Trust me, my dad was minster (RIP) And the Congregation did not take care of us (the ministers family) My Dad held a fulltime time job. Raised 13 kids, had us kids raise funds with the church members to build a Church. My older siblings had to work as soon as the law allowed it (15yrs old, w/parental consent) here in the USA. My mom worked fulltime also out side of the home. WE gave up OUR family home to hold meetings, choir practices to name a few. We had no privacy in OUR own home. I say our home cos the Church didnt pay for our mortgage, or the downpayment. It was all of my parents and older siblings hard eaned cash. I think that was the smartest thing my parents N siblings did. We kept our 'family home' separated from the church home. I've seen enough of how a Church an deplete Ur Savings and Spirit. Out of the 13 Children,
only 1 remains loyal to the Samoan Congregational Christian Churches. The rest of us have found other churches that is less complicated. So to make a long story short......WE was not supported by the Ekalesia.
We spent more on them! Even taking equity from my family home to help church members. That never paid back a cent and disappeared after they recieved what they wanted..They know WHO they ARE! I hope they read this....Shame on them for taking advantage of the Ministers Family. God Bless U All

That is for everyone to debate.

Oh, but the verdict has (in my opinion been in for this one long ago).....the perception that ministers and their families on the Island of Samoa are servants of God and therefore should be supported, and have been for eons now by their congregations, is a whole lot of wrong for way too long. They do live pampered lives and are given the utmost best of what families can or cannot afford.
All in the name of God. The poorest family that has near to nothing to live on, give their very best to the minister and his family. It is in my opinion the most dispicable thing, it's outrageous that they are still being brainwashed this day and age. I speak from experience as my father has given even land away to the so called church because he believed that it would help in getting right with God. My parents were God fearing people, and taught their children the same. I for one believe in God, but not in the practise of giving all for his names sake, I found no such refrence in the Bible in regards to this practise.....there's no wrong in respecting men of the cloth, but in my opinion, respecting and supporting them in all aspects of a wordly life, possesions, bank accounts and so forth is a farse that has gone on for way too long.
As the bible suggests, from the Sweat of your Brow shall you reap....I believe all ministers and so called men of the cloth should do more sweating and a little less reaping.....

Well said Tui. My family had gone through the same thing and the pastor still critize its members if they don't give more. What a shame! I feel for the people of my village and this non sense needs to stop.

I agree that some pastors are pampered beyond belief, but then again there are those who do not live the life of rock stars and have to rob Peter to pay Paul in many instances. I have seen both and frankly it is quite saddening and enlightening at the same time.

To know that there are pastors who actually do the work of God without demanding that God's children provide them with amenities that many Samoans, and even non-Samoans, would consider quite extravagant, gives me comfort that not all pastors are like that.

With that said, however, I think that there should be a change in the way the church does things. My family and I live in Southern California where the overall cost of living is astronomical. I attended a church wherein my mother’s first cousin was the pastor and this guy was unbelievable.

He would literally get up in front of the congregation and scold us for not giving enough money to the monthly “alofa” upon which he was very dependent upon. His alofa that month was in the $3500 dollar range by the way.

He was angry that he only received $3500, yet we were struggling to pay for the lease on the property within which we were having our services. As a matter of fact, we were in arrears on the lease payment to the tune of $9000 dollars. In addition to that we had to pitch in for the fund raisers, the family nights, and all the other church activities that required cash to fulfill and complete.

It was a never ending “give me, give me, give me” scenario. And lest I forget, to top it all off, there was no accountability as to where and how the money was spent. In fact, efforts to get this information resulted in a solid rebuke and many times, an outburst of anger from the pastor and hostility from his cronies for daring to ask such questions.

Now this is the not the only church I have attended wherein the pastor was like this. There are several other churches, both here and in Samoa, that operate in a similarly arcane and tyrannical manner that I witnessed myself. All that I have written herein are based upon what I have seen and been a part of, so the facts, and the attendant opinions that I have stated are not based upon conjecture and rumors.

I do not know the exact remedy to my assertion that there needs to be some change in the way church does things; however, I do know that there are methods utilized by other church organizations that we could emulate. I give you exhibit one: the Mormon Church (LDS)

Not too many people know that the LDS have varying business interests in such businesses like Exxon Mobil, Six Flags Theme Parks, and other varying entities through out the United States as well as internationally.

The LDS is able to support its church organizations via these business interests to the extent that its churches, and in turn the congregation itself, do not have the burden of shouldering the many costs associated with running a church.

Here is a simple premise for our revered church leaders: If they (the LDS Church) can do it, we can do it too.

With the millions of dollars given to the church by all village congregations, I believe it is way more than enough to produce pays/rewards for the pastors Instead of relying too much on the congregation to provide everything.
It has to be noted that the pastor is registered and employed under the Church who proclaim themselves servants of God. If what they are preaching is true, then please for Gods name help the sheeps to grow and improve their lives, and dont add more burden on their shoulders, they already have so much obligations to meet.

The church should at least start with strict measures to discourage the practice of alofas and pelekis or whatever they call it that has caused so much hardships to poor families. If they can pay their pastors good money while the congregation provides accomodation, that is a very good start and no doubt, many doubting Thomases will return to the CCCS fold. BElieve me, I am already thinking of dumping CCCS and move to a real christian denomination
If this practice continue on for long, more and more members gets drifted away to other denominations and religions which is very sad. But who can we blame...we have our own systems and behaviours to blame. dont cut the hand that feeds you.
I hope those holding power to change this will agree with me and take action..otherwise they are just hypocrites like the pharisees in the times of Jesus... "They shut the door of heaven in the eyes of the pple" Coz they only want pple to do what they say and yet they still practice the opposite...please wake up and take heed.

ile ava ma le faaaloalo e tatau ai aemaise mo le sui lea ei luga o lo o taua lona manatu e fia alu ese ma le CCCS, oute fautua atu ete alu ese loa, ma outou ia o loo faitio mai luga o lenei laupepa, afai o le tou lagona lea, ona sili lea le tuu ole ekalesia ae o e nofonofo ile fale ma ola filemu ai, ae aua tou te fetosoaia faapautolo a loi le tautiga o le mamalu o aiga ma nuu ma ekalesia o loo galulue mo le galuega a Le Alii. E le se matafaioi a le tagata le faamasino fua o mea nei, o loo silasila Le Alii ile loto ole tagata ma faamasino e Ia e tusa ile tagata ma lana o loo fai, tuu pea ia le loto fuatiaifo ole tagata lotu e tautua ai ile mafai ua ia mautinoa ole measili e tatau mo Le Alii.

E faamalie atu i lau Susuga abc.....ua le maua atu lou suafa...

Ou te talitonu, o i latou uma o loo tautatala faapea... o ni tamaiti laiti... I dont think they know anything about how the system works.
Ou te sau soo foi iinei ma ou vaai i ai...ma ou tatalo mo latou.... A ou oti i lo'u fia lauga i ai, ae leaga ou te le qualify e faamatala le System a le EFKS leaga e le atoatoa lou malamalama i ai...I just beleive and have faith. I hope latou te avea lea ma lesona i lenei olaga... Aua e te faitio...pe tautala...pe lauga i le suafa o le Atua...pe e te faamatala soo se mea lava e te iloa e le atoatoa ai sou malamalamaaga. I can talk of Quantum Physics....QED (Quantum Electro Dynamics)....and Electronic Engineering Theory, because I know and I can explain a great deal about them. But not this one....

