tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733836.post4819274887867263914..comments2024-03-07T22:07:31.688-08:00Comments on Babasiga: The Fiji Methodist Church todayPeceli and Wendy's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01165668047817341837noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733836.post-67142507561537140452012-01-25T03:01:31.794-08:002012-01-25T03:01:31.794-08:00The Fiji papers occasionally put out exaggerated a...The Fiji papers occasionally put out exaggerated articles on the burden people in Fiji have in their giving to their local church. I don't know if an accurate survey has actually been done comparing the different religious bodies in Fiji and the contributions by members. The media has targeted the Methodists about it but I tend to think some of the more 'American style' churches expect larger contributions.<br />w.Peceli and Wendy's Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01165668047817341837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733836.post-89712484669438415892012-01-23T22:21:16.164-08:002012-01-23T22:21:16.164-08:00On a different note re: Tithes and financial burde...On a different note re: Tithes and financial burden on church members.<br />I do believe babasiga had a post, couple of months/years ago addressing tithes.<br /><br />Another <a href="http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2012/January/01-24-09.htm" rel="nofollow"> story</a> regarding those tithes is emerging from Samoa.<br /><br />http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2012/January/01-24-09.htm<br /><br />Is there a similar story in Fiji, or has this financial burden eased a bit?timtamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733836.post-35719138089492249842012-01-20T01:59:34.094-08:002012-01-20T01:59:34.094-08:00They seem to be walking softly softly as if on egg...They seem to be walking softly softly as if on eggshells, but I suppose being pragmatic is one way that Fiji people cope with their daily lives. <br />They have to get permission to have meetings still and one issue raised is that to visit the nearest police post - if you live on a small island such as in Lau - is not an easy task. It would mean hiring an outboard at least and buying some petrol!Peceli and Wendy's Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01165668047817341837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21733836.post-47320781322093060142012-01-16T03:05:18.666-08:002012-01-16T03:05:18.666-08:00Dear Wendy,
What you say is true about the need f...Dear Wendy, <br />What you say is true about the need for improved PR on behalf of the Methodist Church. For a while they had the media-savvy Rev. James Bhagwan assisting them but he is currently overseas on further study. Nevertheless the Koroi-Lasaro rift is one that has never been adequately dealt with and until there is some form of reconciliation the church will not feel ready to move on. There is an added sense of urgency about this as Rev. Koroi is preparing to "retire" to his home village of Mavana within the next year and any rapprochement will be more difficult to achieve at such a distance.<br />As for the change of leadership, that is very important, as the heir-apparent to the present Qase Levu is the General Secretary, Tuikilakila Waqairatu, a man always ready to speak his mind on issues of deep social consequence insofar as they affect the ordinary people of Fiji. If such comment on social issues tends to be critical of government policies, or lack of them, then of course the new Qase Levu will attract attention. He is one man who will not resile from the prophetic word.Andrew Thornleynoreply@blogger.com