Mar Thoma theological students conference reflects on good governance, integrity leadership and stewardship in parish ministry
Participants of Mar Thoma Theological Students Conference: Good Governance and Stewardship in Parish Ministry
Kottayam, Kerala, India: 'Good Governance and Stewardship in Parish Ministry' was the theme of this year’s Mar Thoma Theological Students Conference which was held from 6 to 8 June 2024.
The Christian Conference of Aisa (CCA) collaborated with the Mar Thoma Theological Seminary, which belongs to its member church, the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church and facilitated the thematic deliberations focused on Good Governance and Stewardship in Parish Ministry', which is an ongoing thrust of CCA’s programmes related to theological education during the year.
The Conference was attended by over 120 seminarians sponsored by the Mar Thoma church who are currently pursuing their studies in seven theological institutions in India as well as members of the faculty of the Mar Thoma Seminary.
The Conference was held at the Mar Thoma Syrian Theological Seminary, Kottayam in the south Indian state of Kerala, India.
The sessions of the three-day Conference dealt with the issue of bridging theological education and practical application of essential values in parish ministry, ensuring that future church leaders are well-equipped with the knowledge and insights necessary to integrate Good Governance and Stewardship principles into their future pastoral responsibilities.
Bishop Thomas Mar Timotheos of the Kottayam Kochi Diocese inaugurated the Conference. In his inaugural address, he emphasized the need for instilling essential values that will help future church leaders identify and overcome threats to good governance and stewardship while being engaged in pastoral ministry.
Dr Mathews George Chunakara, General Secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia, who addressed the participants at the inaugural session stated that the situations experienced in recent times in various Asian churches and related organisations warrant the need for inculcating the values of good governance and stewardship in pastoral ministry. Substantial discussion and a candid approach in addressing the issues related to good governance and integrity leadership in all levels in churches and ecumenical bodies are essential parameters as there is a general trend of decline in following the values and principles of good governance and stewardship in several churches in Asia.
The CCA General Secretary further outlined the programmes and activities CCA has initiated as part of the good governance and integrity leadership programme of CCA over the last three years at the national and regional levels with the aim of promoting the significance of the principles of good governance and integrity leadership among pastors, theological educators, students and church leaders.
“Principles of Good Governance and Ethical Practices in Christian Ministry”, “Hermeneutical key to the Church’s Mission and Witness Towards Sustainable Lifestyles and Creation Care”, “Compassionate Crossings: Fostering Pastoral Care in the context of Migration and Refugee Crisis”, ”Foundations of Christian Leadership: Insights for Pastoral Ministry”, Guidance from Teachers of Faith: Patristic Wisdom for Modern Governance”, “Developing Disability Focused Pastoral Care”, “Pastoral Leadership in Digital Space”, etc. were some of sessions that focused on contemporary issues in parish ministry under the overarching theme on Good Governance and Stewardship.
Rev. Dr V. S. Varughese, the Principal and Professor of Religions at the Mar Thoma Syrian Theological Seminary, stated that through collaborative efforts with international ecumenical bodies such as the CCA, students in Indian theological institutions are helped to enhance and develop capacities in areas that are not normally covered as part of the regular academic training. The issues and themes addressed during the Conference will help the participants understand the challenges that often disrupt the ministry, mission, and witness of the church.
The participants opined that the collaborative efforts by CCA and the Mar Thoma Theological Seminary helped in enriching the participants and enabled them to reflect on ways of addressing contemporary challenges in parish ministry through practical and effective solutions.
John Paul Devakumar, programme associate of CCA remarked that the positive feedback from attendees underscores the impact of the deliberations during the Conference and the need for training the theological students’ community in Asia in good governance, integrity leadership and stewardship in pastoral ministry.
