By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
The leadership of the Conference United Methodist Young Adults Fellowship (YAF) of the Liberia Annual Conference, the United Methodist Church (UMC) has been suspended with immediate effect for a time indefinitely.
In a communication, dated January 20, addressed to Ms. Martha Dobboh, President of the Young Adults Fellowship, cited “gross disrespectful behavior” as the reason for the suspension.
The communication signed by Rev. J. Joel Gould, Administrative Assistant to the Bishop, on behalf of Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr., the Resident Bishop of the Liberia Annual Conference/United Methodist Church, provided that the behavior that led to the suspension of Young Adults Fellowship Leadership occurred during the just 25th-anniversary celebration of the Conference Young Adults Fellowship in Gbarnga, Bong County, when Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr and dignitaries arrived at the occasion.
The letter outlined that the YAF leadership, including Ms. Dobboh and her officers, failed to maintain the decorum expected of their office. The communication added that Bishop Quire and other senior officials of the church were treated with “gross affront” during the anniversary event, a situation the church leadership described as “unacceptable” and contrary to the principles of the United Methodist Church. “You exhibited gross affront at the highest level, a behavior the church will not condone under any circumstances,” the letter stated.
The communication further directs Ms. Dobboh and her team to vacate their offices and cease all duties associated with their positions. “By directive of Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr., you, along with your core of officers, have been ordered suspended from various offices respectively with immediate effect until further notice,” the communication further detailed.
The letter noted that the Department of Youth and Young Adults Ministries of the Liberia Annual Conference would take over the coordination of all activities of the Young Adults Fellowship. It adds that the interim arrangement is designed to ensure the continuity of the fellowship’s programs while the leadership issues are addressed. However, the letter did not specify whether any formal investigations or further disciplinary actions were planned.
Meanwhile, some members of the United Methodist asserted that the suspension of the YAF leadership is a decision that will bring others out of the way to order, citing the need for discipline and respect for church authorities. “This suspension feels like a heavy-handed approach and I support Bishop Quire’s decision.” They further stated that discipline is necessary to uphold the church’s values. “Respect for authority is a cornerstone of our faith. If leaders of the fellowship cannot demonstrate this, then the Bishop’s action is justified,” the member argued.
The suspension of the YAF leadership comes at a time when the United Methodist Church in Liberia is working to strengthen its youth programs and foster greater involvement of young people in the church’s mission. This disciplinary action raises questions about how the church balances the need for accountability with the need to nurture young leaders.
Observers note that the incident underscores the challenges of managing generational differences within the church. As younger members take on leadership roles, their approaches and perspectives sometimes clash with traditional expectations, leading to conflicts like the one that resulted in the current suspension.
However, it remains unclear when or if the suspended YAF leadership will be reinstated. The letter did not provide a timeline for resolving the matter, leaving the future of the fellowship’s leadership uncertain.
In the meantime, the Department of Youth and Young Adults Ministries is expected to oversee the fellowship’s programs, ensuring the activities continue uninterrupted by calling for prayers and unity as they work through the challenging period.
The United Methodist Church in Liberia has long been a pillar of faith and community development, and its youth programs play a critical role in shaping the next generation of leaders. How the church resolves this issue will likely have a lasting impact on the Young Adults Fellowship and its role within the broader church community.
The Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church is one of the leading Christian denominations in the country, with a strong emphasis on education, social justice, and community service. The church’s youth and young adult ministries are integral to its mission of developing servant leaders for the nation and the world.
