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By Dr. Samuel W. Meshack, Chair WACC-Asia & Principal, Gurukul Lutheran Theological College 
| | WACC President, Dennis Smith and General Secretary, Randy Naylor, were among six leaders conferred Doctor of Divinity (Honoris Causa) by the Academy of Ecumenical Indian Theology and Church Administration during its 22nd Convocation ceremony held at Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute, 6 August 2010. | | WACC President, Dennis Smith (left) being conferred Doctorate degree | | |
The degrees were conferred by Dr. K.M. Shyamprasad, Chancellor of the Academy. Professor P. Dayanandan, eminent scientist, delivered the convocation address titled “We need an updated Jesus and His Gospel”. 
| | The Academy, founded in 1987, has been honoring leaders from India and all over the world, who have made significant contributions to affirm the values of church and promote the welfare of society in fields such as: academics, economic justice, ecumenism, theological education, church administration, ecological and gender justice, and liberation of oppressed people across the world with special emphasis on Dalits and Adivasis.
WACC-Asia Chair, Dr. Samuel W. Meshack, is a member of the Syndicate of the academy.
| | WACC General Secretary, Randy Naylor (right), being conferred Doctorate degree | | |
Following the convocation ceremony, Smith and Naylor, conducted a one day seminar on Christian Principles of Communication and Theology of Communication. They asserted that communication creates community, builds participation, defends, liberates, and promotes human cultures.
The seminar held on 7th August, was attended by corporate and personal members of WACC in India and communication students from three colleges, namely, Gurukul Lutheran Theological College & Research Institute, Chennai, Tamilnadu Theological Seminary, Madurai and United Theological College, Bangalore.
A “Forum for Indian Christian Communicators”, comprised of the three colleges, was inaugurated during the seminar by the WACC president. The three colleges are the only theological institutions in India offering Communication training at postgraduate level. Nearly two hundred postgraduates and about 10 Doctors of Theology in communication have undertaken the training.
The objectives of the Forum are: - To bring together students, researchers and teachers in theological colleges and related institutions in India;
- To lobby and stand for the rights of Indian Christian communicators
- To encourage and help in the teaching of communication in different forms in the theological colleges in India;
- To engage the mass media in India in all its forms and intervene on issues which are related to the media and society;
- To produce publications and productions which help students, researchers and teachers in learning and teaching communication;
- To inform members about courses and job opportunities and other activities in the field of communication;
- To be a prophetic voice on issues related to communication in the church and society;
- To meet annually as a General Body.
Membership of the forum is open to anyone with a Master of Theology, Doctor of Theology or equivalent degrees in Communication studies, studying or working in a theological college, or church or Christian institution. It is also open to those who are currently doing their Masters of Theology in Communication. Diaspora scholars who have significantly contributed and are contributing to the discipline can be associate members.
Representatives of the Forum include: - President: Dr. Samuel W. Meshack
- Vice-president: Dr. Peter Singh
- Secretary: Fr. Jerry Kurian
- Joint Secretary: Ms. Reeja P.K.
- Treasurer: Rev. James Cecil Victor
- Two members to the executive committee: Ms. Vekutulu Lohe and Rev. Paulraj Jeyachandran.
The Department of Communication of the Gurukul Lutheran Theological College also launched an internet radio called “gurukulfm” aimed at providing music and Songs, messages, debates and discussions on social, economic, cultural and political issues with emphasis on Christian response. For more information, contact
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