Church of South India Life in Union (1947-1997) (An Old and Rare Book) (Only 1 Quantity Available)

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This book of Dr. K.M. George on "Church of South India - Life in Union" comes to us as the second volume of his earlier work "Church of South India - Negotiations towards Union". These two publications not only complement each other but they together also provide a comprehensive history of the Church covering almost a century of Church Union Movement and its good fruits yielded in India. The author has taken great care and pain in gathering necessary materials and giving them proper shape so as to have interesting and meaningful reading. Dr. K.M. George had done commendable work not only in presenting a true picture of the Church of South India from its formative period, but also providing valuable insights for introspection to improve the quality of life and witness of the Church in the light of its original vision and contemporary challenges.

There were prophets of doom at the time of the inauguration of the church who predicted its disintegration within a short time. The book shows that fifty years history of the Church had falsified such a negative approach and instead the different traditions have grown together in such a way that the new generation of its members have already forgotten their old identities in the course of these fifty years under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, history has amply testified to the fact of growth of the Church in the formation of new dioceses, expansion of various ministries with necessary organisational changes relevant to the times, outreach activities undertaken by different dioceses and efforts initiated for further union with other churches.

While the book points out in clear terms salient features of the United Church and its growth, it poses certain questions with regard to deteriorating trends discernible in vital areas of its life such as quality of leadership, sharing of power, democratic way of functioning, internal discipline, unity with other church bodies and involvement in social and national issues.

Being a responsible and committed lay member of the Church the author raises such issues out of his genuine desire to see changes in the days to come especially at this time of preparation for the great Jubilee of the Church. Jubilee year according to biblical tradition is a time of repentance and return to the original vision received from God. That alone will guarantee God's blessing to the people who in celebration march into the unknown future of the new millennium with hope bearing God's mission.

This book is certainly going to be another source-material for further reference on Indian Church History and it can also be a guide to those who would want to study in detail any particular aspect of the life and ministry of the Church. It is my joy to see such a useful history book is written on the CSI by one of its eminent lay members especially at this juncture of dawn of a new century. So I present the book for reading with the hope that it would provide better knowledge to all readers about CSI and inspire its members to be truly loyal to the Church and more faithful to their calling.

This inauguration of the Church of South India (September 27, 1947) was hailed by the Churches throughout the world as the dawn of a unique era in the history of the Church. It was hoped that the union of the CSI 'will become a more effective instrument for God's work, and that there will be greater peace, closer fellowship and fuller life within the Church' and that the CSI would be 'a true leaven of unity in the life of India' and that through it there may be greater release of divine power for the fulfilment of God's purpose for His world'.

This book is sequel to the author's previous book 'Church of South India: Negotiations towards Union (1919-1947). When that book was published, some friends suggested that the author wrote another book describing Life of CSI in Union (1947-1997), so that the two would form a complete picture of the CSI since the beginning of negotiations (1919) to the present day; hence this book.'

I have used a great deal of materials collected from various authors:- A.M. Ward: The Pilgrim Church; An Account of the First Five Years in the Life of the Church (1953); R.D. Paul: The First Decade; An Account of the Church of South India (1958); Ecumenism in Action: The Church of South India, An Assessment (1972); Major Studies of evaluation undertaken officially by the Synod of the CSI: Renewal and Advance, Edited by R.D. Paul (1964), The CSI after 30 years edited by Dr. M. Abel (1978, Priorities for the mission of the Church edited by Das Babu 1981) and United to Unite edited by G.W. Gladstone (1997). The Constitution of the Church of Church of South India (reprinted 1993), the Synod Proceedings and Minutes and South India Churchman were of great assistance.

My mentor has been the Rt. Rev. T.B. Benjamin (a nonagenarian Bishop). His sharp intellect, clear thinking, practical knowledge, wide experience and positive contribution to the life of the Church of South India for more than half a century has considerably helped the present writer in executing this work. He has scrutinized every chapter of the book right up to the final stage. I am greatly indebted to him. I would be failing in my duty if I do not make special mention of Mrs. Grace Benjamin who has also played an important role in going through the material. Thank you, Bishop and Mrs. Benjamin. Most Rev. I. Jesudasan (former Moderator) and Rt. Rev. J. W. Gladstone have gone through the manuscript and made valuable contribution. It has been a great privilege for me as Bishop Jesudasan has kindly agreed to write Foreword to the book. For this, I am grateful to you, Bishops. My grateful thanks are due to the Principals of United Theological College, Bangalore and Kannamoolai United Theological Seminary, Trivandrum who have allowed me to use their libraries especially the Archives.

I am very glad to note that the Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (Delhi) and Christava Sahitya Samithy (Tiruvalla) are the Joint Publishers. A special word of thanks to my sister Aema who has encouraged me and made sure that all physical needs were met as I spent long hours on the computer. Indulgence is begged if the writer has omitted the name of any particular person.

If this book helps any reader to understand the way in which God led the Church of South India through the last half a century, my aim in writing this book is fully justified.