So please kiddos...zipp it...ma lou faaaloalo lava...

malo abc,

ole mea e fua i luma fua i tua le tatou olaga. O mea na fai mai aso ua tuanai e le faapea o le a folo ai lava faapea seia oo ile faavavau faavavau lava amene. Afai o mea e lelei ai le soifua manuia o aiga, nuu ma ekalesia e sa'o ua tatau ona sui.
Ae afai e manuia ai nao se vaega e tasi, ia o loo silasila le Alii ele se mea sao lea mea. Ia aua nei ave seseina, e tasi le Atua e le suia seia oo i le faavavau. E le faapea a sui le faiga o taulaga ma alofa ua tatou suia ai le Atua...leai. O mea lava ia na faia ele tagata e tigaina ai lava le tagata so ua tatau ona sui mo le lelei

Ia fua faaiuga mo le lelei o le mamalu lautele, ae le o le nao le nofonofo i le sideline ma pretend o loo lelei mea uma. while the reality is the opposite
Ua silafia uma e moa ma puaa le faigata ma le taugata o le soifuaga lea ua iai Samoa. So, ua tatau ile ekalesia ona ave se faamama avega i ona sui tapuai. Ia iloa, ole faifeau ua na'o se auauna e faaleo ma lauga le tusi paia. Ae ua matuai tuu i luga e isi aulotu pei o le Atua lava lea. This is very very wrong and probably thats what abc is thinking.

Malo le faasoa. Ia o nei aso ua faigata, taugata, toe tele mea tiga e fesouaina ai mafaufau ma lagona. Ua tele foi le poto ma le atamai ua faaaoga e tupulaga o nei ona po e famasinoina ai le lelei ma le leaga, le talfeagai ma le talafeagai o se mea. A e fai mai foi le Tusi e leai lava se mea fou o i lalo o le la. O le maemaea ma le loto tiga ua faaalia i luga o lenei mataupu, aemaise lava i le aafiaga o faifeau ma o latou aiga i le galuega o le Tala Lelei, e le o ni mea fou. Mai lava i le taimi o soifua le Alii, sa i ai lava e na tetee ma faifaiupu i le galuega. Ui i lea o le avea ma faifeau e le o se galuega faigofie pe afai o faamaoni i tiute ma feau ua tofia i ai. Afai na ala ona faifeau ona o le oloa ma le tulaga taualoa, e le umi a e maua le iuga. O le tulaga faigata o nei faitioga e tuuina mai ona ua taaofa'i uma le aufaigaluega i le moliaga e tasi.
E i ai faifeau e faamuamua i o latou manatu tupe maua mai le galuega. O le ala lena e faamavae mai ai i le aulotu laititi ma le faaupuga ua ma'i, a e malaga i fafo sue ai se isi aulotu e galue ai. E tele foi tagata i nei aso e tei lava ua ta'u o le faifeau a e lei aoga ma faauuina i se aoga faafaifeau. A e toatele foi faifeau i ekalesia eseese o lo o punonou ma le faamaoni e fai a latou galuega ma faanono manu i le Atua aua le manuia o aiga ma nuu ma fanau. Masalo o le mea e ao ona fai o le vaai ane ma vaai ifo po o faapefea le tagata ia ma lona olaga, nei tatou naunau e eu ese le fasilaau o i le mata o le isi tagata, a o lena lava e faalava le amoa i si ou lava mata.
Just something to think about. If I can remember correctly, this was one of Jesus' main teachings. It's often easy to see the faults of others while difficult to see our own weaknesses. On the other hand why dont you people become faifeau and see how you will fare? That way you can find out for yourself how the faifeau should behave and lead by example. Then you can talk all you like and point to yourself as the only faifeau who deserves to be called and provided as one. Good luck to all of you.

Faamalo atu lava ia i latou uma ua faali manatu ile mataupu..faatalofa atu foi ile susga ile faafeagaiga ia Fuamai..malo le soifua maua ma le lagi e mama..malo foi le tau i galuega ale Alii o loo e feagai ai..
faafetai i manatu faalia e faatatau ile mataupu..o au sa faavae mai lou olaga ile EFKS, ma e oo mai foi ile taimi nei o loo tautua lava ile lotu..e ui lava ina tuua aiga ma nuu ona o aoaoga i Niu Sila nei,ae le o mafai ai lava ona aveesea le mafaufau mai le lotu..talitonu foi le manatu ole toatele oi latou o loo faaali manatu ile nei mataupu ole tupulaga talavou, ma e sa'o ai foi se saunoaga a se tasi o uso oi luga,e le o malamalama i latou ile faavae ole EFKS ma ona ala e tautua ai le lotu..pau lava si faanoanoaga ona ua faitioina tele le Ekalesia aemaise le aufaigaluega paia ale Atua..faamolemole a ua tou faamamulu ma le Ekalesia ia lelei,tautua ma le faamaoni i tou ekalesia fou ua tou liu lotu iai,ae soia ia le faifai i si a matou Ekalesia..
Ia ae poo a nisi faitioga o iai,e le faapea ua malepe ai le EFKS, o loo dominate pea e le EFKS le population ole atunuu,o fua aliali lea ole malosi ole Ekalesia i ana galuega fai ma lana tautua ile atunuu, e le gata i ola faaleagaga o tagata ae o aoaoga ma tulaga faapena..
faamanuia le Atua pule pule tetele ia outou uma o loo fiatioina le Ekalesia ia aemaise nai uso o loo tumau pea lo latou talitonu ile EFKS..
soifua ma ia manuia..

Faafetai atu ona o lenei fo'i mataupu. E sa'o, o le faitioina so'o ia o le EFKS ona o latou mea tau-tupe ma galuega a faifeau.

First off, I am a faifeau's kid who's been serving in Los Angeles, CA for the past 22 years with my parents in their ministry. Granted it is not easy and times are tough but being BORN into the ministry because of my father, it's all I ever know. Our faith and our tough times we rely SOLELY on the LORD. "GOD WILL ALWAYS PROVIDE" As for those who say there are faifeaus that just sit pretty with their families on a pedestal, that may be so--but your ONE faifeau does not speak for the THOUSANDS of FAIFEAUs who breathe, eat and live the WORD of the Lord to lead their sheep. My church may not have put us in a 7 bedroom home or so, but we're thankful for the house they've given us. it's the spiritual lives that matter. It's not the size of the house or the amount of the alofa, it's how many spirits you feed day in and day out. If you weren't fed by the faifeau, then by all means-->Go find where it is that you are fed but know that you will always go with EFKS blessings.

As for giving and so, in 2 Corinthians 9, Verse 7: Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. This is the basis of giving in the EFKS, you give with your whole heart and with what you have... Pe itiiti pe tele, pule oe i le mea e ofo. There is no set tithing for the EFKS, but because Samoan people are a natural God-fearing, faithful servants--they tend to give all that they have. The oldest of ladies may be the poorest of them all, but she may not feel like her blessings are monetary, rather that she is blessed to be 86 years of her life. One family can be poor living in Samoa, but they feel blessed because their son is currently a faifeau working in India or Africa. So they're blessed that they have an offering to the Lord. When people take money out of their eyes, their paths to the Lord are more clearer.

FOr me, I am proud to be a faifeau's daughter, a toeaina's daughter, a faatonu toeaina's daughter, and a EFKS sister. I don't knock other religions or churches, we just have our way and our styles and they have theirs. This is what feeds my spiritual life as well as my husband and my kids. So please don't fault the whole CHURCH for the actions of one. What you didn't find in Apia, you may find in Vaiala. What you found in Grey Lynn may be missing in Otara. What one does in Carson, may not be what's going on in Long Beach. It's different in all cases, nonetheless--our goal is to do the Lord's work and to praise HIM and noone else!

