Community Purpose and Life
Here at Kanana Fou, we recognize that preparation for pastoral ministry in today's world requires more
than just theological instruction that is taught in the classroom. The spiritual life of a pastor is vital in
providing ministry that is centered in God's grace, the reconciliatory love of Jesus Christ, and the
transformative power of the Holy Spirit. The nature of this spiritual life should embody one's personal
commitment of service to God and neighbor. Though the spiritual life is indeed a personal endeavor, its
development and maturity can be enhanced profoundly in a communal and mutual setting.
Campus life here at Kanana Fou has purposely been structured to assist in the growth of one's spiritual and
professional life. The following are examples of everyday activities of campus life that have been designed
to address the purpose of developing the spiritual growth of the student.
Communal Worship Services
Worship services in the seminary are held throughout the week. There are two main services where
students are given the opportunity to develop their leadership skills in worship. The Friday morning
service—or Sermon Class—is a practicum in Samoa where all students are required to lead during the
second-year of the Bachelor of Divinity program.
Sermon Class Practicum
The entire context of worship is reenacted. The assigned student leads the entire service, including the
scripture reading, prayer and sermon. The student body prepares the choir hymns and participates in the
reading of scripture. The faculty participates as parishioners. At the end, the student's performance is
evaluated and the faculty gives constructive criticism to help improve the student's skills in leading worship. Those who perform satisfactorily in Sermon Class are given the opportunity to lead the Sunday afternoon
worship service. Sunday morning services are conducted primarily by the faculty members. Students may
also partake in the morning services if needed. The faculty leading Sunday morning services usually
employed his "parish family" to partake in the liturgy and worship.
Devotions and Vespers
Morning Devotions are held form Monday through Thursday. These devotions are conducted in English.
Monday is reserved for the faculty and the other days are employed by students and their wives who
alternate throughout the semester.
There are two Vesper Services, Monday and Friday evenings, for students. Students alternate throughout
the semester in leading these services. Vespers are good opportunity for students to share and
communicate amongst themselves, minus the faculty, in ways and methods to develop their leadership and
ministry skills in worship, their personal growth experience in seminary life, and their personal walk in life
with God. The goal of sharing is for students to encourage each other in their own spiritual development.
Prayer Meetings
Here in Kanana Fou the life of prayer is structured into the daily activities of campus life. Prayer is one of
the most powerful tools that can deeply enhance spiritual growth. It can also serve as the measuring bar
indicating the level of spiritual maturity that one has achieved. This is true given that only those who have
truly matured in spiritual growth continually engage in al life of prayer.
Every evening between 6:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. is the seminary prayer curfew. All students are
encouraged to observe the curfew by conducting their own in-house prayer services. This is a good
opportunity for couples and their resident families to fellowship with God within the context of their own
home. The same goes for single students in the dormitory.
Sunday morning at 5:00 a.m. is the seminary prayer meeting where all students are required to attend.
Students are given the opportunity to lead these prayer meetings throughout the semester. Each class is
also afforded the opportunity to conduct their own prayer vigils in the classroom setting. The class will
choose when to have their prayer vigils, ensuring there is no conflict with other seminary activities.
Self Discipline
Living a discipline life is also an important requisite for students who plan to enter the ministry. Spiritual
growth cannot be achieved unless one learns how to live a disciplined life. Also, the challenges and
temptations that take place in the ministry field can overwhelm and subdue a person who is not well disciplined. This is why this dimension of spiritual growth is also structured into campus life. Most of the disciplinary actions that take place on campus are a result of violating the rules and regulations that govern the seminary. These disciplinary actions can range from mild to severe, with the most severe action resulting in suspension from the seminary.
Students commonly receive disciplinary action for the violation of punctuality and the seminary code of
conduct. Students are required to be punctual during seminary activities. Tardiness or absence without a
legitimate excuse may result in a disciplinary.
There is also a code of conduct that governs seminary life. Violation of this code can lead to more severe
disciplining, depending on the nature of the violation. These traditional ways of community life are in no
way irrelevant. If one is able to live a well-disciplined life during seminary study, then the same can be
expected when working in the ministry field. This aspect of seminary life is crucial and essentially
necessary for ministry work in the CCCAS.
Family Parish
All students enrolled in the seminary, married and singles, are divided into family parishes. Members of the
faculty and their wives are designated as "Spiritual Parents" (Matua Fa'aleagaga) or "Overseers" (Ta'ita'i) of
these parishes. The normal day for family parish is Wednesday after class instruction. The day's activities
on campus take place within the individual family parish.
The faculty overseer decides what activities to assign members of his parish during the day. But in the
evening, the family parishes may wish to have gatherings in the evening. These gatherings normally
include prayer services and evening meals. The highlight of these gatherings is the fellowship and family
discourse that takes place between the students and the faculty member and his wife. Family parish
provides a perfect opportunity for the students to converse with their "Spiritual Parents" in regards to family
or personal issues and activities or academic advisement.
Being mindful of the Samoan ministry as a fabrication of both culture—Fa'a-Samoa—and religious beliefs,
the students rarely enters the residence of any faculty. This is due to their concern and respect for the
faculty members as highly recognized ministers in the Samoan community.
Overall, the aim of family parish is to establish a mutual family atmosphere where students can feel a sense
of comfort and satisfaction. After a rigorous week of studies, the family parish is where the student can
experience console and relaxation, not only physically and mentally, but emotionally and spiritually as well.
In addition to the "parent" role, the faculty overseer and his wife also act as spiritual advisors and "life"
counselors to the students, assisting them with any relevant need necessary to enhance the spiritual
aspect of their training at Kanana Fou.
Student Organization
The Student Body officer seeks to represent, communicate, and serve the needs of students, in order to
develop community at Kanana Fou Theological Seminary and promote a healthy and balanced campus
atmosphere. The Student Body Leader and Secretary are also the representatives of the President and
faculty to the student body.
The Student Body appoints its own officers at the end of each school year through a democratic
undisclosed ballot. The officers oversee the daily affairs of students in the absence of the President and
faculty. With the assistant of a faculty assigned to oversee parish work, sports, Sunday Schools, and other
seminary events the officers are responsible for reporting and ensuring all daily tasks and responsibilities
are accomplished.