admin
Arron Nyamayaro
THE United Methodist Church leadership elections have been moved to next year as the church continues to battle the cracks which have emerged amid sharp divisions over homosexuality.
The elections, which were expected this year, follow the expiry of Bishop Eden Nhiwatiwa’s term.
A number of senior church leaders have been campaigning to take over the Episcopocy office, promising to restore the moral Christian church values.
Impeccable sources told H-Metro that aspiring election candidates have been garnering for support since January.
“UMC elections expected this year have been moved to next year,” said the source.
“The delay has been created by divisions concerning homosexuality as each leader is being questioned over the matter.
“The aspiring candidates are being questioned over their integrity and pledge to not exchange God with gold and pulpit with homosexuality.
“Bishop Nhiwatiwa’s term expired before Covid-19 but he was asked to continue bholding the office on an interim basis.”
The Episcopacy office has a number of massive benefits, including a huge annual salary.
Among the people, who are expected to feature prominently in the process to fill the void to be left by Bishop Nhiwatiwa, are Rev Vienna Mutezo, Rev Chitsiku and Rev Forbes Matonga.
Bishop Nhiwatiwa was elected to the Episcopacy in 2004 as the Resident Bishop of the Zimbabwe Area.
It includes the Zimbabwe East and Zimbabwe West conferences in the Africa Central Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa is on record promising to retire in December.
His Administrative Assistant, Rev Gurupira, recently told H-Metro that the church is celebrating 109 years in Zimbabwe and that should be a source of celebrations.
Rev Kawadza and Rev Mafunda have since joined the Global United Methodist Church faction which is against embracing any forms of homosexuality in the church.
Online Reporter