A handbook of councils and churches profiles of ecumenical relationships
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United Church of Christ – Congregational in the Marshall Islands Church Family: Reformed Membership: 40,225 Congregations: 38 Sub-congregations: 97 Pastors: 52 Member of: WCC (1992) – PCC – WARC The United Church of Christ – Congregational in the Marshall Islands (UCCCMI) grew out of the work started in 1857 by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (now the Wider Church Ministry of the United Church of Christ). From the beginning the main mission work was carried out by Pacific islanders, which meant that the life of the church was predominantly indigenous. When the United Church of Christ came into being in the USA in 1957, the church in the Marshall Islands took the same name. Full autonomy was achieved in 1972. After some internal difficulties a dissident group established the Reformed Congregational Church, and the UCCCIM took its present name. The Oceania church runs nine elementary schools and four chartered Christian high schools. Its pastors are trained at the Marshall’s Theological College, which receives students from all over Micronesia. The highest authority of the church is the assembly. A board of directors composed of seven men provides leadership in between the meetings of the assembly. The Church Women Fellowship has its own executive board. The UCCCMI has some congregations in the USA, e.g. in Los Angeles, Honolulu and Eugene (Oregon). It is affiliated with the Wider Church Ministry of the UCC and the Division of Overseas Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the USA. It has a partnership relationship with the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan.
Population: 236,979 Surface area: 18,580 sq.km Capital: Nouméa GNI per capita: 14,060 US$ Classification: Developing economy Languages: French, Lifou, Maré Religions: Christian 87%; Muslim 3%; other Christianity: Catholics 125,000; Protestants 32,332; Independent 10,590 New Caledonia belongs to the Melanesian part of the Pacific. It was inhabited by indigenous people when France took possession of it in 1853. It has the status of an overseas territory. The Kanak community constitutes 42 percent of the population; the second largest group are the French (37 percent) and immigrant groups from the Pacific and Asia form another 17 percent. The island has 25 percent of the world’s resources of nickel. In the 1970s the Kanaks began to organize themselves in political parties with the aim to achieve independence. Violence erupted in the 1980s, which led to the Agreements of Matignon in 1988, establishing a territorial congress and government, and a referendum on independence to be held in ten years time. In 1989, the disappointment among the Kanaks resulted in the assassination of their leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou, by one of his own people. The 1998 referendum failed to establish independence because of the anti-independent position of the French and other population groups. It was followed by the Nouméa Agreement that same year, stipulating further devolution of powers, introducing New Caledonian citizenship and granting the right to the territorial congress to call another referendum on independence after 2014. The Evangelical Church in New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands, which is the largest Protestant church and 86 percent Kanak, has been deeply involved in supporting the independence movement. The Catholic Church has a higher membership among the other population groups. Evangelical Church in New Caledonia and the Loyalty Isles (Eglise évangélique en Nouvelle Calédonie et aux Isles Loyautés, EENCIL) Church Family: Reformed
This church is the fruit of the work of two mission bodies: the London Missionary Society (LMS) and the Paris Evangelical Missionary Society. From the very first contact of the LMS with the Pacific in 1779 in Tahiti, an in-depth effort was made to form Polynesians for the propagation of the gospel. Native agencies were set up in Samoa and the Cook Islands, from where Polynesian evangelists went to evangelize the islands of the South Pacific. They began working in what are now New Caledonia and the Loyalty Isles from 1841 onwards, well before the arrival of the first missionary from the Paris Missionary Society in 1902. During this period the Protestant Church in New Caledonia depended first on the LMS and was led subsequently by the Paris Mission. In 1958 a division occurred which resulted in the creation of two churches one of which, the Evangelical Church in New Caledonia and the Loyalty Isles, became autonomous in 1969. The church attaches much importance to its cultural identity. It seeks to accompany the Kanaky people in their search for dignity and the community in its quest for emancipation, in view of shaping a new identity. To this end, the church is involved in a major effort of training national leadership. Another aspect is the search for forms of liturgy that are inculturated, and indigenous expressions of hymnology and prayer, based on the values and culture of the population. The church believes that in taking seriously the human being in the cultural, historical and social context, the Christian community can become the authentic people of God and a true witness of salvation. The EENCIL engages with other churches in the country in ecumenical dialogue and joint celebrations. Its area of mission is a young developing country that faces social problems such as alcoholism, suicide among young people, an increase of divorces, precarious life situations and drug addiction. Like the other countries of the Pacific it is threatened by global warming and ecological problems linked to development. New Caledonia is an overseas territory on the