As a Christian leader there are many voices that call out to you. Voices in distress, voices seeking a listening ear, voices of desperation, voices wanting others to join in celebration. Every Christian leader must be good listener. We must be sensitive and responsive to those who seek our ministry. We must even sometimes seek out those who do not actively seek us. Ministry is about reaching out to others and improving their quality of life to the glory of Christ.
As we listen to others we must note that there are some voices that we are prone to ignore. These are the voices that come from our homes. The voices of our children, our spouses, those who eat at the same table with us. We often take them for granted. We allow the other voices to crowd them out. We place them on a waiting list. Our families are crying. They want us to celebrate with them, share in their pain, cry with them, be silent and comfortable in their presence.
Ever so often our family members reach out to us, not for our wisdom or expertise but for our loving, reassuring presence. They need to know we care and that we love them. They reach out for us not because we impress them but because they love us.
Those of us who cannot listen to voices from home damage our own credibility as we seek to answer to the many calls from outside. Every leader must declare: "I am on call and my family has my special number."
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Make 2010 – “YEAR AGAINST CRIME”
It was simply a sickening sight to watch two popular promoters of violence, lewdness and crudity parading at a press conference put on by Jamaica House. Their sardonic laughter as they knocked head was painful to the ears. What is even more hurtful is that our leaders felt they were doing a good thing by having a high profile meeting with these two entertainers. Taxpayers are groaning understanding fully well that this whole charade redound more to the benefit of the two men than to the nation. Our leaders have wasted taxpayers time and money in giving free national promotion to these men.
I felt deep sympathy for Daryl Vaz as he was saddled with the responsibility to outline the plan of action going forward to deal with the Gaza – Gully war. The plans are at best well intentioned but very juvenile and more of a ban aid than a cure. If the situation were not so serious I would have burst out laughing. Our politicians have been taken for a ride that they had to pay for and also do the driving and the conducting.
The Gaza-Gully issue points to some bigger challenges that confront us as a nation. I am not getting this sense from our leaders that they know what to do or are willing to do what is necessary. We have heard it time and time again that the response to Jamaica’s crime problem must be multi-dimensional. We have to view the crime problem through social, moral, economic and spiritual lenses. We therefore need resources but more than anything else leadership with courage, character and creativity.
Here are some suggestions to the Prime Minister:
1. Declare January to December of 2010 as “Year Against Crime”
2. Have members of civil society along with politicians from both sides to lead the process.
3. Decide on some achievable targets and make these known to the nation.
4. Fast track supporting legislation through Parliament.
5. Pull resources and expertise from other jurisdiction which had the same crime problems as we have but have made tremendous progress in taming this two headed monster called crime and violence. .
6. Select communities in Kingston, Mobay and May Pen that are breeding ground for crime and have deliberate and sustained social and economic interventions.
7. Intensify the media campaign against crime and violence. Get the three wealthy telecommunications companies to lead in this campaign both in design and sponsorship.
8. Ask religious groups to broaden their community involvement and their proclamation of the Gospel during this year.
9. Have a zero tolerance approach to law breakers including traffic violations, petty crime, domestic violence, police bribery and drug offences.
10. Make the law a shackle in 2010.
We need leadership for this to happen. We cannot look to the Gaza and Gully crews to take us out of the gutter we are in. Every politician, religious leader, police, business leader must talk tough against crime and support out talk with our walk. It is now or never. We must act or continue to die.
I felt deep sympathy for Daryl Vaz as he was saddled with the responsibility to outline the plan of action going forward to deal with the Gaza – Gully war. The plans are at best well intentioned but very juvenile and more of a ban aid than a cure. If the situation were not so serious I would have burst out laughing. Our politicians have been taken for a ride that they had to pay for and also do the driving and the conducting.
The Gaza-Gully issue points to some bigger challenges that confront us as a nation. I am not getting this sense from our leaders that they know what to do or are willing to do what is necessary. We have heard it time and time again that the response to Jamaica’s crime problem must be multi-dimensional. We have to view the crime problem through social, moral, economic and spiritual lenses. We therefore need resources but more than anything else leadership with courage, character and creativity.
