The Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma is hosting its 190th annual conference in Suva this week. Photo: Fiji Methodist Church
The head of the largest Christian denomination in Fiji is calling on his congregants to make "adjustments" to help grow the church amid declining numbers.
The Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, which is facing a decline in membership, is hosting its 190th annual conference in Suva this week. At its peak, the church had over 280,000 adherents.
Its president Reverend Dr Semisi Turagavou told members that the church has an important part to play in addressing national issues.
"The church has prophetic witness within our society in Fiji and beyond," he was quoted as saying by The Fiji Times.
He said the church needed to address current and emerging issues in society.
"Within the Methodist Church organisation, we need a readjustment. We need recourse and we need repentance.
"If we need our church to grow, we need adjustments within the church organisation and the church governance.
"We need the intervention of the power of the Holy Spirit," he added.
Rev Dr Turagavou also urged pastors and church leaders to quit drinking kava and smoking.
"If we leave smoking and yaqona all together we will see the growth of the Methodist Church in Fiji."
Last year, Rev Dr Turagavou told RNZ Pacific that the church was working with the government to address the drug issue faced by the country.
