In a significant inaugural address last week, Dr. Gift Machinga, the newly-appointed Bishop of the United Methodist Church, emphasized a strong commitment to unity within the church, asserting a collective mission centered on one Christ.
His remarks come in the wake of the resignation of 12 pastors, which he attributed more to internal power struggles than to the contentious debates surrounding homosexuality within the church.
Bishop Machinga urged that the departure of individual members does not equate to a schism within the church body.
“When people choose to walk away from Christ’s body, it does not mean the church has split. We are more united than ever in purpose, and our mission remains clear: to serve and uplift our communities,” he stated, emphasizing the church’s unwavering dedication to its mission.
As part of his vision for the church, Bishop Machinga announced comprehensive reforms aimed at modernizing mission centers, including church-affiliated schools and health facilities.
“We are revamping all our mission centers to ensure they are responsive to today’s needs,” he declared. “Education and healthcare are not just services; they are ministries.”
The bishop noted that these facilities have been integral to community service for decades and stressed the necessity of adapting them to meet contemporary challenges.
Bishop Machinga introduced an initiative to establish church-led business units designed to generate economic empowerment and sustainability for church programs.
“The economic well-being of our people is spiritual business too. We are creating business units to empower our pastors and members alike,” he explained, underlining the interconnectedness of spiritual and financial health.
