Working TOGETHER with the CHURCHES

This paper tries to see the possibility of how the Church[1] could take steps ahead in the development. First the paper will try to bring the concept of Church inside out, albeit this subject may not be covered amply. Along with this, it tries to explore the same argument on how important it is to empower the local Church in order to see the bigger transformation of society. And, finally, it aims to provide the possible reasons on why Christian Organizations are needed to partner more with the local Churches; so as not to see the possibility of establishing one more organization, but rather building a network to bring the changes from the local Churches. After all, it is the Church that exists for a longer run, not NGOs/INGOs.

To begin the paper, let me ask you all. What exactly is meant by a Church anyway? This is disturbing to some extent as it seems that I had been trying to grow without knowing what it means. While a seminary student, I was given a list describing the Church, such as a group of believers who are called out, has elders, agreed on set of doctrinal beliefs and evangelistic purpose etc. What is missing in the description? Let us look at it more precisely. What drives us to think that we are the Church? Who do we believe? The answer comes - Jesus. Well, where does he present in the definition? Someone tries to argue that it is not necessary that we need to include Jesus when the believing communities are present. This spontaneously provides an assumption that Jesus is present. But the fact of the matter is; Jesus is the reality of the Church, active and alive in the Church. When we assume His presence, we are somewhere on the wrong track.

Jesus Agenda            

There is a great danger that sometimes Church tries to be more appealing than witnessing? It is as if we need to boost up His rating. He does not need anyone’s approval or grading to protect his dignity. …I AM WHO I AM… (Exo 3:14a) A better question is

‘“Where is Jesus seen at work in our midst?” Where do we see lives changing, and communities transforming simply by the power of the gospel? Where do we see fathers restored to a life of holiness and responsibility? Where do we see daughters reconciling with fathers? Where do we see addicts who no longer live under the bondage of chemical dependence?  Where are wealthy businessmen making restitution for past crimes that went unnoticed? These are the questions that lead people to recognize the living presence of Jesus, loving and governing peoples' lives as their king.’[2]

The development that we strive for has a complete package. It looks at the root of the problem. In the modern days, we have come across to organizations that fight against poverty and advocate for the development. Nevertheless we have perceived that the issues do not seem to be changing; rather we notice the same cake on the plate even today. Any organization you take it into Nepal or India, what happens on the page, does not really transfer to the ground. The cost of management goes three times higher than the cost that is allocated for the target group. Some people may not like such a statement but these are the facts of the organizational life styles, although people may disagree. I think the Church needs to have a different approach and INF should also ruminate differently to some extent, no matter if situation allows losing the identity. 

When the priority gets diluted, our goal and mission gets jumbled. Therefore the priority needs to be identified. Christ comes first and he leads us into His mission. This means that we need to plant Jesus, and He then builds his Church, and works through His Church. Our command is to connect people to Jesus. We, however have– many strategies to do this task.

Let me begin with an illustration here.  I believe that there are a number of challenges for the development, partly because the government does not provide a clear framework or the development agencies primary concern is not for the people; rather they first want to see the paper work.

“Last year, the government of Nepal initiated its ‘Literate Nepal Mission’ as per the Nepal’s global commitment to eliminate illiteracy by 2015 as envisioned in the Millennium Development Goal.”[3]

However what confounds me is that even though they initiated it, conducted three months classes for the adults, I have personally visited the study group, and found that the learners had barely met the indicators which LNM had set for it. I could never understand how an adult would ever become literate in just a three month time frame, while at the same time engaged with a lot of responsibilities at home. Therefore, most of the non-government agency’s development work does not instigate from the core of the heart; rather it is mostly relies on the project fund. You may wonder why the Far west is most neglected region in Nepal as far as the fund allocation is concerned, be it the government aid or the foreign aid.  The underlying reason is that those ‘who implement the projects do not reach there.’^[4] This is not to underestimate the NGOs/INGOs capacity to bring the development. I, however, see the alternative possibility for the faith based organizations such as INF and others. Meanwhile, I would like to present how India Migrants Initiative (IMI) is working together with the Nepali Churches in India in order to transform the Nepali migrants in India.

