The Church of South India (CSI), in collaboration with the CSI Karnataka Central Diocese, conducted a Training of Trainers programme for the Karnataka region on the theme “Empowered to Serve: Call to Embrace” from 15 to 16 January at Visranthi Nilayam, Bengaluru.
The programme, an important step in nurturing empowered, inclusive, and socially responsive leadership within the Church of South India, also aimed to equip Pastorate Committee members for holistic and inclusive ministry within the church and beyond its premises.
The first of the series of training sessions was presided over by Rt Rev. Dr Vincent Vinod Kumar, bishop in Bengaluru of the CSI Karnataka Central Diocese. Rev. Christopher Samuel, secretary of the diocese, conveyed special greetings to participants. Rev. Solomon Paul, convenor of the KCD ministerial committee, coordinated the programme locally.
“The church is the embodiment of God’s Kingdom, an inclusive body called to serve, embrace, and welcome all,” said Kumar, who reminded the participants that church ministry is not confined within its walls but must extend its love and service to every society beyond every border and barrier.
The sessions addressed several key contemporary themes relevant to church life and society. These included responsible leadership for a deeper fellowship and fuller life; women’s leadership in the present church and social context; the church’s voice and responsibility towards caste discrimination and migration; and children and youth as an inclusive community in the church, amongst others.
Incisive group discussions, theological reflections, and outcome-oriented deliberations pervaded the two-day programme as participants explored practical ways of strengthening inclusive and socially responsive ministries within their pastorates.
At the conclusion of the training, participants received completion certificates and were further encouraged to organise follow-up training programmes in their dioceses to strengthen their respective ministries.