Here are some suggestions to the Prime Minister:
1. Declare January to December of 2010 as “Year Against Crime”
2. Have members of civil society along with politicians from both sides to lead the process.
3. Decide on some achievable targets and make these known to the nation.
4. Fast track supporting legislation through Parliament.
5. Pull resources and expertise from other jurisdiction which had the same crime problems as we have but have made tremendous progress in taming this two headed monster called crime and violence. .
6. Select communities in Kingston, Mobay and May Pen that are breeding ground for crime and have deliberate and sustained social and economic interventions.
7. Intensify the media campaign against crime and violence. Get the three wealthy telecommunications companies to lead in this campaign both in design and sponsorship.
8. Ask religious groups to broaden their community involvement and their proclamation of the Gospel during this year.
9. Have a zero tolerance approach to law breakers including traffic violations, petty crime, domestic violence, police bribery and drug offences.
10. Make the law a shackle in 2010.
We need leadership for this to happen. We cannot look to the Gaza and Gully crews to take us out of the gutter we are in. Every politician, religious leader, police, business leader must talk tough against crime and support out talk with our walk. It is now or never. We must act or continue to die.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Jamaica is Burning!!
Jamaica is on fire and our leaders are busy rearranging the furniture. The act of vandalizing and burning vehicles in Portmore and the reported half-hearted response of the police is cause for great concern. The reports about our missing children are sending shrills up the spines of many decent family loving Jamaicans. We fear for our children. In the midst of a nation steeped in aggression and belligerence we continue to argue about the merit of music entertainers whose lyrics are lewd, violent and crass. Imagine people getting uptight about banding sound systems from public transportation!
Our nation is in crisis!! There is need for action now!! For any action to succeed and have sustainable impact there is need for courageous, selfless leadership of the highest integrity. This leadership must come from the church, civil society and the political directorate.
The church is busy seeking to preserve its own traditions and appears to be caught in a deep slumber while “Rome burns”. The word to church leaders and members like me is, “Awake Zion awake!!” Our mission as a church is to live and declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to wrestle against principles and powers that seek to dehumanize and destroy our nation. Have we as a church been sidetracked from our mission? Have we become caught up in entertainment and a gospel of ease and comfort? The call is for a renewal of commitment to our core mission which will lead us to promote good and expose and war against evil in the power of the Spirit. We must lead the change that the nation seeks.
The past few days have been very frustrating for me as a Jamaican. The source of my frustration is the seeming inability of our political leadership to make the necessary strategic moves that could possible move us further along the path of restoring of law and order to this country. Our leadership is either incompetent, fearful or corrupt. Simple legislation that Parliament needs to enact to give greater support to the security forces and the judiciary is languishing in ‘never never land’ while our leaders philosophize about our cultural and social decline.
I sympathize with the DPP and the Acting Commissioner of Police as they struggle with the mammoth task of fighting crime and corruption in this country. We have complicated a simple extradition matter leaving many Jamaicans to surmise that the government is giving special protection to its allies.
There is a leadership vacuum that needs to be filled in this country. If the church and civil society do fill it fast then the space will be occupied by the most undesirable of characters. It is time for action!
Our nation is in crisis!! There is need for action now!! For any action to succeed and have sustainable impact there is need for courageous, selfless leadership of the highest integrity. This leadership must come from the church, civil society and the political directorate.
The church is busy seeking to preserve its own traditions and appears to be caught in a deep slumber while “Rome burns”. The word to church leaders and members like me is, “Awake Zion awake!!” Our mission as a church is to live and declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to wrestle against principles and powers that seek to dehumanize and destroy our nation. Have we as a church been sidetracked from our mission? Have we become caught up in entertainment and a gospel of ease and comfort? The call is for a renewal of commitment to our core mission which will lead us to promote good and expose and war against evil in the power of the Spirit. We must lead the change that the nation seeks.
The past few days have been very frustrating for me as a Jamaican. The source of my frustration is the seeming inability of our political leadership to make the necessary strategic moves that could possible move us further along the path of restoring of law and order to this country. Our leadership is either incompetent, fearful or corrupt. Simple legislation that Parliament needs to enact to give greater support to the security forces and the judiciary is languishing in ‘never never land’ while our leaders philosophize about our cultural and social decline.
I sympathize with the DPP and the Acting Commissioner of Police as they struggle with the mammoth task of fighting crime and corruption in this country. We have complicated a simple extradition matter leaving many Jamaicans to surmise that the government is giving special protection to its allies.
