Political Reverend Reelected: Dr. Samuel Reeves to Lead Liberia Council of Churches for Another Four Years
- Michael T
- Jun 2
- 2 min read

By any measure, the reelection of Rev. Dr. Samuel Reeves as President of the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC) represents a regression—a return to troubling patterns rather than a step forward for Liberia’s foremost Christian institution.
Once the nation’s moral compass, the LCC now finds itself at a crossroads, its authority fraying under the weight of political entanglement and public skepticism. Dr. Reeves, whose tenure has been dogged by controversy since his first ascent, returns to office amid allegations that the pulpit and the political podium have become dangerously intertwined.
It is not simply Dr. Reeves’ political résumé that troubles critics. His decision to run as Vice Standard Bearer of the opposition Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) in the 2017 presidential election marked a bold departure from the tradition of ecclesiastical neutrality. And while some hoped he would shed that partisan mantle upon assuming leadership of the LCC, his actions since have only confirmed their fears. To many, his political past is not history—it is the through-line that defines his leadership.
Now, with Liberia’s churches expected to provide clarity and conscience, his return has sparked fierce debate. Can a church leader, so recently and visibly aligned with political ambition, credibly claim to speak for all?
Recent actions by the LCC have only deepened the sense of unease. The Council’s decision to bestow honors on controversial figures—most notably House Speaker Richard Koon—has provoked a storm of criticism. Many see these gestures not as acts of reconciliation or nation-building, but as evidence of a church leadership courting proximity to power. The Council’s silence on issues such as electoral violence, corruption, and judicial irregularities is, for some, more telling than any sermon. Where the LCC once thundered against injustice, it now appears content to murmur from the margins.
“A compromised pulpit is no better than a corrupt parliament. The people can no longer tell the difference, "One Liberian cleric remarked, capturing a sentiment that resonates far beyond church walls.
The real crisis, however, is not merely about one man’s ambition. It is about the slow erosion of the church’s prophetic identity in a political era that rewards compromise over conviction. The LCC was once the nation’s conscience—its voice heard in moments of peril and promise alike. Today, many Liberians fear that voice is fading, replaced by the language of expediency and self-preservation.
There is, of course, no constitutional barrier to clergy holding political office in Liberia. But the ethics of spiritual leadership demand more than mere legality. They demand integrity, impartiality, and the willingness to speak uncomfortable truths to power. On these counts, critics argue, the LCC is falling short.
As Dr. Reeves embarks on another four-year term, the question is not simply what kind of leader he will be, but what kind of church the LCC wishes to become. In a nation still searching for moral clarity, the stakes could hardly be higher.
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Additional Sources
https://www.womenvoicesnewspaper.org/liberia-council-of-churches-has-sold-out-the-altar/
https://dubawa.org/false-liberia-council-of-churches-president-not-suspended/
https://www.africa-press.net/liberia/all-news/pastors-fear-politics-might-sway-council-of-churches
https://verityonlinenews.com/aggrieved-members-of-lcc-threaten-legal-action-against-leadership/
https://verityonlinenews.com/lcc-suspends-rev-reeves-over-controversial-statement/
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