Zimdailyjournal Editor
…Church on the Brink of Splitting
A storm is brewing in the Zimbabwe United Methodist Church (UMC) branch as tensions rise between leadership and membership over the inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) rights.
Some members have come out guns blazing against the leadership for remaining silent and failing to provide feedback from the General Conference held in 2024 in America.
Following the conference, the delegates were expected to give a report, but to date, nothing has been communicated except a few hand-picked individuals going around to spread awareness on regionalisation, which was on the bishop’s election campaign manifesto.
The new Bishop of the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area, Reverend Dr. Gift Machinga, reaffirmed the church’s traditional stance against homosexuality, declaring it incompatible with Christian teachings.
He made this statement shortly after taking over from Bishop Nhiwatiwa.
Ironically, shortly after assuming his position, twelve pastors resigned, citing their disagreement with the General Conference’s stance on homosexuality and lack of clarity on how the church can remain in a covenant with a global body that is at odds with Christian Doctrine.
The General Conference, the highest decision-making body for the UMC at the international level, passed a resolution last year to allow same-sex marriages and the ordination of non-celibate single clergy in the church, among other reforms, which are not being discussed openly.
Membership is angry over this bishop’s lack of transparent and partial communication regarding what was discussed at the conference.
Members are calling for autonomy, arguing that it allows for the Zimbabwean chapter to self-govern without outside pressure, conserves doctrinal integrity, and protects future generations from being misled into LGBTQIA affirming.
Another contentious issue is regionalisation, which some
Critics argue that it serves to confuse an already divided church membership.
Reports indicate that many congregants are led to believe that exemptions have been granted to disassociate from homosexuality, but this is not the case.
Efforts to obtain comments from leadership and Bishop Machinga have been futile, as they have not responded to questions put to them.
Rev. Mufombo, leading a force against the leadership’s decision, expressed that UMC laity feel robbed of the opportunity to be consulted.
He lamented the decision to consider adherence to the new dictates of the UMC’s amended Book of Discipline.
“The amended BOD incorporates Lesbians and Gays as clergy.
“Marriage is now allowed between man and man or woman and woman.
“Promiscuity is now accepted under the guise that adults can consent to do as they wish.
“This is purely ungodly; the UMC’s original BOD dictated that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teachings.
“But that has since been changed to include homosexuals.”
He also noted that many in the UMC Zimbabwe Episcopal Area are unaware of the changes in the BOD.
“Some do not even know that there are changes.
“The UMC is a connectional church, akin to the Roman Catholic Church, and therefore, the laws extend to every church that falls in the same bracket.
“UMC Zimbabwe will not be spared in accommodating open Lesbians and Gays within the church or during marriage rituals, as the BOD allows their inclusion.”
Another member opposing the decision emphasised the importance of informing the congregation, as many youths and elderly members remain in the dark.
“The autonomy route allows the UMC in any country to agree on one position after prior consultations, which our UMC Zimbabwe Episcopal Area did not undertake.
“If the church is consulted, it will likely consider the autonomy route, allowing us to retain our properties in our country.
“The current position is deemed ungodly, as it appears to prioritise monetary benefits for Bishop Gift Machinga and his predecessor, E.K. Nhiwatiwa, through pension benefits.
“Despite calls for autonomy, there is a lack of communication, leaving members feeling ignored.”
Another disgruntled member stated that regionalisation is being used to confuse the membership.
“Regionalisation is framed as another BOD separate from the main and connectional BOD, but in reality, it serves to further brainwash an already confused laity.
“Members are led to believe that exemptions from homosexuality have been granted, but this is not the case.”
Concerns about the absence of communication since the bishop’s return from the conference have raised further questions on whether he is hiding behind a finger or is playing mind games.
“There has been no report back, signaling a disregard for church doctrine.
“Everything is being done in secrecy.
“We are just following blindly. If we continue down this path, are we still worshiping the living God?
“If someone wishes to pursue homosexuality, let them do so, but we shouldn’t pretend that everyone is accepted in our church.
“Why would a president of Africa’s bishops come and speak of same-sex marriages?
“The church’s protocol was addressed in 2019 and did not pass, yet they are trying to push it again.
“The book we still use does not allow such sin.
“Which book are they following?”
Another member said, the situation in the church requires a disorderly way of dealing with the decisions.
“Jesus drove people from the temple, and we must consider a similar scenario to restore order.
“May God grant us the strength to seek disorder that may ultimately lead to divine order.”
 branch as tensions rise between leadership over gays){kind=link}