September 15, 2007 | 08:00:00

REV. David Singh committed his life to Lord Jesus Christ in 1972 when he was 19 through the witness of a pastor at the St. Mathias’ Church, Chennai. Within a month, he realized his calling was in pastoral ministry.  From 1974 -1978 he was at the UBS, Yavatmal. His first posting as a pastor was at the Garrison Church in St. Thomas Mount and  in St. Stephen’s at  Pallavaram. After five years there, he was posted at St. Andrews Kirk. After another five years of an ‘amazingly growing experience in the church’, he was asked by the seminary to take up teaching. He packed his bag and baggage and left for the UBS, Pune. He taught for a semester there and went to do Ph.D. programme at the Princeton Seminary, New Jersey. After he had spent eight years in research, he decided to pull out over differences with his guide over some doctrinal issues. He doesn’t regret it though. “After all, Ph.D., is a matter of alphabet. The learning was worth it,” he laughs. During  that period he went to Australia to teach at the Murdoch University; training pastors belonging to Anglican, Baptist and Uniting churches. From Australia, he went over to the USA to work with the Presbyterian  Church (USA). As a result of his unfinished research work emerged a church that has people from 24 different nationalities and elements from Presbyterian, Baptist, Anglican, Pentecostal churches. Currently he is part of Inspire International and in his personal capacity planting ‘international’ (multi-denominational churches) in the USA. His work with Inspire International means that he wants to promote Indian thinking and nurture Indian writing and expression of the Gospel. The soft-spoken and erudite Rev. David Singh spoke to The Christian Messenger’s editor Elsy Robin on a wide range of issues. Excerpts from the interview:

As a pastor who has been associated with several churches, could you tell us what is the one thing that irks you with the mainline churches?

The lack of priority to the teaching of the Word of God. We Indians were known the world over as some of the best Bible teachers. Slowly, we are imitating other models, cheap models that are not true to the Word of God. By cheap models I mean those who follow the way of the world than the Way of Christ. There is something beautifully Indian being humble, gentle and quiet, qualities of a man of God. That is what we need to recover. Where the authority comes from the Word of God and not from what you do.

You talked about cheap models. Are these essentially Western?

I won’t say that. It’s our own cinema model. Bollywood is a big industry far bigger than the Hollywood. So, let’s not blame the West for something that we choose to model.

In your opinion, what can bring about a change in the scene?

Our value system. The Christian value system has to be really Bible-based. Often I see uneducated people, simple people  passionate about God and the impact they make in the world is far more than others’. The Gospel has a simplicity that is very appealing to the Indian quest for God. We have moved away from the simplicity of Christ and the model of discipleship that He offered. That’s what we need to recapture.

Our churches seem to be getting innovative in the treatment of the Scriptures. Sermons have mostly become off-the-shelf remedies rather than elucidation of the Word of God. What’s the way out?

Innovative ways are not wrong. But the power lies not in the method. Power lies in the content of the Gospel; in the person of Jesus. And if that is not evident in the preacher no amount of theatrics is going to change the person who listens to the sermons. So a recovery of deep devotion to Christ and the world of prayer is really needed. It’s a very simple thing to do, no special knowledge is needed for that. That’s what our churches are missing out on.

The biggest challenge our pastors and priests seem to be facing is holding the attention of the congregation. How do you preach a sermon that probably takes 30 or more minutes to an audience who cannot concentrate for more than five or 10 minutes?

There’s no rule that you should speak for 45 minutes. The word of authority that comes from the Gospel can be said in two sentences or it can be said over a period of two hours. I think we are not giving the Holy Spirit enough credibility to allow creativity for each generation and each time. I believe our God is creative. If we allow the Spirit to teach us, the method will be far better than what we are trying to do right now. I’ve studied at some of the best seminaries. I have had some of the best professors teach on preaching. I myself have taught on preaching. Preaching, while you can develop it, has to come out of godliness. It doesn’t come any other way. I have taught so many preachers and I have understood this: you can at best improve them by 15 percent through techniques and methods. The rest of it has to come from godliness.

