Empowering theologians to be ‘agents of change’

Trainees of the first batch of short certificate course, with guest speakers, organized by Prodigals’ Home, Dimapur at the culmination programme held on May 15. (Morung Photo)

Dimapur, May 15 (MExN): A 15 day short certificate course on “Social Concern and Leadership” was organized by Prodigals’ Home, Dimapur. The certificate course was initiated with hope to sensitize and train young theologians who will be leading our churches tomorrow and possibly change our future. 

The culmination programme held today at the head office of Prodigals’ Home located at NSCB building complex, Kher Mahal, Dimapur proved to be interesting and enlightening.

Sharing the idea of how the certificate course was conceived, Maong Jamir, Assistant Director of Prodigals’ Home said that since inception, the Home has hosted students from various education streams for internship. Later, the Home also received suggestions from students and institutions to provide a learning capsule exclusively for theologians. He also informed that the course covered issues on substance abuse and role of the church, HIV and Aids and Christian response, human trafficking, women, children and sex, environment and development, leadership and team building. He also opined that theological students and the church have a greater role to play in curbing social issues in Nagaland. He expressed hope that the trainees will act as agents of society, and that someday a change may happen through prophetic leadership of young theological graduates.

Dr. Panger Jamir, former Lecturer CTC applauded the trainees for taking part in the certificate course saying, “The course is more than a theological degree.” He also acknowledged the efforts of the Home stating, “A moment of genuine praise for Prodigals’ Home for trying to connect ‘a critical missing link’ between the church and the society”. Reflecting on the numerous social issues which Naga society is facing today, he said, “It is true that the church is not able to speak in today’s context for so many reasons. The pain, anxiety, aspirations of its church members is not felt by the church.” He also rightly pointed out that today a point has come when the church is almost becoming irrelevant to today’s social issues which he felt are the symptoms of a larger problem. 

Dr. Panger cited that he had seen his own students of theology walk out of college hoping to be agents of change but simply ending up ‘reproducing the same’. When one simply reproduces, you cannot make an impact he said. “I see a lot of spiritual activities through organizations like Prodigals’ Home, trying to embrace and restore dignity to people who have given up hope, and it is wonderful work happening outside the church”, he said.  He also encouraged the trainees to utilize the lessons learnt saying, “Interpretation of social interactions is as important as theological proclamations”. 

Yanbemo Lotha, LBC also exhorted the student trainees to think about working for a Ministry, and not to become a Minister. He felt that this is the root cause of unemployment of Theology graduates. He opined that the prevalent ‘Bossy’ attitude where everyone wants to be the boss in their work is not a positive attitude and we need to get rid of such attitude in the society. He encouraged the students to ponder on which areas they will work in, rather than ‘where’ they will work at. 

Kilangsang, Lecturer DBC also said that such certificate courses are beneficial and opined that training young theologians in such activities will have an impact on our churches. “We have a dream that no one will feel excluded from the church. It will take time but we are optimistic, he said. 

Trainees also gave feedback on the course held. Sentila Jamir, Lecturer SBC said the invocation, while Toshi, youth director, DABA pronounced the benediction. 

The next batch training will be held in May 2014. Prodigals’ Home is an NGO established in 1990 and strive towards addressing issues of social, economic, and heath concerns. 

 



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