Church?

Why do our Churches continue to burden our people with so much? This is a non – denominational entry. This is aimed at all the churches of whatever denomination that continue to add on to the struggles and burdens of the parishioners that live in shacks and houses that could do with renovations, while the pastors/reverends/preachers live in single/two/three storey mansions. Before I go on I would like to say that I grew up in an EFKS household and I still am an EFKS parishioner but I do disagree with many points in the EFKS ‘theology’. I will discuss these disagreements or rather, dissatisfactions, about the ‘church’ and how I believe that with some guidance, these so – called spiritual institutions can assist with poverty alleviation.

Big church buildings DO NOT get you into Heaven. Why is it that our churches in Samoa and around the world build such monstrosities that cost so much money? This money could be channeled into community development initiatives such as grassroots development projects, education reform initiatives, and missionary work and much more. Note that there is already money set aside for some churches missionary activities but much more could be saved if we return to our roots of “simplicity”. God does not live in that building we call holy. The house of God is His people. The body of believers is the true church of God. The temple of God, as stated in the Bible is our hearts and bodies.

 I don’t see why many families who already are struggling to make ends meet, throw their money away on buying the pastor and his family some new cars, clothes, a new house etc. It is beyond me that these so – called men of God would continue to sit there and say nothing in an attempt to dissuade the parishioners from ‘spoiling’ them too much. Many of our people are already living in poverty and to become impoverished even more by the supposed ‘need’ to give ridiculously large amounts of money to the church, is at times pushing our people further away from the true meaning of Christianity and that is to have that personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to also ensure that you take care of your family as much as you can and give what you CAN to the church.

Some of my family are staunch EFKS followers and I’m not saying I’m not BUT there are certain so – called ‘laws’ or protocols that I refuse to follow. One of these so – called protocols is where a child is of age to begin taking the communion. It is my belief in my reading of the Bible that once a child is of the age of understanding; he or she is able to partake in the communion.

 In relation to the Catholics who have priests that are not permitted to be married, why? I ask this in all due respect because doesn’t God say in the Bible that we are to be fruitful? Wasn’t sex created by our Lord God for the enjoyment of everyone within the holy bond of marriage? Getting a bit away from point here so back to it.

Since when did building these massive money wasting structures mean that you are ensured entry into Heaven? At the rate our people are giving all they have to the churches it seems to me that this is their way of atoning for their sins and attempting to “buy” their way into Heaven.  Since when did giving all your money to the church ensure that you and yours got a place within the confines of the pearly gates? Since when did giving to the church become such a competition amongst our people and since when did this become culture? Its become a culture that is detrimental to family values and family togetherness, so much so that we have parishioners who get loans just to up their taulaga or their annual alofa’s to the faifeau. It’s a sad reality because the stress of trying to repay the loans whilst continuing the weekly or bi – weekly contributions to the church, is straining relationships within the aigas. Maybe not in all but definitely in most. I pray that we one day have pastor’s that not only preach the true message of God but also a pastor that understands that the people are suffering. The rising cost of living in Samoa is sky – rocketing with many families struggling to feed, clothe and house their families. I am sad to say this but Samoa seems to have become a dog eat dog world where it’s the survival of the fittest and the concept of alofa is hardly ever practiced anymore.

This whole EFKS business of the fa’amati  is another grand example of stupidity. I have been told by some of the elders that this practice was never a part of our culture and it was never done this way. In the past, the fa’amati was when the pastor of an aulotu would walk around his village to visit, pray, feed and spend time with his flock, tending to their spiritual needs and wants. Nowadays, its all about extravagance and who can give their faifeau the best gift of the year. Just last year 14 pastors in one district were each presented with brand spankin’ new cars. I feel for the parishioners! I feel sorry for them because they have come to believe that this is “culture” which it is not.

I am sure that my discontentment with these issues are leading to many of the EFKS and other denomination youths leaving their spiritual roots in droves. It is sad that this is the case … our churches have become outdated, boring and institutionalized. God came to set us free… Not to burden us even more. Remember, salvation comes only through faith and living for God as instructed by Him in the Bible. We are not going to get into Heaven via “good works” such is the belief of Hindis, Buddhists etc. The gift of eternal life with Christ is FREE.

One more thing before I go. Why in the world are our churches becoming more and more businesslike? Since when did business ever enter into the equation of God’s plan for humanity? I pray that our churches go back to their roots where they save souls first and foremost instead of saving and making money. Like I always say, ua tausi lava e le lafu mamoe le leoleo mamoe/ the flock have now come to tend to the Sheppard … this is supposed to the other way around but sadly, this is not the case nowadays. There is NO pastor/bishop/pope/reverend/preacher in the Holy Trinity!