Congregational LMS Samoan Church (Ekalesia LMS Toefuataina Samoa)

The Reformed Congregational LMS Samoan Church (Ekalesia L.M.S. Toefuataina Samoa) traces its beginnings to the Congregational Christian Church in Samoa (EFKS). Because of minor disagreements with doctrine the church had, this drove the Rev. Tepa Faleto'ese to form a newer and more modern church, The Reformed Congregational LMS Samoan Church. A Malua Theological College graduate and an Elder in the EFKS Church, Rev. Tepa Faleto'ese founded the church in Balmain, Sydney, Australia in 1992, after he retired as church minister for the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa in Aoloau, American Samoa. The Reformed Congregational Church share the same doctrines, rules and rituals as the mother church EFKS, however, do not hold the annual Fa'amatai, Faiga Me or any other monetary events aside from the Aso Sa o le Talalelei taulaga. Also, its head office is based in Australia, not in Samoa. The Motto for the Church is "Fa'afaigofie, Fa'ataugofie, Fa'asa'oloto" which translates to "Simple, Humble, Free Worship".

History

Rt. Rev. Tepa Faleto’ese was an Elder in the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (EFKS). He served as an elder minister for many years in both Samoa and American Samoa, and was the first minister to establish the first Congregational Christian Church of Samoa in Australia. The Reformed LMS Samoan Church's philosophy has been promoted by Reverend Faletoese for several years.As an Elder, he campaigned in the Committee of Elders to effect reforms within the church, to be in line with developing the spiritual rather than the physical side of the church members.As the most influential body that decides on the future of the church,Reverend Faletoese said his views were not acceptable to the majority of the Elders..He pushed the main EFKS church to establish itself in Australia, something which materialised in 1985 with himself in the lead.A year later, he took a different twist in the forever quest for a reformed church.He left the church that he himself pushed to be established in Australia when he accepted a call to be a minister at Aoloau in American Samoa.The church comes under the breakaway faction of the EFKS.After five years, Reverend Faletoese resigned to return to Australia.On 2 February 1992, he founded the Reformed Congregational L.M.S. Samoan Church.^[1]

When established, the church was known as ‘E.F.K.S. Tuto’atasi’ or ‘Ekalesia Samoa Tuto’atasi’. However, during the annual church conference of 1996, the church unanimously voted for the church to be renamed, ‘The Reformed Congregational L.M.S. Samoan Church, or Ekalesia L.M.S. Toefuata’ina Samoa. The name ‘L.M.S.’ is referred to the ‘London Missionary Society’, the missionaries who brought the gospel to Samoa. ‘Toefuata’ina’ meaning ‘reformed’ was merged with L.M.S., because it is believed that this church is a reformed version of the original L.M.S. Church (EFKS).

The Rt. Rev. Tepa Faleto'ese died in 2004.

Church's Focus

The Samoan church during the missionary period engaged itself in the "social redemption of humanity". This vision was based on the church's understanding of God's sovereignty. It saw the divine purpose of redemption not in individual terms only but also in corporate, social and political terms. The newly acquired faith had its focus on the transformation of life and society. That legacy remains a motivating force in the nation's idealism as well as in the church's commitment to active social efforts. The church emphasises the idea of "Fa'afaigofie, Fa'ataugofie, Fa'asa'oloto" or "Simple, Humble, Free Worship"

Membership

There are over 10,000 worshippers of the church itself, which include all the churches belonging to the Reformed LMS Samoan Church.

Churches

The Reformed Congregational LMS Samoan Church is a world-wide church which is based in Samoa, Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America, however, there have been major incidents which have divided the church.

The founding churches and ministers (churches established between 1992–1998) of the church are as followed:

• Rt. Rev. Tepa Faleto'ese (Sydney, Australia)
• Rt. Rev. Litaea So'oa'emalelagi (Glen Eden, Auckland, New Zealand)
• Rt. Rev. Alapati Tu'uga (Brisbane, Australia)
• Rt. Rev. Tuiataga Siataga (Christchurch, New Zealand)
• Rt. Rev. Solomona Iosefa (Glen Innes, New Zealand)

However, due to differences the, Rev. Litaea and Rev. Tuiataga became independent and no longer were associated with the church.

Up until 2007, these were the churches which remained and formed the LMS Reformed Church.

