By JACOB LUKE
THE church represents Christ on earth and is therefore a sacred institution that must be free from politics and State intervention in any form or shape.
However, as equal partners in promoting social services to help advance the cause of humanity, especially in the areas of education, health and other humanitarian services, the State must be seen to be facilitating the smooth flow of such services to the majority of the grief-ridden and poverty-stricken people of God who are scattered and living in places isolated from towns and cities where these services are not readily available.
While the State and the church must work together side by side in these vital societal and humanitarian development process, this does not mean that either one should act as a check and balance on the other.
In other words, any problems and difficulties that may arise within the church must be the sole responsibility of the church leadership.
The State cannot and must not be invited or forced to adjudicate over church matters or vice versa.
This is because those who wield positions of power and authority within the church are men and women of substance and integrity. As such, any problems and difficulties that arise must be given the duty of care and attention that they deserve, resolved amicably within, and done without fear or favour.
In this connection, the current issue of trying to politicise the good work of early missionaries is highly regrettable and sad indeed, to say the least.
If anything, they must be commended and given the respect and courtesy due to them, which they so truly deserve. Without their tireless commitment and efforts, we would not be where we are today.
Having said that, the current issue on Gutnius Lutheran Church missionaries should be put to rest once and for all.
I would like to sincerely appeal to the leadership of Gutnius Lutheran Church to allow sanity to prevail and publicly apologise to the missionaries for all the good things they have done as equal partners in working hard and bringing Papua New Guinea to where it is today.
The media’s irresponsible and reckless reporting of November 16 in the Post-Courier does nothing good except bring to ruin all efforts in the internal affairs of the church established many years ago.
In fairness, the Editor should make a trip to Wabag to investigate the issues for himself prior to going to the press.
This letter (article) is not intended to be contested but rather clarify a layman’s position to hopefully bring to an end this particular issue.
By JOE HERMAN
It is sad to read an article in the Post-Courier in which the Bishop of the Gutnius Lutheran Church of PNG David Piso, call some of the missionaries spiritual terrorists. He further categorises their faithful services as carpenters and plumbers, implying their servanthood in answering God’s call as unworthy.
This is regrettable and is certainly uncalled for, especially from a person who is supposed to represent an office, namely the Body of Jesus Christ.
The honourable thing for Bishop Piso to do is to publicly apologise to the missionaries for treating them in such a disparaging manner.
The bishop and many current and former Enga leaders in all segments of the country are direct beneficiaries of the good work of these missionaries.
Everyone understands the church politics that has been going on for the past decade. Each side can claim a righteous position on the ongoing saga.
These issues need to be resolved amicably, not through a drawn out legalistic and righteous posturing through the corridors of power in Waigani, rather through exercising humility, forgiveness and reconciliation that can be found only at the foot of the Cross.
Until the conflicts are resolved, the work of the Lord needs to continue. Some of the former missionaries could easily sit back and enjoy their retirement years. Instead, they continue to volunteer their time and their own expense, driven by their passion for the Enga people.
They do not deserve discouragement. They ought to be thanked for their tireless efforts.
* If you have any comments, suggestions or queries, please contact Neville Togarewa on ntogarewa@spp.com.pg or 734 67504
THE church represents Christ on earth and is therefore a sacred institution that must be free from politics and State intervention in any form or shape.
However, as equal partners in promoting social services to help advance the cause of humanity, especially in the areas of education, health and other humanitarian services, the State must be seen to be facilitating the smooth flow of such services to the majority of the grief-ridden and poverty-stricken people of God who are scattered and living in places isolated from towns and cities where these services are not readily available.
While the State and the church must work together side by side in these vital societal and humanitarian development process, this does not mean that either one should act as a check and balance on the other.
In other words, any problems and difficulties that may arise within the church must be the sole responsibility of the church leadership.
The State cannot and must not be invited or forced to adjudicate over church matters or vice versa.
This is because those who wield positions of power and authority within the church are men and women of substance and integrity. As such, any problems and difficulties that arise must be given the duty of care and attention that they deserve, resolved amicably within, and done without fear or favour.
In this connection, the current issue of trying to politicise the good work of early missionaries is highly regrettable and sad indeed, to say the least.
If anything, they must be commended and given the respect and courtesy due to them, which they so truly deserve. Without their tireless commitment and efforts, we would not be where we are today.
Having said that, the current issue on Gutnius Lutheran Church missionaries should be put to rest once and for all.
I would like to sincerely appeal to the leadership of Gutnius Lutheran Church to allow sanity to prevail and publicly apologise to the missionaries for all the good things they have done as equal partners in working hard and bringing Papua New Guinea to where it is today.
The media’s irresponsible and reckless reporting of November 16 in the Post-Courier does nothing good except bring to ruin all efforts in the internal affairs of the church established many years ago.
In fairness, the Editor should make a trip to Wabag to investigate the issues for himself prior to going to the press.
This letter (article) is not intended to be contested but rather clarify a layman’s position to hopefully bring to an end this particular issue.
By JOE HERMAN
It is sad to read an article in the Post-Courier in which the Bishop of the Gutnius Lutheran Church of PNG David Piso, call some of the missionaries spiritual terrorists. He further categorises their faithful services as carpenters and plumbers, implying their servanthood in answering God’s call as unworthy.
This is regrettable and is certainly uncalled for, especially from a person who is supposed to represent an office, namely the Body of Jesus Christ.
The honourable thing for Bishop Piso to do is to publicly apologise to the missionaries for treating them in such a disparaging manner.
The bishop and many current and former Enga leaders in all segments of the country are direct beneficiaries of the good work of these missionaries.
Everyone understands the church politics that has been going on for the past decade. Each side can claim a righteous position on the ongoing saga.
These issues need to be resolved amicably, not through a drawn out legalistic and righteous posturing through the corridors of power in Waigani, rather through exercising humility, forgiveness and reconciliation that can be found only at the foot of the Cross.
Until the conflicts are resolved, the work of the Lord needs to continue. Some of the former missionaries could easily sit back and enjoy their retirement years. Instead, they continue to volunteer their time and their own expense, driven by their passion for the Enga people.
They do not deserve discouragement. They ought to be thanked for their tireless efforts.
* If you have any comments, suggestions or queries, please contact Neville Togarewa on ntogarewa@spp.com.pg or 734 67504
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