way to emancipation as stated in the Matignon Agreements of 1988 and the Agreement of Nouméa. In 2002 the synod of the EENCIL, reflecting on its missionary task, described its vision as “a church united in diversity in order to witness faithfully to God’s mission here and everywhere”. In all its actions the church tries to be the visible and intelligible witness of God’s presence in the society and the world. With the support of the Uniting Church in Australia, the Evangelical Church in New Caledonia and the Loyalty Isles maintains a chaplaincy for the hospitals in Sydney. Through the Cevaa, of which it is a founding member, the church is in partnership with churches in France, Switzerland and Argentina. It also cooperates with the churches in New Zealand, and with the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu. NIUE Population: 1,896 Surface area: 260 sq.km Capital: Alofi GDP per capita: 3,600 US$ Classification: Developing economy Languages: Niuean, English Religions: Christian 90%; other 10% Christianity: Protestants 1500; Catholics 150; Anglicans 40 Oceania
Niue is an island located east of Tonga, in the Polynesian part of the Pacific. After a brief British protectorate, it was annexed by New Zealand in 1901. Since 1974, it is a self-governing nation in free association with New Zealand, which is responsible for foreign affairs and defence. The economy of Niue consists of subsistence farming, some cash crops, and some processing industry. Postage stamps for collectors are a source of income for the government. Many Niueans have migrated to New Zealand to find work, which has a negative impact on economic prospects. In 2005, geological data were found that might suggest large deposits of uranium. The Ekalesia Niue is the largest church. Besides the Catholic Church and the Anglicans, there is a Seventh-day Adventist community and small groups of Jehovah’s Witnesses and Latter Day Saints. The Niue Council of Churches includes the Catholic Church and the Ekalesia Niue, plus some smaller churches. Niue National Council of Churches Note: The Niue National Council of Churches was in the process of drafting a constitution in 2005. Member churches: Apostolic Church Christian Outreach
Roman Catholic Church Seventh-day Adventist Church Congregational Christian Church of Niue Church Family: Reformed Membership: 1,300 Congregations: 13 Pastors: 12 Member of: WCC (2001) – PCC – NNCC – WARC Christianity was brought to Niue in 1846 by a Niuean missionary who received training in Samoa. Later on the work was supported and consolidated by Samoan pastors and missionaries from the London Missionary Society (LMS). The church became autonomous and took the name Ekalesia Niue in 1970, and is officially recognized as the Ekalesia Kerisiano Niue (Congregational Christian Church of Niue), which represents 75 percent of the total population. In 1996 a branch of the Ekalesia Niue was established in Auckland, New Zealand, to minister together with its partner churches, the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and the Congregational Union of New Zealand, to the migrant community of Niueans there. The agreement between the three churches was signed in 2001. Emigration is one of the main problems the church is facing. It is related to questions of unemployment, low standards of education and the economic situation of Niue. The Christian education section of the church provides Bible lessons to the only two government schools, as well as to the Sunday schools of the congregations. The training of the laity, and ministry to the youth, Boys’ and Girls’ Brigades are among the main activities of the church. The women’s fellowship known as the Federation of Christian Women plays an active role in the church; it is made up of fellowships from each of the congregations and includes also women from other denominations. The Ekalesia is ecumenically committed and active in the Pacific Conference of Churches. PAPUA NEW GUINEA Population: 5,745,706 Surface area: 462,800 sq.km Capital: Port Moresby GNI per capita: 580 US$ Classification: Developing economy Languages: English; Pidgin; over 700 local languages Religions: Christian 95% Christianity: Protestants 3,137,400; Catholics 1,670,000; Anglicans 310,000; Independent 321,000 Papua New Guinea occupies the eastern half of the island of New Guinea, and many off-shore islands. It is part of Melanesia. It has been inhabited for thousands of years, and is one of the ethnically most diverse countries in the world. In 1884, Germany took possession of Papua, the north-eastern part of the island, and Britain annexed New Guinea, the southern part, in 1888. The German territory was taken over by Australia in 1914. Following World War II, the two parts were brought together as the Territory of Papua New Guinea, with a local government, under Australian administration. The country achieved its independence in 1975 and joined the British Commonwealth. On the island of Bougainville (North Solomons), which has an important zinc mine, a secessionist war was fought from 1989 to 1997, claiming some 20,000 lives. The peace agreement, signed in 1998, foresees local autonomy and possibly a referendum on independence. Papua New Guinea has rich natural resources and mineral deposits, which are only partly exploited. Most of the population relies on subsistence farming. Coffee, cocoa and copra are important export products. Christianity came to Papua New Guinea in the 19th century. The largest church is the Catholic Church, but Protestants constitute the majority. There is also an Anglican Church. They form together the national council of churches. Besides the Evangelical Lutheran Church and the United Church, there are several other large Evangelical and Pentecostal churches, and an Evangelical Alliance which is affiliated with the WEA.
