March 2005
Classes began earlier this month and we are back into a fairly
normal schedule. I’m teaching two courses this semester
at the Mission Training Center: “Introduction to the New
Testament” and “Theology and Practice of Evangelism.”
I’ll probably teach one or two graduate courses at two seminaries
later this year, a Presbyterian seminary and a Catholic seminary.
The latter is a particularly unusual opportunity, as Protestants
and Catholics in Latin America do not mix as easily as in the
United States. But it has proved an exciting opportunity to share
much that we have in common and learn from different perspectives
(students are from a variety of Protestant churches and Catholic
orders and one Hindu order).
Two weeks ago I returned from a board meeting of the Caiuá
Indian Mission, where we had to make some difficult as well as
routine decisions. Concerning the former, one Indian family was
not satisfied with a non-indigenous Brazilian missionary the board
designated as Field Director and demanded to be heard by the board.
The case had already gone before a larger group of indigenous
leaders who thought the young man was simply indiscreet and needed
a second chance, but this particular family remained indignant
and there was some talk of possible forceful action on their part.
Thankfully that did not occur and the fact that the larger indigenous
group of Christian leaders existed and had already deliberated
on the case largely resolved the case. But the whole episode well
illustrated the importance of delegating more and more authority
to capable Christian indigenous leaders, a plan that my Brazilian
colleague and I have worked hard on for the last 18 months. It
also illustrated the fact that this kind of ministry does have
risks.
Our eventual goal in the next few years is the establishment
of a full-fledged indigenous church (read “denomination”)
fully led by indigenous pastors and ruling elders, along their
own terms. Unfortunately the execution of such a project has a
number of “hitches” along the way that require the
involvement of a largely non-indigenous board and administrative
leaders of the mission. Unfortunately, the indigenous cause, larger
than the establishment of the church, in Brazil still advances
with much conflict and not too few deaths. Recently, I learned
that the father of one of the mission’s indigenous evangelists,
also a committed Christian who was working for the government
delineating Indian territory, was murdered by assassins hired
by a wealthy non-indigenous farm owner.
In April I’ll participate in a consultation on theological
education in the Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil, PC(USA)’s
principal partner in Brazil. They have three seminaries, three
seminary extensions, and three mission training centers. The focus
of attention will be the future of leadership preparation in light
of declining attendance due, in large part, to an increasingly
aging population which provides fewer young candidates and also
to fewer placement possibilities. This is an important event that
will require both discernment and courage for restructure.
On a more personal note, our children are all fairly well. Jenny
(24) has another year or so in fine arts at UNCC and has her Crohn’s
disease under control. Tim Jr. (22) seems to finally be entering
into a more stable phase of his life and has begun studies at
the University of Hawaii. Sarah (18) is working hard to finish
high school and finally making pretty good grades. She’ll
finish either in the middle of the end of this year in the unconventional
system she is in and hopes to be enrolled at UNCC in January 2006.
She has the SAT hurdle before her still and the application process
for entrance, scholarships, etc. that you all are more than familiar
with.
We plan to be in the United States for Christmas this year and
will be available to speak in churches January-February 2006.
In March 2006, we’ll return to our assignment here, which
will then conclude at the end of November 2006. We’ll then
be available once again for itineration December 2006 through
May 2007, although we do not yet know where we’ll be located
then. On the first trip, January-February 2006, we’ll be
in Charlotte at my parent’s house. Hope to see you all then.
There is much more I can say, but I’ll save that for our
next communication. Keep us in your prayers.
Tim Carriker
The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
44 |
