IN a powerful presentation during the Anglican Church of Melanesia’s (ACoM) 50th-anniversary celebrations, Reverend James Bhagwan, General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC), urged the church to embrace a holistic and inclusive approach to mission—one that addresses ecological justice, youth empowerment, and the wounds of colonialism.
Speaking at Saint Barnabas Cathedral in Honiara, during the ACoM Board of Mission Symposium on Monday 16th June, Rev. Bhagwan drew on Pacific indigenous wisdom, global challenges, and the church’s prophetic role suggesting a vision for the next 50 years of mission.
Rev. Bhagwan opened with a metaphor from his experience as a crew member of Fiji’s traditional voyaging society, the Uto Ni Yalo Trust.
“When sailing to a distant island, we navigate by looking back at the wake our canoe leaves—just as the Church of Melanesia must move forward by honoring its past,” he said.
Reflecting on the biblical concept of Jubilee—a time of restoration and renewal—he emphasized the need for the church to revisit its roots while boldly addressing contemporary challenges.
Central to Rev. Bhagwan’s message was Dokamo, an indigenous Kanak (New Caledonian) concept that PCC uses as a guiding methodology for mission.
“Dokamo is about continuous growth—spiritual, ecological, and social,” he explained. “It calls us to move beyond extractive mission models and instead foster right relationships with God, each other, and creation.”
He outlined eight Dokamo principles—including sacred kinship, reciprocity, and communal transformation—urging the church to integrate them into governance, advocacy, and pastoral care.
Rev. Bhagwan also highlighted key crises facing the region, demanding the church’s response:
- The Ecological Justice & Climate Change.
The Pacific, though contributing least to global emissions, suffers the most from rising seas and extreme weather.
He praised Vanuatu and Tuvalu’s push for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and the recent Tuakoila Declaration, where churches called for global climate justice.
“The Solomon Islands and Vanuatu’s new Melanesian Ocean Reserve—an Indigenous-led marine sanctuary—shows how faith and ecology must unite.”
- Unfinished Decolonization
The church must stand with West Papua, Kanaky (New Caledonia), and Ma’ohi Nui (French Polynesia) in their struggles for self-determination.
“We cannot celebrate freedom while our Melanesian brothers and sisters still fight for theirs.”
- Youth, Drugs, and Trauma
Pacific youth face identity crises, methamphetamine addiction, and unemployment.
“In Fiji, children are injecting meth. HIV spreads through ‘Bluetoothing’—sharing blood-filled syringes. The church must offer trauma healing, not judgment.”
He called for intergenerational leadership, citing the new Pacific Regional Ecumenical Youth Council as a model.
- Disability Inclusion
“Disability ministry isn’t charity—it’s justice. Churches must audit accessibility, train in sign language, and include disabled voices in decision-making.”
- Geopolitical Tensions & Militarization
The “Indo-Pacific strategy” and AUKUS alliance escalate militarization, threatening Indigenous sovereignty.
“The church must resist narratives that turn our ocean into a battlefield.”
A Blueprint for Inclusive Mission
Rev. Bhagwan proposed concrete steps for the Church of Melanesia:
Eco-theology in seminaries – Integrate climate justice into theological education.
Labor mobility pastoral care – Support Pacific workers abroad and families left behind.
Gender justice – Confront patriarchy in church structures.
Indigenous-led advocacy – Amplify traditional knowledge in climate and policy discussions.
“What Kind of Ancestor Will You Be?”
Closing with a poignant challenge, Rev. Bhagwan asked:
In 50 years, what will future generations say of us? Will they remember us as complacent—or as prophets who acted boldly for justice?”
His call to action resonated deeply, leaving the congregation with both a sobering reflection and a hopeful vision for the church’s next chapter.
Rev. James Bhagwan is a General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches, Rev. Bhagwan is a leading voice for ecumenism, climate justice, and Indigenous rights. A Fijian Methodist minister, he blends theology, traditional voyaging wisdom, and grassroots activism in his work.