Should church executives drive high-end four wheel drive vehicles that are sold at hefty amounts knowing that the church operations including the purchase of the vehicles are primarily funded by the church members?
As the Methodist Church gets ready to have its conference next week, its church members are expected to pay up their annual levies as a contribution towards the running of the church.
In the past, issues have been raised on the amount of money some churches spend on buying four wheel drives or other vehicles for the executives and whether the church should utilize funds for a greater purpose that would go towards helping the members.
We asked the Church Assistant General Secretary, Reverend Tevita Nawadra on how many of these types of vehicles have been purchased by the church.
We asked Reverend Nawadra how much of the members’ levy given to the church is being utilized to buy the vehicles.
He said he does not know the actual models of the vehicles and how much they cost.
Reverend Nawadra said for some executives, they need the four wheel drive vehicles because they have to travel to the interior of Fiji. Meanwhile he also said church circuits in the country decide on what and how they should provide for their circuit ministers, as Reverend Nawadra said the ministers are paid below the poverty line.
Audio 3
The conference will be held at the Centenary Church from the 23rd to the 25th of this month.
Story by: Vijay Narayan & Paradise Tudrau
Church clarifies issue in relation to vehicles
Related Stories
We are committed to holding elections – Siromi Turaga
Questions were raised during Dialogue Fiji’s Constitution review discussion on whether the government can delay the general elections and complete the Constitution review however Acting Attorney General Siromi Turaga
Fijian economy on track to grow for fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4%
The Fijian economy is on track to grow for the fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4 percent, following a 3.5 percent expansion in 2024. The growth forecast is revised up marginally from the 3.2 percent projected
Heavy Rain Alert for Eastern Viti Levu, Southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and maritime areas
A heavy rain alert is now in force for the eastern half of Viti Levu (Navua–Suva–Nausori to Serua–Namosi to Tailevu–Naitasiri–Ra areas), southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, the Lau an
We need to dismantle criminal enterprises, hitting them where it hurts most - Speaker
Speaker of Parliament, Filimone Jitoko has highlighted during the opening of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Conference that there is a need for prosecutors in the country to master the digital frontie
Fiji has learned from its past and we know that restricting media engagement or access is not the answer - Tabuya
At all times, the public interest in accessing information and the media’s role in scrutinising government must outweigh any unilateral power to silence or sideline a news outlet. In Fiji, we uphold the principle that
Wailea resident raises concerns about drug issues raised countless times with Police while COMPOL says official complaint must be lodged
Wailea Settlement Community leader, Inoke Utona says he has raised the issue of drug use and dealing in their area countless times with the authorities but there has still been no response from Police. However when