By Yassah J Wright
A growing leadership dispute within Liberia’s Aladura Church has drawn public attention after a group of elders and ministers from the Church of the Lord Evangelical Ministry and other branches raised concerns regarding the leadership of Bishop Victor Moses Olacesemoji.
The Church of the Lord Evangelical Ministry is one of several churches operating under the broader Aladura Christian tradition in Liberia.
In an interview, Cllr. Abraham T. Gborie, an elder and pastor within the Church of the Lord Evangelical Ministry, outlined concerns shared by several church leaders regarding internal governance and leadership matters.
According to him, the issue came to the forefront following a recent church gathering during which a message was reportedly conveyed from the church’s Apostle requesting that Bishop Olacesemoji be declared the permanent Bishop of the church in Liberia.
Cllr. Gborie said that some elders and ministers did not agree with the proposal and believed that certain concerns within the church should be addressed first.
“As elders, we believe there are issues that need discussion before any decision on permanent leadership is finalised,” he explained.
Kakata Conference
Amid the disagreement, a group of elders and ministers organized a conference in Kakata from February 23 to 28.
The gathering brought together representatives from several counties, including Maryland and Bong, to deliberate on the situation within the church.
Cllr. Gborie noted that the meeting was intended to provide a platform for dialogue among ministers and elders regarding the direction and administration of the church.
He indicated that approximately 189 elders and ministers are associated with the group that participated in the discussions.
Among the issues raised by some elders are concerns related to leadership conduct and financial accountability within the church’s administration.
Cllr. Gborie said some church leaders believe questions regarding the management of certain funds and internal communication should be addressed in order to strengthen trust and transparency within the church.
“These are matters that some elders believe should be examined openly so the church can move forward together,” he said.
The disagreement has also entered the legal arena.
According to him, the dispute was taken to court, where the presiding judge reportedly ruled that the case should proceed through a reference process aimed at examining the issues in detail.
He added that some elders believe the legal process should continue so that the concerns raised can be properly addressed.
Despite the ongoing disagreement, Cllr. Gborie emphasized that the intention of the elders is not to create division within the Aladura Church community.
“Our goal is not to break the church,” he said.
“What we want is fairness, accountability and an opportunity for church leaders to sit together and resolve the issues peacefully.”
He suggested that a temporary step aside by the Bishop could create room for constructive discussions among church leaders as they seek a long-term solution.
Observers within the Aladura Church community say they remain hopeful that the matter will be resolved through dialogue, church processes and the ongoing legal proceedings, allowing the church to maintain unity among its congregations across Liberia.