Rev J Thungjamo Lotha
Forty-five years ago, in 1975, we visited some churches in W. Germany (now Germany) as a choir troupe. In most cases, we were singing to a sea of grey-haired congregation. They were mostly aged men and women. It is learnt that many church buildings in Germany are becoming empty. Perhaps, the rate at which the grey-haired congregation went to be with the Lord was faster than the rate at which non-grey-haired congregation could replace them. A study conducted by the Evangelische Bank reported that between 2013 and 2018 ninety percent of the participating administrations (145 of them) said they sold property and sixty nine percent planned on selling more buildings. “Germany's churches are facing a decline in membership…a problem the Evangelische Bank said it expects to persist in the coming years.” (German churches are increasingly selling off property, study finds/News/DW/09.03.2018). “Very painful!” is how Rev. Stefan Langer describes the demolition of this church building north of Hamburg. For years Langer oversaw baptisms, weddings and services, but now the former church grounds stand nearly empty. It is also learnt that some church buildings are being sold in Western Europe. The same thing, if not worse, may happen to the churches in Nagaland sooner or later if spiritual revival does not take place. Here the term “revival” refers to the change of heart and mind.
If the findings of my spiritual analysis on the plight of the present churches in Nagaland are correct, churches in Nagaland are going astray from the Bible, and inclining towards the worldly desires. And there seems to be a growth in the number of spiritually dead Christians. Should we blame ourselves? The answer is “Yes”. And if we do not rectify our ways and allow the growth to continue, there will be a dearth of true churches in Nagaland. Let us remind ourselves that a church building does not represent ‘the Church’, rather its congregation does. Unless stated otherwise, hereafter, the term church refers to the latter. A comparison, as an example, is shown below to highlight the difference between the first generation churches and the present churches in Nagaland.
|
THEN |
NOW |
|
|
|
They attended church to worship God in spirit and in truth. Jesus said, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4: 24 NKJV). |
Many attend the church to be seen by people or to see people. What God wants His children is to worship Him both within and outside the church building by their “being” and “doing.” The Bible says, “Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (Ps. 29: 2; 1 Chro. 16: 29; John 4: 23, 24).
|
|
|
|
Jesus Christ and His teachings (Eph.1:22; 4:12; 5:23; 1 Cor.11:3; Col.2: 10).
|
Material and wealth; status and position (Matt. 6: 21,24).
|
|
|
|
Viewed as God’s mission (John 3: 16; 20: 21; Eph. 2: 16).
|
Viewed as church’s mission, or men’s mission.
|
|
|
|
Were made known only to God (Matt.6:3) |
Are made known to men.
|
|
|
|
Considered as the ultimate sacrifice and offering to God.
|
Considered as a means of livelihood.
|
|
|
|
Based on calling, commitment and dedication (Rom. 8: 28; 2 Cor. 5: 17-20); Col. 3:12).
|
Mostly based on academic qualifications. Calling, commitment, and dedication are being sidelined.
|
|
|
|
Church leaders were known as God’s servants (Mk.9: 35; Phil. 2: 5-8). |
God’s servants are known as church leaders.
|
|
|
|
The concerned church approached and requested the ordinand for ordination.
|
The ordinand is applying for ordination.
|
|
|
|
Seen as undying commitment and dedication of the minister to the ministry.
|
Seen as a status quo.
|
|
|
|
Strength of the congregation’s faith determined growth (Exo. 19:17; Deut.5:22; Neh. 8: 1-9; Ps. 40: 9-10; Acts 2: 46-47). Stephen Reeves has rightly stated. I quote, “There are people who are very close to the church and the foundation of their Christian belief is not about the buildings but about Christ. They believe that the riches of the church lie not in the magnificent building but in the hearts of the congregation.” Christian congregation refers to the “people of God” (Deut. 28: 9; 11 Chro. 7: 14; Ps.28: 8; 100: 3; and “Body of Christ” (Eph. 5: 23; Col.1:18; 1 Cor. 12: 12-27).
|
Whereas, now the size of a church building and its magnificence determines growth. We should know that God does not live in temples made by human hands (Acts 7: 48).
|
|
|
|
Spiritual prosperity was emphasized (John 6: 31-35, 48-51, 58). As a result, the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5: 22-23) flourished.
|
Worldly prosperity is emphasized resulting in spiritual bankruptcy.
|
This brief analysis shows that the spiritual life of the churches in Nagaland today is being decayed. If the present churches in Nagaland continue to focus on material and wealth, status and position forsaking Christ and His Word-the Bible, there will be very few true Christians in Nagaland. A day will come when our magnificent church buildings will become empty. Friends we want to see the Body of Christ flourish in our land not just for a century or two but till Jesus Christ returns! Moreover, I wish God-fearing and God-loving Naga Christians research on the causes of the spiritual bankruptcy, based on the Bible, in our churches today.
God bless Nagaland!
.jpg)
