Methodist churches told to begin shift from compulsory levies
Rev Dr Turagavou said the church needed to reform a system under which congregations had carried fixed contributions that were demanded, tracked and enforced.
Monday 24 August 2026 | 15:00
Methodist church president Dr Semisi Turagavou
Photo: Methodist Church in Fiji
Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma president Reverend Doctor Semisi Turagavou has called on all divisions, circuits and churches to begin moving away from compulsory levies towards voluntary “heart and faith giving”.
In his opening address at the 2026 Bose Ko Viti (church's annual conference), Rev Dr Turagavou said the church needed to reform a system under which congregations had carried fixed contributions that were demanded, tracked and enforced.
“In this regard, I call on every division and circuits and every church to begin the transition toward heart and faith giving,” he said.
Related stories
Rev Dr Turagavou acknowledged that the change would take time and require teaching and trust.
“This will not happen overnight. It requires teaching; it requires trust and requires that we as the church provide our people with something worth believing in,” he said.
He said compulsory giving was not consistent with the scriptural principle of giving freely.
“For many years, our congregation have carried the weight of compulsory levies, fixed sums demanded, tracked and enforced. I say to you today, in love and in conviction, this is not a pattern of giving,” he said.
Rev Dr Turagavou said giving should come from faith and gratitude rather than pressure.
“Giving is worship. Giving is an act of faith. It should flow from the gratitude for what God has already done for us, not from fear of a levy choice or the shame of a name read out for falling short.”
He said voluntary giving could result in greater support for the church.
“When our people give because their hearts are moved and not because they are compelled, we will see a giving that is richer, more joyful and I believe more abundant than anything a levy system has ever produced.”
Rev Dr Turagavou called for a change in the church’s approach.
“We should erase the mentality and practice of levy system and the church should operate from the basis of heart and faith giving.”
He also called for spiritual growth to be accompanied by responsible management of the church’s wealth, land and properties.
“A church that is spiritually alive but careless with what God has given it will fall down. A church that manages its resources wisely but has lost its spiritual heart will become an empty institution.”
“We are called to grow both together as our God cares for both the spiritual and physical components.”
