Monrovia – The crisis within the United Methodist Church (UMC) of Liberia appears to be far from ending as evidenced by a new stance taken by the Administrative Council at the
Stephen Trowen Nagbe UMC, warning the public against transacting and engaging with any purported “illegitimate and unlawful interim leadership” setup by the Church Monrovia District Superintendent.
By Obediah Johnson
The current tension within the church stems from a global doctrinal shift adopted by the United Methodist Church (UMC) General Conference 2024, which amended Paragraph 161.G of the Book of Discipline (2024 edition) to redefine marriage as:
“A sacred, lifelong covenant that brings two people of faith, an adult man and woman of consenting age, or two adult persons of consenting age, into union with one another and into deeper relationship with God and the religious community.”
But in a statement issued in Monrovia on Monday, November 10, the Council claimed that this new formulation opens the door for same-sex marriages and departs from the original and biblical definition of marriage as a covenant solely between one man and one woman as supported by various chapters including Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6; Romans 1:26–27; Leviticus 18:22.
The statement was issued under the signatures of: Romeo Kamara (President, Youth Fellowship), Regina Gongar (President, Women Organization), Janet Davies (Treasurer), Kelvin Z, Sambola (Trustee Chair), Felecia W. Dorbor (President, Young Adults Fellowship), Isaac C. Woods (Men Unit0 and Henry G. Stryker (Lay Delegate LAC/UMC).
It pointed out that the congregation of S. T. Nagbe United Methodist Church, deeply rooted in the Word of God and faithful to its Wesleyan heritage, rejects this alteration as both unbiblical and inconsistent with Liberia’s moral and legal order, which recognizes marriage exclusively between a man and a woman.
The Council recalled that in defense of “our faith and constitutional rights”, STNUMC congregation filed a declaratory-judgment lawsuit before the Civil Law Court of Montserrado County, seeking protection under the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, which guarantees freedom of worship and conscience.
It can be recalled that on August 5, 2025, the Civil Law Court issued a ruling ordering all parties to return to status quo ante pending final determination of the case.
But the Council claimed that, the District Superintendent of the Monrovia District Conference, Rev. Charles Eddie S. Langama Sr., convened a purported Charge Conference on October 21, 2025, to unlawfully remove the legitimate leadership of STNUMC and install an interim administration.
“In this regard, we, the legitimate Administrative Council and congregation of STNUMC, categorically reject this illegal and unrecognized action. The leadership elected and installed during the 2024 Charge Conference remains the only lawful leadership of the Church until a proper, transparent, and biblically guided process is conducted following the final court ruling,” the Council maintained.
The Council, however, cautioned the public, including partners, and institutions not to transact or engage with any purported “interim leadership.”
It added that any such dealings with the “interim leadership” would be illegitimate, unlawful, and against the interests of the Church.
The Council also called on the Bishop of UMC Samuel J. Quire, Jr., and the Liberia Annual Conference (LAC/UMC) to return to the biblical foundations of their faith and demonstrate “spiritual integrity by rejecting deception and doctrinal compromise” in this turbulent time.
According to the Council, it is misleading and “unchrist-like” to affirm publicly that “the UMC will never allow same-sex marriage,” while at the same time endorsing the 2024 Book of Discipline, which explicitly redefines marriage to include same-sex unions.
It maintained that such contradictions sow confusion and undermine the moral authority of the Church.
“The Stephen Trowen Nagbe United Methodist Church has stood for over five decades as a beacon of Christian faith, education, and community service in Liberia. We remain anchored in the Gospel of Christ, faithful to the Articles of Religion and the Confession of Faith, and committed to the traditional Methodist teaching that upholds the sanctity of marriage and the authority of Scripture,” it stated.
Meanwhile, members of the Council have vowed to continue to
worship peacefully, uphold lawful order, and trust in God’s justice through the courts and the conscience of the faithful.
The Council, however, called on the The Government of Liberia to ensure that the constitutional rights of its congregation are protected.
It noted that the Liberia Council of Churches and all faith leaders should be with them in defense of biblical truth.
The Council also called on the Press Union of Liberia and the Liberian public to remain vigilant and discerning against misinformation intended to divide the body of Christ.
“We reaffirm that our struggle is not against individuals but against false doctrine. Our mission is not to separate from the UMC, but to preserve its true heritage of holiness, scriptural fidelity, and moral courage, the Council furthered.
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