CELEBRATING WELL

In the housing society where I live, there are only a handful of Christians. However, many more families hang up Christmas stars, and the society management consistently organises a combined function celebrating both Christmas and New Year’s Eve. While no spiritual content is present in these celebrations, this practice subtly mainstreams Christianity and Christians at …

Stories of Learning and Leading

A Journey of Faith and Learning with TRACI

A Journey of Faith and Learning with TRACI I serve as the church administrator and worship team leader for my local church and I’m also a social science researcher. I’m writing a book about women’s leadership in Indian churches through interviews I did with 115 women over 33 cities in the country. Over the course …

TRACI ARTIST RESIDENCY

Art, for many, is viewed as entertainment, an escape, or a relaxing hobby. But could it hold a greater purpose, especially in serving God? This was a notion most of us student artists dismissed before attending the TRACI Art Residency organized by Art for Change. The residency, a collaboration between the Theological Research and Communication …

“It’s Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Work Place”

I. INTRODUCTION The workplace is where adult humans spend a large portion of our days, and indeed, our lives. It is important, then, that we try to understand what the workplace should ideally be like. As Christians we would easily agree that the ideal workplace would be fashioned after God’s own work and instructions about …

“CASTE CONUNDRUM: CHURCH – COMPLICIT OR CATALYST FOR CHANGE?

KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM TRACI REFLECTION: “CASTE CONUNDRUM: CHURCH – COMPLICIT OR CATALYST FOR CHANGE? On the 26th of July 2024, the Theological Research and Communication Institute (TRACI), grappled the pressing issue of caste within the church and society in its ongoing Reflection series. The reflection featured a panel of distinguished speakers who shared their insights …

CHRISTIAN SOLIDARITY IN THE MIDST OF PERSECUTION

Christians in some parts of India have been facing growing persecution on account of their faith at different times due to the rise of religious fundamentalism and the proliferation of hate against religious minorities in India. In 1998, Christians in the Dangs District of Gujarat suffered intense persecution and attacks on Christian institutions. In 2008, …

CALLED OUT, SENT IN

Imagine the consternation of the Romans in the 1st century, when Christians called themselves the ‘ecclesia of the Christ.’ To them this meant they were claiming to be ‘the public legislative assembly of the Liberator.’ Christians were therefore immediately perceived a threat to the Roman empire, who proceeded to put to death thousands of those …