MONRIVIA, LIBERIA – The Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church (LAC/UMC) has reaffirmed its position on marriage, declaring that it remains a sacred union between a man and a woman. This decision, made at the 192nd Annual Session held in Gbarnga, Bong County, from February 10-16, 2025, aligns with the resolution adopted by the West Africa Central Conference (WACC), which governs Episcopal Areas and Annual Conferences in the region.
The conference emphasized that its stance is in accordance with Biblical teachings, cultural values, and Liberia’s civil laws. The amendment to The Book of Discipline, Paragraph 544, subparagraphs 5 and 7, was formally adopted to reinforce this principle. The resolution mandates all member churches and affiliated bodies to uphold and implement the definition of marriage within the church, ensuring full compliance with national laws and religious doctrine.
In addition to reaffirming its stance on marriage, the Liberia Annual Conference addressed concerns over church properties, directing the Board of Trustees to intensify efforts to secure, codify, and recover assets belonging to the church. During its deliberations, the conference emphasized that all United Methodist Church properties in Liberia are held in trust for the benefit of the denomination and must be protected from encroachment and unlawful claims.
The resolution grants the Board of Trustees, under the leadership of Chairperson Henry N. Brunson and Secretary Eliza D. J. Kronyanh, the authority to allocate funds for legal action. The board is tasked with taking decisive steps to recover and safeguard real and personal properties in all 20 districts and two circuits of the church across Liberia. Legal actions may include litigation and documentation efforts to establish clear ownership and prevent further encroachment.
The conference also reaffirmed its commitment to the United Methodist Church’s identity, preserving the denomination’s name, cross, and flame as registered trademarks under Liberian law. These symbols, it said, remain integral to the church’s evangelism, mission, and Christian service.
The resolutions passed at the 192nd Annual Session stress the Liberia Annual Conference’s determination to uphold its doctrinal beliefs while protecting its institutional integrity. As legal and social challenges continue to evolve, the church’s leadership has vowed to stand firm in its faith and governance.
