WHY AFRICA WILL NOT JOIN THE NEW BREAK-AWAY DENOMINATION(S) AFTER THE NEXT UMC GC BUT WILL REMAIN IN THE THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH



For those of you who are reading this for the first time, there are two groups for now in the United States of America who have indicated their interest to leave the United Methodist Church after the next General Conference because they are not satisfied with how the United Methodist Church is dealing with the issues relating to LGBTQ+ individuals. These two groups that are leaving for now are:
(a) Wesleyan Covenant Association (WCA), a traditional group. You can read more about them here: https://wesleyancovenant.org.
(b) Liberation Methodist Connexion (LMC), a progressive group. You can read more about them here: https://www.thelmx.org/.
These two new break-away denominations that are planning to leave the United Methodist Church after the next General Conference is seeking for people in Africa to join their Break-away denominations.
The question is: Will Africa join the new denominations? Which one will Africa join? Is it the Wesleyan Covenant Association or the Liberation Methodist Connexion?
After several interviews with many United Methodists from the three Central Conferences in Africa namely: Africa Central Conference, Congo Central Conference, and West Africa Central, it is evident that 95% of the United Methodists in Africa have expressed their willingness to remain in the United Methodist Church even after the General Conference irrespective of whether the Christmas Covenant or the Protocol passed at the next General Conference. Only 4% of United Methodists in Africa are planning to join the Wesleyan Covenant new Break-Away denomination and this 4% are joining because they want leadership positions. And 1% of United Methodists in Africa are undecided. No one in Africa has indicated interest to join the Liberation Methodist Connexion another new break-away denomination. We were able to know this fact as a result of the reactions we got on the “Statement of Church Unity” published by “Africa Voice of Unity” (AVU). You can read the Statement here and add your reaction if you want to: http://bit.ly/africavoiceofunity (this Statement is NOT in any way supporting homosexuality.
Africa will NOT join either of the New Break-Away Denominations whether progressive or traditionalist because of the following reasons:
1. STATEMENTS OF THE AFRICA COLLEGE OF BISHOPS: The College of bishops of the United Methodist Church in Africa has conservatively issued Statements rejecting the dissolutions and dismemberment of the United Methodist Church in Africa. The bishops have maintained a clear position that Africa is traditional in terms of theology and Marriage is a union between a man and a woman. Therefore Africa will NOT JOIN ANY NEW DENOMINATION AND WILL CONTINUE IN THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AS TRADITIONALISTS. You can read the Statements of Africa College of Bishops here:
2. AFRICA IS MAKING ITS OWN CHOICES: In the previous General Conference Africans have been shown where and how to vote but now many Africans are no longer willing to go that direction again. This is because many of us have understood that the Problem of HOMOSEXUALITY is a United States Problem rooted in its culture. In the United Methodist Church, the LGBTG's problem is U.S-centric and Africa does not need to bother itself on it.
3. UNITY STATEMENT ENDORSED BY BISHOP YOHANNA: In Oklahoma City, United States of America November 7th, 2014 Bishop Yohanna granted a powerful interview to the United Methodist Communications where he endorsed the Council of Bishops Statement of unity, You can read the bishop’s interview here: https://www.umnews.org/.../bishops-pray-for-us-amid.... Many Africans are contextualizing the bishop’s endorsement.
4. Base on the above reasons Africa is neither joining the Wesleyan Covenant new break-away denomination nor the Liberation Methodist Connexion.

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