Methodist Church of Fiji Conference

The Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma is gradually working toward freeing its members from paying levies to the church by increasing its investment in income-generating ventures to ensure long-term financial sustainability.

General Secretary Reverend Dr. Jolame Lasawa says church levy has recently been reduced from $15 to $13.50, with plans to lower it further in the future. He highlighted the recent opening of a newly constructed $3.6 million Methodist Church service station at Mataika Place in Davuilevu Housing, Nausori, as part of this broader financial strategy.

Dr Lasawa says the vision is for members to one day be completely free from giving levies, as church-operated businesses take over the responsibility of funding the Church’s operations.

Reverend Lasawa reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to securing its financial independence while easing the burden on its members. The Methodist Church annual conference continues at the Vodafone Arena.

Two pastors from the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma have been demoted from their calling due to acts they committed.

While speaking to fijivillage News, General Secretary Reverend Dr. Jolame Lasawa says one of them is from the Totoya division in Lau, while the other is from the Lautoka division, who was demoted last year.

Reverend Lasawa says the pastor from Totoya repeatedly committed multiple offences involving extra marital affairs, while the Lautoka pastor gave false information during the Methodist Church Conference last year.

He says when ordained ministers are demoted, the decision is made and agreed upon during the meeting.

The annual conference is currently underway at the Vodafone Arena.

‘Luva ni neketai’ which is the presentation of yaqona after the Sunday morning church service, must stop immediately.

Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma President Reverend Dr. Semisi Turagavou has highlighted this while opening the annual conference this morning at the Vodafone Arena.

Reverend Turagavou says they are continuing a practice that goes against the resolution of the 2020–2030 Conference.

He says the church is aware of the practice because of its glaring implications and negative impact on the servants of Christ and the church organisation.

He stressed that this practice contributes nothing to church growth but instead weakens and debilitates the body and spiritual life of the church.

Reverend Turagavou also highlighted that all church ministers must maintain and practice a quality of life and discipline at all times.

He also instructed that all lay ministers refrain from smoking cigarettes, including suki.

Reverend Turagavou adds that this directive will take effect from January 1st, 2026.

The conference is currently underway at the Vodafone Arena.

The Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma congregations have been reminded today at the welcoming service held at the Vodafone Arena of the importance of allowing God to live within them.

Speaking to fijivillage News, General Secretary, Reverend Dr. Jolame Lasawa says the President, Reverend Dr. Semisi Turagavou, has been reminding the church that every individual has a role to play and that this is a vital key to the life of the church.

Reverend Lasawa says when everyone plays their part faithfully, it will contribute to building the kind of Fiji that people are hoping for, one that is centered on faith, unity, and service.

He adds the call to live out Christian values goes beyond church walls and must be reflected in families, communities, and workplaces.

The welcoming service also featured prayers, hymns, and messages of encouragement for the week-long conference, which will gather hundreds of church members, ministers, and representatives from around the country.

Meanwhile, the conference will officially begin tomorrow at the Vodafone Arena, with discussions focusing on mission work, social issues, and the future direction of the church as it celebrates 190 years of existence in Fiji.

The ordained ministers and deaconess in the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma have been reminded by the president Reverend Doctor Semisi Turagavou that in order for the church to grow, they need true servant leaders who are not leading because of money but because of saving the lives of many.

Speaking to fijivillage News, General Secretary, Reverend Doctor Jolame Lasawa says from last year until this year, they have seen a increase and a declined of services in all divisions.

Reverend Lasawa says there is a total of 59 divisions in Fiji and including abroad.

He says the decline showed the urgent need for providing solutions to lift the church to another level.

Reverend Lasawa adds when everyone plays their part faithfully, it will contribute to building the kind of Fiji that people are hoping for, one that is centered on faith, unity and service.

Meanwhile, the conference will officially begin this hour at the Vodafone Arena, with discussions focusing on mission work, social issues, and the future direction of the church as it celebrates 190 years of existence in Fiji.

Hundreds of congregations from the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma took part in their witness march this morning from John Wesley Primary School to the Vodafone Arena.

They are now holding a welcoming church service ahead of the Annual Conference, which officially begins tomorrow.

The church will also be celebrating 190 years of its existence in Fiji.

The theme for this year’s conference is Moving Christ’s Church to Another Level.

General Secretary, Reverend Dr. Jolame Lasawa says they will be holding both representative and combined sessions to discuss the church’s work and the challenges faced across its various divisions.

Reverend Lasawa adds that the church will also be collecting offerings during the week-long conference as it works towards building its own meeting house.

The Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma will be collecting offerings during its one-week conference, which begins next Monday, as it works towards building its own meeting house.

General Secretary, Reverend Dr. Jolame Lasawa told fijivillage News that hiring venues such as the Vodafone Arena is costly for the church.

Reverend Lasawa says the money currently spent on hiring meeting venues could be used for other important needs within the church.

He adds that the singing and offering sessions will take place every afternoon from Monday to Friday at 4pm.

The Methodist Church conference will be held at the Vodafone Arena.

Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma General Secretary, Reverend Dr. Jolame Lasawa has raised serious concerns about some church ministers smoking, consuming excessive grog and facing serious court cases.

While speaking to the media, Reverend Dr. Lasawa says these issues were highlighted during the Ministers briefing with over 500 ministers present at the Centenary Church as they get ready for next week's church conference.

He says the church is determined to discipline Ministers whose behaviour is not in line with church principles and doctrine.

A few Ministers were terminated, and Reverend Dr. Lasawa also stressed that the church is moving towards a brighter future with strict accountability.

He says Ministers who excessively consume grog and smoke will be given warnings by the church authorities, with the possibility of termination.

He further says the church has concluded that a lack of performance among some Ministers is linked to the use of such substances, and the Methodist Church is now shifting its focus towards strengthening its assistance to members.

The Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma is currently holding its ministerial meeting at the Centenary Church, bringing together between 350 to 380 ordained ministers and deaconesses.

Methodist Church Media Officer, Manasa Vatunitawake, says the gathering also includes representatives from Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the Caribbean.

Vatunitawake says some of the key issues to be discussed during the two-day meeting include the church’s mission, strengthening fellowship, and planning the way forward in addressing spiritual and social challenges.

The Methodist Church Conference will begin next Monday at the Vodafone Arena.

The Methodist Church in Fiji says addressing social issues such as HIV and AIDS, drugs and domestic violence will also be a key focus during their week-long annual conference at the Vodafone Arena starting next Monday.

Church General Secretary, Reverend Dr. Jolame Lasawa says these issues have always been central to the church’s engagement with stakeholders, including the Police.

Reverend Lasawa says he received a message yesterday that the church and police legal teams are currently holding discussions on how they can collaborate to tackle issues, and that a Memorandum of Understanding will soon be signed.

He also highlighted that police are often invited to divisional-level church meetings to speak about drug abuse and its impact on individuals.

Meanwhile, thousands of people are expected to attend the conference, including 500 ministerial representatives and another 500 divisional representatives.

He adds that on Sunday there will be a March of Witness from John Wesley Primary School to the Vodafone Arena at 8am, followed by a welcoming service at 10am.