There is a leadership vacuum that needs to be filled in this country. If the church and civil society do fill it fast then the space will be occupied by the most undesirable of characters. It is time for action!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
FUNERALS THAT MATTER
Yesterday was a special and meaningful day in my life. I attended the funeral of my friend’s mother. Funerals are occasions that are laced with an abundance of pain and grief. Sometimes the pomp of funerals demonstrate more regard for the vanity of the living than the honour of the dead. The grief mixed with the pomp and pageantry at some funerals can sometimes be so agonizing that you long and yearn for the benediction in order to beat a hasty retreat. There are some funerals that after the tributes and eulogy have ended those present begin to wonder if they attended the wrong funeral.
The funeral of Zettie Vernon was far from being torturous or pompous as the east is from the west. Attending this funeral was a blessing that God bestowed on me that I didn’t deserve. The ceremony was well structured without being officious. I met Mother Zettie all over again and am convinced that the dead have voices. Her life spoke eloquently of her passion for God and the work of God, her love and care for people and her commitment to truth and fairness. Zetty was both a Mary and a Martha. This was echoed by all who spoke. Those who gave tributes struggled with words, not because they couldn’t find what to say but to the contrary, they had so much that they could say. All who participated directly knew her personally. There were no paid mourners. Those who were in attendance who didn’t know mourned because they felt cheated to have missed out on relating to one of Jesus’ friend.
There was a spirit of worship at the service. I couldn’t help but reflect on the words of Job, ‘the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord’. The name of the Lord was indeed exalted through melodious singing, passionate soul stirring preaching and exuberant praise. The Hymn ‘Great Is thy Faithfulness’ took on new meaning as it was rendered with genuineness and great skill. Mother Vernon had an overflow of God’s presence in her life and this was evident even at her funeral.
I left the graveside of my friend’s mother in a very reflective mood. I pondered deeply about the legacy that I will leave behind for my children and for the next generation. Will those who come behind me find me faithful? I was reminded that in life people matter more than anything else. We came with nothing in the world and will leave with nothing but can leave behind inestimable and incalculable gifts for those whose lives we touched. Mother Vernon’s funeral has spurred me on to raise the quality of my life. She has caused me to confess that I have not paid enough attention to human relationships. She has placed me on a path of repentance. I have to pass where she lived everyday in order to reach my home. I know that the daily trek by her earthly house will be a constant reminder to me that if I live as the friend of God then in His time he will call me home and even angels will rejoice.
Zettie Vernon you have renewed my belief in the theological statement, ‘Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. I can hear you saying, “Let no one weep for me, or celebrate my funeral with mourning; for I still live, as I pass to and fro through the mouths of men”
The funeral of Zettie Vernon was far from being torturous or pompous as the east is from the west. Attending this funeral was a blessing that God bestowed on me that I didn’t deserve. The ceremony was well structured without being officious. I met Mother Zettie all over again and am convinced that the dead have voices. Her life spoke eloquently of her passion for God and the work of God, her love and care for people and her commitment to truth and fairness. Zetty was both a Mary and a Martha. This was echoed by all who spoke. Those who gave tributes struggled with words, not because they couldn’t find what to say but to the contrary, they had so much that they could say. All who participated directly knew her personally. There were no paid mourners. Those who were in attendance who didn’t know mourned because they felt cheated to have missed out on relating to one of Jesus’ friend.
There was a spirit of worship at the service. I couldn’t help but reflect on the words of Job, ‘the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord’. The name of the Lord was indeed exalted through melodious singing, passionate soul stirring preaching and exuberant praise. The Hymn ‘Great Is thy Faithfulness’ took on new meaning as it was rendered with genuineness and great skill. Mother Vernon had an overflow of God’s presence in her life and this was evident even at her funeral.
I left the graveside of my friend’s mother in a very reflective mood. I pondered deeply about the legacy that I will leave behind for my children and for the next generation. Will those who come behind me find me faithful? I was reminded that in life people matter more than anything else. We came with nothing in the world and will leave with nothing but can leave behind inestimable and incalculable gifts for those whose lives we touched. Mother Vernon’s funeral has spurred me on to raise the quality of my life. She has caused me to confess that I have not paid enough attention to human relationships. She has placed me on a path of repentance. I have to pass where she lived everyday in order to reach my home. I know that the daily trek by her earthly house will be a constant reminder to me that if I live as the friend of God then in His time he will call me home and even angels will rejoice.
