ABSTRACT
It would not be an overstatement to claim that South India was one of the most important ‘modern’ missionary destinations since the early 15th century. Missionaries from both Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions from Europe and America established their missionary fields in various parts of South India. As part of an ecumenical spirit, the Church of South India (CSI) was formed in 1947 after a long consultative process. Within this ecumenical movement, space was created for congregations to preserve their own distinct denominational identities and local traditions. This chapter offers a brief historical overview of South India’s mission history, an insight into various formative factors in the life of the CSI, concluding with a critical analysis of contemporary issues pertaining to growth and decline.
