5. City union, regional and national conferences in India By the early nineteenth century, India witnessed the transplantation of western denominational churches. Through mission societies had common objective of presenting the gospel, ecclesiastical differences and conflicting interests had in most instances appeared more in contention rather than in love. Missionaries through sat comfortably in their respective ecclesiastics bastions, had realized these mistakes and in due course tried to iron out western ecclesiastical differences, meeting together led to sharing of knowledge , concern and advise . It reduced misunderstanding, conflicts in mission operation and encroachment. In India, ecumenical venture started from the local missionary union and moved to the regional and national levels. 1) City missionary association missionaries in Bombay, Calcutta and madras realized their mistakes more than those in rural areas because among several factors, of reasonable feedback from intellectuals from other religious faiths. The Bombay missionary society, the America board and extended its invitations to all protestant mission societies similar city fellowship meeting were started at Calcutta in about 1830 and madras as well. Despite the fact that each mission society was not willing to compromise on any of its doctrinal distinctive emphasis, missionaries were prepared to come together and dialogue on areas of common objective. The aim of these city fellowships was to encourage ecclesiastical openness, promote interdenominational fellowship and provide an avenue for sharing of problems, ideas and seeking advice and help, their seriousness was well reflected upon regular gatherings and monthly prayers .these developments were indications of the early impulse at co-operation through mutual counsel so characteristic of missionary enterprise.
Posted on: Thu, 24 Oct 2013 09:39:20 +0000
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