THE Methodist Church in Fiji is losing members who are seeking “greener pastures” because they cannot find the spiritual leadership and pastoral care they need, church president Reverend Semisi Turagavou says.
He said the decline should prompt self-reflection among ministers and lay pastors.
“Some of our people openly question the example we set,” he said while opening the church’s annual week-long conference.
“Others quietly leave our churches, seeking what they believe to be ‘greener pastures’ — not because the Gospel has failed, but because they have been unable to find the spiritual leadership and pastoral care they long for. They are hungry for shepherds who are present, attentive, prayerful, and spiritually alive. Every member who quietly slips away should cause us to examine ourselves before we examine anyone else.”
Mr Turagavou called on leaders to return to the basics of ministry.
“Before we talk about growing the church, we must ask if we are feeding the sheep we already have. Presence, prayer, and the Word — that is what our people are asking for.”
