Filling the gap!

For quite sometime I have been attending Consultative Conferences one after another. Some of the things we talk about whenever we gather is the need for prayer, concern for quality, less graduate participation, students not taking seriousness etc. I don't think these concerns are new; it's just that people who diagnose the problems are facing in for the first time in their life. Senior staff say that these problems have always been there but the ministry continues. I don't think these are issues we can address fully in this side of life. The ministry, however, has to continue despite various obstacles and shortcomings we encounter.

One of the things, however, that's coming recently in a stronger manner is to be more concerned for social issue. Some don't just like this factor. There is this fear that once addressing social concerns take our time we would have less time for evangelism. I don't think that addressing social issues will necessarily affect evangelistic cause, provided we address the former thoughtfully. I believe that it is important that social issues are addressed. However, instead of putting it as "addressing social issues" I would term it as "discipling believers". I don't think looking at states like Nagaland or Mizoram anyone will say that once a person becomes a Christian he or she learns how to live a holy and ethical life automatically. Discipling believers to become full-time follower of Christ is needed. And once a believer gets into politics, law, media etc things become more difficult to live a faithful life unless one has commitment and knowledge.

I think asking graduates to get involved in social issue does not make so much of sense. For example, if a software engineer works from 9-6 where from does she gets time to work outside of office hour? Or if someone is working in a multinational company from 9-7 there is no time to work apart from what he is doing in the office. Now if these people are getting involved in certain things that promote justice, that's fine. But if that is not quite sure because calculating one's contribution to justice in such a huge economy is insignificant, what do we do? Shall we ask the person to switch job, which is not easy? We can sort this out; but the point I want to raise is that asking working graduates in UESI to get involved in social concern like some NGOs are doing should not be the thrust area. What we should rather be doing is to encourage students to choose career that will get them involved in the cause for justice.

In working for justice are NGOs the best possible option? I don't think so. Government is, I think, the most appropriate place. Compared to what government can do NGOs contribution is peanut. This does not mean NGOs are not doing enough; it's just that NGOs have far more limitation than government. But if our government sectors have more clean people how much more it can provide equality and justice to its citizen.

In our talk on social concern we should, therefore, encourage students to take up career in government sector: becomes engineers, doctors, police officers, IAS/IPS officers, railway officer, lecturers, teachers, nurses, economists etc. In all these sectors if we have God fearing clean officials how much more equality and justice there would be. Those who have already chosen career be there thinking that God has placed you there. But those who have not yet chosen career why can you all think in this line?

If things work out this way, this will not only solve a great deal of addressing social issue. But a great number of graduate will also be available for UESI ministry. Now as more number of graduate works in multinational companies their availability becomes more difficult. But if they work in government sector availability issue will not be great a problem as it is now.

I don't think this is impossible. RSS has been working to send their members into IAS/IPS. Why can't we also think in this line? Christians are known to be provider of good education in the country. If there is a concentrated effort to disciple students in this line I think in ten years time we can see result.

Jeremiah Duomai.

Some e-resources

This page gives links to some excellent e-resources. You can download and listen or even listen online. Since most of us travel often it would be good if we can use MP3 player or iPod to listen to these lectures.
http://www.ntwrightpage.com/ ( N T Wright: New Testament scholar) http://www.veritas.org/media/ ( Veritas Forum invites Christian scholars of various disciplines to deliver lectures on University Campus)
http://www.baylor.edu/truett/index.php?id=57369 ( This page provides lectures by various theologians on various topics)
http://www.bringyou.to/apologetics/audio.htm ( This page provides resources for Apologetics)
http://www.st-edmunds.cam.ac.uk/faraday/Lectures.php (The page provides lectures of Science and Religion from scholars across the globe)

One can also follow the blog of some well known Christian theologians: http://benwitherington.blogspot.com/ (Prof. of New Testament at Ashbury)
http://blog.beliefnet.com/jesuscreed/ ( Prof. of Religious Studies at North Park)
http://stackblog.wordpress.com/ ( Prof. of Theology and Culture at Regent College)
http://vinothramachandra.wordpress.com/ ( IFES Secretary for Dialogue and Social Engagement)

UESI & “WOMEN STAFF”

The role of women staff in UESI has been a topic discussed several times, and still continues to be an issue which needs clarity. The staff training manual refers that staff couples are called and commissioned by God for the student ministry. While this requires the women staff also to be sure of her call to work with students, her role though is described as:

· Her primary role is for home making as a wife and mother.

