Pentecostalism in French Polynesia
Fer, Yannick (2005)
Pentecôtisme en Polynésie Française: L’Evangile relationnel
Geneve: Labor et Fides.
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Pentecostalism in French Polynesia, the Relational Gospel (abstract by the author)
The rise of Pentecostalism in French Polynesia began during the 1960’s, first within the Chinese community, then in most of the Society Islands, in some Tuamotu atolls and in the Marquesas Islands. A process of institutional diversification has accompanied the fast growth of conversions: successive scissions gave birth to several Chinese Charismatic Churches and to a transcultural Church – the Assemblies of God of French Polynesia – which is today the main Polynesian Pentecostal Church. Moreover, missionaries of American Assemblies of God and of “Youth with a Mission” contributed to the plurality of Pentecostal expressions, with a net of more or less informal organizations and the circulation of autonomous believers.
Analyzing the functioning of the Assemblies of God of French Polynesia, the author specifies the combination of institution and individualization of beliefs within contemporary Pentecostalism. An “invisible” institutional work instills in the converts a “Relational Gospel” based on a personal communication with God and on evangelization as a way of life. It produces both an “enchanted” loyalty to the institution and a distance from any institutional belonging.
This sort of religious socialization meets the expectations of individuals turned away from the traditional structures of social control trying to “get out” on their own. They can find their own “way” through a voluntary movement (you must “go ahead”) and by making personal (i.e. authentic) choices between the different Pentecostal options available.
See this author’s website