The trouble within the United Methodist Church (UMC) has taken a more disquieting trend with the expulsion of 125 clergies, including Reverend/Doctor Jerry K. Kulah.
The Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church (LAC/UMC), confirmed expelling and subsequently revoking the ministerial credentials of Rev/Dr. Kulah and 122 other high profiled clergies.
The decision was taken during the church’s 193rd Annual Session.
Other expelled are Reveren/Doctor, Sarwolo J. Nelson, Jr., Rev/Dr. George G. Wilson, Jr., Rev/Dr. Isaac Chukpue-Padmore, Rev/Dr. Julius Z. Y. K. Williams.
Others are Reverend Rose Farhat, Reverend Jerry Kandea, Reverend Kenneth C. Jackson, Reverend Rodney Marshall, Reverend Allen Paye, Reverend/Dr. Charles Fiske, Rev/Dr. Anna K. Labala, Reverend Cooper Pay Mondolo, and 113 other individuals, who formerly served as clergy within the UMC in Liberia.
The resolution, taken at the seat of the 193rd Session of the LAC/UMC in Greenville, Sinoe County, followed findings that those expelled pastors “acted in flagrant disregard for, and disobedience to the order, discipline, and doctrinal standards of UMC.”
Despite having been educated and entrusted to defend and uphold UMC, theological integrity, they affected clergies instead, “engaged in actions deemed to undermine ecclesiastical authority.”
They are accused of challenging the unity of the church, and bringing the denomination into public disrepute.
Though, none of the expelled clergies have commented, the resolution further determined that those excommunicated from UMC in Liberia “categorically and deliberately” refused to surrender their ministerial credentials when requested to do so by the Conference Secretary.
The act to expel them is in accordance with Paragraph 361 of the 2020/2024 Book of Discipline (BOD).
Delegates at the 193rd Annual Session acting under the authority granted by Paragraph 605.7 of the BOD, voted overwhelmingly to expel individuals, who formerly served as clergy, same was seen them during ministerial Session with more than a two-third affirmative vote was obtained to terminate, nullify, and revoke the credentials of the affected clergies.
The Board of “Ordained Ministry” of the LAC/UMC confirmed that these clergy members were duly expelled during the Clergy Session of the 193rd Annual Session, consistent with the powers vested in that body by the BOD.
The 193rd Annual Session, being the highest decision-making body of the LAC/UMC in plenary, adopted the following: To affirm the expulsion of the pastors whose names were presented by the Board of Ordained Ministry; to publish the names of those expelled in public media, informing the general public that they are no longer clergy of UMC: to prohibit the expelled individuals from mounting the pulpits or entering the chancery of any congregation within the LAC/UMC; to hold accountable, under Paragraph 2702.1(c) of the 2020/2024 BOD, any clergy who permit such individuals to function in ministerial roles within United Methodist congregations.
It can be recalled that in October, 2024, Bishop Samuel J. Quire, Jr. suspended Reverends Kenneth C. Jackson, Allen Paye, and several other pastors for their roles in a “growing rebellion within UMC in Liberia.”
Revs. Jackson (72nd UMC) and Paye (John Warner UMC), those suspended included Rev. Leo Mason (New Georgia UMC), Rev. Elijah Darjue, and Pastor Yah Gorgboyee.
Bishop Quire suspended insubordination and defiance to his administration and disrespectful to the Board of Ordained Ministry.
LAC/UMC reiterates its commitment to maintain the doctrinal integrity, discipline, and connectional order of the Church, while continuing its mission of evangelism, discipleship, and service to all people.