Church Reminds Members To Understand Constitution

The Methodist Church headquarters in Fiji has called on church members to familiarise themselves with the church constitution, regulations and code of conduct.

This comes after, a group from one of the Methodist Church circuits informed this newspaper that church offerings and levy asked from church members were becoming a burden for the members themselves.

A frustrated member who wished to remain anonymous said that the Methodist Church he attends somewhere in the Suva area had requested different groups such as youths, men, women and also families to pledge an amount they would be giving to the church circuit every week. He said a reason could also be that the Methodist Church was under a lot of debts.

The Secretary for Communication and Overseas Mission Methodist Church in Fiji, Reverend James Bhagwan says expenses of the local churches and contributions towards the annual financial commitment from each Fiji and Rotuman Methodist Church are controlled by individual circuit leaders and not headquarters.

Rev. James said each circuit has a finance committee that includes the senior circuit steward and circuit treasurer.

He said all financial plans and projects should go through the leaders meetings and quarterly meetings as per church constitution.

“Issues can be raised there as that is our democratic process. If there are further issues they can be taken to the Divisional Superintendent and even further to our General Secretary.

“This is all in our constitution, regulations and code of conduct and we ask all members and leaders to familiarise themselves with them. We are always open to any issues of concern from our members as we serve them,” he said.