LAY INSTITUTE FOR FAITH EMPOWERMENT
(LIFE- The Department of Teaching Ministry under Kottarakkara-Punalur Diocese)
FOUNDATION: Teaching Ministry relies on the Great Commission of Jesus Christ “ to go and make Disciples” (Mark 16: 15)
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VISION : Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)
Mission : “Growing In Faith Together “
Teaching Ministry relies on the Great Commission of Jesus Christ “ to go and make disciples” (Mark 16: 15). “And He gave some Apostles and some Prophets, and some Pastors, and Evangelists and some Teachers” (Ephes 4:11) .Teaching Ministry relies on the Gift of Teaching, Wisdom and other forms of Revelatory Gifts. Task of the Teaching Ministry is to create contexts of learning and to develop love of wisdom and understanding, through Bible study, Theological and Philosophical discussion groups. Teaching Ministry encourages the participant to identify his own role in the ministry in relation to the Church Ministry, the Local parish and upholding the motto of the Church “Lighted to Lighten”.
In 2014, The Diocese Council, chaired by Thirumeni , Rt.Rev.Dr.Euyakkim Mar Coorilose Episcopa, decided to start the Department of Teaching Ministry and approved Vide Circular No.24 Dec.13, 2014 to start 6 months Certificate course for Spiritual Build up and Development of Laity, and empower the Laity for Wisdom, to be Christ Centric and Make readiness for Mission. The functioning of the Department is monitored by a team consisting of the Diocesan Bishop, Rt.Rev.Dr.Euyakkim Mar Coorilose Episcopa as the Patron; the Bishops and Diocese Secretary, Rev. Eapen Cherian; Chairman and Convener of the Teaching Department as its members.
Rev.Sabu Koshy, Salem Marthoma Church, Thalachira was designated as Chairman of the Department in 2014 and contributed till May 5th 2015 as he left to Mumbai on transfer to the Mumbai Diocese. Then, Rev. Saji P.Thomas, Karippuram Christos MTC was designated as Chairman of the Department from 10-5-2015 onwards. Er. T.K.Yohan, Mukhathala MTC was nominated as Convener of the Department since its inception, in 2014.
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Training Programmes conducted by LIFE
1) LIFE First Batch Inauguration
First Batch Training was inaugurated by Rev. Eapen Cherian, Diocese & Bishop ‘s Secretary on Feb 28 , 2015. Felicitation made by Rev. George Jose, Jubilee Mandiram Superintendant, on the occasion.
First Batch Participants
There were 29 participants from 18 parishes attended the programme at Kottarakkara Jubilee Mandiram as given below :
1) Kallada Nilamel 5 , 2) Mukhathala 6 ,3) BMTC Puthukkad 1, 4) Vilangara Salem 1 5) Andoor Jerusalem 1 , 6) Kundara Salem 2 , 7) Kundara Bethel 1, 8 ) St.Johns Pera 1, 9) Pattamala 1 , 10) Thrikkannamangal 1, 11) Chakkuvarakal Immnuel 1, 12) Vattomon Horeb 1, 13) Pulamon Bethel 1, 14) Villoor Salem 2, 15 )Avaneeswaram Immnuel 1, 16) Panaveli 1 , 17 ) Kottarakkara Salem 1, 18) Plappally 1
First Batch Faculty
The following Faculty – 9 Nos- have taken the classes and led discussions and interactions.
1) Rev. Sabu Koshy, Thalachira, 2) Rev.Sajan Varghese, Thalachira, 3) Rev.Saji.P. Thomas, Karippuram, 4) Rev.Dr. Easow Mathew, Kombadi, 5) Rev. Bobby Mathew, Kombadi, 6) Rev. P.N.Alexander, Adoor, 7) Rev.Thomas Philip,Kallada Nilamel, 8) Rev.A.C.Thomas, Areeplachi, 9) Er. Yohan.T.K, Mukhathala.
First Batch Valedictory & 2) Second Batch Inauguration
In the First Batch Valedictory function & second batch inauguration held on September 24 th 2015, certificates were issued to the participants and the Second Batch was also Inaugurated by the Diocese Bishop Rt.Rev.Dr.Euyakkim Mar Coorilose Episcopa.
Second Batch Participants
In total 33 participants -29 new and 4 old participants – have attended the Batch 2 Training programme from 12 parishes at Kottarakkara Jubilee Mandiram.
1)Kallada Nilamel 8, 2) Thrikkannamangal 4, 3) Thalachira Salem 3, 4) Ambathumkala Horeb 1 , 5) Kokkadu 1 , 6) Kottara 1 , 7 ) Kundara Salem 5, 8) Mylom 4 , 9) Mukhathala 3, 10) Christos Karippuram 1 11) Chengamanadu 1 , 12) Pattamala 1
Second Batch Faculty
The following Faculty- 9 Nos- have taken classes and led the discussions.
