Nigerian Bishop Joins Global Methodist Church, Leaves United Methodist Church

Bishop John Wesley Yohanna and his cabinet have departed from The United Methodist Church of Nigeria, joining the Global Methodist Church. This move marks a significant shift in the denomination’s leadership structure, as Yohanna submitted his resignation to the United Methodist Council of Bishops on July 29. The decision comes after months of speculation and years of internal conflict within the Nigerian United Methodist Church.

Bishop Tracy S. Malone, president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, and other council leaders are collaborating with the West Africa College of Bishops and Episcopacy Committee to appoint interim leadership for the Nigerian church. In a letter to fellow bishops, Malone expressed sorrow over Yohanna’s departure and urged prayer for both him and the congregation, particularly those who remain within the United Methodist Church.

Malone also requested that general secretaries and bishops with covenantal relationships in Nigeria refrain from sending funds or place them in escrow until new episcopal leadership and mechanisms are established. This precaution reflects the ongoing uncertainty and challenges facing the denomination.

Yohanna was set to retire at the end of the year, and the West Africa Central Conference will elect three new bishops in December, with one designated for Nigeria. His departure concludes a period of intense conflict and discord, which had led to the arrest of pastors and a lay member under the bishop’s directive.

The split has also disrupted years of reconciliation efforts between the West Africa Central Conference College of Bishops and the Council of Bishops to restore unity. The recent decision by a group of United Methodists from the North East and Southern Nigeria conferences to leave the church underscores the deepening divisions and the impact of leadership disputes on congregational stability.

The situation highlights the complexities of church leadership and the challenges of maintaining unity in the face of differing theological and administrative perspectives. As the United Methodist Church in Nigeria navigates this transition, the broader implications for denominational cohesion and mission work remain to be seen.

Source: Read the original report