ISKCON Ministries
4.1 Definition
A Minister is appointed by the GBC Body for each Statement of Mission. He is an expert in the educational, regulatory, developmental, and planning aspects of his field. He acts as a professor and establishes the curriculum of his discipline and disseminates this knowledge throughout ISKCON. A Ministry is usually headed by a Minister.
A Minister shall be appointed by the GBC Body for each Statement of Mission.
4.2 General Duties
1. To oversee a Statement of Mission or specific area as assigned by the GBC Body.
2. To educate Zonal Secretaries and ISKCON Leaders how to take practical steps towards achieving the Statement of Mission and Progressive Goals.
3. To advise, assist, and promote the realization of the Statement of Mission or coordinate others to do so.
4. To monitor ISKCON's progress in relation to his Ministerial area including the progress towards the stated Mission, its Supporting Objectives, and the Progressive Goals for the world.
5. To work through the regular ISKCON administrators, and to try to further motivate them to achieve the Statement of Mission.
6. To make annual and other progress reports as necessary on the respective Statement of Mission.
7. To make observations on each Zonal Secretary's progress reports, and otherwise make special progress reports or studies in regard to a zone or other area, as required.
8. To appoint staff members, assistants, and advisers (who are experts in the field), as needed.
9. To liaise in the appointment of Continental or National coordinators with the local bodies.
10. To become expert in his field, and to act as a professor.
11. To establish the curriculum of his discipline and disseminate this knowledge throughout ISKCON.
12. To provide the GBC Body with reports on their assigned activities which shall include financial details such as assets, liabilities, expenditures, and income. Such reports are to be submitted to the GBC Corresponding Secretary at least forty-five days prior to the beginning of the annual meeting, and shall be distributed to all GBC members and made available to other concerned ISKCON officials upon request.
4.3 Guidelines
4.3.1 Preaching Vision and Goals for ISKCON in Relation to ISKCON Ministries
The following is accepted by the GBC Body as the preaching vision and goals for ISKCON.
4.3.1.1 Goal and Strategy for Qualified Teachers
1. Background
In order to maintain our devotees in the preaching spirit, they need to continually be utilizing their brain to its capacity and providing them with a challenging and meaningful learning experience within KŠa consciousness.
2. Goal
All ISKCON personnel who are teaching other devotees on any subject should obtain the ability and technique required to educate the students effectively.
3. Strategy
All ISKCON personnel who are teaching or intend to teach others on any subject should attend and pass the Teachers Training Course as soon as possible.
4. Action to be taken by a. All desirous of teaching.
b. Teachers Training course organizers.
4.3.1.2 Goal and Strategy for Education Oriented Ministries
1. Background
The Book Distribution Minister reported great gains from his Book Distribution courses and trainers courses. It became evident that this should be the standard for all or most Ministries in ISKCON and that some more curriculums were urgently needed.
2. Goal
That every Ministry will have nicely developed curriculum and courses for imparting knowledge in their area of activity.
3. Strategy
Every Ministry shall submit the topics for which they need training courses to the Adult Education Minister who shall utilize his resources and work cooperatively to insure that high quality training manuals and courses are prepared for each Ministry. The Congregational Preaching Ministry is a top priority.
4. Action to be taken by each Minister, Ketra Committee, Adult Education Minister and VTE.
4.3.1.3 Goal and Strategy for Sev€-Oriented I˜a-go˜hi
1. Background
Devotees need to discuss their services amongst others doing the same or similar services in order to share their experiences and realizations. This has proved very effective in book distribution and congregational preaching.
2. Goal
To enliven devotees and provide them positive inputs about how to improve their services and to improve the spiritual bonding amongst them with Lord KŠa and devotional service in the center.
3. Strategy
The devotees engaged in the same activity in all fields should meet together and discuss their common service on a weekly basis (if not possible fortnightly or monthly). They should share their experiences, realizations, challenges and get input from others on how to overcome the difficulties. They encounter in this way, and they should improve their quality of service.
4. Action to be taken by GBC Zonal Secretaries, Temple Presidents, Department Heads, and general devotees.
4.3.1.4 Goal and Strategy for Training All Committed Devotees
1. Background
Many courses are and will increasingly be available in ISKCON.
To improve the quality, life and ability of the Temple Devotees and initiated or committed congregational devotees, training courses have proven to be highly successful.
2. Goal
That every committed devotee shall participate annually in some formal training program and obtain diplomas or certificates based on their performance.
3. Strategy
That every committed devotee should go through at least one course per year on a scheduled systematic basis.
4. Action to be taken by Temple Presidents, Congregational Preaching Directors and general devotees.
4.3.1.5 Goal and Strategy for Bhakti-€str… Implementation
1. Background
Utilizing the courses that ®r…la Prabhup€da has given us would enliven devotees and improve their self-esteem and ability to preach KŠa consciousness. These courses should be administered from all temples, but somehow they are not easily available.
2. Goal
That temple devotees, initiated congregations, and other congregational members who desire, should become bhakti-€str… degree holders.
3. Strategy
To have the Education Ministry (or appropriate body) make available to all temples and GBC’s, the standard materials necessary to administer bhakti-€str… courses and exams.
4. Action to be taken by Education Ministry and Temple Presidents.
4.3.1.6 Goal and Strategy for ISKCON Temples as Centers of Learning
1. Background
Now that the gradual orientation of the temples is changing, it is important to maintain the relevance of the temple through educating its adherents.
2. Goal
Every ISKCON temple will become a center of transcendental learning for both the residents, congregational devotees and members of the public. The temples shall provide training, degrees or diplomas, and titles for each major department of applied KŠa conscious activity.
3. Strategy # 1
The various Ministries shall identify the areas for training (as mentioned earlier) to include all applied and practical areas of training and with the Adult Education Ministry, develop course materials.
4. Strategy # 2
In addition, the great wealth of already trained personnel within ISKCON, or ISKCON alumni’s who are available as resources, shall be identified. The Ministry of Education shall create a massive database of all skilled devotees in the world and identify who can become teachers in the following areas:
a. Deity worship b. Cooking
c. Congregational preaching d. Cow Protection
e. Book distribution f. Preaching g. €ramas h. Farming
i. S€stric knowledge j. Fund development k. Temple management 5. Strategy # 3
“Baby step” courses should be established to make it more interesting and accessible for children and new congregational members.
6. Action to be taken by ISKCON temples, all Ministries and centers of learning. (97-105)