JOSEPH MAR BARNABAS: ONE WHO ENCOURAGES AND LEADS
Having successfully completed his Episcopal responsibilities for the last seven years in the Delhi, Mumbai dioceses of the Mar Thoma Church, Rt. Rev. Joseph Mar Barnabas has taken charge of the Adoor Diocese.
He was consecrated as a Bishop of the Mar Thoma church on 2nd October, 1993. During the last fifteen years he served in different dioceses of the Mar Thoma Church, and since 2001 he serves as the bishop of the Mumbai and Delhi dioceses.
A brilliant example of his interest in mission is the Srikakulam mission field. Thirumeni has a vision of selecting enthusiastic people from the local areas who could be given adequate theological training for this purpose. This vision has come into reality as the Srikakulam mission field is presently run by twenty-four such evangelists who are working hard for the extension of the Kingdom of God. Thirumeni says “In recent times, conversion is a hot issue in religion and politics; there’s a difference between conversion and forced conversion. Conversion is God’s doing, and forced conversion is a human activity. According to the Christian faith, it is the Holy Spirit who motivates a person for conversion and the spiritual experience is beyond reason and logic. We should not entertain forced conversion; it is a punishable offense. Church should condemn the same. St. Paul is the best example for conversion in the early church. He became a changed person and went ahead with his missionary journeys…”
The documentary “My Lord and My God,” brought out by the Delhi diocese is the brainchild of Thirumeni. The immense task was taken up by Thirumeni and he worked his way through the whole project with full dedication and enthusiasm. The time and energy he spent for the completion of this project is commendable. The documentary was aimed at enlightening the Mar Thoma populace of their faith and practice of the Church.
Thirumeni was instrumental in republishing some of our worship books that were uncared for years. As the chairman of the lectionary committee, he took initiative to have a common lectionary for the Churches in Communion. It was Thirumeni’s vision to begin Mar Thoma Church’s one and only Bible Correspondence Course ‘Jeevamrutham.’ The English and Hindi versions of the same are also made available.
Thirumeni completed sixty years of age. As Thirumeni is ministering in the Adoor Diocese as the present Diocesan Episcopa, and as the chairman of various organizations and committees at the church level, the Diocese of North America and Europe wishes him all the best and God’s choicest blessings in his future endeavors.