A handbook of councils and churches profiles of ecumenical relationships

National Council of Churches in American Samoa

Samoa Council of Churches

Population: 64,819

Founded in 1985.

Basis of membership: Since we believe that it is God’s will for all denominations in Samoa to become one, this council is established so as to attain that goal of one­ness. We believe in the only true God, the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God; as revealed in the Holy Bible, through his saving works we have been redeemed. We mutually accept the Holy Bible as our only guidance in our faith and what we do.

Mission statement: Witnessing and serving God faithfully, with respect to each member’s faith and doctrinal beliefs.

Member churches:

Anglican Church

Baptist Church

Oceania

Member organizations:

Piango

Women’s Ecumenical Fellowship in American Samoa

Church Family: Reformed

Membership: 39,000*

Congregations: 115**

Pastors: 130

Member of: WCC (1985) – PCC – NCCAS – CWM

Periodical: LAMEPA (bimonthly, in Samoan)

Website: www.efkas-cccas.org (under construction)

The early history of this church is the same as that of the Congregational Chris­tian Church in Samoa. As the Congregationalists in Western and in American Samoa were living in different political situations – though sharing in the same cultural and confessional tradition – there was a movement from 1964 to create an independent Congregational assembly in American Samoa. In 1980 this assem­bly was constituted. The division was difficult for Congregationalists in both Samoas but in December 1982 officials of the two churches together made a public declaration of reconciliation. Both sides have committed themselves to further mutual recognition.

The CCCAS is a self-supporting, self-governing and self-propagating church. In 1983 it established its own theological college in Kanana Fou, which offers a diploma in theological studies and a BD degree, and serves also the Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu. It runs also an elementary and a high school. The church emphasizes youth activities both locally and at the national level, and has under­taken the construction of a multi-purpose youth centre. It is concerned with prob­lems in the Samoan society such as drug and alcohol abuse and the influx of reli­gious sects. The church has sent and continues to send its own missionaries and fraternal workers to Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, to other Pacific nations and to the United States.

The area of church planting has been a new focus for the mission programme of the church, especially with an emphasis on those localities where a sizeable number of Samoans reside in the military communities. Having an ecumenical thrust, the CCCAS played a key role in creating a national council of churches in American Samoa together with the Methodists and Roman Catholics and other local groups. Over the years, the church has also become an active participant in the wider ecclesial fellowship through its membership in the Pacific Conference of Churches and other global ecumenical bodies. During its 2005 general assem­bly, the CCCAS celebrated its 25th anniversary since its inception in 1980.

*Distribution:

Population: 21,388

Founded in 1968.

Basis: The Cook Islands Religious Advisory Council was set up to advise the gov­ernment and traditional leaders on key issues affecting the social, economic, and cultural development affairs of the people of the Cook Islands, and to oversee reli­gious events, functions and undertakings of major government and community programmes.

Member denominations: Apostolic Church Assemblies of God Church Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Roman Catholic Church in the Cook Islands

Church Family: Reformed

Oceania

Immigration to New Zealand has always been a dominant factor in the life of Cook Islanders. In 1978 the church established its first congregation in Auckland. Today, through travel and attracted by various opportunities, Cook Islanders con­tinue to migrate overseas. There are currently 19 congregations in New Zealand and 11 in Australia. The activities and priorities of the Cook Island Christian Church are focused on the gospel itself. For many people the Christian faith is no longer as central in their life as it was in the past. The church is encouraging its members to attend the worship services and other gatherings, and to live their lives according to the teachings of the Holy Bible. Bible studies are being orga­nized, youth programmes are put in place and the church seeks to redirect the Christians to the source of life, God the Creator who sent his Son Jesus Christ for the salvation of humankind.

*Including the congregations in New Zealand and Australia.

FIJI

Population: 854,471

Surface area: 18,270 sq.km

Capital: Suva

GNI per capita: 2,240 US$

Classification: Developing economy

Languages: Fijian, English, Hindi

Religions: Christian 57%: Hindu 33%; Muslim 7%; Other 3%

Christianity: Protestants 385,680; Catholics 88,000; Anglicans 8,500;

Independent 120,980

Fiji comprises a group of islands in the Melanesian part of the Pacific. These were inhabitated long before the arrival of the Europeans in the area. In 1874 the islands became a British colony. Fiji achieved its independence in 1970. It has the second largest population of the Pacific, after Papua New Guinea. Its economy is agrarian. The main export product is sugar. Tourism is an important source of income. Under British colonial rule, many Indians were brought to Fiji, to work in the sugar plantations. They settled in the country and constitute an integral group in the Fijian society, with their own religion, language, culture and customs. In 1987 Fiji suffered two military coups, which had to do with the balance of power between the indigenous Fijians and the Indians, economically – especially the question of land tenure – and politically, in terms of democratic representa­tion. A nationalist movement sought to impose indigenous Fijian control of the country. Eventually an equitable arrangement was found, and embedded in the constitution. The largest church in Fiji is the Methodist Church. Pentecostals and charismatic groups number about 25 percent of the Protestants. The Fiji Council of Churches is the ecumenical body. The Evangelical Fellowship of Fiji is affili­ated with the WEA. The Pacific Conference of Churches, the ecumenical regional body, is located in Suva, Fiji’s capital.