Zettie Vernon you have renewed my belief in the theological statement, ‘Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. I can hear you saying, “Let no one weep for me, or celebrate my funeral with mourning; for I still live, as I pass to and fro through the mouths of men”
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Spiritual Formation and the Christian
Spiritual formation speaks to the life of growth in the Spirit. It is taking the journey of obedience and surrender. It is best seen in two ways - crisis and process. As Pentecostals wrestle with how to deal with this subject it is useful to pull from our Wesleyan and Holiness tradition. Spiritual formation has its genesis in the conversion experience. Conversion is regarded by some as the crisis moment in the life of the converted. It is this moment of dramatic change. We are baptized into the body of Christ. We receive a new identity, new values, new direction, new hope , new destiny. This experience should lead the believer along a path of seeking, learning, yielding and following. The crisis without the process will eventually lead to stagnation and frustration. The lack of an engaging process has led many to manifest a false spirituality - a spirituality that is shallow, without substance and cannot handle struggle and temptation.
Spiritual formation should not be optional. It should also be intentional. It must be Christian. We must seek to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. This growth begins when the believer understands that he or she must be an active participant in his or her own formation. There is a negative and positive side to formation. There is the deliberate abandoning of those principles and practices that are against God and seek to dishonour God's holy name. The apostle Paul constantly tells believers to flee sinful desires, to mortify the flesh put off the old man etc. He also challenges the believer to clothe himself with godliness, to be kind, to live holy and to pursue righteousness. While all this is going on there is the reliance on the Lord to who is at work in us to accomplish his good pleasure.
The practice of spiritual disciplines will help the believer to discern between good and evil, excellence and mediocrity. It is the empowering by the Holy Spirit that will enable the believer to live the Spirit filled life.
Spiritual formation also takes place within the context of healthy relations where relationship skills are developed and emotional wellness is achieved. Spiritual maturity is not a destination, it is a journey. Those who take this trek will be tested but their lives will be marked by sound character, a servant heart, commitment to loving life changing service, tenacity and fixity of purpose in the face of glittering illusions and deceptions.
To refuse to engage in the process of spiritual formation is to expose yourself to becoming DEFORMED.
Spiritual formation should not be optional. It should also be intentional. It must be Christian. We must seek to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. This growth begins when the believer understands that he or she must be an active participant in his or her own formation. There is a negative and positive side to formation. There is the deliberate abandoning of those principles and practices that are against God and seek to dishonour God's holy name. The apostle Paul constantly tells believers to flee sinful desires, to mortify the flesh put off the old man etc. He also challenges the believer to clothe himself with godliness, to be kind, to live holy and to pursue righteousness. While all this is going on there is the reliance on the Lord to who is at work in us to accomplish his good pleasure.
The practice of spiritual disciplines will help the believer to discern between good and evil, excellence and mediocrity. It is the empowering by the Holy Spirit that will enable the believer to live the Spirit filled life.
Spiritual formation also takes place within the context of healthy relations where relationship skills are developed and emotional wellness is achieved. Spiritual maturity is not a destination, it is a journey. Those who take this trek will be tested but their lives will be marked by sound character, a servant heart, commitment to loving life changing service, tenacity and fixity of purpose in the face of glittering illusions and deceptions.
To refuse to engage in the process of spiritual formation is to expose yourself to becoming DEFORMED.
Monday, February 9, 2009
BROADCASTING COMMISSION – MORE TO BE DONE
I applaud the recent announcement of the Broadcasting Commission to ban from the airwaves lewd and sexually explicit lyrics that celebrate a culture of sexual looseness and irresponsibility. When I was growing up as a child there were certain songs that were banned from the radio because they were deemed not worthy for airplay. The Commission was asleep for a very long time and it would seem that their eyes and ears are still closed to other popular expressions that are just as shameful as daggering.
