Presbyterians called to action

“We pat ourselves on the back, counting schools and their scholarships every year whilst our membership is dwindling in our congregations,” Teelucksingh said.

He made the comments yesterday at the auditorium of the Chaguanas Borough Corporation at an event titled ‘Conversations’. It was the second in a series hosted by the Synod to commemorate the 150th anniversary celebrations (2018) of the PCTT.

The theme of the event is “Proud to be Presbyterian.” Providing a historical perspective of PCTT, Teelucksingh noted that its five high (secondary) schools and 72 primary schools have powerful impacts on this country’s educational system. He questioned whether the work of the Church has become stagnant as PCTT has neither an educational institution nor a physical church building in Tobago.

He added: “The years of talking and dreaming about building a secondary school in central Trinidad and a hospital, never materialised.

Should we be thinking about Presbyterian radio and television stations? Hindus and Muslims now have their own.

What about a Presbyterian university? Others have done it already. What legacy have we left for the next generation?” He charged that based on the teachings of the faith, PCTT always set high standards for life in TT. Its strict ethical and moral code, preserved over the years, the lecturer said, prohibited the use of alcohol, to presiding elders, lay pastors and deaconess, Teelucksingh added that as a Church, it has not attracted more full-time pastors.

“They have provided yeoman services to our church but too many of our pulpits are not occupied by ordained Ministers on a Sunday. Presbyterian culture in Trinidad and Tobago and elsewhere prefer ordained Ministers to oversee worship,” Teelucksingh said.

While all auxiliary ministries are useful, they could never replace a Reverend on a Sunday, not at prayer meetings, at wakes and at funerals. Solving this problem is a priority if the church is to survive.

“Maintaining the status quo keeps us in a failed comfort zone. For us in the Presbyterian Church, let us not stay any longer in the comfort of a proud history,” he added. Among those in attendance were Anthony Rampersad, Justice Vasheist Kokaram and Chaguanas Mayor Gopaul Boodhan.