The fifth session of the Uganda-South Sudan Annual Conference met in Busia, Uganda, Aug. 28-Sept. 1.

Addressing the disaffiliations occurring across The United Methodist Church, Bishop Daniel Wandabula, East Africa Episcopal Area, appealed to leaders still interested in doing ministry with the denomination to restart the process of building the church. He said that the disaffiliation issue, especially in the United States, is causing tension within the United Methodist family all over the world.

His appeal came on the heels of challenges affecting growth and progress not only in The United Methodist Church, but also in all other spheres of life around the world.

Wandabula observed that church attendance, especially among young people, is still low, as many youth and older adults have not returned to in-person worship following the COVID-19 pandemic. The church is experiencing a decline in offerings, affecting the ministry and programs in the church globally.

The bishop focused on Nehemiah 2:18, NRSV, which reads, “I told them that the hand of my God had been gracious upon me, and also the words that the king had spoken to me. Then they said, ‘Let us start building!’ So they committed themselves to the common good.”

Wandabula urged leaders to rise up and rebuild the church.

“This is the time for us to raise and build whatever God has called us to do in The United Methodist Church in Uganda-South Sudan Annual Conference. Just as the children of Israel were encouraged and inspired to work on the wall, these words can ignite our passion afresh for ministry and service.” The church’s theme for 2023-24 is “Let Us Rise Up and Build.”

“Like Nehemiah,” Wandabula said, “we need to tell the people of the goodness of our God and the support that we have received from those who are walking with us in achieving the vision of God. God is banking on us at different levels to mobilize both the clergy and laity to work and implement the vision that God has given us as The United Methodist Church, which is to ‘Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.’”

Attending the conference were the dean of district superintendents, district superintendents, district lay leaders, pastors and lay leaders. Delegates — 149 in all — represented districts across the country.

Wandabula expressed joy that the Uganda-South Sudan Conference is growing and developing quickly. He said he was pleased that pastors from South Sudan have continued with their ministry and have planted United Methodist churches in different camps, despite the ongoing war in their country.

The bishop said that many churches, especially in the United States, are disaffiliating and joining  the Global Methodist Church, affiliating with other Methodist denominations or becoming independent.

In Africa, he noted, the church has not yet experienced these disaffiliations, “except for a few uninformed leaders who are trying to cause confusion in the church like we saw in Kenya last week during the annual conference session in Mombasa,” Wandabula said.

“I assure all of you that the facts that were reported via social media were overexaggerated and do not reflect the correct picture of the UMC in Kenya-Ethiopia Annual Conference,” he continued. “I call upon us all to keep this unity as this will ensure a common voice during the General Conference. Concentrate on building the church of Christ Jesus, based on the true word of God, and not fighting other people’s wars.” 

In his sermon, Wandabula reminded the delegates to lead with love for one another as the pillar for all their programs and activities. He urged them to follow the example of Methodism’s founder, John Wesley, who followed three simple rules: Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God.

He encouraged clergy and laity to be guided by the seven vision paths in their efforts, programs and activities: 

1. Develop new congregations.
2. Teach the Wesleyan model for forming disciples of Jesus Christ.
3. Strengthen clergy and lay leadership.
4. Reach and transform the lives of the new generations of children.
5. Eliminate poverty in community with the poor.
6. Expand evangelism ministries.
7. Transform existing congregations.

A graduation ceremony for the United Methodist Theological and Vocational College was celebrated during the conference. This was the fourth graduation since the college began in 2011.

According to the Rev. Isaac Kyambadde, college principal, the school was started to train in-service United Methodist pastors. Beginning with four students, the college grew to 30, of which 20 graduated during the conference. Awarding certificates, diplomas and degrees, the college is located in Mukono District, housed by Humble School but currently operating under tents. 

The Rev. Kennedy Mwita, connectional ministries director and Volunteers in Mission chair, assured delegates that the conference remains strong.

He told them that about 30 of 91 clergy had left, but clergy departing does not mean the congregation also has left. Established procedures, ways and rules outline how this is done.

Central conferences do not vote on disaffiliation, as Book of Discipline Paragraph 2553 only affects U.S. churches.

“We should follow Paragraph 572 in case of any need,” Mwita said.

He encouraged delegates to be strong, preach the gospel and plant churches. He said that even with COVID-19 and a funding embargo, the church stood and grew, proving that God is at work. His mention of the embargo referred to the denomination’s finance agency withholding funds from the East Africa episcopal office for more than a decade amid financial concerns. A separate embargo, by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, was lifted earlier this year.  

Mwita also noted that the church belongs to the laity, who should work for its growth.

Reporting on The United Methodist Church in Sudan, the Rev. Bolis Matta Kuku requested prayers for Sudan’s ongoing war. He said of the 41 churches in Sudan, 15 are in Khartoum and 26 in Nuba Mountains. Nuba Mountains has 1,255 members in big churches, 829 in midsized congregations and 227 in smaller churches. Khartoum has 1,255 members in big churches, 909 in midsized congregations and 558 in smaller churches.

The United Methodist Church in South Sudan requested that the annual conference sessions meet in Sudan and asked for official entry and recognition in the conference.

The Rev. Charles Lubya made a motion to officially allow them entry into the church. Noting their yearning, interest, numbers and organization, he suggested creation of a Sudan District.

After careful consideration, delegates unanimously resolved to admit the United Methodist churches in Sudan into the Uganda-South Sudan Annual Conference.

“This action means that the area under my care has increased in size and number of both churches and membership,” Wandabula said.

—   Isaac Clinton Sserunjogi, assistant conference secretary