In this increasingly liberal and laizze a faire atmosphere this ban should send a strong signal to parents and families in general to be more vigilant about what their youngsters imbibe. We must be conscious of the fact that those who produce and promote these songs do not have the interest of our families at heart. The bottom line for them is money, profit. If it ‘sell off’ then - give the people more of what they want. Even if more means damaging the psyche of our youngsters, distorting their views of sex, give the people what they want. The bottom line is greed and the quest for fame and fortune.
The families and schools need to do more. We must remember that even though we may ban much of the filth from our public broastcast airwaves our youngsters have greater access to sexual lewdness than we could ever imagine. It is frightening what we can listen to watch and read with one click of the mouse. With the amazing technology that is available today everything is coming downstream – not only x-rated lyrics but video clips from you tube, movies – its all there and its all free. One may then wonder what is the value behind what the broadcasting commission has done. I suggest that the action is valuable in that:
1. It sends a strong signal to the nation that the leaders have a concern about morality in this country and are willing to make decisions that are politically incorrect in some quarters to protect the values of this country.
2. The action of the commission also sends a signal to us that all of us need to play our part in putting a stop to the downward moral slide of this nation. We cannot allow ourselves to be overwhelmed we must do something. When each family or institution plays its part the collective impact can be significant.
If the nation does not intensify its action against moral irresponsibility in this nation then we are going to reap what we sow. Am I been ludicrous when I say that there are some things we can learn from countries like China and Cuba. There are very deliberate in blocking things from the airwaves that they deem detrimental to their national values and to the health of their people. Will we in this country ever find the courage and the will to put our people first and take decisions like these even though they may be unpopular. Who monitors the cable network in this country? Maybe the church needs to add its voice, where is the JCC, the JEA and other such organizations? Let us come forward because our nation is in moral crisis.
In this increasingly liberal and laizze a faire atmosphere this ban should send a strong signal to parents and families in general to be more vigilant about what their youngsters imbibe. We must be conscious of the fact that those who produce and promote these songs do not have the interest of our families at heart. The bottom line for them is money, profit. If it ‘sell off’ then - give the people more of what they want. Even if more means damaging the psyche of our youngsters, distorting their views of sex, give the people what they want. The bottom line is greed and the quest for fame and fortune.
The families and schools need to do more. We must remember that even though we may ban much of the filth from our public broastcast airwaves our youngsters have greater access to sexual lewdness than we could ever imagine. It is frightening what we can listen to watch and read with one click of the mouse. With the amazing technology that is available today everything is coming downstream – not only x-rated lyrics but video clips from you tube, movies – its all there and its all free. One may then wonder what is the value behind what the broadcasting commission has done. I suggest that the action is valuable in that:
1. It sends a strong signal to the nation that the leaders have a concern about morality in this country and are willing to make decisions that are politically incorrect in some quarters to protect the values of this country.
2. The action of the commission also sends a signal to us that all of us need to play our part in putting a stop to the downward moral slide of this nation. We cannot allow ourselves to be overwhelmed we must do something. When each family or institution plays its part the collective impact can be significant.
If the nation does not intensify its action against moral irresponsibility in this nation then we are going to reap what we sow. Am I been ludicrous when I say that there are some things we can learn from countries like China and Cuba. There are very deliberate in blocking things from the airwaves that they deem detrimental to their national values and to the health of their people. Will we in this country ever find the courage and the will to put our people first and take decisions like these even though they may be unpopular. Who monitors the cable network in this country? Maybe the church needs to add its voice, where is the JCC, the JEA and other such organizations? Let us come forward because our nation is in moral crisis.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Theogical Schools: Relevance and Viability
Theological training institutions in our region are at a point where there is need for renewal. The major concerns pertain to relevance and viability.
RELEVANCE
It is certainly a challenge to develop leaders who can minister effectively in a pluralistic, quasi- religious postmodern age. There is the constant wrestling between logic and faith, doctrinal preaching and sensational seeker driven, entertaining, motivational, psychologically driven speech making that goes on today. The wrestling is also between relevance and currency, the scientific and the non scientific. One of the critical questions that theological schools have to face today relates to the purpose of their training. What space do we train our graduates to occupy when they leave the walls of the seminary? Do we train them for church or for global leadership, for the world or for both?
FINANCIAL CHALLENGES
A significant number of theological schools are experiencing substantive and enduring financial challenges that threaten their ability to stay afloat and be faithful to their respective missions. We have to wrestle with how to ameliorate the impact of this stress and build healthier financial futures for these institutions.
