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CSINA – FAQ’s |
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The CSI flock in America continues to be a confused lot. There are some who have no clue as to what is going on and are content to believe that ignorance is bliss. There are some who are aware that something is going on and would rather subscribe to unfounded circulating reports rather than make an honest attempt to ascertain the truth. There is a miniscule and belligerent group out who not only create confusion and chaos but appear to thrive in it. Meanwhile, there is an increasing majority who know exactly what is going on and what is best for them individually and as a community at large. This post is designed with the primary objective of answering some of the most frequently asked questions and consistently voiced concerns.
Q. What is the present state of affairs with respect to the CSI affairs in America ? A. We simply continue to exist for name sake. Deep within us, we are a deeply divided lot, split into two or three groups, each group trying hard to outwit the other in some form or the other. Relationships among families and friends have strained, its effects filtering down to the next generation as well. The Bible is very clear in this matter, a house divided against itself cannot stand.
Q. Specifically, what has brought about this situation ? A. Inflated personal ego within members and unwillingness to submit to authority.
Q. Is there a remedy ? A. Yes. We need a solid organized structure that allows us to function in the USA without the scope of outside interference.
Q. Could you please explain a little more in detail ? A. Certainly. Most of us have been blessed with the opportunity to work and live in this great country. Almost all of us are citizens, aspiring citizens or non resident aliens. This is home for an overwhelming majority of us. This is the place where we have settled down, where we are raising our children and most likely, the place where will may eventually retire. During the course of time we have established churches all over USA where our members have an opportunity to worship in accordance with our time tested faith and traditions. These churches have been registered in this country under U.S. laws. There have been several instances where the smooth functioning of our churches have been hampered by interference from the Church of South India, its Synod, its leaders and so on. Only a new vision can guarantee our survival in America. We need to disconnect from the church back home. We are fully independent churches, functioning in accordance with our own constitutions and subscribing to local laws at a Federal and State level. Trying to incorporate additional rules and regulations from the Church of South India would only create unnecessary confusion and chaos. We need a strong representative to safeguard our interests in the USA. The Church of South India of North America (hereafter referred to as the CSINA) has been established with the purpose of fulfilling this objective.
Q. What about the Church of South India and its Synod ? A. The boundaries of the Church of South India are limited to the four South Indian States of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and of course Jaffna. This limitation is clearly enshrined in its constitution. In simple words, the Church of South India has no authority to function outside its established parameters. This includes among other places, the Gulf and North America.
Q. Are you saying that we should ignore the Mother Church ? A. Not at all. We hold the Mother Church, its Synod and its leaders in high esteem and accord them all the respect due. We should refrain from dragging them into our mess or make any attempt to belittle or humiliate them. If we have issues, we also have the ability to fix it amongst ourselves. To put it more plainly, let them continue to lead the church and their respective dioceses while we continue to mind our own business.
Q. What about the Madhya Kerala Diocese (MKD) ? A. It is a widely accepted fact that an overwhelming majority of us hail from geographical boundaries that constitute the Madhya Kerala Diocese. We have our own distinct way of worship, our own traditions and basically our own way of doing things in accordance with the laws of the land. Is there anything wrong with this? Is it our fault that we outnumber other linguistic groups ? Is there anything irregular if we ask for MKD Vicar’s to serve our churches ? The desire of the majority does matter, it this not what true democracy is all about ? The Bishop of the Madhya Kerala Diocese must be accorded the respect due to him just like any other Bishop of the CSI. It is a shame that many of our problems are created by MKD members themselves. We do not want to waste time laying blame, what matters most is whether we are willing to work on issues that divide us, find solutions and move on with our lives in spirit of harmony, tolerance and mutual respect.
Q. Does the CSINA consider itself to be the perfect answer ? A. No. The CSINA has never claimed to have the perfect answer to all our problems. The CSINA has been established with the hope and the prayer that all churches in North America will find it in their best interests to come together, join hands and work towards a common and unified goal. Nobody is perfect. As individuals, we all have our shortcomings. Do we continue to live with our shortcomings or can we do something that will may it go away ?
Q. What about the CSI Council ? A. The Council is a relic of the past. We are now in the 21st century and need an organization that can function effectively and meet the needs of change. We need to shed ourselves of any excess baggage if we are to move forward.
Q. We heard that there was some attempt at reconciliation … A. Absolutely. The CSINA made very sincere attempts to reach out to the Council and its supporters in 2004 as well as in 2005. The venue and times were agreed upon. CSINA office bearers even reserved their air tickets. Unfortunately, all attempts were scuttled by the Council representatives under some pretext or the other. We could have easily overcome most of our differences over a couple of meetings but there were forces within the Council who were determined not to let it happen.
Q. Are you planning any more attempts ? A. Our door are always open.
Q. We heard that somebody has possession of the CSI logo A. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Please do not subscribe to such baseless allegations. The logo is registered under the CSINA and is jointly owned by all the churches that are currently members of the CSINA. It has never been and will never be the sole property of any one individual. By registering the logo, the CSINA has only carried out an administrative procedure just as any other organization would do in America.
Q. How many churches are part of the CSINA ? A. Currently there are six. We do hope that others who are still undecided will be able to turn in their applications for membership as early as possible.
Q. Is any congregation mandated to join ? A. Not at all. The choice is voluntary in nature.
Q. Why are there two Family & Youth Conferences each year ? A. At the end of the 16th conference in 2002, it was decided that a certain congregation in Florida would host the 2003 conference. Accordingly, plans were drawn and details were being worked out. At that point, an engineered split in that Florida congregation threw a spanner into the works and things started to fall apart. The Florida splinter group demanded to host the conference which was contrary to the majority decision. The organizers of the 2003 conference refused to give into pressure and decided to proceed with the conference as planned. As a token of their protest, the splinter group and their supporters staged an unauthorized parallel conference just across the street from where the legitimate one was being conducted. This fiasco repeated itself in 2004 and 2005.
Q. How will the CSINA handle this matter ? A. The CSINA strongly believes that there should be only one Family & Youth Conference at the national level which will be organized and conducted by the CSINA. This is not all. Between all the 30+ churches, we have a wealth of talent. We can conduct so many activities by harnessing this talent in the proper way. If we do not seize this opportunity, we all stand to lose.
Q. Any final message to the people ? A. Yes. Your voice needs to be heard. Your views are equally important. Please make decisions based on facts only, do not lend your ear to ill-fated gossip and slander. If you know what is good for you, your family and your church, you will realize and accept the need for a sold and structured organization that will act as a true representative of all CSI churches in America and Canada. There is no more Council and there is no more U.C.M.C., the CSINA is the most viable solution for an organized structure once and for all !
We have so much in common. The CSINA firmly believes that the forces that unite us far outweigh the forces that tend to divide us. The question is, do you believe it ?
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