By Rev. Luan-Vu “Lui” Tran, Ph.D.
In a time when church splits and schisms are shaking the international Methodist family, the recent Liberian civil court ruling in favor of The United Methodist Church (UMC) is not just a legal win—it’s a decisive affirmation of connectionalism, covenant, and ecclesial order.
On August 18, a Liberian judge ruled that The United Methodist Church’s Liberia Annual Conference is the legal owner of all disputed church properties—churches, schools, health centers, and more—despite aggressive attempts by the breakaway Global Methodist Church (GMC) to claim them. The ruling provides much-needed clarity amid escalating tensions, and it sends a clear signal: connectional churches are not autonomous franchises to be unilaterally commandeered.
Why This Ruling Matters
Let’s be blunt: this wasn’t just about property. It was about identity, legitimacy, and trust.
When a group walks away from a denomination and then claims ownership of the very properties they left, the issue is not just material—it’s theological and ethical. The judge’s language is crystal clear: those who left the UMC “have no color of right, title, legal and equitable ownership.” In other words, you can’t leave a covenant and keep the benefits.
This case is especially significant because it sets a precedent not only in Liberia, but potentially across West Africa and the global connection. In a region where UMC presence is strong, this ruling underscores the power of legal trust clauses and institutional memory. These churches, schools, and clinics were built by generations of United Methodists. They belong to the mission, not to individual agendas.
A Win for Peace and Ministry
Perhaps most heartening is that this decision has de-escalated what had become an emotionally and, at times, physically charged conflict. Worship has resumed at S.T. Nagbe UMC, which had been forced to close due to disruptions by GMC-aligned members. And according to Bishop Samuel Quire Jr., the ruling has “helped to ease tensions and prevent further confrontations.”
This is how rule of law should function in a democratic society. Instead of resorting to violence, division, or rumor-mongering, The United Methodist Church in Liberia pursued due process and let the courts decide. And now, with a clear legal affirmation, the church is turning its attention back where it belongs: ministry, evangelism, education, and health care.
Dispelling Misinformation and Fear
The court ruling comes at a time of great theological and social debate in Methodism, especially following the 2024 General Conference’s decision to remove the denominational ban on LGBTQ clergy and same-sex marriage. Some factions used this shift as a wedge, branding UMC congregations in Africa as “gay churches” to stir outrage and seize control of assets.
Bishop Quire rightly called this tactic what it is: a smear campaign. The Liberia Conference has made its stance clear—affirming a traditional view of marriage in line with the West Africa Central Conference. But it has also insisted on doing so within the connection, not through schism.
In his words: “The lies will not stand forever. Sooner or later, the stain of these falsehoods will fade away.”
The Bigger Picture: Trust, Not Takeover
The real issue here is ecclesiology. What does it mean to be a connected church? The UMC’s trust clause—often derided in Western debates as overly centralized—has once again proven its value. It’s not about control. It’s about stewardship. It ensures that churches don’t become pawns in theological or political power plays, and that the mission can continue uninterrupted for generations.
Connectionalism only works when people honor the covenant. And that includes submitting to the same rule of law that binds us all—spiritually and legally.
What’s Next?
The Global Methodist Church plans to appeal to the Liberian Supreme Court. That’s their right. But the writing is on the wall: the infrastructure of Methodism in Liberia stands on the shoulders of a connectional people, not personal ideology. And courts are now recognizing that.
Meanwhile, UMC leaders are calling for reconciliation—not revenge. As Lay Leader Tolbert Nyenswah said, “This victory … belongs to every faithful member who has held fast to the mission of the church during this period of challenges.”
Amen to that.
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