Churches broach ways to build unity among denominations

Dimapur, June 10 (EMN): A program to promote peace and unity among churches and denominations was conducted on June 9 at Khuzama, in Kohima. The message of the event was that the Christian faith ‘teaches us to be peace loving, truthful, faithful, but most of us are not living out our Christian principles.’
Participants at the programme were urged to not preach about denominations but to preach about Jesus Christ.
Organisers issued a press release to the media on Monday stating that participants representing various church communities, and village council members attended the program. The organisers said the programme was aimed at enhancing peaceful co-existence among various denominations in the community.

K Victor, district project associate at the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority, was stated to have moderated the panel discussion on ’ecumenical dialogue’ and peace building in Nagaland. He highlighted the main purpose of a motivational group, Peace Channel, which he said was to promote youth and churches of different denominations making peace in the community and society.

The gathering was told about the importance of “ecumenical dialogue” in bringing individuals and family to mutually appreciate and cooperate with one another and in maintaining social harmony and peace in the society.

“Peace Channel was set up mainly for youths to cultivate peace and spread it. While, if you have peace within yourself, it will eventually grow in your family, then community and in state and country,” Victor said.
‘Peace is boundless for it is not bounded by religion, caste, creed and tribe,’ he said. He pointed out that “we also have to elect leaders who are truthful and God fearing, leaders who have positive vision and peace bearers.”

‘As our Christian faith also teaches us to be peace loving, truthful, faithful, but most of us are not living out our Christian principles. Thus, self-centeredness is taking away peace in an individual, in church, in society, but when we are Christ-centered we will have peace in self and all walks of life,’ he said.

According to the updates he was stated to have said that “Coming together is beginning, working together is progress and going together is success.” Therefore, he added, working for peace is not only to speak or say but to go with or show it in action.

During the session, Pastor Kevisezo of the Baptist church at Khuzama said that the noblest job in the society was to work for peace. In the Bible, the updates stated, the word ‘peace’ is mentioned more than 400 times.

Pastor Kevisezo was stated to have urged the participants at the programme to not preach about denominations but to preach about Jesus Christ.

“As the main ministry of society is peacemaking. To bring peace among society it should start within.”
According to the updates, representatives of Christian Revival Church shared their views that there was no restriction among the various denomination to involve in any activity especially when there is a movement on peace building ‘for the betterment’ of the present and future generations.

Further, the updates added, individuals from the Catholic Church at Khuzama said that ‘it’s a good thing to stay in peace’ irrespective of denomination.