TACKLING THE ISSUE OF RELEVANCE
The answer is not as clear cut as some may suppose. Unfortunately for many in this postmodern age to be relevant means to be tolerant and tolerance for some really means not only understanding the views of others but goes further into embracing them while not abandoning yours. What compounds the issue is that while wrestling with the issue of relevance and commitment to core values there is the issue of viability. In many Carribbean territories the rate of growth of the church is steadily declining and with that a decline in the demand for trained full time clergy. Added to this reduced demand is the fact that the desires of many to honour the call of God to full time ministry have been quenched.
It is very important as we wrestle with the issues of relevance and vitability that we underscore the fact that there is a difference between relevance and currency. We can be easily led into believing that an issue is not relevant because it is not current. It is critical that we remain committed to not only teaching and preaching Biblical truths but also set our values and lifestyle based on these truths. This may allow us to sound and appear politically incorrect but that is a non issue as long we remain faithful to God's truths. In his 2001 volume, Pagans in the Pew, Proffessor Peter Jones, warns us against allowing relativity, compromise and civility without principle to replace the anti-thetical clear cut thinking of Scripture.
The seminary has to prepare men and women to confront the issues of the times using tried and tested biblical teachings combined with other foundational disciplines. We are living in a world where persons have institionalized divorce, abortion, homosexuality and same sex marriage. We are also living in times of growing avarice and greed existing alongside poverty and dehumanizing conditions, brutal and senseless warfare, environmental destruction, technological advancement and moral decadence. This is our time - the best of times and the worst of times. It is obvious that the consciousness of the age has changed. The seminary must wrestle with these issues.
In light of this there needs be the strengthening our offerings in Christian Ethics, contemporary theologies, community development, conflict resolution, mediation, family development and the church and society. Our mission majors will have to be adjusted. They must reflect a genuine interest in the total lives, cultures and experiences of people as we seek to share with them how the message and way of Jesus can equip them for capacity building and can add immense value to their social capital and certainty about their eternal future. In order for the seminary to produce relevant global leaders it is important that the denominations that sponsor and support these seminaries be willing to engage in serious dialogue about change and renewal. The seminary cannot perceive itself as an exclusive club that indulges in high sounding esoteric chatter that is understood only by a select few intellectual elites. There is need to take the seminary to church and the church to the seminary but equally important is the need to take both to the market place. The church strengthened by the seminary must carry out its ministry in the market place.
TACKLING FINANCIAL STRESS
In order for the theological institutions to become more viable they must offer more short term programmes to meet the needs of the laity. Seminaries are known for their inflexibility. That must change. Some of the names of the courses need to be changed so that persons can better understand what they are about. For example why not change hermeneutics to how to interpret the Bible? More evening and week end programmes will not only attract laity but will increase the funds that come to these institutions. It is also important that those who have been trained at the seminary be invited back to renew themselves and benefit from new insights, and take intellectual and spiritual sabbatical. The seminary can become a stream in the desert for weary pastors who need revival.
Theological institutions must also be willing to engage in partnerships with each other and also with liberal arts institutions without sacrificing their core values and missions. The days of the purist seminary may be coming to an end. Persons must be able to come to theological colleges and do programmes in social work, early childhood education, community development while getting exposure to core biblical, theological and philosophical courses. We must remember that we are preparing people not just for church but for the world. Theological schools must move away from the narrow notion of training persons only for pastoral ministry. Perhaps the greatest ministry needs are outside of the church and the school of the prophets must be willing to equip persons to tackle these needs.
It is also critical for these institutions to adopt sound financial and management principles and practices. Each school will have to commit itself toexcellence in the areas of governance, administration, institutional planning and assessment. It certainly cannot be business as usual because this will lead to bankruptcy.
I know that this dialogue must continue as we all seek to make theological institutions more relevant and viable.
RELEVANCE
It is certainly a challenge to develop leaders who can minister effectively in a pluralistic, quasi- religious postmodern age. There is the constant wrestling between logic and faith, doctrinal preaching and sensational seeker driven, entertaining, motivational, psychologically driven speech making that goes on today. The wrestling is also between relevance and currency, the scientific and the non scientific. One of the critical questions that theological schools have to face today relates to the purpose of their training. What space do we train our graduates to occupy when they leave the walls of the seminary? Do we train them for church or for global leadership, for the world or for both?