Thank you...
EFKS AMERIKA Teine

E faigofie lava le mataupu, a faalogo atu loa ua le toe gafatia ona fai le alofa ma fai mea a le lotu aua loa le toe alu i le lotu ma le faavevela fua o nofoa o le falesa aua e te nofo atu fua o lo'o tumu lou loto i le jealous i le tele o le alofa o le faifeau! lol...O faiga a le EFKS o le loto fuatia ifo lava. O ai lava ua fia foa'i ...ia matua'i foa'i. E le mafai ona tatou aveesea ni faiga ua masani a'i le atunu'u ona ua taugata le soifuaga. Na pau le isi a'u fautuaga i a'i latou ia ua oi faapea...o lo'o avanoa le mau tapuaiga e le faia ai ni alofa ma ni atina'e taluaga ma isi mea faapena. La e avanoa mai le worship center lale po'o le lotu mamoga...aua o ituaiga tagata ia e manana'o e taulagi na'o le praise the lord amen ae mumusu mai o e lafo se tupe e faatino ai galuega a le lotu. Sega O le kerisiano e le na'o le taulagi..e mana'omia le galue e faatino ai lou faatuatua!

E faigofie lava le mataupu, a faalogo atu loa ua le toe gafatia ona fai le alofa ma fai mea a le lotu aua loa le toe alu i le lotu ma le faavevela fua o nofoa o le falesa aua e te nofo atu fua o lo'o tumu lou loto i le jealous i le tele o le alofa o le faifeau! lol...O faiga a le EFKS o le loto fuatia ifo lava. O ai lava ua fia foa'i ...ia matua'i foa'i. E le mafai ona tatou aveesea ni faiga ua masani a'i le atunu'u ona ua taugata le soifuaga. Na pau le isi a'u fautuaga i a'i latou ia ua oi faapea...o lo'o avanoa le mau tapuaiga e le faia ai ni alofa ma ni atina'e taluaga ma isi mea faapena. La e avanoa mai le worship center lale po'o le lotu mamoga...aua o ituaiga tagata ia e manana'o e taulagi na'o le praise the lord amen ae mumusu mai o e lafo se tupe e faatino ai galuega a le lotu. Sega O le kerisiano e le na'o le taulagi..e mana'omia le galue e faatino ai lou faatuatua!

Giving to the church has become a very sensitive issue of debate, and I think it’s worth sharing our thoughts as to help each other to have some sense of understanding, not only for the sake of giving to the church but also giving generally. We are grateful that through this forum, we can share views to somehow inform our disbelief, strengthen the discouraged, assure the doubtful and encouraged the faithful.

Giving has an important value in our culture as expressed and embedded in the following Samoan expressions “tautua matavela”, “sasaa faaoti le utu a le faimea”, “o le ala i le pule o le tautua,” and “e tupu mea avea.” Our cultural value of hospitality is vital as it uniquely reflects this exceptional sense of giving. One has to experience and come to terms with the meanings of the above expressions to be able to realise the importance of giving. It is interesting to know that these expressions are very much related to the principle of giving as witnessed and exemplified in the Christian message(Good News).

Giving is a gift and a blessing. It is also a blessing in disguise which is something some people may have found its meaning hard to grasp, may be, due to not having experienced it as a reality or something considered as just abstract to the critical mind.

God loves a cheerful giver(this is biblical). The word cheerful is an adjective that defines how we should give regardless of who the recipient may be and how we practise it. Why people give to the church is because giving contributes to the mission of the church in many aspects that includes caring for the ministers and their families. Giving is a response to the grace of God who has initially given and continues to graciously give to humanity. This of course gives rise to the fact that giving is part of sharing God’s blessings in whatever forms. Whether we give ourselves, our money, house or land, or whatever, it has to be done in a way that only God can see as cheerful giving. This is considered as a hearty or wilful or sacrificial giving. It does not matter how much you give as long as you heartily give and are willingly able to give. People must not give expecting to reciprocate, to impress, to compete or to gain favour. That’s a dangerous way of giving because if you don’t get something back, you are going to feel it soon or later. Those feelings get bottled up within and later expressed in resentment and frustration resulting in destructive and unforgiving criticism.

Compulsory giving is probably where most of the criticism have been referred to. The problem with this tactic is that it can create resentment amongst the members as when someone is not obliged to what has been agreed upon through congregational meetings. Unless a person has a strong mind to withstand any pressure of having their name not read out as a result of not giving, she/he will soon give in to the pressure and feel being reprimanded. Bear in mind the one not obliged is not someone indifferent but someone who can’t sincerely afford.

Giving is part of our responsibility as human beings, let alone being believers(commonly known as church people). We should not give in order to be blessed but we give because it is part of our worship and service as well as our response to God, for we can not bribe God. If we give so that we can gain favour, it is a dangerous mentality, because it can prompt us to do the wrong things wilfully, then we give in order to gain favour especially in our relationships with God and with others. We can try that with people but not with God. There’s no way we can fool God.

My humble thanks to God that through the grace given to our parents, we were taught what it means to give and how to give. My father was not a minister, but he gave wholeheartedly to anyone, let alone the church and ministers. Mum would always make sure that a visitor is well looked after(food wise). They gave their all, but we always had a roof on our heads and there was always food. He always insisted that his taulaga should be a good reasonable amount. I was very very critical of my dad when it comes to taulaga but am thankful I contributed. I was young and inexperience to know the value of giving. I had the impression that they were giving to gain favour and all that negativity. There was some sense of transparency though. Dad would always advise us to be kind to people. They have both passed on, but the message of giving has been well planted. We, their children are richly blessed in special ways, ways beyond words. If God is not foolish, how on earth do we deserve the blessings we enjoy now? My simple answer is, God loves a cheerful giver. I’m sure many could relate to this kind of experience and they know what I’m talking about.

In many cases as voiced in the media, the church or the ministers have abused or taken advantage of members of the congregations in the views of the critics, saying that the people have given far too much to the church and ministers. We have a case of someone expressing disappointment towards the members of a particular congregation for abusing or taking advantage of his family(parents as minister and siblings). I feel for both the people and fellow servants in ministry (fathers and brothers in Christ). We certainly can’t turn a blind eye to the concerns of the people. For if we consider ourselves as servants of God, what does that mean? How can we better our service for our Master? For the affirmation of our love of God lies in our dealing and association with our fellow human beings, including our people. How can we implement the mission of the church with transparency, accountability and good governance? Do we hear the cry of the unbelieving, the weak, the doubtful and the discouraged? Christ died for all and the mission of the church is for all.

By the way, I am doing ministry through a different denomination due to the conviction that the good Lord has called me to do ministry here. For that sense, I do not regret the decision of accepting this call, but I also regret it as I feel indebted to the fathers in ministry(teachers and ministers) through whom by the grace of God I have been taught theology and many aspects of ministry. However, we can continue to move on and learn to be part of the One, Holy, Apostolic and catholic church.

Ia manuia lau tautua Samoa.

Enjoyed reading through the comment you wrote. God bless and keep it up

Hi,

Its a surprise that I should stumble across this web page and keen to keep on reading on...one thing I notice with us Samoans from whichever religious denomination we come from....We Samoans, love a good laugh...and Church is probably the most important thing or at least we try to make one of the most important things in our life..and I guess, reading all the samoan and english comments posted above...I can appreciate all your comments in different ways...I was going to be funny and say...see what happens? This is all Martin Luthers fault, - if he didnt break away from the One true Church Catholic Church....but what has happenend and what is to come, at least we can be comforted in knowing that if Jesus didnt die on the cross, we wouldnt be saved right?.. But lets not forget one thing...Why do you think our Samoan people treat God with love, respect and fear as opposed to other people, like the Aussie ockers here in Sydney or the Yanks, Indonesians or other background? Mind you when i really think about it, most people in my workplace have become atheists and God is way at the bottom of their list of priorities...yet why with us Samoans is it such a major issue?? I think this is something we should be proud of as a nation, as Samoans from whatever background. I totally understand the previous commentors views and where they're coming from as well. I am aware there are those faifeaus who abuse the system and those faifeaus who honestly devote their life serving the Lord, so as enlightened christians, we see the pros and cons of the EFKS system. But I think this is similar to any other religion whether it be Catholic, EFKS or Mormon. There is always the good and bad in all of them and all I can say is learn to forgive and make use of this short time we have in this world. Because I believe that you wont be saved by your religion what ever it may be...but that you are saved by the person you are in your relationship with God..

