Seminar on Missional Ministry of Young Presbyters

The seminar on Missional Ministry of Young Presbyters was organized by the Synod Pastoral Concerns Department on the 1st and 2nd of October at CSI All Saints’ Church, Bengaluru with the objective of propelling and promoting Missional Ministry in each of the respective areas and churches.

The seminar on “Missional Ministry of Presbyters” explored the biblical, theological, and practical dimensions of pastoral leadership in the mission of the Church. The session emphasized how presbyters are called not only to administer church and provide pastoral care, but also to equip the congregation for active participation in God’s mission (Missio Dei) in the world.

The Seminar’s significance and characteristic was elucidated by Rev. J Justin and Rev. Shobana. The Seminar commenced with an invocation by Rev. Solomon Paul, the Ministerial Committee Convenor, who led the gathering in prayer. The Seminar was inaugurated and declared open by Rt. Rev. Dr. Vincent Vinod Kumar, Bishop of Karnataka Central Diocese. During his devotion the Bishop spoke on the Mission Priorities and Practical Guide towards Mission in our respective Areas/Churches. He highlighted on the Mission being alive and active in the church. As Jesus throve towards it, we are also obliged to fulfill His Missional Purpose.

The first session was conducted by Dr. Paul Thng, where he emphasized on the topic “Mind of Christ”. Through the session he articulated to have the zeal and heart like Christ to “Go” and “Preach” the Gospel. He spoke on getting into the “Mind of Christ” to inculcate and induce Christ like character. Based on Phil 2:5-11, he illustrated on how John Wesley used Jesus’ Model (He humbled himself) to accept the Coalminers. He emphasized Christ likeness or like-mindedness in us to enhance our Missional Ministry.

In the second session, Dr Paul Thng elucidated on “Responsibility of the Church in making Disciples”. He spoke on the significance of making Disciples of Christ. Church is Evangelical in Nature and it needs to be an agent in equipping and enhancing Disciples as Jesus Commissioned. In this discipleship journey we are called to be teachers and instructors to give orientation to the new believers. This process of making disciples is long and tedious but we are called to endure it.

In the third session, Dr. Dorothy, highlighted on the health and wellness of Presbyters/Pastors in the ministerial journey. She elaborated on the food habits and physical activities which will enhance holistic wellbeing of the minister to serve the greater purpose of Church and His Call. 

After the sessions, Bro. John introduced Prayer for the Pastors. Each Presbyter was given an opportunity to open up with their prayer requests and the team prayed for them individually. With this Day-1 Seminar’s Sessions was concluded by Rev. J Justin.

Day 2 started off with devotion by Sis. Meilin, who spoke about the Church being Fishers of Men as Jesus designed it 2000 years ago. It is not only about being Fishers of Men but also to tend and tread with the new believers. Church should not become Stagnant but ever moving and growing Church. There are challenges but need to be countered with innovative strategies to care and nurture and invite New Believers into the Church.

In the first session, Dr. Paul Thng, spoke on “Why is the Church losing the Mission Vision?”. He spoke on the Church losing its primary vision towards Mission. Church needs to encourage missional activities. Like Jesus Commissioned, the Church needs to abide to fulfill the purpose. He elucidated on the Church regaining the Missional Ministry to save souls for the Kingdom of God. In this session there were interventions from the Presbyters, speaking on the contextual issues in India, especially Karnataka. Where Mission is not as easy as it sounds, the state has introduced an Anti-Conversion Law, which curbs the freedom to preach and teach the Gospel. After a lengthy interaction, Dr Paul Thng advised and reiterated that Gospel Proclamation is rough and tough but we are called to challenge the hegemony for the greater good of the Kingdom. Challenges and Obstacles in Mission are present and prevalent but preaching the Gospel needs to be more innovative and creative.

In the Second Session, Dr. Paul Thng, spoke on “Modeling the Mission for the Present Church”. In the current context, the Church needs to be agents of transformation. The Church needs to make the New Believers feel secure and safe in Christ, they need to experience Assurance. John 15:16 speaks about Jesus choosing us, in the same way, people  should come to an understanding that God has chosen them and assures them of Everlasting Life/Salvation. He goes on to explain about the basic skills the new believers need to exhibit, like practice Christianity and also mature in Character based on the Biblical Knowledge in order to become stable in Christ and become a worthy disciple to serve. He also expounded on the Church to emphasize on spiritual skills for the pews which makes them sincere and serious disciples of Christ.

The Third Session, Dr. Paul Thng, spoke on “Embracing Diversity: Respect and Commonality in Mission”. He spoke on embracing the diversity in mission. Church or the Community is diverse in nature. The Church needs to recognize each of the diverse attributes such as class, creed, caste, race, color, language, ethnicity etc..,. The Church needs to embrace diversity in order to have unity. As Romans 10:12 says “for there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call him”. In this way we as the church are called to cater and care for all the people of God as one. Mission of God needs to be grounded and rooted in embracing diversity. Through further discussions, participants reflected on challenges faced by presbyters today and explored new models of contextual and transformational ministry.

The seminar concluded by affirming that presbyters are central in nurturing a missional church that witnesses to Christ through word, deed, and service, empowering the whole people of God to participate in God’s redemptive mission.

The program concluded with an interactive Q&A session and a vote of thanks by Rev. J Justin representing the Synod Pastoral Concerns Department, leaving the Young Presbyters enriched with New Missional Ideas and Perspectives that can be applied in the ministerial journey.