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Delegates and church leaders at the 82nd annual council of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council that was conducted during February 1-3 at the NBCC’s Convention Centre in Kohima. The council has declared a number of resolutions that have social justice and welfare goals.[/caption]
Dimapur, Feb. 4 (EMN): The Baptist church in Nagaland has resolved on a number of objectives focusing on social justice and welfare goals that include encouraging and creating opportunities for women to represent and take part in the policy making process, even in the government.
The 82nd annual council of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) gathered during February 1-3 at the NBCC’s Convention Centre in Kohima to transact the council’s business, and to fellowship. The council consists of 20 associations and four associate members, a press release on Monday from the church organisation stated.
The programme was conducted with the theme “knitted together in Christ,” the organisers informed.
The speakers for the occasions were Rev. Dr. Hukashe Zhimomi, president of the NBCC; Sentisashi, pastor of Kohima Ao Baptist Church; and Jaksil A Sangma, director of women’s ministry of the Garo Baptist Convention, the updates stated.
“Of the many activities such as worship, focus group for women, youth and Christian education and singing competition and others, the resolution adopted during the annual meeting was most significant,” the NBCC stated.
The resolutions for 2019 included the NBCC family resolving to reinforce the Great Commission of Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20) and ‘enlarge’ the mission of the church.
“Along with reaching out to the unreached, we will continue to disseminate and plant the seed of the gospel within our neighborhood and town,” the NBCC declared.
Likewise, the NBCC has decided to intensify what it called the ministry of care: “We resolve to intensify the ministry of care and support. Within the NBCC family, there are churches and associations that are in need of financial support and human resources.
“We resolve to encourage the stronger and the more privileged associations and churches to provide and shoulder the responsibility for the one in need, living up to our theme ‘knitted together in Christ,’” the press release stated.
Further, the NBCC stated that it has resolved to ‘cooperate with the government of Nagaland in all their policies for the welfare of the people.’
“However, any programs or plans that are implemented at the cost of compromising Christian faith and biblical values will not be entertained by the member of the church. While acknowledging the importance of providing opportunities to recognize our Naga culture to others, the church takes its responsibility to edify the members to embrace the teaching of Jesus and live out biblical culture,” the statement reminded.
Again, the NBCC has stated that it has resolved to ‘continually recognize and accept the remarkable and distinctive role of women in the church and the society and to give due credit and privileges.’
Further, the press release stated, the age-old culture and traditions of patriarchal practices ‘needed to do away with but rather encourage and create an opportunity for women to represent and take part in the policy making, even in the government.’
For the younger generation, the NBCC stated to have taken serious note of ‘how our children and youths are becoming more and more desensitized to biblical principles and Christian living.’
For this, the churches have resolved to ‘implement intentional children and youth ministry,’ the updates stated.
The statement declared: ‘Righteous living is being challenged because of so many evils that are against biblical teaching. In order to lead our children towards righteous living, teaching them biblical values, purity of life and sex education should be instilled in their minds when they are still young (Proverbs 22:6).’
In another resolution, the NBCC reaffirmed faith in the goals of Clean Elections, and has resolved to intensify the Clean Election Campaign ‘so as to fight against any form of corruption to fearfully avoid the wrath of God in our land.’
‘As Nagaland along with the rest of the country prepare for the Lok Sabha election, the NBCC churches stand firm in propagating clean election. The NBCC churches will once again commit to support and intensify Clean Election Campaign so as to fight against any form of corruption to fearfully avoid the wrath of God in our land.’