Cheers and God bless to you all...
JT

Faavae i le Atua Samoa. Aua foi nei tatou fesiligia le galuega faigata o loo feagai ma le aufaugaluega i le tapueina ma le faatumauina o le filenu i totonu o Samoa. O le poto e mai i le Atua, viia ai le Atua ae le o le faasagatau ai i le Atua e ala mai i lou faitio i lana aufaigaluega. Long live EFKS and may GOD BLESS SAMOA.

R.Cath/EFKS/Meth blood

Doing God’s Work Is Not An Exemption, then who say it is an exception,, raise you hand!!?

Of course doing God’s work is not an Exemption, at all!

Like Toleafoa, I wish to be funny myself too,, and I would not blame Martin Luther but GOD himself for being a ‘so wonderful and loving God himself’.

Hear him on the cross, ‘Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing’ but he is on the cross, hanging his whole body by the two nails we his people had nailed him. Yes!,,, forgive them Father for they know not of what they are doing was his cry out to HIS loving father.

Samoa have we still yet to hear such cry of His then and is still pondering to your conscious up to now a days,,? Nevertheless we have our Culture and I am confident with that cultural saying, ‘a sala uta tonu tai’.,, saying so leads me to my next point, i.e. Our cultural leaders –matai Samoa, should stand out with God’s wisdom and in unity of course and tell the men behind the cloth -faifeau’s that they should lead God souls back to God.

And being a Matai –with God’s manna shared upon you, why shouldn’t you be entitle to do so? Of cause no one of us, is of the hoop here, if you are a Samoan, simply because our God almighty said so via our Cultural Leaders well before these splitting churches arrives our shores, don’t you agree?

There is always the good and bad, and I hope we can all be clear of it as simply God is always the good with Satan as the bad one. Not you or your faifeau or your family matai’s even your brothers or sisters as we are all made of God likes.

I rather not talk about religion because it is a Foreign term which confuses us. Instead I wish to urge us all to faithfully look for that church founded by God himself vie his lovable son –Jesus Christ, for that is our sure ticket to haven. Which is why God established it.

Now we all read of Christ sole mission, save the World from Satan’s deceiving work, so what is it for you..? Help him out or stay away from him and let the evil gets into you one day soon..? The choice is yours.

Now one thing for sure is, Jesus Christ was announced to His chosen mother the ‘Blessed Virgin Mary’ that she will conceive him. Mary questions the reality of it, as witness by the Holy Bible. But Angel Gabriel reminded her and us to now a days that ‘..with God nothing is impossible..’, then it happens.

Before the turn of the 3rd millennium when most fundamentalist proclaim the end of the World, St. Pope John Paul II, the rightful voice of God on earth, that there will be a new era to the Church…! Well you tell me which proclamation had lived on..? The end of the World where even Jesus had no idea of when or a new era to be happening.. as a matter of fact it is happening all right..!

With the ripple effect metaphor, the such true happening has to ripple out of the right center. Yeap, there are many ripples out there canceling out each other, nevertheless there is one as God has said so,, and believe me he had many ways of making it happen as he wishes for it to be happening. Just like how our forefathers wish for Samoa to gain independence…

May we all have a peaceful 46th independence celebration..

I have been raised in the EFKS from God fearing parents grandparents and a long line of faifeau`s on dads side. I had many questions and problems about the EFKS and how it functioned and grew discouraged and angry over the years becuase i culd not understand why it could not be as layed back as AOG. Much money was going out and i saw mum and dad giving alot to the galuega.
I agree with what the sister in America EFKS said "God sees and loves a cheerful giver" God almighty is the seer of mans heart He sees our intentions our secret motives. I left the church for 5 years and joined the Penticostal churches AOG. But in my heart i knew there was no peace becuase i left on angry disgruntled terms and not in the peace of God. My faifeau in the EFKS prayed and released me to go, I was suprised. After so long i felt that all the teachings in the AOG about giving healing walking right with God was in the EFKS all along i was just too angry to hear it. Now i have returned back to EFKS and i see it has many good things that i didnt see before. It is a Christian church and anyone who denounces as not being a Christian church is wrong!! The EFKS people know the real meaning of the word "Galue" "Faatuatua" and "Faatino" The peole of the EFKS dont pray and nofonofo they work and action thier prayers. Im thankful that these topics can be discussed. I praise God for teaching me and showing me the condition of my heart. I love the EFKS and im blessed to serve the risen Jesus in this church despite what critics may say.

EFKS FOR GOD!
Haleluia!

O le mea o le FOA'I e afua mai i lau selesele.. If you see 2 Corinthians 9: 6, however much you give, you will get back. O le e tele lana selesele, o le tele fo'i lena o ana mea e maua... Accordingly!!! So you get according to what you give... BUT the emphasis is to GIVE with your WHOLE HEART & be a CHEERFUL GIVER. Aua le tigaina!

Growing up in America, our father always taught us (his kids) that a faifeau and his family are the most fortunate families there are. Why? We are always prayed for...When old folks pray they always say, "Talosia le susuga i le faafeagaiga ma le faletua ma le nofoaalo." People won't be able to remember every single tiakono in the church AND their kids. We are the most fortunate kids because we live in a house in where the church pays our bills. We do our homework in the light (which the church pays the electricity bill), we take showers & use the water for our food (where the church pays the water bills), while other kids are without their parents because they are working to pay the mortgages, the water, sewer, gas, electric, phone, tv, cable etc... Faifeaus & their families need to acknowledge the sweat and work of their church. I may be prideful in my church but the fact is, they take care of our parents and our families. When we have faalavelaves, the church is the one that gives our parents their tusaga and all the finest of things for them to take to a faalavelave. Now with all that giving, WHAT MUST THE FAIFEAU & HIS FAMILY DO to repay the church???

Simple: They need to be the first ones at church, the first ones to help in all groups of the church. The last ones to leave the church.. Help clean, help take people home. JUST BE HELPFUL in all aspects of the church. Don't sit pretty like you're some kind of royalty, cuz truth is---Faifeaus & their families are SERVANTS... they are GOD's servants brought forth to cater to the sinners & the lost. It's hard but it's the truth!!!

I can't stand when I see other faifeaus just sit back and chill as if their ekalesia needs to cater to them... Yes, that may be so to cater to your faifeau, but it's to an EXTENT. WHen you were in Malua, you had NOOONE cater to you--it was just you, your wife & children doing the galuegas, doing your homework, going to the services... So you guys need to continue that.. But Lo & Behold, there are those who just wait for the bigger mansion & cars and alofas... WRONG!!! It's those that give us SERVANTS a bad name.

AS for giving... Let me stress this the many different religions out there who are unaware of our CHURCH and its assets. the EFKS has Billions & Millions of dollars, they don't need money from us outsiders or so. For a long time, The EFKS has been well established & is content with their assets. They just passed a by-law saying that all new parishes will receive $20,000 to help get them on their feet. Thank you. All new work & projects receive $10,000 from the EFKS aND the Chairman will be there. the EFKS is in NO need of money!!! Heck, they loan money to churches and have their own banking system!!! So everything you give, goes back to help YOUR church or sister-churches.

But despite of all that goes on in a good church, bad church, boring church--->every faifeau is human and has his flaws. GOD is who these faifeaus answer to. He is their SUPERIOR===>GOD!!! Nobody can make that judgment but yourself, so tread carefully!!

Thank you all & God bless you my EFKS, Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran, LDS brothers & sisters out there.

