Faith and Leadership in the Little Islands.
Introduction
As I was growing up in the Island, two Bible phrases were drilled into my memory, not only from our Sunday School teachers, but from our parents. They were (a.) “seeking first the kingdom of God and all be added,” [1] and (b.) “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” [2] Somehow, I used to think they were used for quilt-tripping. Aside from Sunday services, there were morning and evening services as well. I made it a duty to make sure I attended morning services before schools to ensure that I do well in school. Added to my disappointment, I was not able to keep both end – faithful attendance did not guarantee good grades, and I was not able to keep up the faithful attendance as well. Fortunately, I was able to graduate from high school, it was then I decided to attend an engineering program in Australia, but I ended up at Bible Institute for training pastors. My mom with the help of God was instrumental in that. Regardless of my efforts to avoid it, I was accepted and graduated after three years. It was there that my faith and the foundation of my life was formed. IT was there that I learned the depth of the fear of Lord which is the beginning of wisdom and ultimate guide of life regardless of where you are in life.
Traditionalism, Politics and Faith.
In the context of Micronesia, I cannot say that ‘Christian nationalism’ does not exist, or its relationship to evangelicalism and faith is not a thing. But there is that power struggle between Traditionalism, religion, government and personal faith. For almost any leadership role, political leadership is the main ambition, next to it is leadership within the church. Not much competition in traditional leadership since it is by lineage – you were born into. It is very common for individuals to start their political ambition within the church. They professed their faith, they attained leadership within the church, they got support from the church and whatever denomination they belong to, they influenced the traditional leaders to be on their side, and they ascended to political leadership. In Micronesian context, this is co-mingling of faith and politics as in western culture.[3] I am not saying that it is always, but it is very common. Ones personal faith sometimes even genuine faith acted as a starting point or acted as a springboard. I can relate to Moore’s distinguishing believers losing faith and the church losing integrity.[4]
The Challenge for the Leadership
The challenge for the church and it’s the leadership is ‘how to keep the integrity of the faith, their personal faith, and the purity of the church(es). For the church was so being used and abused even by the members, and the community. Community disrespects the church and its leadership for not being the light or example for the community. Another challenges that occurred in the churches that comes from outside was the political leaderships got foothold within the church. When in power (political leaders), they supported the church, and the church have the sense of obligation for loyalty. It got more complicated when there were more involved or shall I say competing in the same church, or churches. Now involved in the power-struggle were the church leadership, political leadership, and even sometimes traditional leadership. Traditional leadership involved to claim position in the community, the setting of the church. And sometimes to claim that the people fall under their jurisdiction due to family ties, clan or lineage. This challenge for leadership could be due to the church or the leadership wanting more power. Their faithfulness to fundamental of the church was usurp by their obsession with power.[5]
Conclusion
How shall we come to conclude this? On a personal level within the Micronesian context, I would refer back to the fundamental teachings such like – (a.) “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” and (b.) “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” To revere, comes wisdom, and to know invites understanding. And when God is in His right place, everything falls into place. As I conclude, I realize how much easier said than actually doing it. How would you conclude this?
[1] Mathew 6:33 – But seek firs the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” (NIV).
[2] Proverbs 9:10 – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom…” (NIV).
[3] Russel Moore, Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America. (New York: Sentinel, 2023), 1-10.
[4] “Losing Our Religion Chapter Summary. Russell Moore, Bookey, Accessed October 23, 2025, http://www.bookey.app/book/losing-our-religion.
[5] Ibid.
About the Author
Noel Liemam
14 responses to “Faith and Leadership in the Little Islands.”
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Noel, thanks for the blog. How might you help church leadership not be focused on power but instead be focused on building the church? It is interesting to hear about the power structure within the church and community.
Hello, Adam, thank you for your comment. That is a good question. Since this would be a spiritual battle, all I can think of for now as the starting point would be prayer. I could suggest training, coaching, and others but I the stronghold needs to be broken first which is the thirst for power instead of serving. Thanks again, Adam.
HI Noel, I always enjoying hearing more of your story! In Micronesia, what differences do see between Christian nationalists and Christians choosing to be in politics?