AUSTRALIA:

Rt. Rev. Tepa and May Faleto'ese FT (Matua Malolo)

PULEGA NIU SAU UELESE (New South Wales District)

• Rt. Rev. Pepe & Si'ia'e Tiatia FT (Mt Druitt)
• Rev. Tele & Matauaina Tausaga (Blacktown)
• Rev. Iafeta & Apaula Tiuga (Auburn)
• Rev. Vili and Folose Iosua (Campbelltown)
• Rev. Fetineia'i & Tuatai Fa'asisila (Sydney)
• Rev. Fiapoto & Dora Poloai (Minto)
• Rev. Ainu'u & Ualesi Sekai (St Mary)

PULEGA KUINISELANI (Queensland District)

• Rt. Rev. Alapati & Sarai Tu'uga FT (Queensland
• Rev. Laione & Televine Masefau (Brisbane)
• Rev. Peletiso & Melenaite Tuivaiti (Sunnybank)

NEW ZEALAND

PULEGA AUKILANI (Auckland District)

• Rt. Rev Solomona & Leinati Iosefa FT (Glen Innes)
• Rev. Malaefono & Tina Aufa'i (Henderson)
• Rev. Keti & Emma Maiava (Kelston)
• Rev. Apolimatai & Fagaua Tautaiolevao (Papatoetoe)
• Rev. Siutu & Faaiuga Tuivaiti (Massey)
• Rev. Lui & Uese Tupa'i (Massey)
• Rev. Fatu & Misili Tanumoa Misa (Mangere)

PULEGA USA (USA District)

• Rt. Rev. Manusina & Lauiula Taulagi FT (Utah)

In 2007, there was a major split which saw the church divide into two. From this division, there were several groups of churches formed as well as those churches which broke away many years before.

The Church Today

Since the split, various of the congregations have gone on to form their own churches to cater for the spiritual needs of their members. The churches are;

• The Reformed Congregational L.M.S Samoan Church
• The Reformed Congregational L.M.S Samoan Church in New Zealand
• The Pacific L.M.S Samoan Church
• The First Samoan Revival Church

The Reformed Congregational L.M.S Samoan Church^[2]

These are the remaining churches who form The Reformed Congregational L.M.S Samoan Church today.

• Rt. Rev. Apolimatai & Fagaua Tautaiolevao (Papatoetoe, NZ)
• Rt. Rev. Siutu & Faaiuga Tuivaiti (Massey, NZ)
• Rt. Rev. Tele & Matauaina Tausaga (Blacktown, Australia)
• Rt. Rev. Lui & Uese Tupa'i (Blockhouse Bay, NZ)

The Pacific L.M.S Samoan Church^[3]

This church was the main breakaway church from the original Church, and consists mostly of the churches who once formed the Reformed LMS Church. This church also now includes some churches from the Pacific, including Niue and the Cook Islands. It is headed by Rt. Rev. Alapati Tu'uga and its head office is based in Australia.

• Rt. Rev. Alapati & Sarai Tu'uga (Brisbane, Qld)
• Rev. Ioane & Faimanifo Ioane Brown (Brisbane, QLD)
• Rev. Faatui & Lupe Leati Tauaa (Brisbane, QLD)
• Rev. Maiava & Miriama Tulua, (Brisbane, QLD)
• Rt. Rev. Iafeta & Apaula Tiuga (Sydney, NSW
• Rev. Ainuu & Ualesi Sekai (Sydney, NSW)
• Rev. Ioasa & Tolerosa Taulaga (Sydney, NSW)
• Rev. Tuta‘ia & Salota Tuia (Sydney, NSW)
• Rev. Potu & Toleafoa Tusani (Sydney, NSW)
• Rev. Fiapoto & Dora Poloai, (Sydney, NSW)
• Rt. Rev. Leu Laione & Televine Masefau (Vaitele, Samoa)
• Rt. Rev. Solomona & Leinati Iosefa (Glen Innes, NZ)
• Rt. Rev. Keti & Ema Maiava (Kelston, NZ)
• Rev. Misa & Misili Tagomoa (Mangere, NZ)
• Rev. Soopale & Iloa Faoasau (Mt. Roskill, NZ)
• Rev. Malaefono & Faagata Aufa‘i (Henderson, NZ)
• Rev. Pangi Matuariki (Cook Islands)
• Rev. Mohe Tuitoka(Niue)

The Reformed Congregational L.M.S Samoan Church in New Zealand

This group was founded by Rt. Rev. Litaea So'oa'emalelagi in New Zealand. They consist of two parishes.

• Rt. Rev. Litaea & Merita So'oa'emalelagi (Glen Eden, New Zealand)
• Rev. Selau & Ali'itasi Fausia (Mt. Wellington, New Zealand)

The First Samoan Revival Church^[4]

This church is under the leadership of Rt. Rev. Leafa Fa'asisila.

Rt. Rev. Leafa Fa'asisila (Sydney, NSW)

• Rt. Rev. Leafa Fa'asisila (Sydney, NSW)
• Rt. Rev. Faiumu & Koreti Pio (Melbourne, NSW)
• Rt. Rev. Tuimaseve & Pisila Gasu (Otahuhu, NZ)
• Rt. Rev. Vi'iga & Ioselani Fa'amatuainu (Brisbane, QLD)
• Rt. Rev. Ausage & Leata Valeni (Avondale, NZ)
• Rt. Rev. Manusina & Apaula Taulagi (Utah, USA)
• Rt. Rev Iamanu & Toeafuasetaeao (Satuimalufilufi, Samoa)

References