EFKS AMERIKA TEINE.

I give $20 to my faifeau every week. It is a huge congregation though, so when my name is read out, not many people know who that fulla is who gave $20 haha ....BUT the comforting thing is this - I am not alone. There are a whole bunch of other names read out that have $20, $10, some even $5 to their name.

All the angst over "giving" is really much ado about nothing. You give what you want to give and that is it. Remember, the EFKS is the CONGREGATIONAL Christian Church. Therefore, the Congregation has the power to elect their faifeau and to sack their faifeau. Not many other churches give that power to the people.

Also, I am very comfortable with people's names being read out in church. It is not a bible-thing, it is a Samoan thing. It is the formal and traditional way to acknowledge the person's offering. It is also a good way to maintain transparency and accountability in church finances.

If you don't like it, go to another church. Remember, the whole doctrinal foundation of the EFKS / EFKAS church is that the CONGREGATION RULES! Nobody is forcing anyone to be there. If you don't like it, excercise your God-given democratic right and leave the building.

Maimau pe ana mafai ona fai se vasega i le mataupu lenei i aulotu uma i Samoa ma le lalolagi atoa, sei aoao ai le loloto ma le taua ol e uiga o le Foai ma le faatauaina e le tatou aganuu faasamoa.
O le lagona, ua tatau ona toe suesue i le Tusi Paia, le upu a le Atua, e toe faapupulaina mai ai le aano moni o le ola foai i le Atua. Tuutuu ile loloto le upega. Aua le vaai mo lou lava lelei ae manatu mo a taeao.
Manatua:
O faifeau o auauna a le Atua. E le fesiligia e seisi le filifiliga o se auauna mo le Atua, o le mea lena a le Atua ma le tagata lava ia.
O le tiute o le tagata lotu, o le tautua mo le Atua, o lona ola foi e ola mo Keriso. Aua e te faitaumea aua e le mu ai lau taulaga i le silafaga a le Atua, pei o le taulaga a Kaino.
O le tupe o se mea e matua taua tele i le olaga o le tagata ae e le o se ola lena o le tagata. O le Atua e ona le ola.
E le o i le faifeau foi se ola o se tagata, e na o le Atua lava.
Manatu i o tatou tua-a ua mavae atu aemaise tupulaga e mulimuli mai, ia aua nei faapaupau. Aua a leai ni galuega ua pe lou faatuatua, ua galo foi lou Atua, ua vave foi ona e malolo.
O le fesili: Pe aisea ua tatou foai ai mo le galuega a le Atua? E mafua ona ua tatou lagona le agaga faafetai i le foai a le Atua i lona alo pele o Iesu Keriso.
E le o na'o tupe tatou te foai, a'o lo tatou taimi, o taleni, o lo tatou tagata atoa i le mafaufau, tino, malosi, ma le agaga.
O le aganuu faaSamoa e manino lava le ola foai, poo le ola tautua. Tatou te tautua aiga ma fai foai mo le aiga e ala i le pule a matai, o tatou taitai faaleaiga. Ua tauave tutusa lea agaga ma le ola tautau ina ua tatou maua le faaolataga mai le Tala Lelei ia Iesu Keriso.
Afai o le a tatou faitau mea ua foai mo le galuega a le Atua ma foai mo faifeau, ua tatou fesiligia foi le moni ma le mamafa o le foai a le Atua i lona Alo o Iesu Keriso.
Ua iai nisi o le aufaigaluega ua le faamaoni i latou tautoga ma auaunaga i le Atua e tusa o latou tofi faifeau. A o le feau lava ia o le faaolataga a le Atua e le maluelue lona faavae. O loo iai lava foi le saolotoga a le tagata i lana filifiliga mo le lelei poo le leaga.
O Samoa lava ia, ua iloga i lana agaifanua o le faaaloalo, avafatafata, ma le alofa. O meaalofa ia mai le Atua ia Samoa ua fai ma ana taulaga e tautua ai aiga, e oo foi i le ekalesia.

God entrusted to humanity including Samoans the task of taking care of His creation, to be stewards of His riches.
Blessings.

Going thru all these comments are just too interesting not to throw in a contribution or rather a question if I may.
Ive noticed many have touched on the subject of giving or foai. Im a fulltime EFKS and a devout one at that, meaning I have to attend the church at least once every Sunday. Every church Ive been to share the similar practice of reading out the names and the amount each individual and/family donates, whether it be for the chruch or the minister.
Now, throughout my whole life Ive been asking this question,.....is this the christian way or giving??
more interestingly, many have talked about it and seem to agree with me that its not really so according to the bible. And interestingly enough also, many more people are always against it when debated in public.
Hence raised more questions.

While I dont want a rude rebuke from my fellow members,I just want to put in my 2sene on what I personally feel and my own intepretation of whats happening. If anyone can see a defect in my humble opinion, pls assist..we are all human beings and we all have flaws.

In my opinion, the church has allowed the cultural intepretation of giving to be praticed in each congregation. This is seen with the full acknowledgment and announcements of each donation. now here is where culture and christian principle meets. I hardly disagree with this practice but my family continues on doing it because everyone is doing it. Some more questions are raised like...if I continue doing it...wouldnt it be a christian thing to stand up and acknowledge the wrong pratice or is it better to go with the flow and not to speak out??
In one way, the bible says ..the one who sees a wrong doing and ignores it is guilty for not doing whats right.
And on the other hand, it also says to respect the elders of the church who holds authority.

Whether doing one or the other, they both pose similar challenges..I think its all up to the members now. Like someone said earlier, these types of issues are best left to the leaders and elders of the church to say where the right path lies.

Thanks and bless everyone

Having your foa'i read aloud??? That's cultural... That's the SAMOAN part of our Church. Palagi churches don't do it because they are not Samoan, but Samoan churches do it because it's a custom that our forefathers laid out. It's out of respect so that the Faifeau & the CONGREGATION as JM mentioned above, sees and appreciates the offering being given. If you think that reading it would be NON-CHRISTIAN, then you're not appreciating the offering whether it is $5 or $10. Thank God for it & appreciate it!!!

But AMEN to my brother up there who said that YOUR LIFE is more important than MONEY.. that's what it's about... GIVE YOUR LIFE... God would rather have that than your money... What good is all the money given if you continue to sin or do wrong??? Thank you for that insight.

Alofas,
EFKS Amerika Teine

Faatalofa atu ia cecilia mo lona finagalo faaalia, ua taua ai le ekalesia a le worship center, malie o lenei foi tovine o se ekalesia e le sau ai le tagata na ona lotu ma nofonofo. E leai e galululue foi ma lafo tupe mo le atiinaeina foi o le galuega, so o se ekalesia lava e atinae le ekalesia i tupe, nei e manatu la e o mai tgt e eva ai i le worship center, o le mea pito sili ona manaomia o le agaga o le tagata ina manumaloina mo le Atua ma lona malo. E foai foi le worhip center latou ae e te foai i lou loto malie, mai le mea ua malie i ai loto e te foai mo le galuega a le Atua, ae e le pei la o isi ekalesia e lau mai i luma o le ekalesia le tagata ma lana foai, o loo silasila le Atua i le tagata ma lana na foai. Afai lava la e faitogafiti le tagata ia, ia fai mai le afioga paia a le Atua o lau lava e te lulu, o lau lava lena e te selesele. Ae ia faamanuia atu lava le Atua ia Samoa uma lava oe o faitio atoa foi ma e galulue punouai i le galuega a le Atua, Soifua.

Worship Center member from New Zealand.