Fiji Council of Churches

Founded in 1963.

Basis of membership: The Fiji Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches which confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour according to the scrip­tures and therefore seek to fulfil together their common calling to the glory of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Member churches:

Catholic Church

Fiji Baptist Convention

Presbyterian Church

Church Family: Methodist

Membership: 212,860

Divisions: 49

Congregations: 2860

Pastors: 430 (of whom 15 women)

Member of: WCC (1976) – PCC – FCC – ACCF – WMC

The first Christian missionaries to Fiji were three Tahitian teachers of the London Missionary Society, in 1830. The Wesleyan Missionary Society (Methodist) from Australia began working in the island in 1835. In 1854, many notable chiefs of Fiji became Christian. Following these conversions, many people openly confirmed their faith in the gospel. As the church grew, Fijians went out as missionaries to the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and North Australia. When British rule was established in Fiji in 1874, the government became the third strand in the Fijian consciousness, called Matanitu, along with the two other strands, the way of the land (Vanua), and Christianity (Lotu). For a century and a half, the Methodist Church in Fiji has enjoyed the close working together of these three strands.

Starting in 1879, large numbers of Indians were brought to Fiji by the British, to work as indentured labourers in the sugar cane industry. They came with their religion, language, culture, and customs. The Methodist Mission responded to this new challenge by setting up the Indian Mission in 1892. Towards the end of the 19th century the Methodist Church was very active in the field of education. A large number of Fijian ministers were trained. In 1964 the Methodist Church in Fiji became autonomous; in 1986, close to 75 percent of the indigenous Fijian population belonged to the Methodist Church. The Indian Methodists represent about 1.5 percent of the total membership of the church.

In 1987, Fiji suffered two military coups. These events were a turning point in the political history of the country, and caused a split in the Methodist Church,

Oceania

which became apparent in 1988. The conflict touched the basic understanding of the role of the church in Fiji’s multiracial, multi-religious and multicultural soci­ety. A majority faction backed the movement against the Indian population in Fiji during and after the military coups, a minority denounced this as a Christian domination over against a non-Christian religion. The division was eventually repaired but it left the Methodist Church with a crisis of identity. An authentic and clear witness to the lordship of Christ is called for, in order for the church to recapture its mission. The church must become an instrument of peace, justice and unity in the multi-coloured society of Fiji.

After the coup d’état of 2000, the Methodist Church in Fiji & Rotuma took the leading role in the formation of another Christian organization, called the Assem­bly of Christian Churches in Fiji (ACCF). There is a strong sense of mission within the ACCF member churches, to stand united and bring healing and trans­formation. It is encouraging to see that the churches, the state and the Vanua are all working together towards this common goal.

An important development in the preparation of clergymen and women has been the launching of BD and BM programmes in 2003-2004. Quality theological education of the clergy is part of the response of the church to the challenges which the pluralistic society of Fiji is facing.

Population: 251,717

Surface area: 4,000 sq.km (land)

Capital: Papeete

GDP per capita: 17,500 US$

Classification: High income (World Bank classification)

Languages: French, Tahitian, Chinese

Religions: Christian 88%; Chinese folk religion 8%; other 4%

Christianity: Protestants 111,740; Catholics 96,820; Independent 5,130

French Polynesia is made up of a group of islands in the Polynesian part of the Pacific. The main island is Tahiti. France annexed the territory in the 19th cen­tury. It has the status of an overseas territory, with a government, assembly and administration. The original inhabitants of the islands constitute 80 percent of the population. In 2005, they obtained the majority in the assembly and the pres­idency of the government. The economy of French Polynesia is based on agricul­ture, fishing and pearl-farming, with some local processing industry. The high income per capita is mostly due to transfers from the central government, and activities induced by metropolitan French. France used the territory for its nuclear testing from 1966 to 1992, and again in 1995-96. The presence of mili­tary personnel was an important economic asset for the population. However, protest against the nuclear tests has been vigourous, and has had significant inter­national support. Independent research has brought to light the damage done to the population and the environment, which France has always denied. The tests have stopped, but actions continue to obtain recognition, reparations, truth and justice. Protestant missions were present in the area before French colonization. The former Evangelical Church of French Polynesia, which now calls itself Maohi Protestant Church, is the largest church. Maohi is the name of the people. The church has been in the forefront of the anti-nuclear struggle.