Founded in 1965 (forerunner: the Christian Council of Papua New Guinea, formed in 1959). Basis of membership: We believe in and worship the one true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We confess the Lord Jesus Christ as the Eternal Son of God as revealed in holy scriptures, and his atonement as the basis of our forgiveness and acceptance by God. We accept the holy scriptures as our supreme rule of faith and practice, and the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds as a true expression of fundamental Christian beliefs. Mission statement: We believe that by joining together in study and work, by accepting one another as members of the one family of God and by witnessing together we are proclaiming the unity to which God calls us. Therefore we hereby constitute this council to further the attainment of this unity. Member churches: Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea Baptist Union Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea Gutnius Lutheran Church Oceania Salvation Army United Church in Papua New Guinea Associate members: Bible Society of PNG Church of Nazarene Churches Council for Media Churches Education Council Churches Medical Council Kristen Press Kristen Radio Lifeline Melanesian Association for Theological Schools Melanesian Environment Foundation Missionary Aviation Fellowship National YWCA Scripture Union Summer Institute of Linguistics Word Publishing World Vision International Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea Church Family: Lutheran Membership: 900,000 Congregations: 2,000 Pastors: 800 Evangelists: 2,000 Member of: WCC (1990) – PCC – PNGCC – LWF Periodical: Niugini Luteran The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea grew out of the work of the Neuendettelsau Mission Society (1886) and the Rhenish Mission Society (1887), both from Germany. During World War II all missionaries left the area, and many mission stations, churches, schools and hospitals were damaged. In spite of this, the indigenous church leaders and local Christians stood firm in the work of the church. After the war the Lutheran churches in Australia and North America were asked to help reconstruct the church in Papua New Guinea, working together as the Lutheran Mission New Guinea. In 1956 expatriate missionaries and indigenous church leaders gathered and formed the present indigenous church. At the time of its founding the church was called Evangelical Lutheran Church of New Guinea (ELCONG), and its founding bishop was an expatriate missionary from the American Lutheran Church, USA. The first indigenous bishop was elected in 1973. In 1975, on the eve of the country’s independence, the name of the church was changed to Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG). In 1977 the church was officially declared autonomous and another local Lutheran church organized by the Australian Lutheran Mission joined with the ELCPNG. The ELCPNG believes that the church is the body of Christ on earth so that people can grow in faith and live as brothers and sisters. This function of the church is seen in the preaching of the gospel and the administration of the sacraments, bringing people closer to God so that they may inherit eternal life. The promise of the Holy Spirit strengthens this work of the church. The stated aims are: • to strengthen fellowship among members – koinonia
The church has seven departments: evangelism, education, lands and properties, ministerial training, medical services, development services, finance. There are 16 districts divided according to geographical and population needs. Circuits cover smaller areas within the districts; within the circuits are the local parishes/con-gregations. The church runs 12 health centres, 170 primary schools, six high schools, one teacher training college, a nursing college, five girls’ Bible schools, three seminaries and a training centre for evangelists. United Church in Papua New Guinea Church Family: United and Uniting Membership: 600,000 Congregations: 2,600 Pastors: 400 Member of: WCC (1971) – PCC – PNGCC – CWM Periodical: United Church News (in English, Pidgin and Motu) The London Missionary Society began its work in today’s Papua New Guinea in 1872. Several groups of Christians from the Pacific islands came to work with the mission, which expanded through the Papuan mainland. The Australian Methodist Church, now the Uniting Church in Australia, responded to the request to join the pioneering work. The Methodist mission covered three independent areas, called districts. These joined together in 1950 in mission work in the southern highlands. In 1962 the LMS, together with the mission of the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand and another mission body, formed the Papua Ekalesia, at the time the largest single church in Papua. A further union took place in 1968 involving the Papua Ekalesia, the Methodists and the Union Church of Port Moresby, which together established the United Church in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. In 1996 the general assembly of the UC-PNG/SI resolved that the existence of one united church covering two independent countries should no longer be maintained. Thus the United Church in Papua New Guinea came into being as an autonomous church on its own. The UCPNG runs elementary, primary and secondary schools under the national education system, a teachers’ training college, a theological college for the formation of its pastors, and a lay leaders’ training institute. It supports Bible schools in each region of the country. Developing and training people for mission and training of women and youth are among the priorities of the church. The UCPNG has been involved in efforts to solve the conflict in Bougainville between secessionists and the government of Papua New Guinea, and is participating in programmes of reconciliation and reconstruction. The high level of crime in a country that is officially 98 percent Christian is a major challenge to the church. Oceania
