About Us - Pacific Conference of Churches

History

FORMED in 1961 by key Pacific church figures, the Pacific Conference of Churches was a regional response to a changing world and independence. Church Leaders from Dutch Papua in the West to Samoa in the East gathered to form this regional ecumenical organisation out of former mission churches. The inaugural PCC Assembly was held at Lifou in Kanaky (New Caledonia) in 1966. The PCC works closely with the Pacific Theological College which opened in 1966 and the South Pacific Association of Theological Schools, founded in 1969.

Membership

FROM the Gereja Kristen Injili di Tannah Papua (Evangelical Christian Church of Papua) in the West to the Etaretia Porotetani Maohi (Maohi Protestant Church) in the East, the PCC has 33 member churches and 10 councils of churches in 18 countries and territories across the region. Our members come from a wide section of Christian faith confessions. Two new churches are expected to join the PCC at its next General Assembly in 2023.

Our Governance

EVERY four years the heads of the PCC’s member organisations meet to mandate the secretariat’s work during a General Assembly. The General Assembly appoints the Moderator, Deputy Moderator, an executive committee (which must include women and young people) and elects the General Secretary. The Executive Committee meets each year and processes the work of the Finance and Business Committee which meets once a quarter. This is our governance structure. The annual Pacific Church Leaders Meeting falls outside of the PCC Constitution but allows an additional advisory and oversight layer to guide the work of the secretariat.

Investments

IN their wisdom, the leaders of the PCC have, over the years, invested in property around Suva. The PCC owns four residential, five commercial properties and two vacant blocks of land. These 11 properties are unencumbered and generate revenue for the PCC. In 2021, the PCC bought 50 acres of farmland on the east coast of Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu. This real estate portfolio will be developed this year to increase organisational self-sufficiency and decrease reliance on external funders.

Funders and Partners

WITHOUT the generosity of funders and partners, the PCC’s work would not be possible. Our current funders are Bread for the World, Global Ministries, KAIROS, the Methodist Church in Britain, UNICEF, and UN Women. We have a number of partnerships with Uniting World and the World Council of Churches.