Ekklesia - Indian Conversations: A Study of the Church

Contents: Foreword. Preface. 1. General background of the term Ekklesia/H. Joseph Lafakmawia. 2. Egalitarianism in the socio-economic life of Israel: implications for Ekklesia in India/Atula Ao. 3. Origin and transition of the church in the first five centuries/John Alex. 4. The growth, development and structure of the church (kyriakon) in the Roman world from Ist to 6th century/Gaikaolung Dangmei. 5. Confronting socio-religio-political oppressive powers in the Ekklesia of God/H. Joseph Lalfakmawia. 6. Paul’s vision for the Ekklesia of God/Roji T. George. 7. Paul's understanding of Ekklesia as a community of believers: a Christian ethical perspective/Ajungla Jamir. 8. Kalisiya - ek Bharatiya Sanskarika Samudaya (Ekklesia - an Indian sacramental community)/Samuel George. 9. Ekklesia - The body of Christ defiled in the church: a Christian counselling perspective/R. Lalruata. 10. Ekklesia model or `Kyriarchal' model: Hermeneutical choice and the future of Ekklesia/Rosy Baroi. 11. Ekklesia in the midst of religious and cultural pluralism/John Basy Paul. 12. Ekklesia - the radical democratic assembly of equals; towards an Indian Ecclesiology: a pentecostal perspective/V. V. Thomas. 13. Sociological perspectives for ecclesiology: towards a sociology of the church based on Francois Houtart's thoughts/Jerome Sahabandhu. 14. Ecclesiology in context: reflections from an Indian perspective in the light of current ecumenical deliberations/O. V. Jathanna. 15. Towards people (Laos) ecclesiology for mission/Simon Pinto. 16. The significance of communication in Ekklesia/Tinumeren Ozukum. 17. Towards a new `Ecclesia': re-reading the concept of `Ecclesia' in the Bible: a few pointers/Roger Gaikwad. Bibliography. Index.

The focus of the book is on the Church as Ekklesia, meaning “summoned or called out assembly of people.” It presents scholarly articles of some esteemed personalities on the subject with Bibliography and a detailed Index. In India, the Church needs to redefine her character and existence in such a way that it becomes meaningful and relevant to the present day society. This scholarly presentation is a humble attempt towards that goal.