At an informal level, I began with the inspiration of Thomas, who's true knowledge came from being overwhelmed by the knowledge of Christ.
In fact, though I 'met' Thomas on many occasions, I lost sight of him as a 'hero'. But looking back, perhaps I did indeed follow in his footsteps.
Geographically, probably yes (and I have since learnt that current debate is as to whether he went also to China); but spiritually, yes as well. For I was overwhelmed - out of my comfort zone for virtually the whole time, totally dependent on my new friends in India, whom I will never forget. India carries you along in a wave of life, and it was great to be helped on that experience by those who gave us such a welcome and embraced us. I will be forever grateful and transformed by that experience, and grateful to my supervisor for advising me to let that happen. My instinct is to head-knowledge (Thomas, and yes, I learnt much with my mind); but this was something I learnt from the heart most of all. Looking back, that remains with me. The writings of David Ford provide me a theological basis for what I have experienced. I dare to think and hope that this will be one of the lasting personal legacies, perhaps the biggest.
More formally, I began with the awareness that Indian Christians I have met in Harlow have a lively faith and are well-taught in Christian things. Their faith is generally more vibrant than that of Christians in the UK. I was asking what is distinctive about The Church of South India's liturgy, its worship and spirituality that we can learn from in Harlow.
To some extent, it is perhaps fair to say that anything Indian is likely to be more vibrant than in England. That is the nature of Indian life, which teems with energy. To explore that is outside the brief I have set myself and would probably demand a book in itself.
But within my more limited aims, what may I say?
1. Deeds and words go hand in hand in mission. Faith is to do with the whole of life. Therefore it has to be more vibrant if it is to mean anything. I hear a fresh call to whole-life vocation.
2. There is no sacred-secular divide. This is rooted in European culture. The call of the western church must be to address this.
3. A practical commitment to evangelism by the church at large, in its structures and institutions - certainly the parts of the church that I met.
4. The value of knowing the 'tradition' of the church, of sensing one's part in the stream of Christian history. This is not the same as being 'traditional' - much of the church was far from that; but there is a sense of knowing one's place in the stream of history. Much of this is virtually innate, eg the inspiration of Thomas. But it is important. I need to explore what this might mean for us in England.
In closing, thank you India. Thank you to the Church of South India. Thank you to Jayaseelan and Ramila for organising our visit, and for all your time; and thank you to all God's family in Chennai.
