Institute for Excellence in India: Update 3

Dear friends and colleagues,

In my previous update I described some of what makes North East India unique in comparison with the rest of the country.  Whereas the “mainland” of India is dominated by Hinduism and Hindu culture, for 150 years the tribal people of North East India have shown remarkable receptivity to the Gospel.  Large Baptist church buildings, usually located on the highest plot of each mountain village, dominate the skyline.

In God’s workings, the churches of NE India are strongly missional in outlook.  In the 1950’s the Indian government believed that Western missionaries were supporting the independence movements in this region, and expelled all Westerners.  The NE churches understood that the leadership of the church was now in their hands, as was the responsibility  of the unfinished task to carry the Gospel to parts yet unreached.  The result was a strong missionary movement, entirely resourced by the Indian Baptist congregations.

Local congregations are generous in their missions giving.  It’s not unusual for a congregation to devote half of their budget to cross-cultural missions.  These are not wealthy churches by Western standards, and so their generous commitment is all the more remarkable and exemplary.

Laiu Facchai, the Indian missionary I mentioned in my last update, now directs SIM’s sending office here in NE India.  Over the past two years they have been the vehicle for sending out 18 new missionaries.  The Baptist associations in this region are responsible for many, many more.

While it is difficult to obtain long-term visas for missionaries from the West who wish to work in India, missionaries coming from NE India obviously have no such problems.  And, so the churches in this part of India have a unique opportunity to share the gospel with their Hindu neighbors in the mainland.

Seminaries here play a strategic role in promoting missions among their student bodies.  Students go on short-term mission trips.  God’s redemptive purpose for all nations is taught in Bible and theology courses, as well as courses focused particularly on the practice of missions.  It seems that a sizeable proportion of students have cross-cultural ministry as a calling for ministry after graduation.

This missions movement is not of the old paradigm, “from the West to the rest” (if that ever was the old paradigm).  Rather, it exemplifies what is happening in many parts of the world where Christ is worshipped as the Lord of all nations.  The new paradigm is “from every where to every where.”

In a few hours Dr Ashish and I will be returning to Bangalore, in South India.  The Institute for Excellence, which begins tomorrow will be hosted by SAIACS, the South Asia Institute for Advanced Christian Studies.  Three dozen leaders of seminaries from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal will be learning to think about what it means to have a financially sustainable seminary, and how to move increasingly in that direction.  Following the example of total indigenous support for missions in North East India, Christian leadership development should also be “owned” by the churches themselves.  Pray for the Lord’s hand to move among us this week.

Warmly in Christ,

Scott

Northeast India: a culture defined by tribe and clan

Dear friends and colleagues,

North East India (NEI) is the backwater of this great country.  On a map you’ll see how it’s connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land bordered by Nepal and Bangladesh, and then opens up to become seven states known as “the tribal areas.”  While those in NEI are Indians by passport, the region is undeniably distinct from the rest of the country, and not only in its remote geography.

Economically, it is impoverished compared to the great cities of South and North India like Bangalore or Delhi.  Electricity goes off regularly during the high demand times in the evening.  Buildings are more modest in size and construction.  And, people prefer jeep-type vehicles to better negotiate the mountain roads.

The facial features of the typical NEI resident appear to be more closely related to those of Chinese or Southeast Asian extraction.  My new friends here tell me they are often mistaken as foreigners when travelling to other parts of their own country.

The culture in these parts is tribal in character.  While most of India is dominated by Hinduism with its caste system, here tribe and clan identity are more significant cultural markers.  Even the church is not exempt from this influence.  Every tribe, for instance, no matter how small in number, wants to have its “own” Bible college or seminary, regardless of the proximity of another seminary offering similar programs.

The most remarkable feature of NEI is the widespread receptivity to the Gospel, which was brought to these parts by Baptist missionaries 150 years ago.  Today Christianity is the “default” religion in the entire region and in some areas 9 out of 10 people would claim to be Christians.  For the most part these are evangelical congregations, though nominalism is a significant challenge.

