The pastor is not welcome to the church, we want him out, shouted Victory Assemblies of God (AOG) church members as they met with AOG executive members.

It was a fiery discussion between the church board and the executive members from the Assemblies of God headquarters.

On Sunday Police intervened to calm things down as congregation members made their views known.

All members of the congregation said that Pastor Ami Chand, who was appointed by the executive board, had not lived up to his role.

AOG general secretary Filikesa Koroivueta chaired the meeting with members of the church and Police officers who acted as mediators.

“The pastor comes to church only on Sunday, does not even do the service properly and then leaves. He talks rudely to church members even with the senior citizens,” said board member Davinish Sami.

“He comes and picks up his allowance of $250 a week and there is no real commitment towards the church. This has been going on for 10 months and it has to stop.”

Mr Koroivueta said they would listen to Pastor Chand’s side and make a decision.

Mr Sami asked if there was favouritism being shown to the pastor as he was the national treasurer for the executive council.

Another board member said the 60 remaining congregation members have made up their minds and for peaceful operations of the church, the pastor needed to be reassigned to another church.

The executive council was also questioned as to why they changed the signatories of the church’s fund to the pastor and the executive members.

Church members told Mr Koroivueta that things would not be good for the pastor if he came back to conduct the service on Sunday.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

Feedback: shalveen.chand@fijisun.com.fj