The intellectual inability of the COB and some leaders in the UMC to understand that the Protestant Church is the “Big Tent” under which various denominations with theological differences exist is astounding. There are literally thousands of LGBT+ affirming Protestant Churches but the “Big Tent” is not “inclusive” unless the UMC joins them. Socio-political activism (left and right) is blinding. Keep it out of the church.
Stay strong Africa!
Comment by Jeff Kelley on June 7, 2022 at 10:14 am
It sounds like, from this document, that the intent of the majority of Africa’s churches is to split from the USA UMC mainline, but to wait until a binding financial agreement is approved in 2024 to do so. But I’d like to better understand what portion of Africa’s membership the Africa Initiative represents? 100%? 90%? 50%?
African membership currently accounts for about 32% of all UMC membership, and about 90% of black membership. From the 10,000 foot view, it sure appears like the white progressive wing of the American UMC just overturned a democratic vote from the 2019 General Conference and kicked out 90% of the black members who disagreed with them and had outvoted them. If I were looking at some other organization doing this, it would sure look a lot like white privilege and systemic racism.
Comment by Steve on June 6, 2022 at 10:57 am
The intellectual inability of the COB and some leaders in the UMC to understand that the Protestant Church is the “Big Tent” under which various denominations with theological differences exist is astounding. There are literally thousands of LGBT+ affirming Protestant Churches but the “Big Tent” is not “inclusive” unless the UMC joins them. Socio-political activism (left and right) is blinding. Keep it out of the church.
Stay strong Africa!
Comment by Jeff Kelley on June 7, 2022 at 10:14 am
It sounds like, from this document, that the intent of the majority of Africa’s churches is to split from the USA UMC mainline, but to wait until a binding financial agreement is approved in 2024 to do so. But I’d like to better understand what portion of Africa’s membership the Africa Initiative represents? 100%? 90%? 50%?
African membership currently accounts for about 32% of all UMC membership, and about 90% of black membership. From the 10,000 foot view, it sure appears like the white progressive wing of the American UMC just overturned a democratic vote from the 2019 General Conference and kicked out 90% of the black members who disagreed with them and had outvoted them. If I were looking at some other organization doing this, it would sure look a lot like white privilege and systemic racism.