While in Nigeria one of the first missionaries I met from a non-traditional sending country was Liau Facchai.  Liau and his wife Debbie were serving with SIM in a seminary in Ghana, West Africa.  It came as somewhat of a surprise to me to know of a missionary who had come from India, a country known to me previously as a destination of missionaries, not as a sending country!  “Some day I’d like to see for myself this significant pocket of Christian faith, sending forth the Light, even while surrounded by a sea of Hindus, Muslims, and Buddhists.”  And, by God’s grace, I finally have the opportunity.

For three days two dozen seminary leaders from NEI have gathered to learn how to strengthen their relationship with their congregations and denominations.  It’s been a very encouraging time of discussion, reflection, and presentations.  While somewhat constrained by a traditional system of theological education (originating with the college started by missionary William Carey almost 200 years ago), the seminary principals here have voiced their intentions to respond more effectively to the real needs of Christian leadership.

Tomorrow Dr Ashish and I will be making our way on a four-hour journey over mountain roads to visit one of the seminaries taking part in this mini-Institute.  On Monday we’ll return to Bangalore where next week we’ll be holding our regular Institute for Excellence.

Warmly in Christ,

Scott

(Dean of OC Institutes)

Juxtaposition of Mercy: William Carrey, Mother Theresa and Kali

Dear friends,

Dr Ashish Chripal (our Overseas Council Regional Director for Asia) and myself have made a brief stop-over on our way to Northeast India for a mini-Institute for the 8 Baptist seminaries in that remote district.  But, in Kalkota (the current spelling of the name), the ground has proven to be spiritually dry and hard.  Kalkota is the largest metropolitan area in all of India, with 20 to 25 million people (give or take a few million!).  This is the city where the “Father of Modern Missions,” William Carey labored for seven years before seeing the first convert.  Mother Theresa served Kalkota’s poor and marginalized.  Despite centuries’ of Christian witness, in word and deed, those who follow Christ make up less that 1% of the city’s residents.

Photography by Jessica Samples

Yesterday Ashish and I had the opportunity to visit one of several places where Mother Theresa served.  It’s a modest two-storey colonial style building with the name “Home for the Sick, Dying, and Destitute” painted above doorway.  It doesn’t stand out, buy you’ll also see a three-foot crucifix above the building, off to the side.  Here Hindus would bring those at the very bottom of the social ladder, the sick and destitute who had no hope for medical care. Here the Sisters of Mercy care for them in the last days of their earthly, caring for them and treating them with dignity, as those who are also share in God’s image.

In remarkable contrast, the adjacent compound is the temple to the goddess Kali, one of millions in the Hindu pantheon.  Kali is known as a blood-thirsty deity, and every morning goats and chickens are sacrificed as offerings, the blood brought to the idol and placed on her long tongue.  In our afternoon visit we were caught up with a jostling crowd of hundreds of devotees passing through the six-foot wide hallway to get a glimpse of her image and throw flowers as offerings.  Her worshippers hope she will be satisfied with these offerings, because then she will bless them with health and wealth.  She may give the barren woman a child, or protect the accused in court of law.  Basically, she is a “god in my pocket,” as Ashish described it, there to do my bidding if only I can satisfy her.

The juxtaposition is like day and night.  In one building, there is a display of Christian love.  The crucifix reminds us of the true God who satisfies His own righteous and holy demands, at His own great cost, by the offering of His son.  We can bring nothing to the table – our God has done it all on our behalf, at the same time displaying His love and satisfying His justice.  The Sisters of Mercy, in imitation of God’s love, care selflessly for the sick and dying, who bring nothing in their hands and will never be able to repay the kindnesses freely given to them.  On the other hand, in the temple next door, worshippers bring their blood offerings, hoping to placate a fitful goddess, who might repay their sacrifices and offerings with health, wealth, protection, or whatever other desire might be within her power to grant.

Pray for us, over the next few days, that in our gathering of seminary leaders from Northeast India, that the Lord will be working in our midst.  Our aim is to see a stronger working partnership between church and seminary in the training of Christian leaders for India – leaders with vision, integrity, and competence.

Warmly in Christ,

Scott

(Dean of the OC Institutes)

Remarkable News from MENA.

