In the fallout from the unfortunate General Conference of The United Methodist Church held last month, many United Methodists, inside and outside of America, are trying to discern if the UMC can continue to be a viable home for them. In Africa, many conferences are increasingly clear that they want to at least have a conversation about leaving. Some bishops are willing to shepherd their people. Bishop Quire of Liberia seems unwilling.
In this segment, I detail some of the particulars around developments, trying to elucidate how it is that different forces come into play in dynamics like this. I hope Liberian brothers and sisters feel like I have accurately portrayed the situation there. I did my best to understand the Board of Ordained Ministry letter, in particular, so that a western audience can better understand how to pray for you.
Links:
Letter from Liberian Board of Ordained Ministry calling out Bishop Quire - https://www.facebook.com/alfredkwabena.mensah.5/posts/pfbid02Kujfpwf9aisPPqj6THCUNQyQWXSn8Jjsv4Da4u5Lia7yiEzkVewQQ5m8bzph3fDul
UMNews Article Alleging 'Misinfo' - https://www.umnews.org/en/news/liberian-bishop-counters-misinformation
Bishop Quire's Text to Press Release - https://liberiaumc.org/statement-to-the-people-called-united-methodists-and-the-general-public-on-recent-decisions-of-the-just-ended-general-conference-of-the-united-methodist-church/
Liberian UMC Strong-Arms Compromised Bishop Quire