Morung Express News
Kohima | August 24
A 3-day consultation on Vision 2030 is underway at NBCC Platinum Hall, Kohima jointly organized by Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), Nagaland Development Outreach and also sponsored by Development for Human Potential, Imphal.
On Wednesday morning, Secretary, Land Resources Department, Y. Kikheto Sema (IAS) presented a paper on the topic, “Socio-Economic Status of Nagaland and the Role of the Church in Major Development Areas.”
In his presentation, Kikheto appealed to the Church to review its preaching and teaching by stressing more on the basic values and quality of life and not on spirituality alone. “We need to go back to our homes and teach every parent to spend more time with their children, teaching them the basic values of life and to live in harmony with others,” he added.
Kikheto opined that the Church needs to instil into the hearts and minds of its members that irrespective of denominations or theological backgrounds, everyone is working in the vineyard of the Lord and to focus on doing God’s mission and not to compete on who is better and who is right or wrong.
Pointing out that most of the government employees were also members of the Church, he reminded of an earlier resolution adopted by the NBCC at the Rotomi Conference in 2011 that the church should not ring its bells during office hours. “However, this resolution is not fully adhered to,” Kikheto pointed out.
Speaking about women issues, Kikheto impressed upon the gathering that being deeply rooted in culture and tradition do not mean that one must cling on to practices that are no more relevant in the present times. “Every society undergoes change according to time and it is time for Naga society to rectify what is improper in our customs by leaving aside negative aspects to benefit all sections of the people. Without giving women their due share and providing them platform to perform, we cannot expect better progress and development in our society,” he added.
Further, Kikheto felt that the churches should play a vital role bridging the gap, and unite the odds among the different sections of Naga political groups. He appealed to the churches to set aside differences on lines of denomination, associations, doctrines and theological backgrounds and instead show mutual respect and regard for each other as everyone is working sincerely for the Lord.
Kikheto emphasized on electoral malpractices maintaining that comparatively Baptists were more into such practices than other denominations like Catholics, Pentecost and others.
Admitting that he was from a political family, Kikheto, however, said that unless everyone was involved in fighting corruption from its roots, only certain sections of the people will not be able to cleanse the system. He said that monetary corruption was a stark reality but added that cleansing system corruption should also be focused upon by all stakeholders.
Kikheto further maintained that no matter how many seminars and workshops on any issue are conducted, positive changes cannot be expected unless the election system is changed. In this connection, he urged upon the NBCC to continuously conduct its Clean Election Campaign and not only during elections.
He stated that the role and responsibilities of the church leaders is most inevitable for a progressive and prosperous Nagaland.
During his presentation, Kikheto said that the views and opinions expressed were from his personal perspective, observation and research aimed towards bringing positive changes in the society and hence did not intend to hurt sentiments of any individual, organization or different sections of the society.
The consultation programme was attended by NBCC units, Nagaland Development Outreach and Development for Human Potential, Imphal and a host of other dignitaries.
In his closing remark, NBCC General Secretary, Rev Keyho admitted that such frank and open talk delivered by the resource person, Kikheto, was the need of the hour. He said that the Church needs to stress on practicalities rather than theories alone and emphasized on an important role that the Church could play in socio-economic development.