Dear friends and colleagues, One of the highlights of every Institute is hearing from seminary leaders about what God is doing in their midst – in their seminaries, but more broadly among believers and the churches they serve.  Last year, for the first time, we heard stories of the remarkable revival that is taking place in a closed Muslim country, where thousands have come to know the Lord in hundreds of villages.  The church is growing faster in this country, compared to any other country in the Muslim world.  Today we heard an update from a representative, and now from two other countries which are represented at the Institute for the first time. The story from this country remains incredible!  Several months ago we heard by email from our brothers and sisters there that the government had issued a decree informing the churches that an older law forbidding Christian activity and forcing the closure of churches was going to be strictly enforced.  Many of us prayed for the Christians, and for God’s hand to work in the government.  But I confess, I didn’t pray along the lines of this remarkable turn of events: this afternoon we heard that three weeks ago, completely unexpectedly the Evangelical fellowship there received a letter that the government is now ready to recognize Christian churches!  These Christians are quite positive about this change of posture on the part of the government, and despite some reservations, believe that this new situation will be much more favorable for the sake of the Gospel. From another country, we heard the stories of harsh repression of believers, particularly during the last three years.  Now the political situation is in the midst of a dramatic transition.  While this might point to a greater measure of freedom and protection of rights for Christians, as in Egypt, it may swing in the opposite direction if extreme Islamicists fill the power vacuum.  There is a spirit of fear among some Christians in the face of the uncertainties and these unfavorable possibilities.  But God is working!  Before the revolution, each week saw perhaps one new believer; now the church is growing four times faster! A brother from yet another closed country shared similar stories of government oppression, also in the last three years.  Recently there has been a significant deportation of foreigners who have been suspected of Christian activity.  Our brother asked for prayer for their training program which started two years ago and now has 15 students meeting for intensive courses in homes.  Pray, he said, that national leadership will be built to replace the foreign workers who have been expelled.  Pray for protection for these national leaders in face of continued oppression. What an incredible privilege to hear how God is working in the Middle East and North Africa, in situations where there is repression or persecution, but where the Lord is at work, building His Church! Continue to pray with us this week as we come alongside the programs and schools in these countries which are forming leaders for the Church to become even more effective and increasingly sustainable. Warmly in Christ, Scott

The Middle East: What is to come?

Dear friends and colleagues,

We began today our Institute for Excellence in Cairo, Egypt, for about 55 leaders of seminaries and theological education programs which are situated in the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe.  These are areas in which the Church (or at least, evangelicalism) is a decided minority – in the Middle East, of course, it is Islam which is dominant.  In countries like Poland, Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Serbia, the dominant religions are Catholic or Orthodox, or, more often now, secular.  So, despite the cultural differences, this minority status in face of a more dominant, often suppressive culture is a deeply felt common denominator (to speak nothing of the growing face of Islam in Europe).

For my reading on the trip I brought an issue of the Wilson Quarterly, the cover story of which asks the question, “The Middle East: What Next?”  The question, of course, is prompted by the tumultuous and ongoing changes which have taken place across the region: most prominently in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Syria, and Yemen.  The former president of Egypt, after ruling with a firm hand for 30 years, was put on trial last week.  Some have called this an “Arab Spring.”  Here in Egypt they talk about the “Revolution,” a term not filled with quite the same measure of hopefulness.  As one Egyptian commented, “It might turn out to be only a brief thaw, with another winter ahead of us.”

My taxi driver from airport thought that not much would change.  “It will be the same body, just a different head.”  The most common descriptions in answer to the question reflect a great deal of uncertainty.  For many this is accompanied by fear.  “Our fear is that the revolution is being hijacked by one segment of Egyptian society which wants to impose their will on all, and the hope for freedoms and rights for minorities which motivated many at the beginning of the revolution will again be suppressed by those who come to power.”  Last week the placards held by the crowds at Tahrir Square read “The Qu’ran is our constitution.”  And, “Christians have no place here.”  One can easily justify a spirit of uncertainty and fear in such circumstances.

But, a few Christians have expressed to me a spirit of hope.  “Egypt will never be the same.  We have found our voice.”  One seminary leader suggested that there are two possible paths for Egypt, but both will be good for the Church.  “Perhaps in the new government, Christians will have more rights for worship and expression.  Or, perhaps the country will become even more Islamicized.  But, that would also be good for the Church, as persecution would bring purification and strength.”

