BY the time this month’s edition of the Trinidad Presbyterian reaches you, Holy Week would be upon us as we look with anticipation to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Living Lord and Savior.
In addition, the Synod will be preparing for its 63rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) later in the month. At this AGM, among other elections, there will be an election of a new Moderator, which will bring my four (4) year tenure as Moderator to an end. We will give an account of our stewardship and put on record the various events and activities that shape the vision and mission mandated to each Court, Standing Board and Committee of the PCTT.
However, it is intriguing that these reports will be read many years from now by many generations who may want to find out how we lived out the Gospel of Christ in the context of our times. Perhaps, through strategic planning and coordinated implementation, this may be the case when
others read these Reports to see whether the recommendations generated actions that were relevant for today’s needs and tomorrow’s experiences.
As I complete this journey of ‘Moderatorship’, permit me to share how I travelled this four-year journey guided by a vision characterized by the CMC Models – Care-Fronting; Midwifery; and Consensus.
In pursuing the Care-Fronting model as Pastor Pastorum and by the Grace of God, I was able to visit our 108 congregations sharing in worship, struggles and celebrations. This was crucial in creating a Christian community for effective living because confronting plus caring brings growth just as discipline plus grace brings salvation.
The Midwifery model draws its inspiration from the Book of Exodus in relation to the Hebrew Midwives. It speaks of transforming social acts of oppression and marginalization into freedom, justice and peace. This model with the assistance of many stakeholders, empowered me and those who were facing issues of unemployment, gender-based violence, mental health and many other issues within and beyond the four walls of the church.
Moderator of the Synod of the PCTT (2019-2023)
The Consensus model mirrors the 2003 World Council of Churches (WCC) decision-making model which ensured that no individual or group dominated the narrative or had their voices trivialised. This became more evidently real during the pandemic, when there was visible unity in community that strengthened ecumenical and interfaith relationships. Through consensus, togetherness, searching God’s will together with prayer and deliberating with one mind and heart, the vision and mission of the church became a lived reality.
.Therefore, let me take this opportunity to humbly express my gratitude to my dear husband, family and friends, the Officers and members of the Synod, colleagues in ministry (all church workers – full-time and part-time) and the general laity of our beloved PCTT for their advice, unanimous and overwhelming support for the past four (4) years, two (2) of which were unique due to the global pandemic. Indeed, it was a blessing to journey with you as the Moderator of Synod, albeit there were some challenging moments, but many exhilarating moments and everything in between. I was humbled for the opportunity to be part of the PCTT’s servant leadership and Christ’s magnanimous ministry.
I fervently pray that God will give us the wisdom to make the right and best decisions that will fulfil the will and purpose of God. I pray God’s grace and eternal blessings upon the newly elected Moderator for 2023-2025 and our beloved PCTT.
I urge you - never yield to negative energies and detractors; serve and lead with assertiveness, discernment, decorum, professionalism; and always be humble and kind!
As we face the challenges and uncertainties of this earthy life with all its joys and sorrows, we can be confident that the Resurrection of Jesus Christ brings a Living Hope of a better life to come with amazing possibilities.
To God Be The Glory!
The Rt. Reverend Joy E. Abdul-Mohan
