Ministers, Deaconesses To Cut Down Grog, Smoking
All ministers and deaconess should refrain from smoking; discipline themselves from kava drinking. We need good leaders from the family of clergies to control the movement of our congregation.
Monday 26 August 2024 | 13:29
Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma President Reverend Semisi Turagavou. Photo: Beranadeta Nagatalevu
President of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma has again called on ministers and deaconesses to cut down their yaqona (grog) consumption and smoking.
Reverend Semisi Turagavou made this emphasis among other pressing issues during his opening speech of the 2024 Methodist Church Conference at the Centenary church in Suva on Friday.
Reverend Turagavou raised many issues impacting the drop in their membership.
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We've been blamed for over consumption of yaqona and an intolerable habit of smoking in front of our faithful followers and unfortunately some affiliated members of the church have abandoned the Methodist church due to bad inconsistent, impractical style, Reverend Turagavou said.
Our followers have publicly declared their grievances and no confidence in church leadership from circuit and divisional levels. Overall, the image of Christ is distorted and deformed through our behaviour and styles of leadership.
Reverend Turagavou told ministers many of the faithful members were now exiting the church and joining other denominations and other religious bodies.
He advised its ministers and deaconesses to pull up their socks and get their act together and do something now to liberate and restore the true image of Christ within the church.
“We cannot keep relying on experienced or seniorities within our families, we need to balance seniority and performance.”
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