The Reverend Dr. Semisi Turagavou, president of the Methodist Church of Fiji, has urged ministers and church leaders to refrain from using church funds for personal gain. During a recent conference, he expressed concerns about poor leadership and the misuse of power within the church, highlighting that some ministers have misled congregations due to hasty decision-making.
Dr. Turagavou noted a decline in moral conduct within the church community, raising alarms about misconduct among its members. He pointed out that the issue of using church finances for personal use has become increasingly significant.
He mentioned that church members have begun to voice their dissatisfaction and lack of confidence in their leaders, contrasting the past when followers remained silent on such matters.
The reverend criticized church leaders for engaging in excessive kava consumption and smoking in front of their congregation, which he believes sets a poor example.
“We are failing in our duty to guide and unite our congregation through morality and thoughtful decision-making,” Dr. Turagavou stated. He acknowledged complaints that leaders have used their authority poorly, leading to a perception of incompetence in managing sensitive issues within the church.
He warned that some church members are leaving the Methodist faith due to ineffective leadership styles, and this behavior may ultimately tarnish the church’s image.
Dr. Turagavou called for a restoration of Christ’s image, stating that it must happen before it is too late, emphasizing the need to prevent faithful congregants from leaving for other denominations or religious groups due to doctrinal issues and leadership failures.