· She helps her husband by supporting, praying and trusting him.

· As a mother she helps in the spiritual and physical developments of the children in the absence of her husband, who takes long travels.

· Regarding ministry her contribution is to enable the husband travel freely as required for the ministry. She is not to interfere in her husband’s office work, and working in the committee.

· But she assists in sending out prayer or circular letters if needed. She may travel with her husband for field visit and stay with another family if they are invited as a family.

· Her ministry is basically through open home, and so hospitality needs to be practiced.

· Apart from hospitality she involves in ministry through prayer, counseling and discipling lady students and graduates.

· She helps in Bible studies, retreats and camps (her role in camps and retreats are not mentioned) and can also host fellowship for girls in home.

On the basis of this paper I understand that UESI has kept a limited role for women. Her basic role is to be a home maker and supporting the husband’s ministry. She is given freedom to involve in the local ministry, or undertake travels according to the need, considering her family demands. Her ministry is specifically for the lady students and graduates where men may find difficulty to make way.

If this happens to be the criteria for the women staff, then UESI’s stand on the ‘role of women staff seems to be justified. The paper only gives certain practical steps for a house wife in getting herself adjusted to her situation as well as ministering in limited way. For this kind of an involvement should one need to have a’ full time call’? If any woman goes beyond this limited involvement and thinks that she has a role apart from hospitality and counseling is it unconventional or unwanted? Or in other words if a women who would like to explore new opportunities as well develop her skill say in administration, organizing or other leadership skills is this feasible?. If the organisation has appointed someone who is called by God, then it holds responsible to give job description to its staff.

A Lady staff travels, visits colleges, hostels, homes and assists in or organizes programmes for the students and graduates. She is assigned an area for which she is responsible and also accountable for the ministry development. In this way she is equally responsible as her male counterpart with regard to the ministry. She finds self worth and a sense of satisfaction in fulfilling her call for the ministry. In this process she develops her communication skill, computer knowledge, leadership skills, organizing skills, money management, counseling skills, social awareness and so on. She also recognizes her need for further development as new opportunities and avenues open up for her. This again paves way for equipping herself for future needs and challenges.

A married woman staff who had been earlier a lady staff is almost lost in her new role as “staff wife”. Even others who join staff team after marriage goes through confusion and bewilderment at her new undefined role. This role confusion has definitely made a negative impact on women. After marriage a women goes through lot of changes in terms of her role and responsibilities. With regard to family involvement UESI has given women freedom to choose her involvement. This kind of a freedom has not been constructive. It has only led to lack of clarity from the organisation side and sluggishness and non involvement from the staff side.

India is learning from other countries that ‘women empowerment’ is the key for the development of a nation. If so for the development of the ministry as well for organizational development women empowerment is very necessary. Reading the policy paper on women one wonders whether we as a movement are ‘denominational’ in our doctrine towards women. We as Indians have been fighting for 33% seat reservation for women in the parliament. Women need to be incorporated in the decision making process for the countries overall development and for their voices to be heard. Barack Obama the new president of America has passed a new regulation after assuming his office to bring a common pay scale for both men and women. There will be no more discrimination for women in this regard. A man who was himself discriminated understands the pain of discrimination better than anyone else.

I do know very well that that this issue has been discussed several times and also the complexity associated with the matter. It seems almost impossible to come to a particular consensus with regard to women involvement. I appreciate the leadership in coming forth with 3 options of involvement. This gives room for staff to choose their involvement considering the age of their children and other family factors .A woman gets relived from her hectic schedule once the children start going to school .The average age of the woman at this stage may be around thirty five. At this stage a woman is freer to actively get involved in the ministry at least in her base with the needed support system. I here disagree with the point made in the policy paper, where it says ‘children should not be left in the care of grandparents or neighbors for the sake of the ministry’. If parents or trust worthy maids are available to take care of our children for a particular period of time, it should be made use of. Though, I should also confess that as a staff in Kerala my personal view was also on similar grounds, but over a time period I have evolved in my understanding and attitudes.

