Rev. Kulah’s suspension follows recommendations from an investigative committee and the Church Counsel of the Board of Ordained Ministry.
Monrovia, November 25, 2024: The United Methodist Church (UMC) has, with immediate effect, suspended Rev. Dr. Jerry P. Kulah.
The Vice President at the Bishop John G. Innis Graduate School of Professional Studies, United Methodist University (UMU), is accused of multiple infractions that undermine the UMC’s teachings, unity, and policies.
Rev. Kulah’s suspension follows recommendations from an investigative committee and the Church Counsel of the Board of Ordained Ministry.
A prominent campaigner for the Global Methodist Church (GMC), Rev. Kulah is accused of allegedly violating Paragraph 2702.1 (c, d, e, & f) of the UMC Discipline.
The GMC is a breakaway denomination of the United Methodist Church, which is opposed to same-sex marriage and the ordination of non-celibate and gays as clergy.
Church officials have confirmed that an investigation is ongoing.
Rev. Kulah has been instructed to comply fully with the process, return all UMC and UMU properties in his possession, and restrict his activities to retrieving personal belongings.
The suspension arises from allegations of multiple infractions that undermine the UMC’s teachings, unity, and policies.
Key allegations include Rev. Kulah’s alleged promotion of GMC Policies. The UMC said Rev. Dr. Kulah prioritizes the Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline of the GMC over the UMC’s Book of Discipline 2016, contradicting UMC teachings and laws.
The UMC further accuses Rev. Kulah of affiliation with the GMC. He allegedly works as a coordinator for GMC-related projects, including a breakaway group, the Mt. Horeb Global Methodist Church, which severed ties with the UMC in May 2022.
Also, Rev. Kulah is accused of coordinating GMC-funded projects. The accusations against Rev. Kulah detailed that he is reported to oversee initiatives like the Boway Development Association, funded by the Mt. Horeb Church of Lexington, South Carolina.
These projects, according to the UMC, operate in Liberia under the GMC banner, despite the UMC’s opposition to such affiliations.
He is reported as advocating for disaffiliation, which the UMC explains as saying in September 2023, the accused allegedly participated in a Nairobi meeting where GMC members strategized on disaffiliating African churches from the UMC.
According to the UMC, the idea was to form independent conferences and elect new bishops aligned with the GMC.
Rev. Kulah is accused of having a membership in Breakaway Groups. As a member of the Wesleyan Covenant Association (WCA), the UMC noted that Rev. Dr. Kulah is accused of supporting initiatives that contradict UMC teachings.
The church has accused him of spreading misinformation about the UMC and coordinating the Africa Initiative, which UMC Bishops have criticized for fostering division.
As part of the accusations, the UMC listed undermining the church unity.
The UMC noted that these actions are alleged to have fostered disunity within the UMC in Africa and violated the church’s commitment to unity.
The suspension prohibits Rev. Dr. Kulah from preaching, teaching, counseling, or representing the UMC.
He has been directed to return all UMC and UMU properties and to restrict his access to retrieving personal belongings.
To ensure academic stability, Rev. Dr. George Weagbe has been appointed as the new Vice President of the Graduate School.
The UMU administration has assured students and faculty that academic and administrative activities will continue smoothly.
Additionally, students have been explicitly advised not to attend any unauthorized meetings organized by Rev. Kulah, as the university reiterates that it operates under institutional governance and not personal authority.
This decisive action reflects the UMC’s commitment to maintaining integrity and accountability within its leadership while respecting the principles of due process.
The UMC said the investigation into the allegations against Rev. Kulah is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as they become available.
