Christian belief across the Pacific region of Melanesia is almost universal. Resulting primarily from missionary activity that in many instances predated colonial interactions, Christian beliefs and institutions are tightly embedded in the political and social domains of these countries (Leach et al. 2013). Melanesian countries, such as the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, also experience constraints to economic development due to limited comparative advantage, poor terms of trade, small and dispersed populations, and geographical disconnectedness (both internal and external). As such, they are highly dependent upon foreign assistance (Feeny and McDonald 2015). It is necessary and important for non-government organisations (NGOs) working within Melanesia to be cognisant of the faith environment in which they are working. While many NGOs working across these countries hold institutional Christian identities that may facilitate successful partnerships with local communities, there are also a range of NGOs that are secular in outlook. For these secular NGOs, effective operation relies somewhat upon the extent to which they can appreciate the fact that Christian belief, practice and networks are fundamental to the social fabric. Willingness to view these characteristics as aspects of culture to be respected and utilised in achieving change as any other characteristics would be can be viewed as part of good development. This chapter considers the experiences of one large international secular NGO working in Melanesia. It highlights not just the challenges of this NGO working in this Christian environment, but also the benefits that this secular identity also offers when working with communities of faith. This chapter is set out as follow: the first section will discuss the institutional worldview of the international NGO and contrast it to the Christian identity of the region before a description of the development circumstances of Melanesia is given. Using the Solomon Islands as a key reference point, this chapter will then explore in greater detail the complexities of a secular NGO operating in Melanesia. The chapter will then present the benefits and challenges of embracing work with faith-based organisations (FBOs), churches and faith based communities with reference to some examples from this context

and then conclude with some particular case studies and lessons which demonstrate no one approach or way of working is either wholly easy or entirely difficult.