Resolution and recomenadations adopted at the gathering of the United Methodist Africa Forum held in Johannesburg, South Africa from April 19 to April 22, 2023

Resolutions

1. We recognize and support the statement of the September 2022 African Bishops against separation of the United Methodist Church (UMC) and uphold the unity of the Church in Africa.

2. We call on all United Methodists across Africa to stand up and reject the call to separate/split and dis-unit the UMC.

3. We call for the sustainability of the UMC in Africa through economic investment in the areas of agriculture, real estate, mining, transportation, partnership with corporate institutions, and tithing.

4. We call for the establishment and investment in relevant/contextual theological education and training more pastors to address the increasing growth of the UMC in Africa.

5. We support the UMC’s stance against terrorism through peacebuilding, tolerance and observance of human rights.

6. We affirm and approve the name United Methodist Africa Forum (UMAF) as an association of  United Methodists that aims to promote, support and foster unity in The United Methodist Church in Africa.

7. We resolved that we share UMAF through engagements with the Annual and Central Conferences.

8. We adopt the Operational Document as the tool that will be used for the operation of the UMAF.

9. We support the future of the unity of the UMC through regionalization based on the proposed Christmas Covenant legislation to the postponed GC2020.

10. As UMAF we uphold what is stated in the UMC Book of discipline paragraph 304.3 regarding homosexuality that it is incompatible with Christian teaching.

11. We affirmed and approved the election of the leadership team of UMAF including:

1. General Coordinator - Rev. Lloyd Nyarota 

2. Regional Coordinator Africa Central - Rev. David Mucherera

3. Regional Coordinator Congo Central - Rev. Dr. Betty Kazadi

4. Regional Coordinator West Africa - Rev. Caleb S. G. Domah

5. General Secretary - Rev. Gabriel Banga Mususwa

6. Associate Secretary Anglophone - Rev. Laura Nyamai

7. Associate Secretary Francophone - Germain Unda Mupasa

8. Associate Secretary Lusophone - Rev. Neusa Joaquim Ndalamba

9. Treasurer - Nelly Gatune Solomon

10. Advisor Africa Central - Rev. Júlio Vilanculos

11. Advisor Congo Central - Rev. Herbert Sikazwe Kawala

12. Advisor West Africa - Memeh Bedell Nuway

    Recommendations

    1. We recommend that General Conference delegates gather in central conferences before the General Conference to enable the African delegates to bring issues confronting Africa to be addressed together.

    2. We recommend that the church should not only invest in the development of clergy but also in lay full time staff for the effective leadership, growth, and sustainability of the UMC in Africa.

    3. We call for the development of strategic plans that would promote growth and sustainability of the UMC in Africa.

    4. We call and encourage the Africa Central Conferences to revive the spirit of evangelism.

    5. We call the UMC to address the special needs of children and youths in Christian Education.

    6. We call for the UMC to publish and encourage testimonials of the works of the Holy Spirit in the Church.

    7. We call the General Conference to adopt the revised 2020 social principles.

       Adopted this 22nd day of April in the year of 2023.