….as Bishops Kenneth Sibanda and Vushebwashe Mhaka formally take charge

By Dr Tinashe Gumbo

The day 21 March 2021, will be remembered by the Lutheran family as a historic day, when the Church renewed its leadership in a smooth and memorable fashion. At a colorful event held in Harare, Zimbabwe, Bishops Kenneth Sibanda and Vushebwashe Mhaka were installed and consecrated respectively. This critical event was initially scheduled for the 10th of January 2021, but was postponed due to the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, today, the event was held under strict COVID-19 protocols and most members across the globe followed the proceedings virtually while a limited number attended physically. All the surviving Retired and Serving ELCZ Bishops attended. Ecumenical partners from the region and internationally, also graced the event. The ELCZ in the region was well represented physically through the Lutheran Media Forum (LMR) and other key stakeholders. We say Congratulations to Bishops Sibanda and Mhaka! And…. thank you to our regional friend, Brother David Mang’enda of the LMF and our local media team for covering this one for the whole Church in the world to follow the proceedings.

The ELCZ

The ELCZ was founded in 1903 by missionaries of the Church of Sweden Mission and African evangelists from Natal (South Africa). Zimbabwe (then Southern Rhodesia) was a mission field for the Lutheran Church in Natal. It began with educational work while the medical work was added in 1915, thus completing the three-fold ministry of Christ of preaching, teaching and healing. The first trained African pastor was ordained in 1937. The Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe became autonomous from the Church of Sweden Mission and the Church in Natal in 1962. Since then, the Church has grown in terms of its influence in socio, economic and political processes as well as in membership. The Church founded and currently runs Musume, Mnene, Masase and Manama Mission Schools and Hospitals. It has also ventured into humanitarian and development work through its service arms such as the Lutheran Development Services (LDS). Thus, the Church has remained relevant in the context of continued humanitarian challenges in Zimbabwe.

Prominent public officials are associated with the ELCZ including those in business, politics, academia and arts. The Church is divided into three Dioceses, that is, Western, covering the whole of Matebeleland South and North as well as Bulawayo provinces, currently being headed by Bishop M M S Dube; Eastern Diocese, headed by the new Bishop Mhaka (covering Chiredzi to Bindura via Masvingo, Mutare and Harare) as well as the Central Diocese (under Bishop Sibanda) which covers most of the Midlands and parts of the Masvingo province.

Ecumenical Work

The ELCZ has continued to be a key and influential member of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) which is an ecumenical body made up of thirty protestant churches in Zimbabwe. The Church is also associated with the World Council of Churches (WCC). All the three Dioceses of the ELCZ are bona fide members of the ZCC. In the context of the country’s struggle for independence, the ZCC accompanied the nationalists at the Lancaster House Conference that saw Zimbabwe attaining its independence in 1980. Led by the now Retired Bishop JC Shiri of the ELCZ (as the President) who was accompanied by Rev Murombedzi Kuchera, the ZCC General Secretary then, the Church provided moral and spiritual support to the negotiations processes at Lancaster. Later on, in the 2000s, the now Retired Bishop Naison Shava, also led the ZCC as its President thereby presiding over some key nation building processes led by the Church in the context of the Unity Government in Zimbabwe. Furthermore, in early 2000s, the now Retired Bishop JS Moyo served in the ZCC as its Program Officer responsible for Youth and Evangelism programming. By the way, Bishop Moyo trained me to be a good programmer. I religiously attended his Family Education programs and indeed…I became a near good family man-thank you Bishop Moyo. This shows how the ELCZ has continued to be an ecumenical church working with others in the work of our Lord in Zimbabwe.

Briefly About the New Leadership

Bishop Mhaka comes in as the new Head of the Eastern Diocese. He takes over from Retired Bishop Chemist Faindi who has also been the Church’s Presiding Bishop until today. Having been born on a Christmas Day in the late sixties, Bishop Mhaka was educated at Masase and Mataruse Schools in Mberengwa. He later trained as a Teacher at the Marymount Teachers College before exercising his profession at Mangonde, Chiwara and Musiningira Schools in Mberengwa. Bishop Mhaka is a well-known Music Conductor and Adjudicator-his excellent singing voice is a testimony in this regard. While Bishop Mhaka only later joined the Ministry in 2003 (being influenced by the late Rev O Shiri, according to his interview with the LMF, 22 December 2020), he had already become a key member of the Church as a Youth leader in various capacities. He was later ordained in 2006 and worked for the Church in Mutare and Bulawayo before becoming a Lecturer at the United Theological College. The Eastern Diocese Bishop is a holder of a Bachelor of Theology Honors Degree, Master’s Degree in Theology and is working towards his PhD with the University of KwaZulu Natal.

I have personally known Bishop Mhaka since 2015. I particularly remember when he visited me in Msasa Park when I had just been diagnosed of some cancer in my body. He was in the company of Rev Gevous Savious, another close Man of God to my family. Indeed, I was at my lowest in my life. Hope was something that had vanished from me and indeed, everything had looked upside down-I thought yainge yadeuka and yainge isisaworereki. The Good Reverends prayed for me, prayed for my family, counselled my wife, and reiterated that God was still in control of my life. For some couple of days that followed, the two Men of God accompanied my family in that new life. It worked and today, I am part of the Lutheran multitudes who are celebrating the consecration of Bishop Mhaka. Congratulations My Bishop! From 2018, Bishop Mhaka and Mrs Mhaka have also been involved in peacebuilding processes that I have been part to.

As for Bishop Sibanda, the new Presiding Bishop, I cannot waste your time describing him. The man is not new in the Church and in the ecumenical movement at large. I worked with him on various assignments and programmes since 2003 when I joined the ZCC. Bishop Sibanda has been in the leadership of the ELCZ Church from the youth desk, as the Dean and later as Bishop and today, we say Congratulations to our new Presiding Bishop! Here is a humble and soft-spoken Man of God. To me and my family, Presiding Bishop Sibanda has been a close leader. He is accessible and I strongly believe that in him the ELCZ is in safe hands. I witnessed his consecration in December 2017 in Zvishavane as the new Bishop of the Central Diocese taking over from Retired Bishop Shava and continued to work closely with him in the ZCC Supervisory Council platforms. I got to appreciate his personal attributes as a leader.

The story can never be complete without indicating that the Retiring Bishop Faindi has also been a key figure in the Church. A firm but principled Man of God (probably becausec a Soldier will always be a Soldier) kkkk. Indeed, Bishop Faindi led a team of Bishops Sibanda and Dube with distinction. The ELCZ became so connected to the global Church during his tenure and this allowed for utilisation of some critical developmental opportunities that emerged. Thank you Sekuru vangu Bishop Faindi.

Thank you Bishop Faindi for the Job Well Done!

Congratulations Bishop Mhaka!

Congratulations Rt Rev Bishop Sibanda!

Congratulations the Lutheran Family!