“How can a building tell a story?” I ask. FJKM Ambohimandroso stands before us not just as a church but as a symbol. It embodies faith history and the vibrant community of Antananarivo.
FJKM stands for Fiangonan’i Jesoa Kristy eto Madagasikara. It translates to the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar. This denomination is the second-largest Christian group in Madagascar. It boasts over 6 million members in more than 7200 congregations. These congregations spread across 37 synods. There is even one international synod.
The FJKM’s roots trace back to 1968. It formed from the union of three churches. These churches originated from the London Missionary Society. Also the Paris Evangelical Missionary Society. And the Friends Foreign Missionary Association. Imagine the combined history and traditions.
This union created a powerful force for Christianity in Madagascar. The FJKM has grown steadily since its founding. It has planted an average of one new church per week for the past decade. This rapid growth shows its commitment to spreading its message.
However the church faces challenges. It has approximately 1500 ordained clergy. Around 250 of these are women. This means that many ministers oversee several congregations. Lay pastors and catechists assist them. They help to preach and provide pastoral care. These dedicated individuals are vital to the FJKM’s mission.
The FJKM’s influence extends beyond religion. Former Madagascar president Marc Ravalomanana is a member. He also served as an elected lay vice-president of the church during his presidency. This created some controversy. Concerns arose about the separation of church and state.
In 2002 a schism occurred. This led to the formation of the New Protestant Church in Madagascar. About 300000 former FJKM members joined this new church. Despite this split the FJKM remains a significant religious institution.
During the 2009 Malagasy protests FJKM leader Pastor Lala Rasendrahasina faced arrest. Soldiers took him into custody along with five generals. These generals were part of a proposed military directorate. The directorate would have run the executive branch after Ravalomanana’s resignation. Rasendrahasina a cousin of Ravalomanana’s wife was seen as too close to the former president.
The FJKM’s highest policy-making body is the General Synod. It meets every four years. Nearly 400 delegates and alternates from the church’s 38 synods attend. The General Synod elects the National Council.
The 100-member National Council meets twice yearly. It comprises 50 clergy and 50 lay people. These include seminary representatives synod representatives teachers and lay representatives. The National Council has two advisory committees. One focuses on the laity and the other on the clergy.
The National Council elects church officers. These officers include a President two Vice Presidents a Treasurer and two Advisors. The President appoints a Secretary General. The Secretary General manages the church’s day-to-day affairs.
The FJKM’s national office houses three main divisions. The Department of Churches the Department of Schools and the Department of Human Resources and Finance. The Department of Churches is the largest. It oversees theological institutions various church branches evangelism and theological research.
The Department of Schools manages an extensive network of about 720 schools. These schools serve over 100000 students. The Department of Finance and Human Resources handles administration personnel and fiscal matters.
The FJKM also has permanent committees. These committees address issues like HIV and AIDS. They also advise church leaders on national governance. The Secretary General oversees communications environmental education and development projects.
The FJKM actively engages in ecumenical partnerships. It works with other Christian churches through organizations like the Christian Council of Churches in Madagascar. It also partners with the Lutheran Church. These partnerships support various joint projects.
The FJKM maintains close ties with mission societies. These include the Council for World Mission the Evangelical Community for Apostolic Action and Quaker Peace and Service. These connections strengthen its global outreach.
So as we stand here before FJKM Ambohimandroso remember its story. The story of a church born from unity. The story of a church facing challenges. And the story of a church dedicated to its mission. Its history is etched in every stone. Its spirit lives in its people.