We began the second seminar this morning. We actually started close to on time, at 10am. We are meeting at the United Theological College, known as UTC. A good group assembled, with a good group of pastors from independent, slum churches. These pastors have little formal education, and are eager for anything that will help them grow as more effective pastors. I am in awe of them when I think of all the resources we at Bethlehem have- and all the opportunities I have had over the years, in terms of my own education. It is a humble conversation that I share with them when I talk about you.
They are also not too fluent in English, which has necessitated translation of the material. It took us three tries, and three different translators, but finally a young man named Suresh stepped up and was terrific. He had little trouble with my accent, and I was able to figure out short and succinct sentences. Together, we found a rhythm that was fairly easy for us, and which made sense for our listeners. He was even able to make my jokes work - a remarkable feat, indeed...
After finishing the day’s work, I met with Evangeline Anderson-Rajkumar, a Lutheran professor at UTC. We talked briefly about her work as a theologian, and her current struggles, as the church she grew up in - the India Evangelical Lutheran Church (IELC) - works hard to attack both her and her husband for her work. She was ordained in the Arcot Lutheran Church (the church we know best through LPGM) because the IELC, which is funded by the Missouri Lutheran Church, refused to ordain her. Since her ordination, the IELC has published articles attacking the ordination of women generally and Evangeline personally. They have also attacked her husband, an IELC parish pastor, because he was not able to stop her from being ordained. In point of fact, he is, of course, supportive of her ministry, both as a teacher and as a pastor. I told her I would pray for her, and I invite you to do so as well. Women pastors in India are still quite new, and they are learning the truth about being pioneers - they’re the ones with arrows in their backs. Again, I am reminded that much of what we take for granted at home is still very tenuous here.
Blessings to you all!