Dr Bennet Arrren Lawrence mentioned that Nagaland needed to prepare for shouldering the responsibilities of the Christian Church as its centre shifts towards Asia and the Global South. (Morung Photo).
Oriental Theological Seminary holds 28th commencement ceremony
Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 5
Today significant shifts are happening in Christianity, said Dr Bennet Arrren Lawrence, Regional Secretary of Asia Theology Association India. This is in relation to Church history where he explained that going back to the beginning, the first church was established in Jerusalem in the Middle East, later moving to Europe, then to the United States (US).
Considering the current shifts in culture, he highlighted the data put out by the World Evangelical Alliance that at present 77% of Evangelicals in the world are living in the Global South. The Global South in broad terms is referred to developing countries in Asia, Africa and South America.
As such, Dr Lawrence called upon individuals and leaders in Nagaland to prepare for shouldering the responsibilities of the Church. “We are at a crucial juncture as we see key individuals and leaders moving towards us, we need to shoulder these responsibilities, it is our responsibility to shoulder the Church,” he said.
This was stated during the 28th Commencement ceremony of Oriental Theological Seminary (OTS) held at Ao Baptist Church Diphupar, Chümoukedima on May 5, where 66 students from the graduating class of 2024 were conferred with their degrees and awards.
As the guest speaker of the event, Dr Lawrence gave an overview of Church history wherein the centre of Christendom has been constantly shifting from its birthplace to the current seat of influence, i.e the US.
From the first church in Jerusalem, its centre moved northwards to Antioch, then to Rome where it became the centre of Christendom. Later on, it went to Ephesus and Nicaea in Turkey, “if you go visit these places today you can still see the 1500 year old structures but it is all broken now,” he shared.
It then went to Europe where important leaders such as Martin Luther and John Kelvin helped reform Christianity. The church went to England and then it went to the United States of America in the present age.
As it again slowly shifts towards Asia, Dr Lawrence said, “We cannot be standing as mere spectators anymore. The history is coming towards us, we need to stand up as world leaders.”
For which the need of the hour is to have great scholars coming from India and from “our own tribes, from our own places,” he underscored.
“We should make significant impacts in the lives of the people, not just in our own places but across the world,” he said to the congregation. He then posed to question the newly graduates from OTS, “Are you ready for this call?”
As servants of Christ and the Church, he pointed out that being a part of a “Ministry is not a cake walk.” One needs to have total transformation in their lives and be ready to give a lot of sacrifice, he said.
This year’s graduating class included those who finished their degrees in Master of Theology (MTh), Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling (MACC) and Graduate Diploma in Counseling (GDipC).
Earlier, the faculty marshall was led by Rev Dr C Ellen Jamir, Associate Professor of Pastoral Counseling and Psychotherapy, while scripture reading was shared by Dr M Sashipokim Jamir, Program Presider and Associate Professor of Old Testament Interpretation. Dr Joshua Lorin, Principal and Professor of Global Christianity and Baptist Studies gave the Principal’s Address.
