The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand is engaged in the development of a more cohesive multicultural church. A church that recognises its heritage from its Scottish roots, and now evolving in a society that draws from the global communities. Every year, we find ourselves becoming more and more of a multicultural Church, begining with the cultures of Europe, cultures of Africa, Asia, American continent and cultures from the Pasific.
Our multicultural nature as a Church need also for a continued recognition that Maori has a significant part to play in such a mix of God's children(whanau). They are our kin, who hold a special place in our country and our lives.How important it is for us as children of God to relate more to our love of God, neighbour and the future of our socierty. OUR FANAU!WHANAU!CHILDREN.
The Pacific Island Synod is a gathered forum of five groups that have served each of the said communities in gathering and providing network, culture. language and Church service, even before the majority of Pacific Island Congregational churches (that formed a union of congregational churches in NZ) opted to join the Presbyterian Church in late 60's.
One of the key aspects of such a union was an agreement that was made, that the Pacific Process of planting churches, and pastoral care must be maintained. At the time, the management Borad of the Pacific congregations that made up a group of ordained and lay ministers to manage the growth of Pasific Islanders as they moved around the country seeking for employment and educational oportunities for their children.
Just a litle of history to highlight the early beginings of a diaspora communities from Oceania.
We must not forget the inspiring leaders that we had at this crucial time in the life of Pacific Islanders in this new village called Aotearoa.
The Rev Sio is one of the key men of God that wove the relationship with the Presbyterian Church to its eventual union with the Presbyterian Church of NZ. Many others (list in the Masters Thesis of Don Ikitoelagi) have been named as key leaders from the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa, Tuvalu and Tokelau. The English Speaking Group was a dream of the same that ensured the continuation of the Gospel journey of people from the Pacific.
"The influnce of the church is no longer strong among youth and young Pacific Islanders."
The 2006 Cencus indicated Auckland of having the most Pacific Island young population. About 66% of these youth and young people reside in the Auckland area with high concentration in the Manukau region of the city.It is therefore imperative that we take up the challenge now and explore ways of reaching out in a real way.
It seem that the obvious way is to invite them to join our current congregations, and be involved with prayer meetings and music ministries.
Maybe, there is an alternative way of reaching them, reaching our young, and if not draw them home to our congregations, at least secure a lifeline for them and for us.
A lifeline that will build us a spiritual family. This approach suggests that we look beyond our traditional boundaries of Church and begin by recognising that faithfulness and Godliness can be in the activities that has always been classified as culture and often secular in nature.
The aim of the conversations with leaders of each of the constituent groups is for such approaches to be added to our method of sharing the gospel with our young.
I invite your responses and comment to these views that I have shared with the hope of drawing wisdom from you our parents (matua) when you share your journey with God over the years in this new and exciting land.
Kia monuina
Rev Don Ikitoelagi.
