Mending the Breach: UMC Nigeria Begins Historic Reconciliation Journey After 12 Years of Separation. By Raymond Enoch
In a significant move toward healing one of the most protracted ecclesiastical crises in Nigeria, the United Methodist Church of Nigeria (UMCN) has commenced a comprehensive forgiveness and reconciliation initiative aimed at mending broken relationships after twelve years of separation.
The peace-building effort is being led by the Director-General of the Taraba State Bureau for Peace and Conflict Management and Bishop of The Crown of Life Bible Church, House of David, Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Innocent Rubiruka Solomon, JP+, a respected peace broker and conflict transformation expert. Bishop Solomon serves as the Consultant and Lead Facilitator of the reconciliation process.
The project is being coordinated by the Centre for Peace and Good Leadership Awareness (CEPGLA) in collaboration with the Office of the Bishop of the UMC Nigeria Episcopal Area.
It seeks to restore trust, unity, and shared purpose within the Church following years of internal conflict that culminated in separation.
Speaking to participants drawn from District Superintendents, pastors, men, women, and youth of the UMCN South West Conference in Mutum Biyu, Bishop Solomon identified several factors commonly responsible for conflict within churches and organizations.
These include leadership tussles, poor communication between leaders and the led, tribalism, personal interests overriding collective vision, lack of the fear of God, and weak management of both human and material resources. He noted that many crises are avoidable when leadership is guided by humility, transparency, and accountability.
Emphasizing the theological foundation of the reconciliation process, Bishop Solomon stressed that forgiveness is a compulsory Christian virtue and reconciliation lies at the heart of the Gospel message, referencing Matthew 6:14–15 and 2 Corinthians 5:18–20. He encouraged participants to openly share painful experiences, forgive offenders, and ventilate suppressed anger in a constructive manner. He further urged them to embrace one another, work and worship freely together, and jointly envision the future of the Church.
According to him, leadership comes from God and must therefore be supported through prayer, cooperation, and collective commitment to God’s mission.
The Project Manager and Director of the Centre for Peace and Good Leadership Awareness, Rev. Dr. Abel Nemuel Lamido, explained that the core objectives of the initiative are to reduce grievances, rebuild trust and confidence, and strengthen unity within the UMCN. He added that the project is designed to reposition the Church to effectively fulfill its mission and mandate as an Episcopal Area in Nigeria, particularly in view of the twelve years of separation occasioned by conflict.
The Bishop of the United Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Lordship Bishop Ande Emmanuel, represented at the workshop by Rev. Liatu Kane, called on members to move forward without dwelling on past grievances. He assured participants of a leadership that will be inclusive, humane, and development-focused, while encouraging all stakeholders to work together for the growth and stability of the Church.
The workshop sessions climaxed with prayers of repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation led by Bishop Innocent Solomon. Participants engaged in symbolic acts of open confession, renunciation of past hostilities, and the embracing of one another, marking a significant spiritual and emotional milestone in the journey toward healing and unity within the United Methodist Church of Nigeria.
