#59 - The United Methodist Church Lifts Ban on Gay Marriage: Fragmentation and Autonomy, with Reverend Jerry Kulah (UMC Part 2 of 2)

Church unity is hard, folks.

The United Methodist Church (UMC) had a momentous global meeting last year (2024), with the major outcome of allowing—or at least not preventing or taking action against—performing same-sex marriages and ordaining non-celibate gay leaders in the church. Methodists around the world have WIDE disagreements on how they even interpret this outcome, much less what they should do about it.

This conflict is as much about church unity and governance as it is about LGBTQ rights and people—but of course they’re wrapped up together. You might recognize yourself and your own Christian denomination in the UMC’s 40+ years of conversations on these topics. Church unity is hard, folks.

Last year, we talked to two members of the UMC to hear their perspectives: a U.S.-based seminary student pursuing ordination with the UMC, and a bishop in UMC leadership in Liberia.

This episode is Part 2 of 2. Part 1 can be found here: https://newkinship.substack.com/p/58-the-united-methodist-church-lifts

We had some technical difficulties with the video on this episode, so thanks for bearing with us.

It’s so important to take the time to listen to each other as we examine our own convictions. Please join us in listening with care for our Christian siblings around the world.

About Our Guest:

The Reverend Dr. Jerry P. Kulah is an elder in the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC). For more 28 years, Dr. Kulah has served the UMC in Liberia as an evangelist, educator, pastor, and administrator. Dr. Kulah holds a Doctor of Ministry degree in Leadership from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, USA (class of 2010); he is currently a PhD candidate in Theology at the Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge Theological Federation, UK. Dr. Kulah’s vision is to see Africa transformed by Christ-centered Africans of quality, competence, and character.

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★ Timestamps

(00:00) #59 - The United Methodist Church Lifted Its Ban on Gay Marriage: On Fragmentation and Autonomy with Reverend Jerry Kulah (Part 2 of 2 on the UMC)

(01:35) Rev. Kulah: Liberian, Ordained UMC Minister

(06:46) "A silent invasion of the church in Africa"

(11:52) Uniting, leaving, waiting: African churches in confusion

(24:29) Regionalization fragments the church under a "big tent"

(33:07) What will happen in the African UMC? (predictions from summer 2024)

(45:12) Liberia's laws on marriage and sexuality

(47:39) Same-sex temptation is not the same as "being homosexual"

(54:37) We are brothers and sisters: "Don't compel me to live in your context"

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★ Links and References

A recent letter from the African Bishops: www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/newsdetail/africa-umc-bishops-statement-2024-18627021

Comments from the Africa Initiative: peopleneedjesus.net/2024/05/24/africa-initiative-united-methodism-in-africa-is-not-for-sale-to-western-cultural-christianity/

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★ Send us feedback, questions, comments, and support!

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★ Credits

Creators and Hosts: David Frank, TJ Espinoza | Audio Engineer: Carl Swenson, carlswensonmusic.com | Podcast Manager: Elena F. | Graphic Designer: Gavin Popken, gavinpopkenart.com ★

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