Being Church - Change the Paradigm and Be Relevant!
As we continue to struggle with the new normal coming out of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Christian Church cannot turn a blind eye to other issues that require its urgent attention – gender-based violence, crime, human trafficking, HIV Aids, and systemic racism which seems to be the topic of the day.
Long before the global pandemic struck, the Christian Church was struggling with the question of how to be relevant in a rapidly changing world. Many have been wondering what the future holds for the Church and whether it will be able to survive in that future. We have known for a long time now that to be the Church today, we need to change the paradigm. Christians have to find the right model of what the Church should be. For the Church to thrive, not merely survive, it needs to be robust in its missional focus and identity.
Thus, the Christian Church cannot remain silent if we are witnesses to acts of violence or vestiges of systemic and inherent racism in our countries and in the world at large. The Christian Church is called to stand solidly with any member of the human family faced with the inhumanity of racism. Racism must be stamped out.
Recently, the Presbyterian Church of Trinidad and Tobago (PCTT) held its historical 60th (Jubilee) Annual General Meeting of the Synod, via Zoom. After 152 years of evangelistic, educational, and social work, the PCTT has liberated many from poverty and deprivation. Suffice it to say, as many others churches, we are guilty of complacency and of operating in a maintenance mode for some time.
However, with a penitent heart and spirit, the PCTT stands in solidarity with the ecumenical movement and other religious organizations, local, regional, and international in condemning unequivocally racism, systemic or otherwise. We are committed to the principles of fairness, equity, and inclusivity. These are some of the hallmarks of our Christian faith. Compelled by the importance of our commitment to these principles and values, we must deepen our understanding of the devastating impact of systemic racism. We can achieve this by working with all stakeholders to broaden cultural sensitivity in stamping out discrimination.
Trinidad and Tobago, like the rest of the Caribbean, is blessed with a culture of unity in diversity. We are a multi-religious, multi-ethnic, and multi-racial community. Many admire us as ‘a rainbow people’. Nevertheless, racism tends to raise its ugly head whenever a National General Election is held. But we must stand in solidarity to crush racial discrimination and every form of discrimination.
Recognizing that racism is as real as life and as serious as death, the Christian Church must help persons to move from an attitude of hostility to an attitude of hospitality. Together, we must build a deeper understanding of issues around social justice and equity for all, by educating our various communities on anti-racism, diversity, social justice, and inclusion. We must intensify our efforts in developing a more cohesive ministry of reconciliation and mediation.
The Christian Church cannot be inwardly oriented, but must practice more relevant mission and evangelism, both in word and deed. The Church, no doubt, has been buffeted by the same challenges that have been affecting other institutions in society. It struggles with understanding rapid change; adapting to this change with a studied response; and avoiding the consequences of a conditioned response to global change.
The role of the Christian Church is a prophetic one. If the Church does not recapture its prophetic responsibility, it will become an irrelevant social club without moral and spiritual authority. We must, nevertheless, pray for and work together for meaningful change in the Church, in our countries and the world at large.
We are encouraged to engage in constructive conversations with our families, friends, and communities. We are urged to pray and seek the Holy Spirit’s ongoing revelation and healing. Let us pledge to take more action and responsibility toward a more inclusive and just future. We recognize that we all need to do more, as did Christ, our Saviour through his earthy ministry. Together, we can develop a better, more equitable future for all. The God who created us equal and in God’s image calls us to pursue a community of compassion, love, justice, peace, and reconciliation. Being Church, now more than ever, we are called to change the paradigm and be relevant!
—The Rt. Rev. Joy Evelyn Abdul-Mohan
Moderator, Presbyterian Church of Trinidad and Tobago
Moderator, Presbyterian Church of Trinidad and Tobago