1. What are the most burning issues you are facing regarding the role of the churches in your society?

There are two burning issues affecting the role of the churches in Fiji:

a)      Church and Politics

 At the moment, the relationship between the Methodist Church in Fiji and the Interim Government is not healthy (as a result of the 2006 military coup). Though there were invitations from the Interim government for the Methodist church to join in discussion in the People’s Charter and its policies, the Methodist church has been reluctant to engage since they want to maintain their position of not condoning the coup and believe that the coup is illegal. The result is that the government wanted the church to oust two former Presidents of the church. Failing to implement its request, resulted in the Methodist Church Conference not going ahead this year.

b)      New Methodist sect

 The New Methodist sect has become a threat especially to the Methodist church in Fiji based on three important elements:

• Its preaching is based on some negative criticisms especially to the Methodist church in Fiji with regards to the Methodist church’s lifestyle.

• The Methodist church has lost members to this new sect.

• The social structure of the Fijian people is under attack from the sect and they have teachings such as “Not to listen to the chiefs but to them only (minister)"

2. How can the fellowship of member churches support the churches in the situation you are facing?

• During this period of upheaval, the Methodist church received moral support, phone calls from the Fiji Council of Churches and Assemblies of Christian Churches.

• Apart from this moral support from member churches, I think organizing an ecumenical service would be of helpful.

• Organizing of a consultation together based on the topic inter-relational of church and politics; though restricted by the interim government.

• An ecumenical sub-committee should pay a visit to the Methodist church and the interim government to dialogue with the leaders since one of our members is suffering rather than just being silent.

   

3. In which regard and how can your experience enrich and be of relevance to the fellowship?

• Provide solid informations to the Pacific Council of Churches regarding the situation.

• Involve in dialogue seminar with the member churches with the leaders of the Methodist church being present.

These issues may affect the Pacific region since one of our member churches is suffering while others are silent. While the Methodist church is still waiting to dialogue with the General Secretary of the Pacific Council of Churches about these issues, nevertheless, I hope that more support will be generated around these issues, and at the same time an ecumenical dialogue between the government and the members would be fruitful in the future, since both search for ways to bring visible unity in a nation.