Fiji church leaders told to lead by example, cut back on kava, quit smoking

The president of Fiji's Methodist Church has called on all lay pastors and ministers to lead by example by reducing excessive kava consumption and quitting smoking. Reverend Dr Semisi Turagavou, speaking at the 2026 annual conference in Suva, emphasized the need for greater discipline among ordained ministers and lay pastors. He clarified that the concern is not cultural, but rather one of self-discipline, and stressed that congregations do not differentiate between lay pastors and ordained ministers in their expectations of Christian example.

Turagavou reaffirmed the church's existing ban on smoking, extending the same standard to lay pastors alongside ordained ministers. He pointed out that the church's image matters alongside its message, and that the physical appearance and well-being of church leaders can impact their effectiveness in preaching and witnessing. The conference participants agreed that ministers and lay-pastors must live lives worthy of the Gospel they proclaim, free from financial burdens and focused on health and well-being, with particular attention to non-communicable diseases that are a significant challenge in Fiji and the Pacific.