By: Rev. Ande I. Emmanuel
It is true that The United Methodist Church worldwide is having a tumultuous time. Recent events that are happening ranging from the debate over human sexuality, our doctrinal heritage and the church taking place majorly in the United States are clear indications that our church as we know it to be will never be the same in the near future, hence the need for the United Methodist. Church in Nigeria to start thinking of building its momentum towards being less dependent on foreign aid. This week I listened to a Facebook live presentation titled “GMC Thursday Night Live” where Rev. Dr. Sterling Allen was talking to Rev. Dr. Daniel Topalski from Bulgaria on the bold steps of the Bulgarian United Methodists exiting the United Methodist church in order to join the Global Methodist Church, toward the end of the conversation, Rev. Sterling made a statement on Africa Central Conferences not being able to make the sacrifice of joining the Global Methodist Church now because of the support they are getting from the United Methodist Church https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gtqVSr0_zjk&feature=youtu.be. Personally, I feel this statement is ridiculing the Central Conferences in Africa. This type of statement may be true for the few who want to join the Global Methodist Church in Africa but are waiting for 2024, but for the majority who will continue in the United Methodist Church. If such statements are not true, this is the reason why, as United Methodists in Nigeria, we must begin to a stronger self supportive denomination which does not depend too much on foreign money and foreign theology. I know God has blessed with resources both capital and human that could help us do a mission within our context. The truth is, our United Methodist Church will not remain the same in the near future.
The fact is that The United Methodist Church in Nigeria is one of the regions in Africa, the church's membership is fast growing. A brief overview of the historical movement of the United Methodism in Nigeria reveals that from 1984 –2016 the church has maintained a steady membership growth of more than 15% annually. Between these period the United Method Methodist Church has grown in Nigeria from: one Muri Provisional Annual Conference to Four Annual Conferences, from 28 pastors to 785 pastors, from 15 districts and 180 charges to 52 districts and 900 plus charges with about 162 preaching centers, from a 145,000 membership statistic to 742,652 professing membership statistics in 2016. Looking at 2020 – 2040, we are projecting 18% annual growth, and by 2040 we are going to have 2, 579,425 professing membership growth.
An analysis of the geographical demography of Nigeria provides some interesting facts that include the above projection possible. Nigeria is situated on the western coast of Africa sharing its border with the North Atlantic Ocean, between Benin and Cameroon. It covers an area of 923, 768 km. Different religious accumulations have resided in the land of Nigeria many years ago, but the Islamic religion continues to pre-dominate the northern part of the country and Christianity dominate the south and south-eastern part of Nigeria. Nigeria is a country of about 200 million people. The United Nations Organization has estimated that Nigeria is one of the populous countries on the African continent. By estimates, Nigeria’s fast-growing and youthful population is providing dynamism for Evangelism in the country specifically in the Northern region. For example, at the end of last year, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that Nigeria’s population is now estimated to have surpassed 193 million, significantly exceeding the earlier U.N. projection of 187 million in 2016 (http://www.nigerianstat.gov.ng) . In other words, the U.N.’s much-publicized forecast that Nigeria will overtake the United States as the world’s third-most populous nation by 2050 will likely happen much sooner than that (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/06/nigeria-become-3rd-populous-country-2050-un-report) . Add to the fact that Nigeria’s fertility rate is 5.13 children per woman, compared with 1.87 per woman in the United States. This is a strong factor in the projected membership of the Nigeria Episcopal Area by 2040.
Given the Nigerian covered land area and the growing national population, making it three to four times other African countries put together. This has given Nigeria her vaunted status as the ordained “Giant of Africa”.
The current religio-political and socio-economic situation in Nigeria is serving as a clarion call for the United Methodist Church in Nigeria to use this opportunity by coming up with plans. that will boost the growth of United Methodism in Nigeria by 2040.
Nigeria is a country with 36 states. plus the Federal Capital Territory. More than 70% of the United Methodists in Nigeria lived in the Northeastern part of Nigeria, in states like Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Yobe, Benue, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Kano, Lagos, Abuja, Niger and Plateau make the remaining parts of the country a potential ground for the growth of The United Methodist Church in Nigeria. We envisioned a United Methodist Church that will be strong in the South –South and South East, North West and North Central.There are also potential international areas of growth in the Chad Republic, Niger Republic and parts of the Cameroon republic that shares a border with Nigeria.
By 2040, we envision a United States. Methodist Church with the following capacities:
1. A member Strength of 2.5million people (with presence in South-South and South-East).
2. With 2500 local churches and 600 preaching centers nationwide.
3. With 2500 clergy and 700 lay preachers.
4. With 8 Annual conferences and 4 bishops.
5. An established United Methodist University of Nigeria (UMUN).
6. A Rice Processing company in Karim Local Government.
7. A Micro Finance Bank in Karim Lamido
8. 12 trained PhD scholars in relevant fields of human endeavors.
9. A workable clergy pension and medical/life insurance plan.
10. Building a modern Camp and Retreat Centers annual conference.
In summary, the following factors will necessitate the above projection by 2040:
1. Rapid population growth.
2. Live impacting programs of The United Methodist Church, for example, Evangelism and Discipleship.
3. A revived interest of young people in the Church is signaling a bright future for United Methodism in Nigeria.
Judging from the rapid national population and the growth of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria, we are envisioning more vibrant United Methodist Church in Nigeria by 2040 with more vibrant leadership.
