Global Methodist Church and United Methodist Church Clash Over Property

Paynesville, Liberia: A dramatic confrontation took place at the 72nd United Methodist Church in Paynesville on Sunday, March 2, 2025, when members of the newly formed Global Methodist Church (GMC) tried to take control of the property, leading to the arrest of several GMC members, including Rev. Dr. Jerry Kulah. This clash has reignited tensions between the two groups and highlights a growing divide within the Methodist community.

The Split Between the Global Methodist Church and the United Methodist Church

The Global Methodist Church broke away from the United Methodist Church in 2022, mainly due to disagreements over LGBTQ+ issues. The UMC had been debating whether to allow same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ+ clergy, leading to a divide among members. The GMC, which holds traditional views on marriage, disagreed with the UMC’s growing acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights. The GMC accused the UMC of becoming a “gay church,” a claim that the UMC leadership strongly rejected. This split has led to multiple congregations leaving the UMC and joining the GMC.

The Dispute at 72nd Church

The clash at the 72nd United Methodist Church in Paynesville was a result of a recent court ruling that affirmed the UMC’s ownership of the church building. However, members of the GMC argued that they had contributed financially to the church’s construction and believed they had a rightful claim to the property. On Sunday, GMC members attempted to hold a service at the church, defying the court’s ruling. This led to a standoff with police, who used tear gas and arrested several GMC members, including Rev. Dr. Jerry Kulah, a well-known critic of the UMC’s regionalization efforts.

After being released from jail, Rev. Dr. Kulah spoke out against the UMC’s control over the property, expressing his firm stance on the issue. His comments, along with the clash itself, have sparked further debate over church property rights and the future of the divided Methodist community.

A Larger Controversy

The dispute over the 72nd church is just one example of a larger wave of departures from the UMC. Several other Methodist churches, including the Miller McAllister Methodist Church in Ganta and the New Georgia United Methodist Church, have broken away over disagreements related to LGBTQ+ issues. These churches argue that their financial contributions to building and maintaining church properties give them a right to keep control, while the UMC maintains that its properties are held in trust for the entire denomination.

The conflict has even affected the local Paynesville community. One resident claimed that during the chaos, police damaged her cooking pot, although the police denied the accusation, saying the damage was caused by people fleeing the scene.

Looking Ahead

The split between the Global Methodist Church and the United Methodist Church shows no signs of stopping. As both sides fight over property, leadership, and doctrine, the future of the Methodist faith in Liberia—and beyond—remains uncertain. The growing tensions over LGBTQ+ issues and property ownership are likely to continue shaping the church for years to come, with many wondering if a resolution is possible or if this division will deepen further.