By Gbayor Charles Gbayor
Monrovia,Liberia: The Human Rights Department of the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church (LAC/UMC) has concluded a day-long seminar focused on the legal implications of the Book of Discipline, regionalization, the definition of marriage, and misinformation and disinformation. The event, held at the David T. Tewh Conference Room at the Central Office on 12th Street, Monrovia, brought together clergy and lay members of the church for dialogue, education, and clarity on some of the most pressing issues facing the denomination.
The seminar provided participants with a balanced understanding of the 2020–2024 General Conference decisions and their implications for both the Church and Liberia as a nation.
According to Rev. J. Joel Gould, Administrative Assistant to Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr., reminded participants that the Liberia Annual Conference has nothing to fear from the decisions of the General Conference.
“There may still be confusion, but the more we educate and share the truth, the more clarity will come. This seminar is part of that effort. Our goal is to strengthen both clergy and members so that misinformation does not weaken our witness as a church,” Rev. Gould said.
Bro. Jefferson Knight, Director of the LAC/UMC Human Rights Department, expressed concern over the deliberate misinformation being circulated by individuals and breakaway groups.
“Since last year, there have been several actions against our nation-building church. People who broke away have demonized regionalization, saying that it allows man to marry man and woman to marry woman. That is a lie,” Knight stated firmly.
Knight, emphasized that regionalization is about empowering United Methodists in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines to shape policies that reflect their own cultural and theological contexts while still remaining part of the global UMC connection.
“Regionalization is not about redefining marriage. It is about contextualizing ministry so that decisions affecting Africa are made with African voices at the table,” he noted.
Jefferson B. Knight “The Social Principles of the UMC – Marriage and Its Effects on Liberian Laws.” In his lecture, he clarified that the United Methodist Church globally continues to affirm marriage as the union between one man and one woman.
“The fear being spread by some is baseless. The UMC in Liberia has not changed its definition of marriage, and nothing in the regionalization framework forces us to do so,” he explained.
Knight reminded participants that Liberia is a sovereign nation with its own laws on marriage, and the UMC in Liberia aligns with both Scripture and national law. He emphasized that misinformation linking regionalization to same-sex marriage is a tactic to discredit the church’s unity.
Rev. Cllr. Able Knight, who spoke on “The Legal Implications of the Book of Discipline.” He explained that the United Methodist Church is both a spiritual and legal institution, governed by its Book of Discipline, which outlines doctrine, polity, and church law.
Rev. Knight stressed that the Book of Discipline is binding on all United Methodist members and congregations in Liberia and must be respected as such.
“They are carrying out lies that cannot hold water, they spread fake information, they act lawlessly and open violence everywhere, The United Methodist Church in Liberia does not issue marriage licenses but rather the Liberian government” he said. He further noted that regionalization, as affirmed by the General Conference, is consistent with both church law and the Constitution of Liberia, because it respects cultural diversity without compromising biblical standards.
“People who break away from The United Methodist Church are carrying cheap lies and deceit around spoiling our church name.”
During his presentation Dr. Julu E. Swen, addressed “Misinformation and Disinformation on the Decisions of the 2020–2024 General Conference.” Dr. Swen carefully distinguished between misinformation (false information shared in ignorance) and disinformation (false information deliberately shared to deceive and harm).
Dr. Swen noted that much of what is being circulated against the UMC in Liberia falls under disinformation, deliberately aimed at creating division, confusion and harms.
“Disinformation is a weapon. It destabilizes churches, communities, and even nations. As Christians, we are called to be truth-tellers and peace-builders. We must confront lies with facts and ensure that our people are not misled,The UMC in Liberia is not breaking any of the United Methodist Church worldwide ,” Dr. Swen declared.
He encouraged participants to become ambassadors of truth by returning to their congregations and spreading correct information. “When people understand, they are less likely to be manipulated,” he added.
The seminar concluded with participants expressing appreciation for the clarity received. Many committed to carrying the information back to their local churches to help dispel lies and reinforce unity.
Through events like this, the LAC/UMC Human Rights Department continues to affirm the church’s mission: making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, grounded in truth, discipline, and a firm commitment to both God and country.