Malankara Syrian Christian Association is in the process of electing a new managing committee.As the most expressive forum of the democratic character of the Church, the present elections have its due place.Some of the thoughts that are occurring to a person taking more than average interest in the matters of the Church,I would like to put for debate certain thoughts of mine.
Let us first examine what the purpose of the Managing Committee is.There are quite a few important functions for the august body.
1.To work in co ordination with the Catholicose and the Episcopal Synod with a view to uphold the interests of the Church in multi various fields-both spiritual and temporal.
2.Ensure that the resources of the Church is utilised producing the most optimum results.
3.To appraise the leadership of the Church about the ground realities-more particularly the desires and feelings of the laity
4.To try for obtaining the required support from the Church leadership for their Diocese and parish churches
5.Uphold the values of the Church before the general public
6.To be a channel of Communication between the three layers of the Church body-the central leadership,Dioceses and the parish Churches.
The above list is not exhaustive,but indicative.There are of course many more.I have listed down a few that I thought are most important.
Having considered the functions of the MC,let us now look at what kind of people are required for performing the above tasks.Of course,people from all walks of life should be there(at least from as many diverse backgrounds as possible.But what I am listing down are some of the basic traits of the members,whatever be their background.
a)Primary requirement is that the persons elected should have as their no 1 priority the Church.Those whose primary interest is politic,business,the establishments they work for are not fit for the job of Managing committee members.They may be stalwarts in their field of activity,but if church is down below their priority list,then their utility as Managing Committee Member is zero.
b)Those with vested interests like jobs in establishments of the Church,Promotions,postings ,and so on are to be eliminated
c)There is another set of aspirants whose utility of Managing Committee membership is that of one more feather in their already decorated hats,an additional entry on their letterheads and visiting cards,one more entry in their Bio data for Political bargaining are not fit for this job.
d)The Managing Committee members should have a reasonable level of knowledge about the structure of the Church,Worship and traditions,at least Sunday School level theology,history,Constitution etc
e)Should have the experience and involvement in parish level activities.Participation in at least a few spiritual organisations like Sunday School,Youth league,MGOCSM,Divabodhanam is a basic requirement.
f)Persons who have served the managing Committee for more than 2 terms should make way for others.There is no dearth of capable persons in the Church.If someone insists that once a managing committee member they should hold on to that post life long.If someone insists so,the motives can only be questionable.
No one would dispute that a lot has to change in the Church.Let us make a beginning by electing a managing committee with a difference
Let us first examine what the purpose of the Managing Committee is.There are quite a few important functions for the august body.
1.To work in co ordination with the Catholicose and the Episcopal Synod with a view to uphold the interests of the Church in multi various fields-both spiritual and temporal.
2.Ensure that the resources of the Church is utilised producing the most optimum results.
3.To appraise the leadership of the Church about the ground realities-more particularly the desires and feelings of the laity
4.To try for obtaining the required support from the Church leadership for their Diocese and parish churches
5.Uphold the values of the Church before the general public
6.To be a channel of Communication between the three layers of the Church body-the central leadership,Dioceses and the parish Churches.
The above list is not exhaustive,but indicative.There are of course many more.I have listed down a few that I thought are most important.
Having considered the functions of the MC,let us now look at what kind of people are required for performing the above tasks.Of course,people from all walks of life should be there(at least from as many diverse backgrounds as possible.But what I am listing down are some of the basic traits of the members,whatever be their background.
a)Primary requirement is that the persons elected should have as their no 1 priority the Church.Those whose primary interest is politic,business,the establishments they work for are not fit for the job of Managing committee members.They may be stalwarts in their field of activity,but if church is down below their priority list,then their utility as Managing Committee Member is zero.
b)Those with vested interests like jobs in establishments of the Church,Promotions,postings ,and so on are to be eliminated
c)There is another set of aspirants whose utility of Managing Committee membership is that of one more feather in their already decorated hats,an additional entry on their letterheads and visiting cards,one more entry in their Bio data for Political bargaining are not fit for this job.
d)The Managing Committee members should have a reasonable level of knowledge about the structure of the Church,Worship and traditions,at least Sunday School level theology,history,Constitution etc
e)Should have the experience and involvement in parish level activities.Participation in at least a few spiritual organisations like Sunday School,Youth league,MGOCSM,Divabodhanam is a basic requirement.
f)Persons who have served the managing Committee for more than 2 terms should make way for others.There is no dearth of capable persons in the Church.If someone insists that once a managing committee member they should hold on to that post life long.If someone insists so,the motives can only be questionable.
No one would dispute that a lot has to change in the Church.Let us make a beginning by electing a managing committee with a difference
