The President of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma has once again urged ministers and deaconesses to reduce their consumption of yaqona (a traditional drink) and to stop smoking. Reverend Semisi Turagavou highlighted these concerns during his opening speech at the 2024 Methodist Church Conference held at the Centenary Church in Suva on Friday.
He addressed several issues that are contributing to a decline in church membership. Reverend Turagavou expressed that the church has faced criticism for excessive yaqona use and smoking in the presence of congregants, leading some members to leave the Methodist Church. He pointed out that the behavior and inconsistent leadership styles of some affiliates have influenced this exodus.
The Reverend noted that many loyal followers have voiced their discontent and lack of confidence in church leadership at both local and divisional levels. He emphasized that such actions have tarnished the image of Christ, distorting its representation within the church.
He cautioned that many dedicated members are leaving for other denominations and urged ministers and deaconesses to take immediate action to restore the church’s true representation of Christ. Reverend Turagavou stressed the importance of balancing seniority with performance, asserting that reliance on familial experience alone is not sufficient for effective leadership.