we experienced worship at the cathedral in bangalore. if i had closed my eyes i could have been in england. the building was built by the english and felt that way – there is even a union jack in one of the stained glass windows. we sang hymns, had a eucharist liturgy (it was a bit different to an anglican liturgy but only marginally), the language was all english, the clergy wore robes, even the collection bags were the same, and the bread for communion was wafers rather than roti or naan. i kind of guessed it would be this way though i have heard people talk in excitement about the liturgies of the church of south india so expected more liturgical innovation – maybe that happens in other contexts. at one level it was great – the cathedral was packed and apparently they run 5 services on sundays as it is so popular. 2000 families are members. at another level i was uncomfortable…
Technorati Tags: india, india talkie, mission
i went to a church in bangalore about 15 years ago – not sure if it was the cathedral. It was very large, enclosed by a brick and barbed wire fence, and surrounded by slum housing. Someone had spray painted graffiti onto the fence, to face the slum, that said “Jesus saves”, and i think, in response, i had my first crisis of faith…
your reflections are great – very evocative.