The President of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, Reverend Semisi Turagavou, has urged ministers and deaconesses to reduce their consumption of yaqona and smoking. He made this statement during the opening speech of the 2024 Methodist Church Conference held at the Centenary Church in Suva on Friday.
Reverend Turagavou highlighted several issues contributing to the decline in church membership. He noted that the church has faced criticism for overindulgence in yaqona and an unacceptable smoking habit displayed in front of congregants, leading some members to leave the Methodist Church due to inconsistent and impractical leadership styles.
He pointed out that many church members have expressed their dissatisfaction and lack of confidence in the leadership at both circuit and divisional levels. This behavior, he asserted, has distorted the image of Christ among the congregation.
During his address, Reverend Turagavou emphasized that faithful members are leaving the church for other denominations and faith groups. He encouraged ministers and deaconesses to improve their conduct and take immediate action to restore the true image of Christ in the church.
He stated, “We cannot keep relying on experienced or seniority within our families; we need to find a balance between seniority and performance.”