Published on August 5, 2024, 12:34 am

The United Methodist Church (UMC) currently finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with the push and pull of progressive attitudes infiltrating its Western branches and the upholding of biblical sexual ethics by its African counterparts. This internal strife is perhaps most apparent in Nigeria, where the Nigerian UMC steadfastly holds on to traditional, scriptural sexuality principles even as moral relativism seeps in from the West.

Recently, a worrisome development has caused alarm amongst local religious leaders. A well-known advocate for LGBTQ rights, American Bishop John Schol arrived in Abuja on a mission purportedly aimed at promoting acceptance of homosexual practices within Nigerian UMC. Promptly sounding a warning on social media was Harry Kanawa, the Episcopal Choir President of the Nigerian UMC who regarded this organized campaign as having “devilish intentions”.

Mounting strong opposition against Schol’s attempts to introduce progressive ideologies within their community, Kanawa’s posts detailed his potent resistance. During a disrupted cabinet meeting in Northern Nigeria which saw Schol attempting to influence discussions for his agenda, he was met with an impenetrable wall of opposition causing him to retreat hastily from the gathering. The event demonstrated unequivocally that Nigerian UMC refuses to bow to Western liberal influences.

In resounding demonstration of this unyielding stance, scenes depicting protests and banners voicing unwavering opposition were shared alongside reports from Northern conference annual conferences saying “Bishop Schol is NOT welcome in Nigeria… No regionalization”. The climax came when Schol was escorted back to Yola International Airport amidst indications from Kanawa that they had agreed to disagree.

Kanawa fervently characterized Schol’s mission as demonic – an approach that resonates deeply amongst members of the Nigerian UMC. Despite facing other doctrinal and practical issues, their commitment to preserving biblical sexual ethics shows a refreshing resolve against corrosive Western liberalism.

The internal contradictions are causing fractures within the UMC, necessitating that true believers remain vigilant. Echoing the apostle Paul’s words of warning about the false prophets dressed in sheep clothing, today’s church must stay watchful. As directed by Scripture, “Come out of her, my people,” this message resonates strikingly under current circumstances for organizations like the UMC.

In conclusion, as we consume trusted news and real news from across the globe and navigate situations viewed through a Christian worldview, it’s important to remember these occurrences within breaking news stories such as this Nigerian UMC situation. The wider implications are an ongoing reminder that society must maintain vigilance against dilution of sacred principles, securing their place within our moral compass.