MONROVIA — The Bishop-emeritus of the United Methodist Church has stated that only the Liberia Annual Conference has the authority to allow same-sex marriage in its churches. Retired Bishop Arthur Kulah clarified that the United Methodist Church does not endorse same-sex marriage, as it is not a gay church, contrary to some public misconceptions.
Bishop Kulah made this statement during the National Day of Worship, Peace, and the Sustenance of Biblical Christianity event in Sinkor on Sunday. He emphasized, “We, the United Methodists, are peaceful and gracious people. We do not believe in violence. We are conservative and more democratic than many other churches in our beliefs and worship of God.”
Regarding the global conference in the United States, Bishop Kulah recounted that he was asked to chair the deliberations when the topic of same-sex marriage was introduced. “I told them that we are paradoxical Christians—democratic yet conservative—and in Liberia, we will not accept same-sex marriage under any circumstances.”
Bishop Kulah urged for a special conference to explain and interpret the discussions held at the global conference. He further asserted, “If anyone claims that the United Methodist Church is now a gay church, they are lying unless the Liberia Annual Conference agrees.”
He also apologized to Bishop Samuel Quire for the violent incident in Ganta, Nimba County, and commended the Liberia Council of Churches for their efforts to resolve the crisis within the UMC.
During the service, Reverend Jerry Kulah, Vice President for Graduate Programs at the United Methodist University, stated that the United Methodist Church worldwide is in crisis due to a divide between liberals and conservatives. He explained that progressives within the church believe the Holy Bible is evolving and consider themselves to have more contemporary insights than Jesus or God.
Kulah criticized this viewpoint, saying, “Progressives and liberals are denying the Bible in many respects, introducing social and cultural practices that contravene Christian teachings, such as same-sex marriage.”
He noted that the majority at the recent global conference voted to lift the ban on same-sex marriage in the United Methodist Church, which he opposes. “In the United Methodist Church in Liberia, we still oppose this because it is unbiblical from Genesis to Revelation. There is no biblical support for same-sex marriage, and it is totally unacceptable.”
During the service, several speakers voiced their opposition to introducing same-sex marriage in the church in Liberia, with some even praying for God to prevent the LGBTQ agenda in the UMC.
The United Methodist Church has been facing internal crises, with some members demanding that Bishop Samuel Quire clarify the church’s position on same-sex marriage. The National Day of Worship, Prayer for Peace, and the Sustenance of Biblical Christianity was organized by worshippers calling for a special session to determine the position of the Liberia Annual Conference.
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