The divisional Church Superintendants of the Methodist Church of Fiji held a private meeting yesterday to discuss the state of the nation and the economy and how it impacts on the work of the Church.

Assistant General Secretary, Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu said the discussions were part of the Church's Christianity and Democracy program led by two members of the Methodist Church think tank, Ratu Jone Kubuabola and Dr Tupeni Baba.

Waqairatu said after the decision was made at the last Annual Conference not to participate in the Interim Government's charter process, the Church decided to set up a think tank of professional lay members to offer advice and to assist the church elders over the national social and economic issues.

Concern was expressed on the poor state of government services, high inflation rate and the high rate of unemployment, the pursuit of fiscal policies which exacerbated poverty, the absence of good governance and lack of transparency on the part of the some leaders in the interim government.

Church leaders were also concerned over the curbing of the freedom of the press and the deportation of Russel Hunter.

Waqairatu said the Think Tank team and ministers will meet again next month.