The Centre for Asian-Canadian Theology and Ministry 2
One of the current concerns is a way that different groups such as the college and The PCC view the centre in their future. With a new principal at Knox and a new position of Intercultural Liaison appointed at The PCC, there seems to be some innovative thinking going on as to how the centre could serve the wider church.
To be helpful, the centre’s identity needs to be clarified.
Though the centre lacks resources, it is essential as a spiritual home for Asian-Canadians who are engaged in theological explorations, development and support of immigrant Asian-Canadian ministries as well as for those Asian-Canadian clergy who serve congregations outside of Asian-Canadian communities. At the same time, the centre has evolved to be a space of unique hospitality for all Canadians albeit in a very small way.
In the previous discussion, we spent some time discussing the centre as a bridge between Asian-Canadians and the rest of Canadians. It is now a time to explore what we have become before we begin discussing what we might be.
A humble suggestion
Perhaps time has come to use a new way of seeing what the centre can be. For example, simply seeing the centre more in terms of this overlapping section in the venn diagram and not as a bridge can help us imagine the centre with a more up-to-date image of what it can be.
Unlike a bridge linking two separate entities, this overlapping part shows the possibilities of what both can be together in communion. The wonder of using venn diagrams is that there can be many separate entities, yet, there will always be an area of overlap by all entities as long as all come to share part of each with others. That overlap area is more than the sum of two separate entities. It is at the same time something new.
In other words, either we continue to view the centre as a bridge linking two separate entities, leaving two entities separate and independent or we can see the centre as something that brings together and joins two or more entities creating something entirely new. Already those Asian students, alumni, staff, faculty and supporters see the centre as more than just a bridge that links Asian-Canadians and the rest, but as a spiritual home.
If we see the centre in terms of the overlap section of venn diagrams, then, we see a different possibility altogether.
To discuss the new possibility please click the link below.
Next: Centre for Asian-Canadian Theology and Ministry 3