Some of those who voted YES had this to say:
• Yes. I think this is a very important question that makes us think more seriously. I feel the local churches in their own way have provided prophetic leadership during the pandemic. The churches have stepped out and provided much need infrastructural support which the government could not provide. I only wish the church could be more consistent in providing leadership. I think the question should also make the churches think more about its own role in Nagaland.
• Prophetic in a sense, forth telling which includes, preaching sermons related to faith in Jesus and fear of COVID through church WhatsApp group or other online App. Counselling COVID patients and depressed citizens during lockdown. So church has very much engaged prophetically with their members in these trying times. There were also some prophecy-fore telling that were unscientific, irrelevant and gibberish. Many fables in related to COVID vaccine which is very unfortunate were so much prophesied which is false. Our people should learn to discern a genuine prophecy and a random message from unreliable source.
• Yes. The Church has been stepped up and provided much needed leadership during the lockdown. They have given spiritual guidance and counseling services and opened their doors to the people.
Some of those who voted NO had this to say:
• No doubt the Churches in Nagaland is doing a lot for the people during this COVID-19 pandemic, but it is not rise to the level of prophetic leadership. The Churches seem to be doing charitable work and voluntary service within its usual approach, which is not enough in this unprecedented situation. The Churches should rise to the occasion and do things drastically radical in such a situation.
• Some of the church leaders have not only exposed themselves as the mouthpiece of the government policy, but also not the true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Let’s be honest. The churches in Nagaland are capable of doing so much more than what it has done so far.
• Churches should have step up to rescue the poor at this time but it’s sad they prefer to waste money on stitching flags and hang it in every corner to remind people that God loves them. More followers less disciples.
• Well my take on “prophetic” is “expectations.” We all have had certain prophecies at certain point of our lives as to how the church will show robust leadership and act of kindness with intellectual and creative implementation during such times. It is observed that the church is keeping the congregation involved in their spiritual well being which is an absolute necessity as a believer. But I got to admit that I expected more aid ministry to be carried out owing to the fact that a huge chunk of the population being Christians in the state and with all the money that's coming in we ought to see more activity by the church itself. It's really essential that we analyse and criticize our church too. After all, as an organisation run by humans there is always a space for errors and shortcomings that's when the theologians also step in. We know that Nagaland is a Christian majority state with the government slightly inclining towards a certain religion. Even though it is a quite out of place to point out certain religious community and criticize them but in case of Nagaland, I see why not.
Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say:
• Basing on my level of understanding, my justification of whether or not churches in Nagaland have provided prophetic leadership amidst the pandemic stands neutral. For the reason that “prophetic” is a sensitive subject in itself. Most actions opined to be prophetic by churchgoers or through lenses of our limited perspectives may not be so prophetic in accordance with God's divinity. Having state that, has the churches been a forerunner in leadership? Yes! Certainty, churches has been crucially influential in guarding down their respective members amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The churches has be undoubtedly leading through 'wisdom' in its form of maintaining peace but to have led in prophetic manner is a matter that stretches beyond; in a sense that the fruits of the seeds which the churches has sown under their leadership during the pandemic will come to light in the aftermath of this season. It will be seen in the durability of the existing peace we have, it will be seen in how the churches respond or tackle if a riot is to break out socially or spiritually amidst or after the pandemic. Whether or not the leadership of churches will pass the test given by time of holding the faith remains the question. So far, churches have been leading 'safely' and 'wisely'.
• What kind of question is this? Making the public more confused. Keep the faith and prayer going but COVID-19 has nothing to do with the Church leaders of Nagaland. Keep religion aside and stick to facts. A fusion of politics and religion is not appetizing nor a healthy menu.
• Wrong Question
• Stupid question
• But first, what is “prophetic leadership?”
• @themorungexpress are you trying to start a fight? This is going to be a sensitive question for many readers
• This question is stupid. The question itself should be respectful not only the comments.
• I don't know what it meant by prophetic leadership but one thing I know this for sure the church should be an example of good leadership and this is the best time for practicing what it preaches feeding the poor, clothing the naked, and sheltering the homeless and widows orphans and caring for the sick..! And I guess we will never get a better chance this is the only season where a true church will come out with a good shining example of what it means to be a church that truly believes and obeys the word.
• Unfortunately they are not God, stop judging church leaders.
• Did the government fulfill the demand/needs of its people on time with its leadership?
• I don't comprehend what it's meant here by “prophetic leadership” but one thing I would like to say is that during this pandemic, the churches should not only pray and preach but must act on it. The churches should come forward to help the helpless, care for the sick people, feed for the poor.
• Politics keep aside because not the political leaders but the public knows and have the better answer to your question and religion has nothing to do with it because God forgives us and love us in way that we change from negative to positive.
• This is absolutely biased... in one point of view and it contradicts the very nature of questions for a believer is, himself or herself the temple of God. Have you provided a prophetic leadership? See your stand! Lest you be found against God.
• Prayer houses should stop testing the faith of the people by saying bold things like, “Trust god and avoid masks inside the prayer homes” or “we prayed over this oil use it to protect yourself from corona”. It's a fact that even Jesus said on Matthew 4:7 “Do not put the Lord God to the test”. It's not only political leaders but even most of our religious leaders are taking us on a wrong path. And stop going to people's house “to pray” during a pandemic!!! It's annoying!!! Pray in your own rooms and house! God is in your heart!!!
• After the state government, the Nagaland church is the most financially secure and also most organised institution. There is a church in nearly all villages and in big towns like Kohima and Dimapur there are scores of churches. They may belong to different denominations and associations but the church is the church. When you see how big the institution of the church is in our state I feel it has a bigger responsibility. The church must do much more than what it is doing right now. The church can be a unifying factor and a symbol of hope in these dark times.
• We call ourselves Christians but when we post a reflective question concerning our faith and the condition of the leadership of our Churches, us Christians are so quick to make distinctions between a politically inclined questioned and a faith based question, whereas Churches are in reality and in institution required to get involved in all aspects of social, political and religious functioning. These so called Christians commenting as if they are experts are judging the validity of the question really irritates me. This is Christian mediocrity in its highest level. The commenters are really showing the non believers the shallowness of our belief system. We are called to impact all the mountains not just conquer the mountain of religion. They simply don’t understand the system of check and balance... too inclined to the worldly system I suppose.
