The secretary of the Methodist Church in Fiji’s evangelism department, Reverend Iliesa Koroi, has raised concerns about the performance of some pastors, stating that they are failing to fulfill their responsibilities. During his tenure, Koroi observed a decline in the ministers’ effectiveness in carrying out their roles.
He remarked, “I am not embarrassed to say this, but the ministers are not doing their job.” Koroi contrasted the situation with the early days of missionary work, when just two missionaries managed to make a significant spiritual impact despite the societal challenges of cannibalism and conflicts. In contrast, he pointed out that with over 100 ministers currently, there has been a rise in social issues, indicating that the church may not be delivering the right messages or fulfilling their duties properly.
Koroi expressed his support for a stricter stance on the consumption of yaqona and smoking, urging church members to limit their intake of kava and concentrate on enhancing their spiritual health and the structure of their family church communities. He emphasized that in the past, community members would sing hymns daily, a practice that has dwindled in recent times.
Highlighting the importance of the church’s mission, he mentioned the impactful testimonies from individuals whose lives have been transformed by proper preaching. He recounted stories of people who were on the brink of suicide, those abandoning drug dealing, and recovering alcoholics.
Koroi emphasized that the church should not solely focus on preaching about heaven without addressing pressing social issues faced by the community.