Comments for Doing God’s Work Is Not An Exemption at http://www.samoalivenews.com , comment 0 to 20 out of 49 comments http://www.samoalivenews.com Tue, 02 Dec 2008 09:06:24 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.samoalivenews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1190&Itemid=59#pc_2737 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. - Ziki Thu, 14 Aug 2008 06:36:15 +0100 http://www.samoalivenews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1190&Itemid=59#pc_1965 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. - rockcimus Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:24:20 +0100 http://www.samoalivenews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1190&Itemid=59#pc_1757 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! - Ayumu Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:31:51 +0100 http://www.samoalivenews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1190&Itemid=59#pc_1756 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. - Outsider Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:03:01 +0100 http://www.samoalivenews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1190&Itemid=59#pc_1751 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 - naenae Thu, 12 Jun 2008 05:30:50 +0100 http://www.samoalivenews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1190&Itemid=59#pc_1747 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 - luafutu Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:00:48 +0100 http://www.samoalivenews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1190&Itemid=59#pc_1745 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.. - EFKS rep Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:04:02 +0100 http://www.samoalivenews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1190&Itemid=59#pc_1744 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 - moana Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:14:57 +0100 http://www.samoalivenews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1190&Itemid=59#pc_1735 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 !!!!! - AT Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:25:24 +0100 http://www.samoalivenews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1190&Itemid=59#pc_1731 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. - JM Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:30:25 +0100 http://www.samoalivenews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1190&Itemid=59#pc_1728 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! - Tupulaga FX (EFKS/EFKAS) Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:21:39 +0100 http://www.samoalivenews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1190&Itemid=59#pc_1722 EFKS will not change its practices for anybody. It was built on that, it will continue that and stay that way. - EFKS Amerika Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:41:18 +0100 http://www.samoalivenews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1190&Itemid=59#pc_1713 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 - Alofa Tue, 10 Jun 2008 03:50:55 +0100 http://www.samoalivenews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1190&Itemid=59#pc_1709 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". - Nafanua Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:35:03 +0100 http://www.samoalivenews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1190&Itemid=59#pc_1652 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? - GC Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:11:19 +0100 http://www.samoalivenews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1190&Itemid=59#pc_1648 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 - moana Thu, 05 Jun 2008 20:45:03 +0100 http://www.samoalivenews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1190&Itemid=59#pc_1645 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. - JM Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:55:19 +0100 http://www.samoalivenews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1190&Itemid=59#pc_1638 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! - Sifa Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:07:16 +0100 http://www.samoalivenews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1190&Itemid=59#pc_1634 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. - Once a Rebellious EFKS Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:09:13 +0100 http://www.samoalivenews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1190&Itemid=59#pc_1624 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 ;D - Aiga i le tai ma le vaa o Johnson.... Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:16:25 +0100