Late Rev. Dr. I. Ben Wati Legacy Talk- II conducted
Dimapur, November 22 (MExN): The second Late Rev. Dr. I. Ben Wati Legacy Talk organized by ELIM Resource Centre (ERC), Guwahati in partnership with Eastern Theological College, Jorhat was held on November 18 at ETC Campus, Jorhat, Assam. A press release received here stated that representatives from Clark Theological College, Manipur Theological College, Oriental Theological Seminary and host Eastern Theological College attended the talk. In her welcome address, Lucy Pau, Director ERC, stated that Uncle Ben’s Legacy talk is organized to bring to mind the testament of how his life has impacted many Christian leaders from across denominations and organisations, and to encourage the younger generations to emulate his life and ministry.
Rev. Dr. Ngul Khan Pau, Senior Consultant (DAI), in his paper ‘The need of Mentoring in Theological institution’, mentioned that, “While it is true that intellectual growth is a result of information, holistic growth requires much more than the impartation of information. It needs an exhortation to apply that information in life’s situations…..it is dangerous when there is no mentoring relationship and teaching and learning has become a mere intellectual exercise. It is, therefore, important for theological seminaries to rediscover ways to introduce mentoring as an essential tool for the holistic formation of their students. It is the right and privilege of every minister called by God to learn the joy and challenges of ministry in the context of meaningful mentoring relationship with God and with one another, as they live out their calling as representatives of God”.
In response to Rev. Dr. Pau’s paper, Dr. Joshua Lorin, Principal OTS said, “Dr. Pau’s paper provokes the question: As theological educators, ‘how are we doing?’ On a deeper tone, ‘what should we be doing anyway?’ In asking this, I share a sense of crisis concerning the main directions and practices of theological education in our context….we must attend more carefully to preparing people for our church and society”.
The second paper on the topic ‘The need for Spiritual Discipline in the Theological College context’ was presented by Dr. Cindy L Perry, South Asia Director DAI. She stated that, “….a primarily academic approach, imparting Biblical knowledge, doctrines, theology, is important, but not enough. God help us to find more effectual means of holistically equipping the future leaders of His people, that they might both preach and live the Word of God with integrity, growing more and more in Christ-likeness.”
In his response, Dr. Visakuolie Vakha, Senior Lecturer CTC, stated that “….let us be reminded that the main issue of this paper is not on the question of whether it is there or absent. But that debate we all know would be almost pointless leading us to nowhere. And Dr. Perry’s paper must be received with a deep sense of appreciation for bringing out some stark realities of the existing theological training programs making us to re-discuss as to how we can do better.”
The participants also had intense discussions on the questions raised by the presenters and respondents. A significant outcome from the discussions was the realization about the need to address or re-address the issues of mentoring and spiritual discipline in a proactive manner in theological institutions, and more importantly to develop a culture that works towards the holistic development of the individual, the church and the community. An inspiring outcome of this legacy talk was the response of one of the participants who, compelled by his findings, made a decision to mentor his students intentionally in his College. In his closing remark, Rev. Dr. Pau mentioned that these characteristics of mentoring and spiritual discipline were hallmarks of Uncle Ben Wati’s life and ministry: a legacy that should be continued through generations hereafter.
