Anna and I have actively kept in touch with worship congregations during our stay at Pune, Sevagram, Nagpur, Chennai, Vellore and now in Kerala. We have often found such occasions spiritually refreshing and biblically instructional in our formative journey.
Now that we live in a new cultural milieu in Kerala of strong heritage of Christian spirituality, we are beginning to understand how church life is strongly linked to denominational fidelity. In the village where we live, there are fifteen worshipping congregations, all belonging to different denominations. There is a strong boundary which each denomination prescribes for its members that interdenominational co-operation or collaboration is nominal and minimal. Sometimes there is intolerance and intimidation, which makes interdenominational relationship difficult and stressful.
A minister of one congregation mentioned to me that three denominations used to use the same church building for their sunday worship services and weekly meetings in one city where he was a vicar of one congregation. The church building was also used for day care of children and senior citizens, drawn form all denominations and other faiths, during the week day.
On the same day, another minister dropped in to greet me. He drew my attention to six church buildings closed to worshippers due to conflicts between groups within the congregations. Sometimes worship services are held under police protection. He knew of my interest in dispute resolution and reconciliation and invited my attention to this opportunity.
I have recently got in touch with Bishops of three denominations. I realized how each denomination speaks of its 'faithful flock'. I wonder whether the 'faith community' is missiologically getting preoccupied with being 'faithful flock' of denominations!
A senior minister, whom we know for fifteen years, who is likely to be nominated to the panel for selection of a Bishop, mentioned to us this morning how he feels for the diocese which is full of internal conflicts.
We returned from the Sunday worship today, with this longing in our hearts, 'how are we live to lovingly' amidst so many pressures and divisive practices! This is the missionary call we feel in our hearts, ever since we have come to live in Kerala.
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
I heard an episode of services namely a wedding, being held under police protection in Kerala and was shocked.. I thought back on the year I lived in Noida n Delhi and also about churches here in Muscat with the restricted religious freedom - I believe there is more tolerance and harmony among denominations comparatively.
ReplyDeleteGod bless your efforts !