CCA organises third workshop in India on Good Governance, Integrity Leadership and Stewardship in Parish Ministry
Kolkata, India: The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), in collaboration with the Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore College (BTESSC), organised its third national workshop in India from 31 May to 3 June 2025 in Kolkata, India.
The workshop, focused on the theme “Good Governance, Integrity Leadership and Stewardship in Parish Ministry”, brought together final year theological students from different theological seminaries and colleges across North and Northeast India.
The workshop began with a welcome and opening address by Rev. Dr Rodinmawia Ralte, Secretary of BTESSC, followed by the thematic address delivered by Rev. Dr Limatula Longkumer, Registrar of the Senate of Serampore College (University).
Dr Longkumer emphasised that stewardship should not be viewed merely as a duty but as a divine relationship of accountability and trust, one that begins with being in right relationship with God.
Rev. Prof. Dr Sunil Caleb, Principal of Bishop’s College, addressed the urgent issue of poor governance and financial mismanagement in Indian churches and theological institutions. He urged the students to develop a culture of transparency, ethical discernment, and Christ-centred leadership.
Former General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), Rev. Dr Roger Gaikwad, encouraged the students to embrace a lifelong posture of humility and mission in their pastoral ministry, reminding them: “We enter in the ministry to serve, we leave for the mission to serve”.
Rev. Dr Robinson Nelson Christian highlighted the increasing relevance of pastoral ministry in the 21st century, marked by the challenges of secularism, technological shifts, and declining trust. He urged students to respond with resilience, adaptability, and contextual creativity in addressing the struggles of their congregations.
In a session on pastoral shepherding and witness in digital spaces, Rev. Dr Moody Allan Wood Lyngkhoi emphasised that online spaces are no longer optional but now essential arenas for real ministry, vulnerability, and transformation. He urged the prospective pastors to navigate social media and digital platforms with both theological discernment and ethical responsibility.
John Paul Devakumar, who led a biblical reflection on “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God,” cautioned that when churches fail to practice responsible stewardship, they risk misusing offertory funds to pay legal fines, court cases, or cover mismanagement—thereby misappropriating resources that rightfully belong to God.
Throughout the workshop, participants affirmed their commitment to becoming ethical leaders and responsible stewards in their respective churches and communities. The core message resonated clearly: “Good governance and faithful stewardship are not optional, but essential expressions of accountable discipleship.”
The workshop was part of a series of programmes initiated and organised by CCA in different Asian countries on integrity leadership, stewardship, pastoral accountability, and contemporary challenges in ecclesial governance.
