Rational for the Bangalore Inter - Theologate Seminar ( BITS )
Introduction
The Bangalore Inter- Theologate Seminar ( BITS
) is a vision of the Ecumenical
Christian centre to promote more
integration in the arena of
Theological Education offered in the Indian Context. It is an attempt to
create a space where persons involved in the process of Theological Education,
both faculty and students in and around Bangalore, could come together at least
once a year for fellowship and interaction; mutual sharing and listening;
reflection and discussion on issues pertaining to life, despite
doctrinal/ecclesiastical/theological standing. The BITS is envisioned as a
forum where multiple voices and perspectives could be shared, heard and
respected as part of our quest for meaning in life. It is also an endeavor to
promote the spirit of Wider Ecumenism, the main thrust of the Ecumenical
Christian Centre, where plurality/diversity is recognized as a gift of God to
humankind on the one hand and on the other an attempt is made towards
convergence keeping in mind the richness of this gift of plurality/diversity
which make human life dynamic and vibrant.
The Rationale
There is a
great divide among us who are involved in Theological Education in our country.
As it is stated in the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 1: 12 "
What I mean is this: One of you says, " I follow Paul";
another," I follow Apollos"; another," I follow Cephas ";
still another, " I follow Christ ", time has come for us to
critically and realistically analyze our nomenclatures with which we exist.
Some of us would say " We belong to
the Asia Theological Association; some would say , " we belong to the
Roman Catholic fraternity of theological education; others would say , "
we belong to the Senate of Serampore University", yet others would say ,
" we belong to none; we exist alone, we are independent". Although
this kind of affiliation to a body helps us to offer Theological Education in a
more focused manner, the divide we experience in the field of Theological
Education is not healthy or helpful. We , many a time see each other as a foe
and not as a friend. We need to realize that Theological Education is not an end in itself but a means to a greater end
, i.e. spreading the values of the Kingdom of God on earth. Therefore we need
to come together transcending our differences and work towards a just , humane
and peaceful World Order, which I believe ought to be the main task of
Theological Education. The BITS facilitates this process of integration,
reflection and action;
The Aim
To facilitate more cooperation and integration
among persons involved in theological education;
To become conscious of and to fathom the
intrinsic relationship between Theology
and Life;
To become aware of the issues which affect and
threaten life and to theologically respond to such issues.
The Methodology
The BITS will be co-coordinated by the Indian
School of Ecumenical Theology(ISET), which is an arm of the Ecumenical
Christian Centre but with the support of
a Steering Committee which consists of one representative( faculty or student )
from each college/seminary participating in the BITS. This committee will meet
occasionally and monitor the functioning of the BITS. The Lecturer , ISET will
be the Convener of the Steering Committee with the Chairperson elected on
rotation.
The main event of the BITS would be an annual get
together of a representative group of
faculty and students from each seminary/college at the Ecumenical Christian
Centre on a mutually agreed date, time and theme. In this one day seminar, two
Papers on the chosen theme will be presented, which will be followed by a
response to each Paper and discussion.
Prior to the seminar, there will be a time of
Worship, which will be the responsibility of each participating institution in
turn as will be decided and requested by the Steering Committee.
At the beginning of the Seminar, a Statement
Committee will be appointed, who will be responsible to put the deliberations
of the Seminar in the form of a Statement for publication and circulation.
The Steering Committee could plan other programmes
as and when necessary to strengthen the BITS.
The Role of Participating Institutions in the BITS
The Ecumenical Christian Centre will be delighted
to host the annual one day Bangalore Inter- Theologate Seminar.
The participating institutions will be responsible
for transportation to the ECC and return.
Conclusion
It is hoped that the BITS will prove to be a worthy
instrument to promote the ministry of Theological Education in our nation. It
is desired that the BITS will become a life sustaining force and a think-tank
for the church in India on important issues pertaining to life.
( A short paper presented at the planning meeting
of the BITS held at the ECC on Monday, November 27,2006 ).
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