Sorry...Tulou le mamalu o Samoa...But i hate the idea of giving money for the Faifeau...
Wot 4???Why not the Faifeau go and work and earn money for his familys like everbody....Jesus was on earth Minister 2 us...why not the Faifeau do the same rather the poor family suffer looking for the Lafolafoga & Taulaga...C'mmon guys look @ all the Faifeau... all of them have the luxury,latest vehicle,furniture,latest TV THE LIST GOING ON & ON....Living on 2 torey houses...Who build it???Well guess wot...The money frm the poor people that they can't afford an eleni for evening dinner...Shame...My dad 90 mum 85,where the heck they get the money...Its ok the overseas kids will help...Get lost...i never send any money... i go home twice a yr to visit my family...Vaai le Faletua ole Faifeau sei tulou Lava.She has to join the Big Looser as well...Too many late nite the leirsure,the comfort....Wake up....& help poor people...No competition who get more & who gets less.I suppose Samoa people donate wot they can afford,& cut these business of reading it out loud frm the pulpit...Tulou le mamalu its not all churches i mean...Lotu LMS & Methodist

so reading out names and donations from the pulpit is about accountability? ha! some people just refuse to see that there is a problem with that practice and erect rose colored blinders to deflect and criticize the dissenters.

if you think there is no problem with being socially coerced to "keep up with the jones" on the donation list, or god will send you to hell for coming up 20 bucks short... then keep on telling yourself that people should think and act like you when it comes to giving away money to your favorite bible interpretor, its not your only comforting delusion.

Mo outou uma ia e faapea a le mafaia lafoga ona sui lea i ekalesia lae nao le nofonofo e le faia ai ni mea faapea, ia faaeteete le faalele o manatu i mea e leai sou malamalama o iai.
Ou te le Worship Centre ae masani ona ou asiasi iai ai i nisi aso, ma o le mea moni, e fai fo'i mea faitupe ale worship centre ma isi ekalesia faapea.
O le faafitauli laititi lea oute tau faitau atu ai ile toatele, o le laulau mai luma ole aulotu o tupe ma mea na foai e pai ma lafai.
E faigofie lava le mataupu, o aga faakerisiano e le faia ai ia mea. Ae ona ole faasamoa ua ala ai ona faapea. O le fesili tele la lea mo ia ekalesia e faia lea amio.. Pe laa saga tu'i lava le faasamoa o iai nei, pe le tepa tasi ia ile tu faakerisiano e pei ona fetalai le afioga ale Alii....Ia aua nei iloa ele lima taumatau le foai ale lima tauagavale.
Ioe, o mea lava e fai i lalo nei, e tele ai lava le pisapisao, ae a tatou o i mea o fetalai mai ai le afioga ale Atua, e leai ai a sesi e tetee.

Tau ina ia faamalamalama atili atu ele agaga le moni o ana afioga ina ia maua se suiga lelei mo le tatou atunuu.

Dear people, If Sakaio collects the taulaga lafo mai le loto fuatiaifo o tagata every Sunday, Faafefea na ou iloa e le o aia e Sakaio lata tupe lea e lafo? You know...from an accountant point of view....

plus mo le tuafafine ia Moana...ua fai lava si ou le mafaufau ma lou fetuu i le loto foai a nai ou matua...90 ma le 85...

Faamalolosi....se leaga o au leisi lea ou te lei lafo lava se taulaga....but I will... I promise I will Υπόσχομαι εγώ.

I will also lafo for my faifeau....since o ia o le auauna a le Atua... e le o se auauna a Queen Elizabeth e tele ana tupe. Ou te lafo foi mo taulaga ia e tau o taulaga mo nuu ese i think...coz o lau 20 tala lena leiloa pe tei ua ai ifo ai si 2year old la ei Africa.

A challenge!!!!
Ae a e fia debate la atili αδελφή Moana ma se isi lava o loo fia fight mo lona left.... heres my IP address...
197.168.11.135 if you can hack in...

Ο Θεός Μαΐου σας ευλογεί όλοι.

Πάγος

When i was younger, i'd get nervous when it was time to read out the Lafogas' etc. If my family had a big lafoga, the same as everyone else, i was happy. But if my family didnt lafo or if the amount was lacking, i use to feel bad. I brought this up to my mum the other day, and she responded by saying that when we had enough, and could afford to give, we gave happily, but when things were tough, and we couldnt afford to give or could only give very little, we still gave happily, as God sees the sincerity in our offering. She told me it was bad for me to feel ashamed when our lafoga's were not the same as everyone elses as it meant that i only worried about what other people would think when the only one who should matter was the Lord above. I know, easier said than done, my exact response!

My Samoan history is kinda so-so, but i think reading the names aloud is a Fa'asamoa thing that started out as a way for the church to acknowledge its members and to thank them for their gifts, just the same way as if you were to go to somebodys house with gifts or food and somebody would folafola what you came with.

So is reading the names out aloud a Christian thing? No. Does it really hurt anything? Well i guess only those who have big ego's and care about what other people think.Some people give big because they feel the need to keep up with the "Benjamins"- which really is being forced to give out of PRIDE. Giving for the wrong reasons does more harm than good. And we know this.

Very interesting discussion indeed. But please, can we keep to the topic and not speak ill of other churchs or denominations?

I le ava lava ma le fa'aaloalo e tatau ai.

For those of you who are defending the ministers’ “spoils” with all the reasoning, justification and rationalization you can muster, you need to pause and admit that amidst all the so-called generous giving of the congregations, there are proven cases of abuse, misuse and watse on the receiving end with these so-called servants of God. The sad thing is that the governing body of the CCCS (and others) seems to be turning a deaf ear to them.

By the way, why does a faife’au need two or three expensive vehicles - all paid for by the ‘aulotu? Why does a faife’au get up and preach, oops, scold the ‘aulotu when there wasn’t enough alofa? What the hell (pun intended) is the fa’amati? The faamati needs to be abolished. Most of these “gifts” are not given in the true spirit of giving, but either to spawn competition among the aulotu members or among the faifeaus especially those of neighboring villages. And what engenders the competitive attitudes of the aulotu when they donate for the taulaga? The truth is that it’s not their love of God/gospel, rather, it’s the fear of being singled out for having the lowest amount/donation. This may be the members’ fault but these kinds of competitive donating practices are only spurred by the “unregulated” and negligent policies of the CCCS - and others. The faifeau do not NEED most of the excess - money, food, furniture, appliances and other furnishings. Obviously, the line between needs and wants have never been blurred under the guise of giving in God’s name. I don’t think God approves of people being poor as a result of funding a minister’s lavish lifestyle, and I dare you that there are faifeaus who do live lavishly at the expense of some of the poor families who cannot even afford the school fees for their kids and could barely scrape some money to buy food. Meanwhile, the umu or sua that the faifeau receives sits stale and mafu in his kitchen and eventually or fed to the swine.

A few years ago, a financial and cost of living report for Samoa found that most families were borrowing and taking out loans to pay for their church lafoga and other religious obligations. The deputy PM (Misa Telefoni) was appalled at this! Has the CCCS (or other denominations’) administration(s) done anything about it? Yeah right!

There are certainly things stinky and rotten in the Church in Samoa, despite all the good things we can attribute to it.

Fai ia ma se alofa!

The argument that giving to the faifeau is bad because those who give more than others shames those others to give more is a weak argument. Too many people give to make themselves look good in front of their colleagues. It is not the faifeau's fault. It is the fault of those people. They're allowing themselves to be dictated to by "the Jones". They're allowing themselves to indulge in the "social pressure" and the competition. Let other families compete with one another if they so wish.

I say stuff all that competition. Give what you want to give, end of story. If other people think they're better than you because they give more, well good on them. It doesn't change a thing. I'll still give what I want to give whether it is $1 or $20.

People should stop blaming the faifeau for their own social problems. They elect to attend that church. They elect to give money. They decide how much it is. I've never seen a faifeau decry the amount he got that week. There may be some faifeau who do that, but he may well find out that there is no congregation left for him to preach to if he keeps going on like that - remember, it is the congregation that elects him and it is the congregation that can sack him.

