First Presbyterian dabbles in pops style

By Mary Kaye Ritz
Faith Editor

Dan Chun is the one of four pastors at the First Presbyterian church on Ke'eaumoku Street. Because the church has has a number of requirements for membership, it has more attendees than official members. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser Youth jam tonight The Rev. Dan Chun and his wife, Pam, co-founded Hawaiian Islands Ministries, which is putting on this weekend's Honolulu 2002 conference at the Hawai'i Convention Center. The conference expects to train more than 4,000 leaders from 490 churches and 75 denominations. Tonight's finale is the first Youth Jam, a concert/worship service. The cost for the concert only is $20. Call 946-1300.

Our denomination: Presbyterian.

Where we are: 1822 Ke'eaumoku, at Nehoa Street.

Our numbers: 950 official members; about 1,000 people attend regularly.

That's an unusual reversal, because most churches have more members than regular attendees. But to officially become a member of First Presbyterian, people are asked to take part in four two-hour classes, then meet with the elders who swear them in. (There's also a one-day, eight-hour "new members" class.) Because of this, there are fewer official members.

Our pastor: The Rev. Dan Chun is senior pastor, and there are three associate pastors.

What we believe: First Presbyterian's mission statement is: "To expose, equip and engage people towards a fully committed life in Jesus Christ," said Dan Chun.

Congregants also are called to abide by 10 core values: authenticity (being honest with others about struggles and joys); humility (staying open to new ideas); excellence; evangelism; disciplines (i.e., praying, fasting, tithing, studying the Bible); worship; small groups; spiritual gifts; biblical literacy; and stewardship.

"We believe that a personal relationship with Christ is relevant and fulfilling for living," said Chun. "It should be fun, creative, full of grace, forgiveness, hope and joy."

Presbyterians consider the Bible to be the infallible word of God. They also believe in two sacraments: baptism (for both children and adults) and communion, which they celebrate once a month and on high holy days.

"These are the only two acts of grace that Jesus himself commanded," Chun said.

The U.S. government is based on the Presbyterians' style of government, he said. A Presbyterian is a Protestant who belongs to a particular form of church government, and the word "Presbyterian" refers not to a system of doctrine or worship but to the form of church government, which, like the U.S. legislature, uses representatives and elects its leaders.

Our history: While Presbyterianism goes back to philosopher John Calvin, who broke with the Church of Rome in 1533, the church in Hawai'i is a mere 43 years old. The founding pastor, the Rev. William Phifer, still worships at the church.

Chun explained that an agreement between the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterians sent Presbyterian missionaries to Hong Kong and elsewhere, and left Hawai'i to the United Church of Christ to set down roots.

During World War II, Presbyterians who were in the military would worship at their base chapels, but the real congregation didn't get its start until 1960, at the YWCA at Richards Street. It moved to its present location 42 years ago.

Of the "three and a half" Presbyterian churches in Honolulu, First Presbyterian is the only fully English-speaking one, Chun said.

How does one have half a church? "In Kailua, there's Christ Uniting Disciples and Presbyterians," Chun explained with a chuckle.

What we're excited about: A Christmas Eve turnout at 30 percent above that of the previous year has translated to even higher Easter and regular attendance, Chun said.

"Since 9/11, we've had a 30 percent bump in attendance, and they never left," he added.

The church is also excited about its thriving youth group, student ministries and the establishment of a singles ministry department, to help singles who have never been married, plus divorced, widowed and single parents.

What's special about us: Chun explained one outward difference: "Three out of four Sundays, we wear aloha shirts," he said. "We use robes for communion and holy days."

Congregants are also developing the use of performing arts as part of their worship, Chun said, noting performances of "Joseph & Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" that took place before Easter.

"We use a lot of music and performing arts to give a creative presentation of the Gospel," he said. "I think our style is a mix of sacred music, 'Prairie Home Companion' and the Boston Pops. And we're highly relational, which is where the 'Prairie Home Companion' comes in."

They don't focus just on the young adults, however: "We're highly cross-generational and family-oriented," he said, adding that at worship, he wants both the grandmother and granddaughter to "have a great time."

Contact: fpchawaii.org or 532-1111.

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