One of the major themes of this week, as we talk about the sustainability of the seminary, is role of the context.  First, the seminary is impacted by the context – as these seminaries serving in oppressive cultures know all too well.  Secondly, the seminary must be responsive to the context – what the real needs for church leadership and how do we shape our programs to meet those needs, both short-term and long-term?  And, we need to be willing to change as our context changes – not to change the function of theological education, but to change the forms in which we carry out that task.

Pray for us this week as we continue our exploration of these themes.  And, will you also join with me in prayer for Egypt road ahead.

Warmly yours in Christ,

Scott Cunningham

Now Approaching: Cairo

As I recall this past winter in Indianapolis, a reoccurring discipline comes to mind. Beyond the dramatically icy weather, I recall the commitment of our OC team to gather throughout January, convened to catch up on Cairo.  We conveyed steadfast familial prayers for our brothers and sisters throughout Egypt. From prayers of safety, to those of encouragement, our hearts were aligned in praying for the conclusion that would bring about the most glory toward the Lord; and steadfastness for those believers involved. We considered both those already in the fold, and the uncertain future for those who are still in need of hearing the Hope to which we hold.

During that time, floods of stories came in from our partner schools: students throughout that time received various opportunities to stop in the midst of this challenging time, and simply serve those around them. Many provided comfort in the chaos, protection in times of abandonment, and each story exemplified the boldness and courage our partners have, to seize every opportunity (as Paul exhorts us toward in Galatians 6).

We believe that Cairo will be a significant host for our Institute for the MENA region this week. With approximately 60 participants, this OC Institute will be the largest in this region so far! We  hope that this gathering will embody the changes the region has seen this past year, and incorporate some of the value shifts the peoples of these regions have identified. Pray for open hearts, innovative minds, and for the spirit of the attendees to be one of encouragement, collaboration and fellowship.

With a warm heart for the region,

Institute photo from 2010

Jessica Samples (Partnerships Liaison)

Focused on the foremost; paramount prayers

(From our Dean of the Institutes)

As we’ve mentioned, this week we’ve been in Santiago, Chile working with 18 seminaries to discuss financial sustainability and organizational change. But today was different.

Josue (our Regional Director) guided this group into prayer just preceding our evening meal. The leaders of these institutes participating with us shared praises and requests. We started from Central American Theological Seminary in Guatemala City and worked our way south to partner schools in Argentina and Chile. Each leader shared for a few minutes, entering the center of the circle and accompanied by other team members from the school. They kneeled down and others gathered around and laid hands on them.

For me it’s a reminder, as well as evidence, that what each of these schools is doing (as well as what Overseas Council is doing as we come alongside them) is fundamentally and at its core a spiritual task.  We can learn about financial sustainability, and that’s a good thing to do, but ultimately it really is the Lord who provides.

Many of the leaders here come tired, lonely, discouraged, and even broken.  While we bring their requests to the throne of grace, perhaps the prayer fellowship of others who are engaged in the same task and who experience many of the same struggles and joys is one of the most important moments the Institute week.

Will you also join us in prayer for the Lord to encourage and teach them this week?

Warmly in Christ,

Scott

Sensible Santiago

I write the evening of Day Two of our Institute for Excellence taking place in Santiago de Chile.  Eighteen schools, all training Christian leaders for Latin American churches, are represented by their principal accompanied by several other seminary leaders.  We are 47 in all.

Our host school here in Santiago is the Instituto Biblico Nacionale, a well-respected and highly influential seminary, founded by an American Assemblies of God missionary.  It is now independent and serving a wide variety of churches and is led by a Chilean, Daniel Ramos.

Choosing IBN as our host school as we conduct this Institute on the topic of financial sustainability was no accident.  Over the past few years, largely under Daniel’s leadership, the seminary has made substantial progress in becoming financially sustainable.  Not unlike many schools founded by Western missionaries, in earlier years it depended totally on donations from overseas for its operations.  Students contributed not a peso in tuition.  But IBN has experienced the unreliability of Western gifts, and has made a dramatic shift in the towards local and more dependable sources of funding for its expanding ministry.

