Apenisa Waqairadovu 
The Methodist Church in Fiji is moving towards a system where members will no longer be required to pay compulsory church levies.
Church President Reverend Dr Semisi Turagavou says the Church wants to replace the current levy system with voluntary giving based on faith and personal commitment.
“We should erase the mentality and practice of levy system and the church should operate from the basis of heart and faith giving. In this regard, I call on every division and circuits and every church to begin the transition toward heart and faith giving. This will not happen overnight.”
Turagavou says the Church is also investing in businesses and properties to generate income and reduce the financial burden on its members.
He says revenue from its first service station and other commercial investments has already allowed the Church to reduce levies at the national level.
“I am pleased to report that this investment, it begins to bear fruit from the opening of the first service station in the rising walls of our commercial complex and stewardship. Lauere is now putting money back into the church. It will be lighting the load and has so long rested on our shoulders of our congregations. This has already allowed us to reduce levies at the national level.”
Turagavou says the long-term goal is for divisions, circuits and churches to become self-sustaining, so members can give freely rather than through compulsory payments.
