The President of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma has reiterated the need for ministers and deaconesses to reduce their consumption of yaqona and smoking.
During his opening speech at the 2024 Methodist Church Conference held at the Centenary Church in Suva on Friday, Reverend Semisi Turagavou addressed several pressing concerns regarding declining church membership.
He pointed out that the church has faced criticism for excessive yaqona consumption and smoking in front of congregants, leading to some members leaving the Methodist Church due to dissatisfaction with leadership styles that are described as inconsistent and impractical.
Reverend Turagavou noted that followers have expressed their grievances and a lack of confidence in church leadership at various levels, which he believes has distorted the image of Christ.
He warned ministers that many faithful churchgoers are now seeking spiritual fulfillment elsewhere, urging them to act decisively to restore the authentic image of Christ within the church. He emphasized the importance of balancing seniority with performance and moving beyond reliance on experience or family connections.