Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
IT is dawn of a new era in the United Methodist Church (UMC) following the election of long serving clergy, Dr Gift Kudakwashe Machinga as the new Zimbabwe Episcopal Area Bishop during elections held in South Africa last weekend.
Bishop Machinga (61), succeeds the long serving Bishop Eben Kanukayi Nhiwatiwa, who retired after leading the church since 2004.
Bishop Machinga has 42 year of experience as a clergy in the church, and until his elevation, was the pastor-in-charge of Zimre Park Circuit in Harare.
He has held several key and influential positions in the church, both locally and internationally, including ministering in the United States.
He also served as a lecturer, training pastors at the United Theological College.
Bishop Machinga emerged as the top nominee from Zimbabwe, ahead of an equally popular Reverend Forbes Matonga, and Reverend Viena Mutezo, who wanted to make her own history by being the first female leader of the church. However, Reverend Lloyd Nyarota who was nominated from the floor in Johannesburg, came third ahead of Reverend Mutezo.
The humble and soft spoken Bishop Machinga becomes the fourth black person to lead United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, following the footsteps of the late Bishop Abel Tendekayi Muzorewa, the late Bishop Christopher Jokomo and the emeritus, Bishop Nhiwatiwa.
The election of Bishop Machinga has since been well received by the generality of the clergy, and most importantly the laity members.
There was jubilation on several church linked social media platforms as people who were keenly following proceedings learnt of his victory.
Pastors and church members swarmed Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Monday to welcome their new leader in a true testament that this was the man they really wanted to lead the church.
People sang, danced, ululated, whistled and beat drums.
Some even cried.
The media was also on tow, eager to interview him, and of-course hear his view and position on the contentious issue of homosexuality, which was adopted by the church’s general conference.
The moment they had waited for arrived as the emeritus Bishop Nhiwatiwa and his successor, Bishop Machinga emerged from the plane hand-in-hand alongside Reverend Mutezo, in a rare show of unity.
All eyes were on Reverend Machinga as church members and fellow pastors were eager to see, hear his vision to unite the church after the hotly contested elections, which centred around the issue of homosexuality, with fierce resistance from the African membership of the general conference.
The issue of homosexuality is threatening to tear apart the church, with some conservatives pushing for the local church to cut the umbilical cord with the broad church.
In his inaugural interview, Bishop Machinga was magnanimous in victory, and he did not mince his words as he denounced homosexuality, a practice he said is not compatible with the teachings of the Bible.
He also said the church will work closely with Government, taking advantage of the peace and tranquillity in the country to initiate programmes that uplifts and promote the citizens’ livelihoods.
“It is indeed our mandate that we fulfil the mission of the church, that of making disciples for the transformation of the world. As United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, and in Africa, we uphold the traditional stance on homosexuality that it is incompatible with the scriptures.
“Homosexuality has no room in our churches and our pulpits. I am calling out all UMC members in Zimbabwe, both clergy and laity, to rally together to take our church to a high level as was done by my predecessor bishops.
“Bishop Nhiwatiwa’s legacy cannot be erased, and it will remain forever. No-one should have doubts on the position of homosexuality. Marriage is between a male and female. It is the church’s responsibility to put in place programmes to help people who suffer from that practice.
“The election period may have created some camps within the church, and I call upon every member to make adjustments. I also want to pay respect to other nominees, they are all my siblings in the ministry. Respect them also, and let us remain united in the truest sense of UMC. We have no reason to fail to fulfil our mission because we have fertile ground in Zimbabwe.
“Our operational environment in Zimbabwe is peaceful and conducive for the church to carry out its programmes. Therefore, the church and Government are in partnership for the Lord’s power to reign and for the betterment of the lives of the people,” said Bishop Machinga.
Bishop Nhiwatiwa also emphasised his support for his successor, and called on the clergy and laity, to give him the maximum support he deserves for him to prosper in leading the church.
“We have reached the proverbial promised transitional land in the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area. It was my prayer and your prayer, it was our journey together that we have a very smooth transition within the church. A lot of things were attempted to disrupt the church and the process.
“Bishop Machinga, I promise without any reasonable doubt whatsoever to give you maximum support. When I am on top of mountain or under the sea, I will be praising you. God has given us a bishop in his fullness. I have known Bishop Machinga for a long time. The humble person I have ever seen. Because he is so humble, protect him and don’t mess him up,” said Bishop Nhiwatiwa.
The Zimbabwe Episcopal Area runs key institutions like Africa University, teacher and nursing colleges, several schools, clinics and hospitals, orphanages, farms, among other enterprises.
The church is also involved in charitable initiatives.
