Harare – The United Methodist Church (UMC) in Zimbabwe has been thrown into turmoil, with a new faction emerging in Harare this past Sunday, a direct consequence of the ongoing global debate over the acceptance of homosexuality within the church. This split, mirroring similar events in South Africa and Nigeria, signifies a deepening divide within the UMC, with the issue of LGBTQ+ inclusion proving to be a potent catalyst for change and conflict, H-Metro has reported.
The newly formed splinter group, led by Simon Mafunda and James Kawadza, represents a vocal segment of the Zimbabwean UMC membership who vehemently oppose the recent decisions made by the church’s highest decision-making body, the General Conference (GC), in Charlotte, North Carolina, in May.
The GC’s decision to allow the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy and the solemnisation of same-sex marriages in the United States has sent shockwaves through the UMC, particularly in Africa, where conservative views on homosexuality remain prevalent.
“The UMC has been against the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy for over a century,” explained a local church elder, who asked to remain anonymous. “This new decision has caused a great deal of confusion and anger among many members, who feel that their values and beliefs are being undermined.”
The GC’s decision has sparked a global exodus of conservatives who view the inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals as a violation of their faith. This sentiment has been particularly strong in Africa, where the UMC has a large and influential presence.
“There was massive resistance at the General Conference by conservative African delegates,” reported a source close to the GC proceedings. “They advocated for ‘regionalisation’, where each continent can determine its set of rules of worship and choose what suits the region culturally.”
This proposal for regional autonomy was met with strong opposition from those who believe the UMC is a “connectional church”, meaning that all branches are interconnected and should adhere to the same core principles.
“And, whether they stand as a region, they are still connected to the Americans, who have embraced the ordination of LGBTQ clergy,” said another source, highlighting the tension between those who seek to maintain a unified church and those who believe the UMC should allow for greater cultural and theological diversity.
The formation of the new faction in Harare is a direct consequence of this ongoing struggle. The splinter group, led by Mafunda and Kawadza, believes that the UMC’s decision to embrace LGBTQ+ inclusion is a betrayal of their faith and a threat to the traditional values they hold dear.
“We are not moved by the establishment of the faction,” said Reverend Gurupira, a leader within the main UMC branch in Zimbabwe. “We are aware of their mission from the media, but UMC is celebrating 109 years in Zimbabwe. We will continue our work, regardless of this division.”
However, the formation of this new faction is not an isolated incident. Similar splits have occurred in other parts of the world, most notably in South Africa and Nigeria, where the issue of homosexuality has also triggered deep divisions within the UMC.
In South Africa, the Johannesburg United Methodist Church (JNUMC), a long-standing branch of the UMC, has split into two factions: the JNUMC and the newly formed Johannesburg North Methodist Church (JNMC).
“The Johannesburg Shona UMC was launched around 2008 by some Zimbabwean professionals who emigrated to work and live in South Africa,” explained a source familiar with the South African UMC. “It has since grown over the years and has over 1 000 members in the Gauteng province only. The Shona assembly had made significant progress and has acquired properties that are valued at over R10 million.”
The split in South Africa, like the one in Zimbabwe, is a direct consequence of the GC’s decision to embrace LGBTQ+ inclusion. The JNMC, like the new faction in Harare, represents those who believe that the UMC’s decision is a betrayal of their faith and a threat to the traditional values they hold dear.
