitions on LGBTQ ordination and same-sex marriage. Established in 1966 by American missionary Bennie Cantwell, the church became the first autonomous Methodist denomination in Africa in 1974, with its headquarters in Jalingo, Taraba State. Although it operates independently, the Nigerian church remains influenced by its American counterpart.
The Rise of Division and Violence
The decision to permit LGBTQ ordination and marriage has sparked significant turmoil within the Nigerian church. Many congregants have protested by leaving the UMC and joining the newly formed Global Methodist Church, which aims to distance itself from the pro-LGBTQ stance of the UMC. Following the decision, some factions within the church sought to rebrand the UMC as the Global Methodist Church to shed the perceived association with LGBTQ issues. This move met resistance from those loyal to the UMC.
In July, Bishop John Wesley Yohanna, the then-leader of UMC Nigeria, and his cabinet resigned to join the Global Methodist Church, seeking a more conservative environment. Despite his departure, infighting has persisted within the UMC.
Recent Violence and Casualties
Tragedy struck on December 15 when clashes erupted between members of the United Methodist Church Nigeria and the breakaway Global Methodist Church in Munga Dosso, Taraba State. The violence, which reportedly began during a gathering of Global Methodist Church members at Bwoi United Methodist Church, continued despite a government-imposed closure of both denominations’ churches due to prior unrest.
In this confrontation, Elisha Masoyi, a 27-year-old United Methodist, was killed. The violence escalated into the surrounding community, resulting in the deaths of two young children, Abednego and Baby, aged four and two, respectively. Ten other church members sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at home.
Newly elected Bishop-elect Ande Emmanuel and Nigeria Lead Bishop John Schol condemned the violence, offering prayers and support to the affected families.
Concerns Over Western Influence
In discussions with Church Times, Professor Gary Maxey, founder of the West Africa Theological Seminary, attributed the unrest to the pervasive influence of the American church. He criticized the UMC for straying from its theological roots and warned the Nigerian church against succumbing to Western theological trends. Maxey expressed concern over the church’s shift away from its traditional teachings, highlighting the need for a return to sound theological principles.
