Introduction

The Church is a community of Faith tasked to confess and witness Christ as both Lord of nature and history… of liberation and salvation.

The Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI), being the living sacrament of the 1896 Revolution, must continually make her confession and witness for and in behalf of the Filipino who for the past several years, has been faced with poverty, social malady and political repression.

The times call for immediate response to dehumanization. The IFI, conscious of its mission and historical vocation, is concerned. It must get involved and participate actively in development. This is the imperative of the Gospel.

This, the IFI believes, leads to a more meaningful, effective and relevant accomplishment of her mission and ministry

Policy Statement

The Iglesia Filipina Independiente aims to promote, propagate and preserve its faith and heritage; to fulfill her mission to be relevant; and, to effect a total and integral transformation of Church and society.

Guiding Principles

The Iglesia Filipina Independiente perceives development

• As a continuing process and growth towards fulfilment in accordance with God’s will;
• As the people’s concrete response to God’s initiative in His continuing work of creation;
• As a means of uplifting human dignity towards self-reliance, self-governance and self-propagation; and
• As a reaffirmation of the historical and cultural heritage of the Filipino Church.

Areas of Concern

1. Education
   • Non-Formal (Liberative) Education
   • Formal Education
2. Liturgy and Music  
3. Faith and Witness
   • Christian Education and Stewardship Programs
   • Clergy and lay Theological Education and Theological Education by Extension
   • Grassroots Renewal Program
   • Leadership Training Program
4. Justice and Service
   • Cooperative Program
   • Livelihood/Skill Program
   • Human Rights Program
   • Community-Based Health and Consumer Program
   • Women Program
   • Youth and Student Programs
   • Urban Poor/Worker Program
   • Peasants/Farmer Program
   • Fisherfolks Program
   • National Minority/Tribal Filipino Program
   • Social Concern/relief and Rehabilitation
5. Ecumenical and International Affairs

Strategies

1. Strengthen the Leadership of the Church by
   • Organizing the National and regional Secretariats;
   • Training programs;
   • Establishing effective communication channels;
   • Reviewing and evaluating performance;
   • Motivation;
   • Strict implementation of the 1977 Constitution and Canons; and
   • Reviewing the honorarium, subsidy and salary schemes of the clergy.
2. Identify and establish Linkages/networks with ecumenical churches and developmental institutions, with existing church-related development programs and non-governmental organizations.
3. Be in solidarity with the people
4. Revise and restate the liturgical life and worship to be relevant to the life and faith of the people.
5. Redirect the orientation and use of Ini schools and seminaries.
6. Maximise the use of church temporalities.
7. Consolidate and integrate development programs of different dioceses/parishes for synergy.