Have some church leaders and congregations strayed off-course and given more focus to material possessions rather than spiritual wealth? There is growing concern that to some congregations, money matters more than faith.

The names of the bigger donors are read out in appreciation, while those who did not provide enough are shamed. This is not Christian behaviour. Are churches too focused on garnering assets that some have forgotten what their true existence is? This is reflected when a church tells its members that they have decided to build a bigger hall and house for the pastor, and each family is required to give $2000. This happened in Savaii just this year, and a deadline was set for Easter.

We have had churches take millions in loans to buy hotels and then give $200,000 to political parties, claiming that the party was founded in Jesus’ name. Again, Christianity does not work like that. How does this church hope to pay back the loan? Hopefully, it is not by demanding higher contributions and mandatory levies from church members?

If a person could buy his way into heaven, then all the wealthy people in this world would have their names already entered into the register held by St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. Inflation is at an all-time high, and it is not going away. More and more children are not going to school, and families fail to provide three decent meals a day.

These are the same families who are told that they have a duty to God to collect a certain amount of money for the church.  Such things should not be forced onto people. The idea that members of families are told to take loans to satisfy the church quota is not a good thing. Most priests in Samoa are paid and quite handsomely at that. When they are assigned to their congregation, they are provided housing, and then the village they serve does other things for them as well. Priests do not pay taxes on the income they earn as well.

The sad reality is that a small minority of Christian pastors have become greedy and used to the idea of a comfortable lifestyle, and in doing so, they have forgotten what their real role is. As Christians, we hate to face this truth, but we must. Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. – 2 Corinthians 2:17. It is stated in the Bible.

If people are raising funds for the church, then it becomes the duty of the church to use this money for the betterment of church services, the education of children, the welfare of the poor and the elderly and in ways that would make the church’s flock prosper.

With so many benefits and rewards for priests and pastors, it is no wonder people are fighting for spots to get into Malua and Piula. These practices have given the wrong signal to many people. This could also be a reason why many priests force their children to follow in their footsteps, because it is a profitable one.

The churches in Samoa have a deeply rooted responsibility in nation-building. They have to foster the values of Christianity in the communities they look after. Churches need not be involved in politics, but can play an integral role in building a good society. They have the power to guide people, promote non-violence, keep people away from crime, greed and urge leaders to be transparent and accountable.

This nation faces an array of social problems which the churches can help eliminate. The churches in Samoa can examine social issues such as poverty and education. People should not be obligated to go beyond their means. The many obligations have impacted education, nutrition, and mental status and even given rise to violence within households.

The churches need to closely look at education and how they can ensure that every child in this country has access to quality and affordable education. They can easily do this by exempting fees for children whose parents earn below a certain threshold. Education is the way forward.

Pope Benedict has said that the church has three basic jobs: to care for the poor, to evangelise, and to worship. That would mean in an ideal world that everyone not only reads the Bible but also walks the path of a good Christian. If that were to happen, there would be no need for a prison. There would be no Campus of Hope where abused women and children are taking shelter. We would need not worry about the escalating meth issue that is slowly eating away at our societal values. But that is not the case.

The biggest church denomination is having its meeting this week, and these are issues they can discuss. As a newspaper, we are not trying to tell churches and church leaders how to instil faith and ensure the word and ways of the Bible remain a priority. As a watchdog, we have to raise our voices when we see social problems and when people are marginalised.

God is not being questioned; the churches are. Remember, churches are institutions managed by humans, and to err is human.