The United Methodist Church (UMC) in Zimbabwe has installed Dr. Gift Kudakwashe Machinga as the new Bishop of the church succeeding Bishop Eben Kanukayi Nhiwatiwa.
The development came amidst tensions in the United Methodist Church emanating from the decision by the United Methodist Church’s global general conference to embrace homosexuality. The church’s global conference held last year (2024) in the United States of America resolved to allow homosexuals among its congregants, a decision which caused many UMC leaders in Zimbabwe to abandon their leadership posts citing that the decision has been incompatible with Christian principles, a taboo and illegal in most of African countries.
The incoming United Methodist Church (UMC) Bishoo Dr.Gift Kudakwashe Machinga, has vowed to champion social justice and peacebuilding alongside the ecumenical community. Speaking during the Passing of the Gavel ceremony in Harare, the incoming UMC Bishop Dr. Gift Machinga expressed and vowed the Church’s mission of peace, reconciliation, and justice echoing to the centre of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“It is really a momentous occasion to the UMC family and the Christian fraternity. My message to Zimbabwe is about peace. Jesus came preaching peace, his ministry was about preaching peace and reconciling people. Let us live peacefully with our neighbors and families.
“My priority is to take this church forward to another level, this church is alive, “said Machinga.
Meanwhile, Michael Ngonidzashe Gwasira who shared his sentiments towards the development said “A reassuring message delivered by the incumbent Bishop of UMC on peace and insisting that the church us alive .God’s blessings in their mandate to uphold the gospel and being channels of grace and love,”he said
Bishop Nhiwatiwa has led the church for the past 20 years.
Recently, twelve senior pastors from the United Methodist Church (UMC) including Reverend Forbes Matonga have resigned in protest against the church’s recent decision to remove its long-standing condemnation of homosexuality.
Speaking at a press conference in Harare recently,former leader Reverend Forbes Matonga confirmed the resignations, stating that the church’s revised stance no longer aligns with Christian expectations
“Now your beloved church fully embraces this sin and even celebrates it as God’s gift,”he said
The resignations follow last year’s UMC General Conference in the United States of America, where church leadership voted 523-161 to amend its Social Principles. The decision removed language that labeled homosexuality as “incompatible with Christian teaching” and allowed for the ordination and appointment of openly LGBTQ+ clergy.
