Church calls on govt to maintain partnership

THE Evangelical Lutheran church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG) has called on the Government to maintain its partnership with churches.
ELCPNG’s Hagen director Rev Ten Tengdui said churches were important partners in national development and needed to be adequately supported through the appropriate State department and agencies.
Tengdui said the Department of Community Development, Youth and Religion needed to have a database of all churches to ensure a fair distribution of funds and resources.
He said the department was responsible for strengthening the Church and Government partnership and therefore needed a proper coordinating policy.
Tengdui said mainline churches such as Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, United, Seventh-day Adventist and other denominations had all contributed towards bringing the nation forward.
“Churches have guidelines, policies and plans to extend their services, same as the Government,” Tengdui said.
“Wherever there are no government services, the churches step in to provide education, health and other basic services to the people.”
He said the government needed to have a complete data system for all churches to create network.
Tengdui said funding and support was only to some churches.
He said a fairer distribution of resources would enable churches to reach more people.
“I call on the department to address this concern and look at creating a better working relationship,” Tengdui said.
“Churches and the state need a better plan because both serve one purpose and that is the people.”