Many of the Middle East consultants met in late August 2005 to discuss TICC progress in the Middle East. Present were the International Consultants Habib Badr, Faeq Haddad, Serop Meguerditian, George Sabra, Ibrahim Nairouz, Nichola Tamer, as well as Nadim Nassar (TICC Director) and Huda Nassar (Coordinator for the International Consultants - Middle East Region). Also present as a guest was Hadi Ghantous

The TICC courses in the Middle East context

Nadim and the consultants discussed the three courses being developed by the TICC with the main aim to raise awareness among the leadership of the Churches to the issues dealt with by these courses. The needs of each region differs somewhat and the Middle East is no exception. An adaptation of the main "concern" and underlying theme of each course (or perhaps the introduction of new ideas and themes) was agreed to meet the needs and challenges of the Christians of the Middle East. This will make the courses meaningful in a Middle Eastern context.

The meeting also agreed to gather as much feedback as possible to these courses over the next year from the experience of TICC in the United Kingdom and the USA so that the Middle East can gain a better view of how it can adapt them to its context.

What is also required in the Middle East is a discussion of what are the real issues and challenges that the region must face and deal with, and to introduce TICC as the institute which can help the Church leaders in achieving this aim. When this work is completed, an Arabic text especially oriented to these concerns will be produced and published.

TICC goals in the Middle East

After extensive discussion, the meeting reached the consensus that TICC in the Middle East should be fundamentally concerned with the question of the relation between Christianity and culture as it manifests itself in the Middle East.

Wherever Christianity is found, it encounters and is challenged by the culture in which it lives. TICC London may very well inspire and help TICC Middle East with ideas and themes as to what these challenges and issues may be, but it remains for Middle Easterners to define them and refine them into courses and material for the church leaders to study and teach.

This, however, entails that TICC London be willing and able to commit human and material resources, and provide moral and intellectual sustenance in support of its Middle East "branch," leaving to it the development of the ways and means of using these resources. This is crucial at the launching period, although it does not in any way exonerate TICC Middle East from searching for local resources and support.

The contextualization of TICC's work in the ME, therefore, is the raison d'etre of the regional board of consultants. However, this board needs to be expanded to become more representative and more ecumenical. Thus all projects, course suggestions or activities shall be presented by the board or filtered through it (should they come from outside). The consultants will then make sure that in every activity or public appearance of TICC, there will be ample opportunity to introduce its work (in the United Kingdom, North America and the Middle East) to the wider public.

Forthcoming conference in Beirut

The meeting agreed to hold a conference in Beirut in the near future inspired by the general topic of Christianity and Culture in the Middle East Today.

Hadi Ghantous

In view of the positive participation of Hadi Ghantous (Presbyterian), it was recommended and accepted that he join the board.