The Bishop of the Global Methodist Church Nigeria, GMCN, Most Rev. John Pena Auta, has attributed the exodus of some members from the United Methodist Church, UMC, to its acceptance of homosexuality and LGBTQ+ practices, which he described as a deviation from the Church’s foundational doctrines.
Bishop Auta made the remarks during an interactive session and dinner with members and stakeholders of the GMCN in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.
The bishop explained that GMCN members were originally part of the United Methodist Church but began reconsidering their affiliation when the UMC, according to him, started embracing teachings contrary to the Bible and the doctrines laid down by the Church’s founder, John Wesley.
“We began to notice that some people were embracing foreign teachings and making several efforts to change our doctrines. That is the foundation of our disagreement,” he said.
He emphasized that the core issue behind the split was doctrinal, specifically pointing to the events of the recent UMC General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.
According to Bishop Auta, that meeting marked a turning point when the UMC officially accepted same-sex marriage and LGBTQ inclusion, which he said contradicted the theological foundations of Methodism.
“Marriage was no longer between a man and a woman but between a man and a man. And some of us held on to the decision of our former Bishop, John Wesley Yohanna, who said if the conference made up its mind to change the doctrine, we must return home and decide our path forward,” Bishop Auta explained.
He added that this decision led to the establishment of the Global Methodist Church Nigeria, which he stressed would continue to uphold traditional Christian teachings on marriage and sexuality.
“The Global Methodist Church will officiate a marriage between a man and a woman not between a man and a man or a woman and a woman,” he affirmed.
GMCN, UMC split over gay marriage, LGBTQ inclusion in church – Bishop Auta