Members Exit UMC Over LGBTQ Issues, Join GMC

From Hajara Usman, Taraba

Members of the United Methodist Church (UMC) Northern Nigeria Annual Conference, who rejected LGBTQ policies, have exited the church and joined the Global Methodist Church.

The decision was made during a special session held at UMCN Bachama, Tondolo District, Karim-Lamido local government, Taraba State on Thursday.

This was contained in a communiqué signed by Rev. Lydia Alafy, chairperson, and Mr. Titus Haske, Secretary of the communiqué drafting committee, and made available to newsmen in Gombe yesterday.

According to the communiqué, their exit was prompted by the recent General Conference resolutions in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, which legalized regionalization, same-sex marriage, and the ordination of self-avowed practicing homosexuals.

Delegates at the special session “unanimously voted to exit the UMC,” stating that they cannot be part of a church that “legalizes sin” and “celebrates homosexuality.”

“Delegates in session have unanimously voted that we in the UMC Northern Nigeria Annual Conference will move to join any emerging connectional Methodist denomination with all our properties.

“We joined the United Methodist Church in 1985 with our properties from EKAN Church.”

According to them, the UMC’s recognition of same-sex marriage is not only unbiblical but also against their norms and culture.

The conference also expressed concerns over regionalization, believing it would lead to disharmony in the church due to ‘unbiblical’ theological persuasions and interpretations.

Our correspondent reports that Bishop Yohanna Wesley was unavoidably absent, prompting delegates to invoke Par. 603.6 of the UMC Book of Discipline to elect President Pro-tempore among the elders without debate, resulting in the election of Rev. Wilson Ganah to preside over the meeting.