Challenges

Imagine a Country where…

There are over 800 languages among 7.3 million people.
80% of the population live in remote rural areas without electricity, shops, roads or access to markets.
A third of the population are illiterate, particularly women, and most families struggle to pay for the most basic education for the children.
Few have paid jobs and over 75% rely on subsistence farming and a non-cash economy.
HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB, sexual abuse, domestic violence and sorcery are major problems.
The community is more important than the family or the individual.
Over 90% of the population is Christian.

…this is Papua New Guinea.

The first missionaries landed just over a century ago; the Church reached the heavily populated Highlands only 60 years ago, and some areas have not yet been explored.
In 2015, just over 30 years after becoming an independent Province in the Anglican Communion, there is a wholly indigenous priesthood, three religious orders, and PNG missionaries working overseas.
There are over 140 parishes with hundreds of outstations and chapels mostly in remote mountain, coastal or island areas.
The Anglican ministry: preaching, teaching and healing provides the only education and health services to most of these communities.
Weather, terrain, distance and cost are formidable obstacles to meetings, training and communication.
Mobile phone and internet coverage is very limited and unreliable

…the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea (ACPNG) is such a church.

The priest and a team of local catechists support an active network of outstations and chapels up to several days’ walk/paddle away.
Church councillors are called upon to conduct funerals, provide pastoral care and well as to maintain church buildings.
Many people worship daily in the church/chapel that is the heart of their community – after dark this is often by fire- or candle-light.
Community loyalty is paramount and all come together to grieve or celebrate
In a non-cash economy it is difficult to buy wine or candles and support the priest or diocese.
A bishop ‘on patrol’ may be faced with confirming hundreds of well-prepared, enthusiastic candidates.
Christian belief and local culture join to provide a joyous liturgy that is rich in song, dance and drumming.

…most ACPNG parishes are like this.

You have no stipend and are reliant on your ‘garden’ and congregation for support.
The weekly church collection may be in produce that does not help provide your paraffin, clothes or school fees.
Your day may start in the dark at 4am to celebrate communion in an outlying parish.
You may feel very isolated, having not met up with other brother priests or received further training since your ordination.
Your wife has a vital ministry with women, bible teaching, reading, making clothes, family welfare as well as caring for her own family, fetching water and learning to live in an entirely different culture.
Your family expect to move every three years to an area where the language and culture are different from your own

…most ACPNG priests have this calling.

There is a constant challenge to ensure good leadership and able staff in such a young Church and country.
There are four lecturers and 20 students undergoing a four year residential training.
Every afternoon the student and their family work in their food-garden or on maintenance of grounds and buildings
The curriculum includes basic bookkeeping, administration, community development & HIV/AIDS to prepare the priest for his isolated life-long calling.
Wives have a special programme, including bible study, literacy and sewing, to equip them in their leadership role with women.

…this is Newton Theological College.

This least-developed Nation has been challenged to move from the Stone Age into the Space Age since its 1975 Independence.
People have this primary commitment to the well-being of their community and readily share the few things they have.
The Anglican Church has this long-term commitment to work for the long-term benefit of all people in so many PNG communities.
Your prayers, help and support can make such a direct and lasting difference.

…this is the growth and change you can help happen, where so little can go a long way and be of lasting worth.