
In May 2024, the United Methodist Church (UMC) held its General Conference in North Carolina in the US, where a controversial vote was passed to end a ban on openly practicing homosexual clergy. The conference was marred by controversy, as a large proportion of the African delegates, known for their opposition to this inclusion, were unable to obtain visas due to late invitations - a situation the African clergy had warned about in advance.
African congregations, deeply rooted in values such as family cohesion and the teachings of early African Christian missionaries, expressed strong opposition to the decision. In response, the entire UMC branch in Ivory Coast, representing nearly 1 million members, announced its departure from the denomination - a move that received scant attention in American UMC media. Now, other African branches of the UMC (South Africa, the Republic of the Congo, DRC, Zimbabwe, Ghana, and Nigeria) are contemplating similar actions, though financial constraints (as most funding comes from the US) and the UMC's power structures pose significant challenges to their potential exits.
Christianity in Africa is as old as the religion itself. From the earliest days of the faith, Africa has played a pivotal role in the development and spread of Christianity. Yet today, many African Christians find themselves practicing a version of the faith that is largely divorced from its historical roots on the continent. This modern, Westernized Christianity often comes with a set of values, practices, and power structures that are alien to Africa's spiritual and cultural identity. It is high time we recognize the importance of developing and supporting an authentically African Christianity - one that is rooted in our own history, values, and aspirations.
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