Chauvinistic Crisis Of Church Leadership

 DID YOU KNOW THAT THERE IS A CHAUVINISTIC CRISIS OF LEADERSHIP IN THE CHURCH:? (Men thinking that they can lead the Church better than women.)

The crisis of leadership in the Church began, long time ago. Across denominations, men have been dominating as leaders. Mrs Ellen of the Adventist however led the way in spite of men there being the greatest chauvinists. 

Let me zero down this huge debate to Zimbabwe. The advent of missionary activities started, in, 1890s when by 1900 about ten denominations had come to Zimbabwe. All the major denominations had arrived in Rhodesia then.

As time went by these Church denominations were being led by men. The clergy were also men. Very few Evangelists were women. When the locals began to see light the likes of Amai Chaza, left the Methodist Church and formed Guta Ra Jehova. While other break aways were being led by men such as Johane Masowe, and Johane Marange, successfully led their outfits from United Methodist Church UMC. All these Churches they started survives to today. Muchakata Church which came from UMC features men only in their leadership. When there was a crisis in the Muchata Church, a woman led that glorious Church.

The history of these denominations and others who came after 1900 practiced the same. The irony of the matter is that the numbers that dominated in these Churches were women and women tolerated that.

Coming to the present day things are changing. We see it in the Uniting Church of the Presbyterian in Southern Africa, were they elected the first African woman as the venerable leader of the Church and a Zimbabwean for that matter by the name of Rt Rev Lydia C Nyashanu leading the whole Southern Africa denominations until July 2025. The secretary of that denomination is a woman also, the Rev Lungile Mpetsheni.

The Methodist Church in Zimbabwe elected Rev. Margaret James when there was a crisis of leadership in the Church in 2000s. She brought order and sanity to that huge denomination. What a relief that was brought by this great woman of God. She is now a supernumerary living in Bulawayo.

2025 seems to be another year of great Churches, most denominations, more so, in the two Methodists, who will be looking for bishops in their respective Churches.

For the first time in the history of the UMC the Church, recently, nominated a woman, in the name of Rev Vienna Mutezo. She is one of the three nominees who are going to fight it out in Mozambique in March for the, coverted leadership. UMC has about nine Conferences in Mozambique who will eventually select a bishop from the three nominated candidates/delegates. They go with equal weight. If common sense were to prevail she will, lead the Church. Women have brought sanity in crisis situations. The UMC has the Gay crisis in that great Church. Only a woman can solve the situation. We hear some voices saying zimbabweans are not ready to be led by a woman, bishop. I do not want to describe that idea.

Zeroing on the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe MCZ, already people are jostling for the position of the Presiding Bishop. I am not complaining, for, it's not in our practice to campain. But women are there who can lead the Church who can bring sanity to the Church. We have the Vice Principal of the United Theological College who is the Rev. Dr. Noleen Chinyere and many others. Now there is a woman bishop in Bulawayo, the Rev Pauline Chauya. What an interesting development in these great Churches. We don't consider them to our detriment. We are the poorer without them leading us. What is the spirit saying to the Church of God.

The British Methodists have been Led by women presidents of the Methodists in UK. In America there are several women Bishops there and the leader now of the World Methodist Council is a woman bishop. The time is now or never!

Humbly presented by the Rev. Dr Levee Kadenge (Supernumerary)