The “emerging” vision of Calcutta Christo Samaj (1887 – 1894)
Posted by wisdomtree on December 6, 2007
About 125 years back, Joy Govinda Shome presented a plan for an independent Indian Church with voluntary pastors at the Calcutta Missionary Conference (1882). He felt that by making a living through secular work is the only way to self-supportive churches. It was undoubtedly the spirit of nationalism that fuelled the aspirations for an independent Indian church. However, it was definitely a move towards an indegenous (Indian) church.
K.M Banerjea and Shome left their churches to experiment an Indian expression of the community of Christian believers that would be relevant to the contextual needs. The Calcutta Christo Samaj was formed in 1887.
The members met weekly in private homes for common worship. No pastor was elected and there was no distinction between clergy and laity. The collapse of the distinction is in line with the radical insights and initiatives of K.M Banerjea and Joy Shome. The services were led by members both men and women. And they practiced baptism by lay people. The Samaj consisted of mostly educated lay people who were financially independent of the missionaries and therefore could disagree with missionaries. Unfortunately, the Christo Samaj did not continue for long. Nevertheless, it points to the aspirations of a group of people to emerge relevant and meaningful forms of worship.
