The President of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma has reiterated his call for ministers and deaconesses to reduce their consumption of yaqona and smoking. Reverend Semisi Turagavou delivered this message during his opening speech at the 2024 Methodist Church Conference held at the Centenary Church in Suva on Friday.
In his remarks, Reverend Turagavou addressed various issues that have contributed to a decline in church membership. He noted that there has been criticism regarding the excessive consumption of yaqona and the prevalent smoking habits of some church leaders, which have led some members to leave the Methodist Church for other denominations.
“Our followers have expressed their frustrations and lack of confidence in church leadership at both circuit and divisional levels. The conduct and leadership styles of some have compromised the image of Christ,” Reverend Turagavou stated.
He highlighted the trend of faithful members departing to join other religious groups and urged ministers and deaconesses to take immediate action to restore the true representation of Christ within the church. “We cannot rely solely on experience or seniority within our families; it’s essential to balance seniority with competency,” he added.