The President of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma has once again urged ministers and deaconesses to reduce their consumption of yaqona (grog) and smoking habits.
Reverend Semisi Turagavou made this appeal during his opening address at the 2024 Methodist Church Conference held at the Centenary Church in Suva on Friday. He addressed several issues contributing to a decline in church membership.
Reverend Turagavou noted that the church has faced criticism for excessive yaqona consumption and smoking in the presence of congregants, leading to some affiliated members leaving the Methodist Church due to inconsistent and impractical leadership styles.
He acknowledged that many followers have publicly voiced their concerns and lack of confidence in the church leadership at various levels, warning that the behavior and leadership styles of ministers are distorting the true image of Christ.
He pointed out that a number of loyal members are turning away from the church, opting to join different denominations and religious organizations instead.
Reverend Turagavou urged ministers to take immediate action to restore the authentic image of Christ within the church. He emphasized that reliance on traditional seniority within families must be balanced with performance and accountability.