1) Rev. Sabu Koshy, Mumbai , 2) Rev.Dr.George Mathew, Kattanam , 3) Rev.Dr. Easow Mathew, Kombadi, 4) Rev. Dr.G.Varghese, Odanavattam, 5) Rev.Sajan Varghese, Thalachira, 6) Rev. Bobby Mathew, Kombadi, 7) Rev.A.C.Thomas, Areeplachi, 8) Rev.Saji.P. Thomas, Karippuram, 9) Er. Yohan.T.K, Mukhathala.
Second Batch Valedictory and 3) Third Batch Inauguration
In the Second Batch Valedictory function and third batch inauguration held on 11th June, 2016, certificates were issued to the participants and third batch was inaugurated by the Diocese Bishop, Rt.Rev.Dr.Euyakkim Mar Coorilose Episcopa at Jubilee Mandiram Kottarakkara.
Third Batch Partcipants
The number of participants attended the programme were 17 Nos from 9 parishes.(includes 1 from old batch). The programme was held at Jubilee mandiram Kottarakkara.
1)Kallada Nilamel 2, 2) Panaveli Bethel 3 , 3) Andoor, Jerusalem 1, 4) Peringalloor 1 , 5) Thalachira Salem 1 , 6) Kundara Salem 5 , 7) Perayam 1 8) Chengulam 1 , 9) Christos Karippuram 1, 10) Others 1
Third Batch Faculty
The following 7 Nos, faculty has led the classes, interactions and discussions.
1) Rev.Dr.George Mathew, Kattanam , 2) Rev.Dr. Easow Mathew, Kombadi , 3) Rev. Dr.G.Varghese, Odanavattam 4) Rev.A.C.Thomas, Areeplachi 5) Rev.P.J.Varghese, Kulanada , 6) Rev.Saji.P. Thomas, Karippuram , 7) Er. Yohan.T.K, Mukhathala.
Third Batch Valedictory and 4) Fourth Batch Inauguration
Third Batch Valedictory function and Fourth Batch Inauguration held on 2nd July, 2017 at Jubilee Mandiram Kottarakkara. Certificates for the Third batch participants were issued and the Fourth batch was inaugurated by the Diocese Bishop, Rt.Rev.Dr.Euyakkim Mar Coorilose Episcopa. The programme is scheduled to be held at St.Thomas Marthoma Church, Tholicode, Punalur.
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LIFE TRAINING PROGRAMME FEATURES
Certificate Programme of Six Months Duration –a level 1 programme for Lay Ministers
- Setting opportunity for Life Long Learning/continuous education
- Setting facility for Lay leadership Development
Certificate Programme Features
- Eligible who are 18 years of age and above
- 20 Modules/topics and 24 classes/sessions
- 24 classes of 3 hour duration total 72 Hrs
- Classes over a period of six months duration
- Classes on every Saturday FN or AN according to the convenience
- Last Half hour for interaction or discussion in every classes
- Normally, Classes conducted either at Kottarakkara or Punalur
- Study Notes available for all the Modules
Syllabus 20 Modules – 24 sessions
1) Bible - History
2) Bible- Canonization, Translations
3) Old Testament- 3 modules
4) New Testament- Gospels, Letters etc
5) Jesus- Life & Teachings
6) Holy Spirit
7) Christian Theology
8) Christology
9) Ecclesiology
10) Eco- Media Challenges
11) Mar Thoma Church- Faith & Practice
12) Sacraments- 2 modules
13) Liturgy
14) Mar Thoma Church -Organisations & Welfare Institutions
15) The Universal Church- History & Faith formation
16) Ecumenism
17) Family- Challenges and empowerment
18) Hermoneutic Principles and Sermon -2 modules
19) Counselling Basics
20) The Church – Mission, Evangelism & Witnessing
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How to Apply for the forth coming LIFE - Certificate Programme ?
Batch 4 programme is scheduled to commence on August 5 Saturday 10 AM to 1 PM at St.Thomas Marthoma Church, Tholicode , Punalur .
Contact Persons
1) Rev.Saji.P.Thomas, Chairman, LIFE, (Panaveli Bethel MTC)
Tel. 0474- 2470316, 9961478125 (m)
2) Er.Yohan.T.K, Convener, LIFE, (Mukhathala MTC)
Tel. 0474 2501039, 8547063349 (m)
3) Rev. Biju.T, St.Thomas MTC, Tholicode, Punalur
Tel. 0475- 2222997, 9446960777
