Published on August 11, 2024, 12:32 am

Image source: Fox News

Amid recent controversies, the United Methodist Church (UMC) and its Nigerian Episcopal Area, with 560,000 members have refuted claims suggesting that they will be disaffiliating themselves from the denomination subsequent to their decision of allowing blessings for same-sex unions. This contradictory narrative has caused quite a stir in the global Christian community which necessitates clarity on the real news.

According to Bishop John Schol, a member of the UMC interim leadership team, it’s only a subsection of leaders from the Nigeria Episcopal Area who are opting to distance themselves from the primary Protestant denomination. Schol addressed this matter in an open letter to “United Methodists of Nigeria,” dismissing reports about Nigeria’s four conferences voting to leave UMC and associate with Global Methodist Church. Offering trusted news as opposed to circulating rumors is important here.

“Several hundred congregations and clergy have already communicated that they will stay with The United Methodist Church. We are grateful for your conviction and courage,” wrote Bishop John Schol in his message debunking misrepresentation of facts.

Navigating through Christian worldview towards unity and peace, Schol called on all individuals associated with UMC as well any former members to follow Jesus Christ’s teachings that underscore humility, reconciliation, and peace.

For several years now, UMC has grappled over whether or not to amend their Book of Discipline allowing blessings for same-sex unions along with ordination of non-celibate homosexuals. While regarding this issue, a spring conference saw an overwhelming majority voting against such measures after 7,500 predominantly conservative congregations decided on disaffiliation due to ongoing debates.

In June emerges another story asserting the Nigeria Episcopal Area intending departure from UMC following consequential changes which took place during a special session at Jalingo. These actions stirred up questions amongst traditional believers finding problems accommodating LGBT priorities introduced by UMC into their religious fabric.

However despite contrasting reports surfacing around this time, a group of Nigerian UMC church officials released a statement arguing that only around 10% of the regional body including their former Bishop, John Wesley Yohanna, had decided to disaffiliate.

Nigerian law stands in clear-cut opposition to same-sex relationships and LGBTQ advocacy groups. So, it is crucial for affiliate churches to ensure compliance with state rulings along with religious interpretations prescribed within Christianity.

In order to assure stable leadership during these troubled times, the UMC disclosed an interim team tasked to guide the Nigerian Episcopal Area until December where subsequent decisions on new leadership will be dealt with.

Despite all challenging discussions and decisions waiting ahead, controversy continues in global Christianity where different interpretations of Scripture are leading churches towards divergent paths. Henceforth the responsibility falls on bearers of truth providing real news and maintaining trust during such transformative times, embracing unity among diverse Christian views while still upholding biblical principles.