By Rufus Divine Brooks Jr.
Contributor
The Stephen Trowen Nagbe United Methodist Church (S.T. Nagbe UMC), one of Liberia’s most prominent and historic congregations, has been temporarily closed by the Executive Committee of the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church (LAC/UMC) due to escalating internal conflict and repeated disruptions during worship services.
The closure was announced in an official statement signed by Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr., Chairman of the Executive Committee and Resident Bishop of the Liberia Episcopal Area.
The committee cited “grave concern” over recent incidents, including interruptions of Holy Communion, the harassment of appointed clergy, and disruptions during consecutive Sunday services.
“These events are deeply troubling and unprecedented,” the statement read, emphasizing that such behavior runs counter to the United Methodist Church’s core values of peace, love, accountability, order, and mutual respect.
S.T. Nagbe UMC, named after Liberia’s first Methodist bishop, Stephen Trowen Nagbe, is located near the seat of the Liberia Annual Conference. It is widely regarded as both a spiritual landmark and a historical symbol of the church’s legacy in Liberia, making the current turmoil especially significant.
Root of the Conflict: Doctrinal Divisions
At the heart of the dispute is a broader theological disagreement over the church’s stance on marriage. Following the 2020–2024 General Conference, the Liberia Annual Conference-alongside all African UMC conferences, reaffirmed its position that marriage is a union between one man and one woman.
This interpretation aligns with the UMC’s Book of Discipline and Liberia’s national laws and will be formally enshrined in an upcoming revised edition of the Book of Discipline.
Despite the official position, the Executive Committee noted a rise in “misinformation, disinformation, and misrepresentation,” which has fueled confusion and conflict in some congregations.
At S.T. Nagbe UMC, these tensions reportedly spiraled into physical confrontations, rejection of ecclesiastical leadership, and alleged efforts by a faction to unlawfully align the church with the breakaway Global Methodist Church (GMC).
Church authorities, including the Bishop, District Superintendent, and local pastors, made multiple attempts to mediate the dispute, but those efforts were ultimately unsuccessful. A “small group,” the committee said, has consistently disrupted services, defied leadership, and prevented orderly church governance.
Executive Action Taken
To restore order and safeguard the sanctity of the church, the Executive Committee has implemented the following immediate measures:
Temporary Closure: The church premises will remain closed to protect worshippers, clergy, and property while a formal investigation is conducted by the Liberia Annual Conference.
Relocation of Services: Members of S.T. Nagbe UMC are directed to attend worship and other activities at alternative United Methodist churches during the closure.
Disciplinary Measures: Individuals found responsible for misconduct will be charged under Paragraph 2702.1 of the Book of Discipline, with disciplinary procedures guided by Paragraph 2706.
Review for Reopening: Any decision to reopen the church will be made jointly by the Bishop, Cabinet, and appointed clergy.
Interim Leadership: The Senior Pastor, in consultation with the District Superintendent, is empowered to appoint acting officers for all church auxiliaries during this interim period.
Precedent for Other Congregations: The committee also warned that similar actions could be taken in other congregations across Liberia facing comparable disturbances.
A Call for Prayer and Unity
In closing, the Liberia Annual Conference called on all members-particularly those involved in the conflict, to engage in self-reflection and return to the guiding principles of the United Methodist Church.
“Let us not allow our disagreements to become tools of division,” the statement urged. “Instead, let us seek reconciliation, humility, and healing.”
Bishop Quire expressed hope that the church will emerge stronger from the crisis. “The United Methodist Church has weathered many storms,” he said. “We will overcome this one, too.”
