The Methodist Church in Kenya (MCK) Laity Fellowship has expressed serious concerns over persistent leadership conflicts that are weakening the church’s governance structures and delaying much-needed reforms.

Following a Spiritual Revival Convention held in Mombasa, the fellowship highlighted how ongoing disputes among church leaders have distracted the institution from its core spiritual mission and stalled administrative improvements.

Calls for Unity and Constitutional Adherence

The laity group urged church leaders to resolve their differences by respecting constitutional procedures and upholding the rule of law. They emphasized the need for reconciliation that addresses historical grievances while ensuring justice for those unfairly treated.

Governance Reforms and Lay Participation

The fellowship stressed that unresolved leadership wrangles have hindered the implementation of governance reforms, including amendments to the Deed of Church Order. These reforms aim to modernize the church’s governance framework to better reflect current realities.

They also advocated for increased involvement of lay members in decision-making processes, proposing that laypersons serve alongside ordained clergy as equal partners, in line with the Methodist principle of the priesthood of all believers.

Decentralization and Financial Accountability

  • To enhance administration, the group suggested devolving certain leadership functions to regional conferences, which would speed up decision-making and improve resource distribution.
  • Concerns were raised about poor financial oversight, corruption, and impunity, which have contributed to resource losses and diminished trust among members.
  • The fellowship called for urgent implementation of recommendations from forensic audits and inquiry reports to restore accountability.
  • They also urged resolution of the long-standing Jomvu church land dispute in Mombasa by acting on a commission of inquiry’s findings, viewing this as a test of the church’s commitment to justice and transparency.

Hope for Renewal

While acknowledging the challenges, the laity expressed optimism that the Methodist Church could emerge stronger if reforms are fully embraced. They called on bishops, clergy, lay leaders, and delegates to prioritize dialogue, accountability, and integrity to heal divisions and refocus on the church’s spiritual mission.