Our hopes and fears - Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELC-PNG)

By RICKY MITIO

I have read with great interest the debate on the performance of the Lutheran Church in PNG, especially the ELC-PNG. As this is a matter of public importance affecting 1.2 million Lutherans in PNG we must debate the future of this Church.

ORIGINAL LUTHERAN PHILOSOPHY

We, the descendents of evangelists who brought the Church “Gutnius” far and wide in ELC-PNG by sacrificing the benefits and privilege of their homeland and loved ones to unknown hidden destinations know very well the good work of the Holy Spirit who was visible through miracle works performed by our fathers.By faith they spread the “Gutnius” and brought peace and Christianity to all mankind in PNG. It has left a far reaching impact on the lives and wellbeing of many people, especially in the Highlands and Momase regions today. Their outstanding performance reminds us of what God can do for his people without the material goods and wealth for which our current Sios leaders pre-occupy themselves with ahead of the personal sacrifice required and proven by our forefathers. The Lutheran church is at the “cross roads” in the 21st century. Christians are getting fed up with lack of progress in church development from Ampo headquarters. Same old clergy that form the Church council (referred to by a Member in Port Moresby dated January 2) have nothing visionary to offer to lift the performance of Council. They aim to keep the status quo and pretend every thing else in the church is ok. Apart from our own children who we are struggling to hold in faith many are wandering off to other churches in search of spiritual nourishment. Kigasung rescued the church from the brink of collapse from many factional groupings, especially Lutheran Revival or new born Lutheran movements. He restored hope. Among chief achievements Kigasung resolved the break up movements and discontent among districts, especially Melpa Lutheran members who were split for over 25 years. I say, if we do not get it right with God now the church will certainly disintegrate into fragmented regional and ethnic groupings, discipline from Ampo will break down and many valuable assets in land and buildings disappear via retiring clergymen claiming for themselves as their retirement benefit when they know very well their price awaits them in heaven.

GOD’S PLAN FOR ELC-PNG

God anointed Bishop Kigasung with a special mission “Healing & Reconciliation “which he successfully achieved. His final plan to reconcile Yabim and Kote Districts in his final mission for healing and reconciliation after bringing Madang and Karkar together could not take place. No proper interpretation and analysis of God’s plan was delivered at the funeral service in Lae. Christian members gathered from far and wide wanted to know what God achieved through this man of God. However, we were disillusioned with the lack of foresightedness and again an inward looking atmosphere prevailed leaving us with lack of hope, confusion and doubt. We could smell certain clergy were already indulging themselves in the campaign to succeed the bishop right before his coffin. I have made my own analysis and was prepared to share with the Christians at the funeral service at Sir Kilage Stadium in Lae but was not given the opportunity to do so. There are many intellectual Lutherans with in-depth theological wisdom who are better placed to interpret and provide guidance to our Christian folks. We must share in this message of God’s plan for ELC-PNG prayerfully to map out the path forward. Today, church leaders demand respect and call themselves “boss” when spiritual leaders should be shepherds of folks from whom blessings and love flows to heal the wounds of suffering from sins and heart breaks of our social evils. Christians no longer go to the pastors for counseling, healing or reconciliation, instead they are seen running to court houses and police stations.

ELECTION OF BISHOP OF ELC-PNG TO BE DEFERRED

Until the Church is ready the election of the next bishop to succeed Bishop Kigasung must be delayed and deferred. I challenge the church members to conduct a careful but detailed analysis of the Gods plan and purpose for ELC-PNG through the successive bishops. We need to understand the role they played in leading the Sios to where we are today. Only after we have fully understood God’s plan for the church and how God delivered these through his anointed Bishops can we be in a position to identify the “chosen one” to succeed Kigasung to fulfill God’s “ mission” for ELC-PNG. I am alerting Christian members of Lutheran Church to let “God’s will” prevail and supersede man’s creed for power and glory. For time will process the right candidate. Therefore, the election of Bishop at 27th Synod in Lae scheduled for January 2010 will be deferred indefinitely. Only the acting bishop needs to be elected and it will suffice for now until we are ready. We must let the God Spirit do its work to generate suitable candidate chosen by God.

ELECTION SYSTEM – REVIEW

The church must replace the current political “ first past post” system of election of Sios leaders and officials. I suggest we split up the 16 Sios Districts of ELC-PNG into 4 regions (Momase, Highlands, Southern and New Guinea Islands) to be headed by a regional bishops each. Head Bishop of ELC-PNG to hold office by rotation among the four regions. District Presidents system will be abolished. Again, replaced with each Circuit leaders taking leadership by rotation. District Presidents, some of whom are very destructive to the church growth, should be eliminated and on the same token the need to elect Head Bishop at biannual Synods is eliminated to prevent infighting amongst clergymen for leadership. Church Council membership should also be restructured to include nominated non clergy Laymen and Women Representatives including Youth who are capable of contributing constructively with visionary ideas on church development. Thus, no need for political election system.

LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY

If we can not operate the MLS competently including Balob Teachers College then what guarantee is there that a large institution of university standing could be managed competently, let alone fund the millions of kina total operational costs. Can ELC-PNG afford it? Other churches like Catholic and SDA churches have made decisions and gone ahead to establish their universities without such personal conflicts that we in ELC-PNG have to put up with all the time.

DEDICATED SCHOOL FOR CHURCH WORKERS

I acknowledge the physical needs of our church workers – Evangelists, Pastors and other Church workers who compete with outside world for goods and services. Their rights to education, health services or basic food and shelter must be cared for. I propose special scheme be developed by the Church Administration and the Church Council. I am thinking of Primary and High School subsidy scheme or even a dedicated school set up by ELC-PNG only for church workers at reduced school fees using our vast land resources. Also special health insurance schemes. Children or descendents of pioneer church workers.

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Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea
Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche Papua-NeuguineasEglise évangélique luthérienne de Papouasie-Nouvelle-GuinéeIglesia Evangélica Luterana de Papúa y Nueva Guinea

Rev. Isaac TEO,
General Secretary

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 80
LAE, Morobe Province, 411
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
GMT
+10
Phone: +675/47-237 11
Fax: +675/47-210 56
E-mail: teo@datec.net.pg
bishop.admin@global.net.pg