IMI is a part of the INF’s Diaspora programme which precisely works in India with the Nepali Churches. IMI seeks to create improved support structures for Nepali migrants which reduce their vulnerability and increase the effectiveness of migration as a livelihood strategy. In line with INF’s vision for Nepali migrants and for working with Nepali Churches in meeting migrants needs, IMI has worked steadily since 2005, together with the Nepali speaking Churches which hold a similar vision. Church Core Groups participate in planning activities each year. Generally INF facilitates the projects if the plans are deemed reasonable given the context, human resources and funds available. We strongly believe that the Church and community cannot be divided. As a faith based organization, there is a firm requisite that the vision needs to be implemented, not just on the wall or calendar only.

Why with the Church?

          One of my favorite advocates on the Church, Warren puts that the Churches can do incredible things, but working together in networks can do even more. There are three points that Warren illustrates are needed to contemplate on why development must come via the Church.[5]

• ·        The Church provides for the largest participation and widest distribution.
• ·        The Church provides the highest motivation.
• ·        The Church provides the simplest administration.

This is how IMI is running in India having networks with the Nepali speaking Churches. As we have already defined that the Church is not limited to inside the four walls; rather, it tackles the issues that the community encounters. IMI is trying to empower the local Churches so they could address the needs of their community which would strengthen their capacity , experiencing fullness of life in Jesus Christ, and finally resulting in peace and harmony with God and His world. IMI facilitates the small scale programmes together with the Nepali Churches in New Delhi, Kotdwar, Dehradun and Shimla. The local leaderships have been empowered, the information regarding migrants’ rights has been disseminated through the local Churches, the local Churches are taking ownership, and Migrants' children now have a platform to get good tuition classes. IMI’s skill training such as tailoring for migrant women has given a tremendous sense of confidence in them so that they feel empowered to earn income for the family. This is what IMI is doing through the local Nepali Churches in India. It’s the local Church who decides what they can do looking at their capacity and strengths and needs of their community, and IMI are just partners in terms of facilitation. This module is bit different than working together with partner organizations. I do not underestimate that module. Nevertheless, I see the excessive funding is being required in that, and also it seems that relational mode becomes weak too. Let us look at what one of the Church members said when his Church involved him in the safe migration outreach last October in Dehraun.

"All these years I went to the Church, and never was highly motivated to do anything. But now we as a Church and as individual discover our gifts and potential and how we can be used of God."

Isn’t it wonderful when a person in the Church realizes the needs of the surrounding community! This is why I think the Church should not aim to bring the people to the Church; rather the Church should go to the people. Finally I would like to close this paper with a missional thought. There is always a danger in the mission as sometime the social needs of the community and to respond with acts of charity is what is needed for the transformation of a society capable of living in harmony with God and others. I am not advocating the social gospel as a means of spiritual transformation unless the crucified Christ gets into the center of our heart. Everyone who experienced such a transformation does a good work. Why the Nepali churches in India has to get involved in the community? Because they have experienced the full of life in Jesus. 

(Note: Thank you aunty Anna for your inputs and help)

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[1] It is God’s primary agent of transformation in the world.

[2]  Ralph D. Winter and Steven C. Hawthorne, ed., Perspectives; on the World Christian Movements: A reader, (California: William Carey Library, 2009), 643.

[3]  Binod Ghimire, “Illiteracy to remain only in 39 districts,”  [cited 24 July 2014]. Online: http://www.ekantipur.com/2014/03/11/development/illiteracy-to-remain-only-in-39-districts/386552.html

[4]  “Far-West  most neglected,”  [cited 24^th July 2014]. Online: http://www.ekantipur.com/2014/04/27/business/far-west-most-neglected-by-government-donors/388828.html

[5] Ralph D. Winter and Steven C. Hawthorne,  Perspectives; on the World Christian Movements: A reader, 620.