Hi, Kari, thank you for your comment. Personally, I would say that some of the Christians that choose to be in politics to be salt and light while others used it as a platform to launch them into politics and influence. Within the Islanders context, they existed but not associated with any naming like ‘Christian nationalist.’ Maybe soon, they will adapt this kind of naming since the concept exist already, Thanks again, Kari.
Hey Noel,
Thank you for this post and for sharing about Micronesia. I’m curious, did your journey as a Micronesian diplomat begin in the church, or did that come later in your story? I ask because, based on your writing about Micronesians often starting their political careers in churches, I’m interested to know if that was true in your experience as well.
Hello, Dr. Burns, thank you for your question. I did attend a Pastoral Institute in Micronesia before coming to Oregon. During my three years in Pastoral Institute, I participated and learn from the local churches of our denomination. In my early years in Oregon, I was involved in the starting of the first church for the Micronesian, specifically from the Chuuk State (one of the four states). My goal then was to attend Multnomah Seminary and go back to the Islands, but I did not meet the requisite, so I decided to study engineering and construction instead. I did only two years in engineering and four years in heavy construction before I changed to study business/accounting. When I was hired by the Consulate General, I was told that since I was already out here and been out here for such a period of time. I guess it was not for my educational background or my political affiliation – but for being a senior resident in Oregon, hehe. But the important lesson I learn is that when I had no idea what was going on, our God was shaping me to serve our people in a different capacity. Thank you, Elysse, sorry I got carried away…
Hi Noel,
Power, power, power! Ambition for power seems to be at the heart of so much in the church that is unlike Jesus. When can power be helpful in building the church?
Thank you, Julie, that is so true. The ambition for more and more power is a problem in our churches as well. Regardless of the fact that ‘it is by my Spirit’ says the Lord, more and more still want to do it their way. In our churches, sometimes it is because they don’t know how and the only way they know how to do it. But sometimes, it is like an addiction. It feels good to be able to see others follow and they wanted more of it, and it goes on. Thanks again, Julie.
Hey Dr. Liemam. I appreciate you bringing us into the Micronesian perspective. To answer your question, the commandment to Love the Lord Thy God, with all of our heart, mind, and Soul speaks to me. If we are genuinely seeking God, He will expose the idolatry in our hearts and lead us back to Him. It sounds simple, but there is much work and humility attached to this. Thanks for a great post.
Thank you so much, Dr. Jaime for you comment. It is so true, putting God instead of us will definitely change goal and trajectory of the leadership. Thanks again.
Hi Noel, Thanks for your post. To answer your question, one thing that stands out to me is when Thomas sees Jesus after His resurrection and Jesus shows him His wounds. Thomas proclaims My Lord and My God (John 20:28-29). Then Jesus replied to him that he believed because he saw firsthand, but blessed are those who have not seen but believe”. It reminds me that we don’t know everything and have to trust Jesus in His word. Likewise, a flagrant display of power seems fake to me, someone acting like they know everything when really they don’t. I’d rather be blessed by Jesus knowing I don’t know it all than have false power that is only self-serving.
In all your faith journey, was there any one person who helped you grow in your faith?
Hi, Diane, thank you for your comment and your inputs. Yes, I share the same feelings about rather following someone who seems to be fake. That is common issue among our people that is why even though our number in the Pacific Northwest is not a lot, we have so many churches in proportion to our population.
And to answer your question, I would say there a many that contributed, however, one of them is myself. I learn so vividly when I come to realization that I am not enough by myself that I always needed others especially our lord Jesus. Thank you again for your comment, Diane.
Hi Noel, thanks for sharing your personal experience in Micronesia. You mention that both political and church leaders use one another to gain influence, which erodes credibility for both. How can lay people discern when a church leader or a politician are using their position for power rather than good?
Hello, Christy, thank you for your comment and your question. In our churches in the Islands, it is very clear. I went back to my Island in 2000, and this is what I observed. The congressman for our region provides building materials for our church, and the pastors talked about him a lot as in return, be sure to vote for him again. This is very typical, politicians have foothold in the church by giving the church donations and expect payback, and the church leaders make sure that it happened. One thing I observed that was so upsetting is the way that talked about him. They seem to rely on him. Thank you again, Ms. Liner.