Several years ago students began paying a modest amount of tuition fees, not so much that access is considerably restricted, but sufficient to provide a significant amount of dependable income.  Almost all students are part-time, meaning that they have some means of paying fees from their employment. Extension sites were started throughout Chile, not only expanding IBN’s reach, but increasing its financial base.

The main campus is located in a desirable downtown area, very close to a subway station and in the midst of a number of universities and academies.  They are also owners of an adjacent building, under-utilized in the past, and recently rented out to a music academy.  This provides a further dependable source of income.  There are plans to convert their parking lot into a multi-story parking garage, with almost certain profit from subway users.

The school started a modest Christian bookstore, aimed primarily at the needs of their students, but also generating some profit.  A small catering service does the same.

Yes, IBN is a “business”.  It pays salaries and utility bills.  It “sells” a service.  It conducts financial transactions, and can only do so as long as income meets expenses.  But, IBN is also a “school”.  It strives to have an effective educational model which results in competent graduates fit for service.  And, IBN also has a “mission” – to be a partner and servant of the Church in Chile.  To be truly financially sustainable, IBN must fulfill all three successfully; it must have a sustainable financial model; provide an effective education; and fulfill an appropriate mission in service of the Church.

Our goal this week is that other seminaries in this region will do the same.  Pray for God’s work among us this week – for each of the facilitators and participants.

Warmly in Christ,

Scott

Dean of the Institutes

Pre-Santiago Institute (May 24-27, 2011)

group photo from Quito Institute last year

Last year, Overseas Council took a survey of theological institutions around the world. The two chief focuses were Financial Sustainability and Organizational Change. With 163 responses representing around 60 countries in the world, Scott Cunningham (Dean of Institutes for Excellence here at OC) and several other staff members spent months analyzing the data and developing relevant Institutes for Excellence in light of it. Each Institute is regionally focused, bringing in participants from the region to discuss the challenges and strengths specific to their context.

The biggest challenge for Latin America? The Plateau Effect: Compared to other regions around the world, there are fewer seminaries in Latin America growing in number of students. This insitute will focus on questioning whether the seminary programs are relevant, if they are providing the right kind of access to their programs, if they are considering the modern day Latin American student’s needs,  et cetera.

The biggest strength for Latin America? Our results lead us to believe that  Latin America generally has some of the more self-sufficient theological institutions of the 5 continents we surveyed. Be careful not to assume: “One of the more”  is comparing it to the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Eurasia. We are encouraged to see just what this strength looks like in context!

Keep checking in next week to be sure to get regular updates during the institute!

How you can Pray:

• For God to prepare the participants hearts and minds as they travel to Santiago this weekend
• For the Institute to act as a catalyst for healthy growth, encouragement, and challenge
• For logistical preparations to conclude in a timely manner
• For the leaders attending to feel refreshed by the peer-to-peer facilitated discussions, and one another’s company next week

Closing thoughts on the Ethiopia Institute for 2011

Kenya, Central African Republic, South Africa, Zambia

Mozambique, Ethiopia, Chad, Nigeria, Congo, Namibia

Uganda, Senegal, Togo, Sierra Leone, Benin, Ghana

… are just some of the countries that were represented at the Institute in Ethiopia a couple of weeks ago.

Here are a few closing thoughts on the time spent in Ethiopia: 

OC had a unique platform this year, bringing together seminaries from around the whole continent who have not had the opportunity to come together in this way for over 15 years.  19 Countries were represented from the African Continent, 25 including outside continents. The people represented in these 19 countries were able to share common challenges and solutions. For example, when discussing the topic of entrepreneurial opportunities in the third stream of revenue for a seminary, one leader shared the invaluable asset a banana plantation has been for his seminary, in which another seminary leader realized aloud, “we could do this”.

The changes in the actual event have proven fruitful and the emphasis is now on how the school could benefit from this conference, not just how participants can benefit. Strategic changes to this paradigm shift include a MAP (Ministry Action Plan) designer per seminary instead of designed per participant. This encourages the seminary team at the conference to collaborate effectively in deciding what is best for the seminary.

Leaving Ethiopia was difficult, as it was a unique opportunity to see an entire continent of seminary leaders all committed to the same purpose Overseas Council is committed to: Advancing Christian Leaders.