I doubt when the organisation gives a choice for separate appointment, how many women will opt for it. A study on ‘achievement motivation’ and related behaviors in men and women who are successful in business and certain professions revealed that women were found to have another motive; fear of success. Women believed that their successful performance would have negative consequences such as unpopularity and a reduced feeling of feminity. Women were found to view success as counter to their role in our culture and were therefore afraid of it. The study further says that beliefs about sex roles have changed in recent years and fewer women now evidence a strong’ fear of success’ motivation. A woman also thus needs to play a vital role in bringing change by accepting the challenge. Recently ‘the best Veterinarian’ award by the Kerala government was granted to Bindu Varghese, one of our lady graduates. Doesn’t this give us a sense of joy and pride that one of our sisters has been honored? Why then women in ministry lag behind? is it because there seems to be a ‘secular-sacred’ divide.

UESI is a multi cultured group, so what seems to be good and acceptable in one culture may not necessarily be in the other. Our role definition or job description should not be culture biased. As a Christian movement we need to advocate and practice justice. This disparity and bias towards women staff is injustice, and needs to be addressed. I think that women be given opportunity for responsible involvement from the movement. This official requirement will not only boost her morale but also keeps her in the process of development. I was told from the recent questionnaire for the ‘HER’ programme in Delhi,that 75% of women were found to be post graduates. But majority of them had identified there strengths as hospitality and counseling. It may be because these are her sole involvement and so has developed only in those areas .It is also interesting to note that many of them have sought help for computer knowledge. This I suppose may be an area which she might have felt not much needed in her role. The positive role played by the organisation will definitely bring a positive impact in the ministry, the effect of which will be seen five to ten years later its implementation.

In closing, I salute all women who have toiled in our movement unnoticed, yet with sincerity and integrity. I realize that dreams do come true and the history proves it! If so I will also dare to dream that twenty to thirty years from now women will have equal opportunities to develop as State sectaries, Zonal sectaries and General Secretaries, along with teachers, preachers, writers and administrators.

-Mini S.Joseph

Haryana

2009

Terrorism and Violence

Mumbai attack shook India once again. In the past it has often been the have nots who are at the receiving end of the scourge of terrorism. Whether it’s the blast in Delhi’s Mehrauli on Sept ’08 or the nine explosions in Bangalore on June ’08 or the eight blasts in Jaipur that left 65 dead in May upper middle class are the least affected ones. However, this time terrorists levelled the rich and the poor. Whether because the battle was taken right into the lives of the rich and powerful or because of the high number of casualties or because it was an attack on India’s symbol of pride and prosperity the assault has elicited mass anger primarily directed towards Pakistan.Public’s memory is short, they say. Time and time again terrorists have taken so many lives. Media reports say, “President condemns; PM announces compensation; Brave citizens move on with their normal lives”. It’s not quite sure whether it’s to make bread and butter they move out or whether to tell the terrorists that guns and bombs cannot win. There was a time when only people from J&K and North East would experience terrorism. And many times for these people it’s difficult to identify who terrorise less : the Indian army or the secessionists. But now situation is different. Nobody is immune from the effect of terrorism. Bombs can explode anywhere anytime. And if our memory is short (as usual!) it may cost much.Whether it’s in Kashmir or the Naxalite hit areas or Nagaland or Manipur or Tripura militancy/terrorism does not begin with religion. The problem is political-economic -social grievances that trigger the problem. The problem then interplay with religion. Religion provides incentive to fight for social and political justice. Religion confers blessings upon those who fight for the rights of the people. Religion promises eternal life to those who die fighting the enemy of truth.

UESI: NWZ

UESI works among the college students in India. The North West Zone comprises of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana and Delhi. There are some 20 staffs and coordinators working in this region. The blog is created so that staffs in this region can come together and reflect on issues related to students community and the nation at large from the biblical perspective.