And yes, GC, reading out of names ensures transparency and accountability. Everyone knows how much the faifeau got that week, and everyone knows how much is in the treasurer's books.

Sorry if i disappoint u,the truth is... we are not on a debating or challenging subject.
Its a free speech,say wotever u feel is right...Thanks & u mention my aged folks...Appreciate very much..
Please can u tell me then,if yr folks are away almost 9yrs...aulotu still keeping their names on the lafolafoga & Taulaga ale Me...Hws that sound.. is it right or thats how the faasamoa operate...Im not whinging ..Im not against the samoan way of life...either churches just the money problem ,i can't work that out..where all these money goes....Im proud 2b a Samoa full stop...My parent were overseas almost 9yrs,they back home 6yrs ago...Please try to understand other peoples view... rather than attcking them...Matthew 6 pls if u have the time read the whole chapter...Thats explain the whole debating & the cahllenge that ur looking for my dear Mayoc...God Bless you & take it easy... Moana

yes its all the peoples fault, abusing a psychological trap they cant get themselves out of and scolding them for not doing so... bravo... youre on your way.

when you sitting for Malua JM?

Its intersting to read everyones manatu`s on the topic about church and culture. I see the EFKS is mentioned alot. people have shared that aga faaKerisiano should not be influenced by aga faaSamoa. As interesting as this manatu may seem, the truth is that the EFKS will not change its practises of reading out peoples foai alofa in public becuase as previously mentioned this is part of the "culture" in the EFKS. It is as much a part of the worship to God as is the Amata lotu. There is nothing wrong with the EFKS` practises the problems lie in the person hidden agendas. As previously noted on other posts the culture of the EFKS is a Congregational effort it is not like the other denominations that rely solely on thier Head Quarters to fund thier church works EFKS people know the meaning of the scripture: "Faith without works is dead".

Se fa'amolemole tu'u ia le matou Ekalesia, ua tiga se taliga ia outou ia o lo'o faifaitala ma fa'aleaga ma muimui i le ekalesia ma le lotu. Pei lava ona saunoa nisi o to'oto'o, a le fia lotu i le matou ekalesia (EFKAS/EFKS) tala a'ao i fafo ma su'e se isi lotu e te tapua'i. Tou te fiu lava e muimui ma fa'atuiese, e le toe suia ai fa'avae o le ekalesia ma le aganu'u. Manatua o lau foa'i e mo le Atua, e silafia e le Atua lou a'ao alofa ma le mafola. E silasila fo'i le Atua i le loto, ae le o le tino.

EFKAS/EFKS Member for Life

EFKS will not change its practices for anybody. It was built on that, it will continue that and stay that way.

EFKS/EFKAS.

Im proud to serve the Lord in this church. May Almighty Ieova bless the EFKS/EFKAS.
The faaSamoa is the most inportant aspect of our Samoan identity. The Samoan Congregationalists know this too well hence why they give God nothing but the best.

FX (EFKS) tupulaga for Christ!

GC, it is called personal responsibility. Each person has free will to exercise as s/he wishes.

As for the practice of public acknowledgment of the money, it needs to be done for the following reasons:

1. To formally acknowledge the offering and give thanks for it.
2. To advise the congregation of the total amount of money that went towards the upkeep of the faifeau and his family that week (and other financial matters). This needs to be done because each congregation is expected to be self-sufficient. So if the congregation is supporting the minister and his family, they have every right to know how much the minister is getting every week.

Anyway, most EFKS/EFKAS churches are registered as Charitable Trusts so depending on the country's laws, the person can claim that money back as tax deductible at the end of the financial year. Yes, that happens because I've seen it happen.

ummmm.....why in the world are you discussing my dear beloved church in such hatred sense?? oka oka e, a kou alolofa o ia e fai gi kou galuega ma lafo gi kou sege i kou ekalesia lena tou te lolotu ai, but stop hating my EFKS aye, and stop the komumus, ua iloa lelei aku le kou kaukua pa'o. Vaai oukou kamaiki ia e komegi mai luga i i, a leiloa se mea kau EFKS then shush and listen to your mamas and the papas aye. Here listen carefully.....whatever you "haters" say abt EFKS bla bla bla...the church is still going A-strong, pe kou ke faia kala o makou faifeau ma latou luxurious life style ma lakou kaavale e kai sefulu selau ma lakou alofa e kai afe milioga, kuu ai pea makou loku ma makou faifeau, makua kou le mafaufau kele, e kou ke fiu e faikio e le maila ai se galuega lelei ua faia ele makou loku mo le akuguu ma Samoa akoa. And whose this kiddo komumuring abt her parents being overseas for 9 years providing for the faifeau bla bla....oi se kalofa ia oe moana, my advice to you is alu gei a e fai ou makua o oe ua e le koe fia loku EFKS then go somewhere else happily ua iloa my dear. But dont keep komumuring coz i think you're just a kiddo whose jealous of my EFKS....lae kele le mau loku e ke alu ai ua iloa moana? so keep expressing your freedom of speech-speeches, keep talking and keep complaining gae seki a oe, but for sure I DONT CARE and apparently TRUE EKFS reps dont care at all either.

For all of you's who are complaining about EFKS like moana, Se ua iloa aku gei le vaivai o kou maufaufau se, you seem like really smart at how you phrase your sentences and your igilisi but really makua ova lava le kou faavalevale.

vaai outou, e ese le poto faalelalolagi, ese le poto ile mataupu silisili. And also, o a uma galuega lelei ua faia mo faifeau, faitalia Le Alii ma tauia le galuega a le tagata ua faia. E leai se kou feau kou ke sooga faia ai fua kala o makou faifeau, kou ke fiu e komumu e akili ai ga alu i luga alofa o makou faifeau.

so take it easy, kaga le comprain ae aua le comprain kele. Ua lava lea komegi so'u alu i makou pese lae fai, ma so'u alu e lafo la'u kaulaga ma le alofa o le makou faifeau mo le aso Sa.

soifua manuia !!!!!

I said... sorry again...Jealous wot 4??????
All i want... is someone there 2 understand other peoples opinions,w out slashing their head off...
Money is not important but rich in personality & live without stress... free headache...Pls do not mention my dearest parent again... i love them very much..I complain... but still e lafo lava le tupe mo faifeau both Australia & Samoa.Meaning they both serve 2 gods....Hws that sound 2u my dear mmmmmm.Is the Bible tells us that we can't slave 4 God & 4 Riches...Please please... if u have a free time,Read the whole chapter 6 of Matthew,thats explain the idea of giving without stress...or blow the trumpet,infront of other people...Jesus didn't like the idea @ all...
I don't care if faifeau have the best life...mind my own business full stop.For me i don't need to go to church..I pray each day since i was young & look @ my life now...By the way God doesn't dwell in churches or houses made with mens hand.Gods throne is Heaven .... earth is his footstool...Check it out ...Act chapter 7 verses 48-50...Faamolemole sei soia le loto ita vavevave ae...ave se avanoa i lou loto ete filifili ai mo se lelei ole aufaitau....Ou te faatulou atu foi mole mamalu ole Ekalesia ale Taiti ona ole mataupu ua taufai vevesi ai le lautele.E faigofie lava pea malamalama le tagata ile uiga ole mataupu...Ia faamaulalo atu foi ia te oe mmmm...Ona afai ua ele malamalama ile igilisi i lenei tuafafine,ia eleo se tatou gagana.At least we try our best.....God Bless...Tofa Soifua...Moana

Faigofie lava le mataupu..ua tele tele le au faitio ile ekalesia ma ona tulaga..faamalie atu,e le o se ekalesia e fai ai gi faaliga manatu ma taumafai e apalai mai le poto na ua iai ma le iloa e sui ai le faavae ole EFKS ma le ola galulue o tagata..if u knw too muj then go start ur own ekalesia ma le kele ole pisa..and leave the EFKS alone..kele fua le faikio e le o pe ai lava le EFKS..La e dominate lava ele EFKS le population o Samoa ma ekalesia i atunuu i fafo..
manuia lava outou uma ile au faitio ia ma le mamalu o tagata Lotu ole EFKS..

soifua..EFX Rep..