FINANCIAL CHALLENGES
A significant number of theological schools are experiencing substantive and enduring financial challenges that threaten their ability to stay afloat and be faithful to their respective missions. We have to wrestle with how to ameliorate the impact of this stress and build healthier financial futures for these institutions.
TACKLING THE ISSUE OF RELEVANCE
The answer is not as clear cut as some may suppose. Unfortunately for many in this postmodern age to be relevant means to be tolerant and tolerance for some really means not only understanding the views of others but goes further into embracing them while not abandoning yours. What compounds the issue is that while wrestling with the issue of relevance and commitment to core values there is the issue of viability. In many Carribbean territories the rate of growth of the church is steadily declining and with that a decline in the demand for trained full time clergy. Added to this reduced demand is the fact that the desires of many to honour the call of God to full time ministry have been quenched.
It is very important as we wrestle with the issues of relevance and vitability that we underscore the fact that there is a difference between relevance and currency. We can be easily led into believing that an issue is not relevant because it is not current. It is critical that we remain committed to not only teaching and preaching Biblical truths but also set our values and lifestyle based on these truths. This may allow us to sound and appear politically incorrect but that is a non issue as long we remain faithful to God's truths. In his 2001 volume, Pagans in the Pew, Proffessor Peter Jones, warns us against allowing relativity, compromise and civility without principle to replace the anti-thetical clear cut thinking of Scripture.
The seminary has to prepare men and women to confront the issues of the times using tried and tested biblical teachings combined with other foundational disciplines. We are living in a world where persons have institionalized divorce, abortion, homosexuality and same sex marriage. We are also living in times of growing avarice and greed existing alongside poverty and dehumanizing conditions, brutal and senseless warfare, environmental destruction, technological advancement and moral decadence. This is our time - the best of times and the worst of times. It is obvious that the consciousness of the age has changed. The seminary must wrestle with these issues.
In light of this there needs be the strengthening our offerings in Christian Ethics, contemporary theologies, community development, conflict resolution, mediation, family development and the church and society. Our mission majors will have to be adjusted. They must reflect a genuine interest in the total lives, cultures and experiences of people as we seek to share with them how the message and way of Jesus can equip them for capacity building and can add immense value to their social capital and certainty about their eternal future. In order for the seminary to produce relevant global leaders it is important that the denominations that sponsor and support these seminaries be willing to engage in serious dialogue about change and renewal. The seminary cannot perceive itself as an exclusive club that indulges in high sounding esoteric chatter that is understood only by a select few intellectual elites. There is need to take the seminary to church and the church to the seminary but equally important is the need to take both to the market place. The church strengthened by the seminary must carry out its ministry in the market place.
TACKLING FINANCIAL STRESS
In order for the theological institutions to become more viable they must offer more short term programmes to meet the needs of the laity. Seminaries are known for their inflexibility. That must change. Some of the names of the courses need to be changed so that persons can better understand what they are about. For example why not change hermeneutics to how to interpret the Bible? More evening and week end programmes will not only attract laity but will increase the funds that come to these institutions. It is also important that those who have been trained at the seminary be invited back to renew themselves and benefit from new insights, and take intellectual and spiritual sabbatical. The seminary can become a stream in the desert for weary pastors who need revival.
Theological institutions must also be willing to engage in partnerships with each other and also with liberal arts institutions without sacrificing their core values and missions. The days of the purist seminary may be coming to an end. Persons must be able to come to theological colleges and do programmes in social work, early childhood education, community development while getting exposure to core biblical, theological and philosophical courses. We must remember that we are preparing people not just for church but for the world. Theological schools must move away from the narrow notion of training persons only for pastoral ministry. Perhaps the greatest ministry needs are outside of the church and the school of the prophets must be willing to equip persons to tackle these needs.
It is also critical for these institutions to adopt sound financial and management principles and practices. Each school will have to commit itself toexcellence in the areas of governance, administration, institutional planning and assessment. It certainly cannot be business as usual because this will lead to bankruptcy.
I know that this dialogue must continue as we all seek to make theological institutions more relevant and viable.
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