Towards Wider Ecumenical Dreams: Becoming One in Christ

When I had a personal interaction with the CNI Bishop Rt Rev Vinod Victor (Deputy Moderator of CNI) in Edinburgh after my talk in the Action of the Churches Together in 1997, I never thought the Bishop would ask me a straight forward question. The question was – Josh, do you think further union is possible in India between the existing churches. I told him in the presence of a few others that yes Bishop if you can lead us it will be possible. Then he came back with a vision of establishing and strengthening Council of Churches in India. Since then I have expressed in many of my interactions with Bishops about the possibilities of bringing the churches together into a possible union which may be called as Church of India. For me as a Christian I would to see this union in my lifetime. This union need not be based on the same model like that of CSI and CNI. The churches can maintain their identity, worship rituals and doctrines but can come under this name – The Church of India. The Church of South India, The Church of North India and also the Marthoma Churches can come together under this banner where each one will have their own identity but share a common name.
This is not the end of union but can be in constant dialogue with each other in order to integrate, understand, nourish and correct each other. If there is a Church of India then the administration we may have to decentralize the present systems. Marthoma church may take her time to share the administrative responsibilities rather be allowed to maintain her own administration. But other regions can be divided into four or five major regions- South (Chennai), South West (Mumbai), North (Delhi), North East (Calcutta). One can think of four moderators who would share the regional responsibilities and work with a president at Nagpur (which can serve as a headquarters). Other churches too can join in this ecumenical union.
Ecumenical union is not the only primary goal of the churches but also to represent the churches altogether. This also will address the issue of Christian fundamentalism. We can raise our voices as one voice along with other major denominations against certain groups that are trying to create misunderstanding of Christians among others. Even Lutherans, Evangelical Church of India, Methodists and Presbyterians can also be invited to join in this wider union. If a kind of union works out then it is possible that we Christians will be able to talk to the Government of India face to face. We can also raise issues against the anti-poverty decisions and corruptive leaders and so on. We need to work towards this union as it would help the churches to grow further, set a model for other churches in the world to follow and also be critical of herself in the process of growing.
Jesus prayed that they all may be one. We are called to come together in Christ. Though we are different in doctrines, practices and life-style we are part of the body of Christ and so we can change this world if we come together. This structure is not to replace any other institutional structures. We can work together for a wider mission and ministry if we not only come together but also work together in our country which is increasingly becoming volatile country prone to terrorism and conflicts. Only when we build our base in Christ a radical step can be taken. A radical step cannot be taken only at Bishops’ level but also at the level of lay persons who need to understand the need for unity among Christians and one voice from Christians.
I now belong to a generation that thinks differently than before. We do not want people to divide ourselves even though we understand and respect the importance of our traditions, uniqueness of our doctrines and also our own ways of worshipping God. We do not want any more of divisions and fight in the name of these denominations and would like to see that in our age the churches become one. Even the fears such as one region may take over other regions in terms of administration and jobs should also be addressed in the union. The younger generation (if I may say so) would like to see that there is a radical union that is formed by the churches in India. We would be happy if churches are seriously involved as one church in eliminating poverty, in removing the discrimination in any form, in bringing awareness about human dignity, in bringing between warring communities and in establishing a culture of peace, dialogue and co-existence. Our Christian mission has also to be strengthened rather than as cherishing denominationalism elsewhere. Our witness should not be done in establishing proof for each other’s denomination doctrines rather by coming together and by serving each other and also those outside our folds. For this unless we are united, democratized, decentralized and bridged we may not succeed in doing mission. This is the right time for us to face globalization and growth of fundamentalism together and engage together under one church and thus bring about God’s Kingdom on earth.
I pray that the prayer of Jesus that they all may be one shall continue to become reality in our Indian church within a few years of time. I spoke this meditation to a group of theological students from all over India who came to Ecumenical Christian Centre Bangalore (2005 May). I realized that many of them found this very relevant and would pray for the unity of the churches in India today – specifically for the union of the Churches in India towards The Church of India.
Rev Dr Joshva Raja
Department of Communication United Theological College
Bangalore