SAMOA Population: 181,618 Surface area: 2,840 sq.km Capital: Apia GNI per capita: 1,860 US$ Classification: LDC Languages: Samoan, English Religions: Christian 97%; Baha’i 2% Christianity: Protestants 113,340; Catholics 30,900; Independent 4,720 The Samoan archipelago is situated in the Polynesian part of the Pacific. Migrants from south-east Asia settled in the islands more than 2000 years ago, and from there moved on to other parts of Polynesia further to the east. At the beginning of the 20th century, the island group was divided in two by the USA and Germany. The western part was attributed to Germany and came under the control of New Zealand in 1914. Western Samoa became the first independent Pacific nation in 1962. It changed its name to Samoa in 1997. Samoa consists of two large and four small islands. Land tenure is communal, according to Samoan custom. The economy is based on agriculture, fishing, tourism and some processing industry. Many Samoans have migrated, to New Zealand, Australia and the USA, which has resulted in a negative population growth rate. The Samoa Council of Churches groups together the two large Protestant churches, Congregational and Methodist, the Catholic Church, the Anglican Church which is part of the diocese of Polynesia, and several smaller Pentecostal and other churches. The Samoan Evangelical Fellowship is affiliated with the WEA. There is also a large Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (Mormons) in Samoa. *Samoa Council of Churches Founded in 1961. Mission statement: To develop sincere fraternal fellowship and cooperation among member churches and to work together towards true Christian unity. Member churches:
Apia Protestant Church Baptist Church Church of Nazarene in Samoa Congregational Christian Church in Samoa Congregational Church of Jesus in Samoa Methodist Church of Samoa Pentecostal Church Roman Catholic Church in Samoa Member organization: National Christian Women’s Council Congregational Christian Church in Samoa Church Family: Reformed Membership: 70,000 Congregations: 327 Pastors: 350 Member of: WCC (1961) – PCC – SCC – WARC – CWM Publication: O le Sulu Samoa (Church Chronicle, monthly, in Samoan) The Congregational Christian Church in Samoa traces its beginnings to the arrival in 1830 of missionaries sent by the London Missionary Society, accompanied by missionary teachers from Tahiti and the Cook Islands and a Samoan couple from Tonga. They arrived at a time of fierce warfare and fighting between local chiefs, and the people who were weary of violence and bloodshed readily received the missionary’s gospel of peace. When a renowned paramount chief of a much respected family lineage officially accepted the new religion, all his followers and kinsfolk immediately followed suit. Within a few years, virtually the whole of Samoa was converted to Christianity. A burning zeal for the gospel was engendered within the spirit of the newly converted nation. Huge numbers of people soon offered themselves for overseas mission work. In 1839, only nine years after the arrival of the LMS, the first twelve Samoan missionaries left for mission work in Melanesia. Ever since then, and up to 1975, Samoans have continued to take the gospel message to other Pacific islands, e.g. Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Niue, Tokelau, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Wallis & Fortuna. Many of these early Samoan missionaries never returned home; they occupy many of the un-named and unmarked graves in the islands of the Pacific. Within the first years of their work, the LMS missionaries developed a Samoan alphabet and put the language into written form. The setting-up of the first printing press in Samoa (1839), only the second in the Pacific region, was a mark of the missionary zeal to bring the people to understand the gospel through the written word. By 1855 the whole Bible was translated into Samoan. The missionaries also introduced a monthly journal – the Church Chronicle – which continues to this day. Malua Theological College was established in 1844, with the main objective to teach and educate local students so that each village of Samoa would eventually have a theologically educated pastor as spiritual leader. By the end of the 19th century, a pattern of ministry had emerged. It was modeled on the Samoan village structural organization and aimed at preserving, as much as possible, the value systems of the Samoan way of life. The church community functions in the same way as the village, where five main groups – matais (titled men), spouses of matais, untitled men, unmarried women, and children – each have their own individual and corporate roles and responsibilities for the maintenance of order and welfare. The village congregation is the basic unit of the CCCS with the pastor as the spiritual leader. The Samoan church during the missionary period engaged itself in the “social redemption of humanity”. This vision was based on the church’s understanding of God’s sovereignty. It saw the divine purpose of redemption not in individual terms only but also in corporate, social and political terms. The newly acquired faith had its focus on the transformation of life and society. That legacy remains a motivating force in the nation’s idealism as well as in the church’s commitment to active social efforts. The church has been able to maintain five high schools, one girls’ college and one theological college. Since the second half of the 20th century, the Samoan church has continued to forge ecumenical relationships with other churches locally, regionally and internationally. Now it has become a transnational church with eight districts (synod or diocese) outside Samoa: one in the USA, one in Hawaii, three in Australia and three in New Zealand. It has one congregation each in Fiji and American Samoa. Oceania
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