•-Any Christian worth the name would feel extremely sad to see or hear of a Church being even slightly damaged, not to mention of razing down (church here means the building, not the people). However, as far as the burning of Churches in Nagaland is concerned, one cannot just remain sad but think beyond that burning picture. While acknowledging and honouring the fruitful holistic mission of the the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) throughout the country and the world, there's a subtle agenda in the mission of the RCC in Nagaland where one will ask, "Is the biblical mission mandate of the Roman Catholics (RCs) in Nagaland to make all non-RCs into RC Christians?" I as a Baptist Christian truly consider all non-Baptist Christians as fellow believers in Christ who would be saved if they truly believe in Christ Jesus, and who don't need to become a Baptist Christian to receive eternal life. But, if the concept of the RCs in Nagaland is correctly read, Baptist Christians seems a step away from them to be saved. Burning of Churches is not going to help, so also the condemnations, nevertheless, the feeling of superiority is only going to breed divided Christians and may be many more burning of newly built churches.
For Baptist Churches here, "Nagaland is not a mission field, but a sending Church" as said by NBCC General Secretary during 2nd Naga Missionary Conference last November. Baptist Churches in Nagaland as I know, in no way tries or plans of making other Christian denominations into Baptists. Rather, we pray and plan of evangelizing non-Christians. But in Nagaland, Baptists are like Bull-dozer and Roman Catholics like Bolero. Nagaland being Baptist majority is not by choice over other denominations but that the Baptist missionaries happened to come first and hence Baptist Christians. I only feel that every other Christian denominations would respect this and also honour the integrity and unity of a Naga village. Sheep-stealing or change of denomination is not what the Great Commission is all about. Instead, can all Christians irrespective of denominations come together and work together towards the extension of God's kingdom on this earth?
Khalenmew Yimchunger
For Baptist Churches here, "Nagaland is not a mission field, but a sending Church" as said by NBCC General Secretary during 2nd Naga Missionary Conference last November. Baptist Churches in Nagaland as I know, in no way tries or plans of making other Christian denominations into Baptists. Rather, we pray and plan of evangelizing non-Christians. But in Nagaland, Baptists are like Bull-dozer and Roman Catholics like Bolero. Nagaland being Baptist majority is not by choice over other denominations but that the Baptist missionaries happened to come first and hence Baptist Christians. I only feel that every other Christian denominations would respect this and also honour the integrity and unity of a Naga village. Sheep-stealing or change of denomination is not what the Great Commission is all about. Instead, can all Christians irrespective of denominations come together and work together towards the extension of God's kingdom on this earth?
Khalenmew Yimchunger