How big is the prayer factor in all these?

I think prayer is one of the primary gifts that the Indian church can offer the worldwide church. Because the Indian church has been known to be a praying church.

Are the other churches any less?

My experience of travelling and working around the world and  in India  is that there is a deep spiritual hunger and thirst for God. We know how to pour out our hearts to Him.

Where do you think that comes from?

It’s part of the culture. Seeking God and adoration to Him is inbuilt into us and is part of our cultural inheritance.

Why is there attrition in the traditional churches?

People will go where they find they are being fed. Whether it’s a mainline church or an independent one, if there is a true feeding of the spirit by the Word of God then people will flock to that place. Because the hunger of the human mind for God is so great they will go wherever they can find God. The key question is not about denomination or what church you go to; Let us ask the more important question: Are people encountering God? The time of mainline or Pentecostal or independent church has come to an end. The simple test is: Are people being changed through an encounter with God? Denominational differences have to end. For that matter, It is not just the mainline churches that have denominations, even the Pentecostal church has over 750 denominations.

Several churches are concerned about ‘sheep-grabbing’. Why do church leaders bicker about their flock being grabbed by someone else up the road?

If you ask me there’s only one Shepherd and we are all His sheep. At best, pastors are sheep-dogs not shepherds. Only Jesus is the true Shepherd. With the challenge of so many millions of unreached peoples in this country these bickering are ridiculous. If you walk the streets of our villages and cities and your heart is not moved by the fact that the vast majority doesn’t know Jesus it’s quite sad. +Reaching out to them should be our consuming passion not whether people are going here or there. I’ll rejoice as long as people are going somewhere where they can follow Jesus.

So where should the change start – with the people or the priests?

The change begins with a conversion of the heart. We need to be clear that our commitment is to Jesus Christ, not to money or to power or anything that revolves around us. I know very traditional, liturgical churches that are thriving, exploding with people, and being very alive. It’s not the form. It’s the content that matters. A fully Anglican and liturgical church is guaranteed to grow provided there is a faithful ministry. Or you can do a completely different style of clapping and shouting at the top of your voice and the church can grow. The form is not the issue. Are people committed to Christ? Are they rooted in the Word? Are they encountering God? Look at St. Andrews Kirk Church it is packed and overflowing. It is a great church. And I’ve been at places where there were eight people gathered around a small hurricane lantern – equally alive. In both gatherings God is very present.

Eroding family values is always attributed to be the root cause for families breaking up and marriages ending up in divorces. Is that all or something more than meets the eye?

Culture can only place certain boundaries. With increased earning potential, geographical separation due to nuclear families, individuals moving farther and farther away from the community structure, it is bound to break down. So what will preserve the family has to be an understanding of accountability to God. That marriage is not just a human institution but a covenant with a covenant-keeping God. The more we understand that, the better. And the relationship between marriage and salvation has to be clearer and clearer.

Can you elaborate that one? The relationship between marriage and salvation…

It’s something that I have been working on for some time. I believe many of the promises related to salvation can also be applied to marriage. I’ll give you one example. Jesus said: “I’ll never leave you nor forsake you.” It’s a foundational verse of assurance for salvation. It’s also a foundational statement for a marriage where in the covenant you are making with God you are making the same promise to your spouse. The security of this covenant makes it easy for a couple to even fight within limits. That gives you the assurance that even if you fight the spouse is not going to quit on you. So they can have the courage to be honest and work on the relationship. That’s one close parallel between the promises of salvation and promises of marriage.  I’ll give you another example. At the baptism of Jesus, let me paraphrase what God the Father says: “You are my beloved. I am well pleased with you.” That is the launching point for the commissioning of Jesus for His ministry.  I see that as foundational for marriage too. To be able to affirm to your spouse that you are my beloved and I am happy with you releases a person to be fully what they are called to be.

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