(Eglise protestante Maohi)

Church Family: Reformed

Membership: 130,000

Congregations: 96

Pastors: 77

Member of: WCC (1963) – PCC – WARC – Cevaa

Periodical: Vea Porotetani (monthly, in Tahitian and French)

This is the former Evangelical Church of French Polynesia, which changed its name to Maohi Protestant Church by decision of its synod in 2004. The church grew out of the work of the London Missionary Society which came to Tahiti in 1797. The LMS missionaries faced various problems, one of which was to learn the Tahitian language, “reo maohi”. The LMS was replaced by the Paris Mission Society in 1863 which, as of 1884, was assisted in its work by a senior council, later called general senior council (1927). The Evangelical Church of French Poly­nesia got its juridical structure in 1884, which was modified in 1927. The church became autonomous in 1963. More than half of the population of the territory belongs to the Maohi Protestant Church. The official language is Reo Maohi (Tahitian). There is one francophone and one Chinese-speaking congregation. The church is organized according to the synodal-presbyterian system and is inde­pendent financially.

Much emphasis is put on the formation of the people of God, at the level of the local congregations, and on an innovating ministry with the young people. Youth is a major concern of the church. Various youth movements are grouped under the Protestant youth committee, e.g. “Temaram” which focuses on street youth, Sunday school, working with the children in the congregations, Young People’s Christian Association, doing youth work in the congregations, Protestant educa­tion dealing with school children from nursery to high school, Protestant com­mittee of holiday centres, young girls’ hostel for female students and young work­ers, Uruai a Tama, caring for children with difficulties or under tutelage. Through the activities of these organizations the church seeks to promote an evolution in its life, and to contribute to the well-being of the society. The Maohi Protestant Church struggles with the issues of cultural identity and social development. Its role in preserving the language and traditional songs (“Himene Tarava”) is widely recognized. Other important concerns of the church are alcoholism, and the impact of nuclear testing performed by France from 1966 to 1996 on the atolls of Moruroa and Fangataufa.

Population: 90,159

Surface area: 730 sq.km

Capital: Tarawa

GNI per capita: 970 US$

Classification: Developing economy

Languages: English, Kiribati

Religions: Christian 94%; Baha’i 5%

Christianity: Catholics 48,908; Protestants 39,330

Oceania

Founded in 1979.

Basis of membership: Those Christian churches which believe in the Holy Trin­ity.

Member churches:

Church of God

Roman Catholic Church

Observer member: Assemblies of God

Church Family: Reformed

Membership: 40,000

Congregations: 136

Pastors: 209

Member of: WCC (1989) – PCC – KNCC – WARC – CWM

The first resident missionary to today’s Kiribati came with some Hawaiian pas­tors in 1857, through the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mission (ABCFM). They settled in Northern Kiribati and established a school to teach young people to read and write. Although their success in evangelization was lim­ited, their greatest contribution was the translation of the Bible, completed in 1893 and the translation of Christian hymns into the Kiribati language. In 1870 a number of Samoan missionaries came with a missionary from the London Mis­sionary Society (LMS) to Southern Kiribati. A boarding school, a training insti­tution for pastors and a printing press were established in 1900. The ABCFM finally left in 1917 and entrusted all the schools and churches in Northern and Central Kiribati to the London Missionary Society. In 1920 local pastors started to help the Samoan pastors in the evangelization and recruiting for pastors from Samoa gradually ended. By 1945, after World War II, the local pastors gradually took over from the Samoans and started to prepare plans for autonomy which cul­minated at the first general assembly of the Gilbert Island Protestant Church in 1968. The name changed to Kiribati Protestant Church in 1979 when the Gilbert Islands – the larger part of the British Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony – became independent as the Republic of Kiribati.

The Kiribati Protestant Church is actively involved in youth and Sunday school progammes, women’s activities, mission to seamen (a joint venture with the Roman Catholic Church), chaplaincy work, vocational training for young men and women, and secondary schools. The pastors of the church are trained at Tang­intebu Theological College.

Population: 59,071

Surface area: 181 sq.km

Capital: Majuro

GNI per capita: 2,370 US$

Classification: Developing economy

Languages: Marshallese, English

Religions: Christian 96%; Baha’i 1%

Christianity: Protestants 54,650; Catholics 4,840; Independent 10,320

(double affiliation)

The Marshall Islands are situated in the centre of the Pacific, north of the equa­tor. They were settled by Micronesians several thousand years ago. The islands became part of the protectorate of German New Guinea in 1885, and were con­quered by Japan in World War I. After World War II, the Marshall Islands were added to the USA’s Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Independence was achieved in 1990, after a period of free association with the USA. The islands were used by the US for nuclear testing until 1962. Many inhabitants suffered from high radiation levels. At the sixth assembly of the WCC in 1983 in Vancou­ver, a young Marshallese woman affected by three tumours, Darleen Keju-John-son, gave a moving testimony of her condition and her struggle for a nuclear-free Pacific. The economy of the Marshall Islands is based on small farming and some processing industry. Christianity came to the islands in the 19th century. The largest churches are United Church of Christ – Congregational, and the Assem­blies of God (Pentecostal).