The St. Matthew United Methodist Church in Upper Caldwell, on the St. Paul River District of the Liberia Annual Conference, has issued a formal statement rejecting recent global decisions made by the United Methodist Church (UMC) at the 2024 General Conference held in Charlotte, North Carolina.
After closely following the ongoing global crisis within the UMC, church leaders and clergy convened on November 24, 2024, to address the significant doctrinal shifts and their implications for the church’s future.
The 2024 General Conference voted to approve changes to several long-held positions within the denomination, including a new definition of marriage, the recognition of LGBTQ+ persons, the ordination of self-avowed homosexuals, and the legalization of abortion. St. Matthew United Methodist Church, in response, has declared its intention to disassociate from the UMC if the controversial policies remain in the 2020/2024 Book of Discipline (BOD).
The Definition of Marriage: The 2024 General Conference amended the Social Principles of the 2016 Book of Discipline to redefine marriage from a union between a man and a woman to a “sacred lifelong covenant between any two consenting adults,” which could include same-sex unions, a change the St. Matthew United Methodist Church rejects, asserting that the biblical definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman is the only valid understanding of marriage.
The church affirms traditional biblical teachings, referencing Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6, and Ephesians 5:31-32 as foundational texts that define marriage in a heterosexual context.
Support for LGBTQ+ Rights and Same-Sex Marriage: The General Conference’s approval of same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ+ individuals as pastors and bishops has been met with strong opposition from St. Matthew. The church maintains that these practices are incompatible with biblical doctrine and the sanctity of marriage as outlined in Scripture. Passages such as Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:26-27, and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 were cited by the church as clear biblical prohibitions against homosexual acts, St. Matthew noted.
Regionalization of the UMC: The General Conference’s decision to regionalize the UMC into nine global regions has also sparked concern. St. Matthew United Methodist Church denounced this move, arguing that the connectional nature of the church, as outlined in the 2016 Book of Discipline, should remain intact.
The church expressed concern that regionalization would undermine the unity of the denomination and lead to culturally-driven interpretations of the Gospel that could dilute the core teachings of the Bible.
Legalization of Abortion: St. Matthew also rejected the General Conference’s legalization of abortion, which they argue conflicts with the sanctity of life as taught in Scripture. The church affirmed the right of individuals to make decisions about their bodies, but emphasized that the taking of innocent life, particularly through abortion, is morally and spiritually wrong.
The Path Forward: In light of these decisions, the leadership of St. Matthew United Methodist Church declared that if the 2020/2024 Book of Discipline is published with the aforementioned changes intact, the church will officially disassociate from the United Methodist Church. The congregation will transition to an autonomous, traditional Methodist denomination, dedicated to upholding biblical principles.
St. Matthew’s leadership made it clear that their position is grounded in the conviction that any law or practice that contradicts Scripture cannot be accepted by the church. The church affirmed its unwavering commitment to biblical marriage, the rejection of homosexuality and same-sex unions, and the preservation of the sanctity of life.
Reaffirmation of Biblical Teachings: The members of St. Matthew United Methodist Church also reaffirmed their commitment to the teachings of the Holy Bible as the ultimate authority on faith and practice. They emphasized that, as a people of faith, they will not condone or support practices that deviate from God’s design for marriage and human relationships.
“We cannot condone or support practices that promote these identities or lifestyles, as they do not align with our understanding of Scripture,” the statement read. “We are committed to remaining faithful to the Word of God and will not compromise on the core tenets of our faith.” St. Matthew asserted.
A Call for Unity in the Face of Division: While expressing deep sorrow over the division within the UMC, St. Matthew United Methodist Church called for prayer, reflection, and a return to biblical faithfulness across the broader Christian community. The church reiterated its commitment to the Great Commission and to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Liberia and beyond, while remaining firm in its beliefs about marriage, sexuality, and the sanctity of life.
As the global church faces a pivotal moment in its history, St. Matthew United Methodist Church’s decision to disassociate serves as a bold statement in support of traditional Christian doctrine and a rejection of recent shifts that they view as incompatible with biblical teaching. The congregation now stands at a crossroads, committed to charting a course that aligns with its deeply held convictions, while navigating the ongoing challenges of the broader United Methodist Church.
The decision of the Liberia Annual Conference to accept the Global Regionalization, has led to some members churches breaking away and forming the Global Methodist Church, with breakaway churches rejecting the appointment of pastors to their local churches by Bishop Samuel J. Quire.
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