E malie lava le faitau i manatu eseese e uiga i mataupu faale ekalesia, aemaise mea tau foai.

Oute le auai au i lea manatu o le laulau mai luma ole aofia o le foai a lea ma lea e ta'i selau tala pe fai sefulu ni afe.
O le fesili tele e tuufesili ai pea le mafaufau e le i lo'u nei tagata, ae ole toatele o tupulaga fai ae o le atunuu.
O ni tu faakerisiano ea nei mea o loo fai??? O le tali faigofie... E LE O SE AGA FAAKERISIANO.

Ae aisea ua le mafai ai ele ekalesia ma toeaiina ona sui le faavae ma fai le finagalo o le Silisili ese??
Ia faimai lesi toeaina.....a koe sui ua manaia lava le suamalie osi mea ile mikimiki...

Ioe, e suamalie a niu aati. E pei ona ou faiatu muamua, poo a lava tu ma aga faasamoa, a tatou o loa i mea faaleagaga, e leai se excuse faapea e tatau ona aumai le faaleaganuu e fai ai mea faalelotu. Ua tuputupu laia lava le mea lea ua iai Samoa ole aumai ole aganuu i totonu ole falesa. E iai mea e tatau, ae iai foi mea maaleale e le tatau ona faia.
Ae peitai, ia ua pule lava Sitafune i le la o lona vaa.
O ai e pa'u iai agaga o le fia selau o le aulotu pea alu sese ai lava faapea?? E leai sesi e tuuaia, o le leoleo mamoe lelei e pei ona fetalai le Alii, e tu i luga ma vaavaai lelei mamoe ma milimili ia ola ma fiafia mamoe, Ao le mea lea e agai iai le tele o ekalesia i nei vaitaimi, ua fai lava le pisinisi mamoe a le tagata ia, ma tatau ola o mamoe. O loo silasila le Alii i mea o loo fai, o loo silasila mai foi i le moni ma le faamaoni o tatou tala nei o loo fai.

O le a le autu moni?? O mea uma nei e tautino atu, e le ose losilosi poo le loto eleelea, ae o le mea moni o le Alofa i le mamalu o le atunuu o loo tapuai ma le pogisa.
Ia talosia e aua nei avesesina lenei fuaitau or take personally e sesi. Ae tatou lafo ile issue o loo taatia pe moni pe le moni ia mea o loo tatou faia i aso Sa uma.

Ia manuia le au faitau ma le mamalu o Samoa

Fa'afetai o lea ua avea lenei mataupu ua iloa atu ai le mea ua sola iai fuamai. ia ole wife lava ole olaga. Ae alolofa ia ole ola fa'amanuiaina ole mea lea mai le Atua e ala i galuega ua faia e ala ile fai taulaga ile alofa ole faifeau. Ua manino ile Tusi Paia e tatau ona totogi faigaluega a le Atua ona ole tautiga. E sa'o fuamai, e iai faifeau e folo patato le alofa ona e le'i a'oga i se a'oga fa'afaifeau ae iai fo'i nai toeaiina ma lo'omatutua o lo'o galulue malosi ile taumafaiga ole lotu i Savaii pe lava le alofa pe leai e fiafia lava latou. ole fai taulaga e ala ile alofa ole faifeau ole sa'olotoga ua tu'u e le Atua i lou loto. Fai taulaga fiafia laia ile alofa ole faifeau aua e mautinoa e manuia ai oe ma lou aiga ma lau fanau. Va'ai i nu'u ua fa'amanuiaina- moata'a sa ola ile upega ma le anae ae ua fia foma'i, loia, faia'oga, tae lapisi etc ua fa'amanuia ai le Atua? manuia samoa

The EFKS has been a light house of salvation in Samoa for generations for Jesus and His Church. And now its practises has dominated many Samoan communities outside of Samoa. Its a strong church and its also a growing church outside of Samoa more so. The EFKS is a well established inistitution that is self governing and independant from its once mother church in England which in former times was known as the LMS. The EFKS or CCCS as known today, amazes outside observers becuase of its stance on self development and self determination to build and enhance the lives of not only its own church members but also influences communities and even the government. There is no other church like the EFKS. Its unique in the way that it has incorporated the faaSamoa and the Christian practise for God`s glory.
The issues which dissapoints many people about the EFKS is also important to address. Everyone has the right to speak every church denomination has its down fall but as people we learn and move on. I believe the EFKS is a blessed church and its people who whether in Samoa, United States of America, Fiji, NewZealand, American Samoa, Australia, maintain their idenity as Samoan and Congregationalists. God bless the EFKS.

outsider.

Talofa.

The heading is: "Doing Gods work is not an Exemption".

My grandparents in their younger days were faifeau for the EFKS in a area called Fagaloa. They were pastors there in a village that was inacessable by cars you could only walk over the mountains or travel by boat to reach this remote village. The roads were too dangerous for cars or buses to travel on. My grandparents had to walk to the nearest main road village to catch the bus to Apia OR go by boat (canoe). The galuega according to my grandmother was faigata, the village people were poor the income was 20 tala alofa or 50 on good months.
Though the galuega was hard they served in Fagaloa district for over 30 years! they had their own plantation which they shared thier crops with thier aulotu and also sold in Apia at the markets. In all they never regretted thier time in Fagaloa district they learnt what it meant to be poor to be totally reliant on Gods provisions and goodness. Im sure many people have grandparents who worked in similar conditions in the Lords work. There is no excuse to say "no Lord" when He places you in situations like this becuase there are blessings at the end of the journey. Today iam a memeber of the EFKS church and working and doing Gods work in any condition situation environment should be an honour and duty to do with joy! The highest honour of a Christian life is service! EFKS people know the meaning of the word Tautua.
May God bless the EFKS.

FX for Life!

man some of these people should be reporters the way they carry on. remember its write a comment not an article or a book for that matter... please write 1 if you feel that stong about this particular subject instead of taking up so much space. you never know, you might make some money out of it to support your family.

ua tele manatu e uiga i le mataupu, ae talosia o outou uma ia e le fiafia i le system a le EFKS o ni tagata e toaaga i le lotu. ae leaga o lau susuga e lavea i le aulotu a le au turisi. o le uiga o le manatu, e masani lava i tagata tetee faapea, o tagata e feoa'i solo i lea lotu ma lea lotu e le tumau i se lotu e tasi. ona e nofo lea ma faaoga le faiga o taulaga ma alofa o faifeau a le EFKS o le faiga ua silia i le 100 tausaga talu ona fai, e fai ma au excuse. mo lau susuga, e vaivai tele le mea e faavae ai lou le fiafia. O le faiga lea a le EFKS sa tautua ai tuaa o o tatou matua i aso la. o le latou foai i le Atua e ala i le Ekalesia ma le latou tatalo, o lena ua e manuia ai i aso nei, ma au fanau i le lumanai. manatua le lotu na e iloa ai faitau le pi tautau ma e iloa ai tusi lou igoa. E muamua mamao aoga a faifeau Samoa i aoga a papalagi. O iina le faapogai o manuia na ua e sapi ai i le taimi nei. (mafaufau iai faa mataupu silisili). afai o loo e soifua i NZ AUST US poo fea lava ae faa le lelei lau faa Samoa, please ask your parents, geat grand parents, or your elders about these facts. fa laia.