Members of NBCC during its 88th Annual Council at Yesisotha
Calls for Community Development and Social Justice, Unity
Kohima, February 3 (MExN): Reflecting the concerns shared by many in recent times over the management of resources, the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) during its 88th Annual Council resolved for the “faithful stewardship of the resources God has entrusted to the church.”
This stewardship should be carried out ensuring that all actions are “marked by sincerity, transparency, and accountability,” read one of the resolutions passed at the NBCC’s 88th Annual Council held from January 30 to February 2 at the Pochury Baptist Church Council (PBCC) Mission Centre and Yisisotha Village.
The NBCC also resolved for ‘Community Development and Social Justice’ by engaging in holistic ministry that addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of individuals and the community. This included initiatives in key areas such as education, healthcare, mental health, and environmental conservation, it said.
It further pledged to uphold and promote truth, social justice, and the protection of human rights, grounded in the understanding that all people are created in the image of God.
The Council also resolved to foster the unity of the church, reflecting the “nature of the Triune God whom it represents, by promoting dialogue, peace and reconciliation, mutual respect, trust, and collaboration among churches and their leaders.”
Another resolution acknowledged that nominal Christianity remains one of the ‘greatest’ challenges and decided to proclaim the “gospel of Jesus Christ through faithful preaching and promote transformational discipleship across all generations.”
The NBCC aims to achieve this goal through the establishment of comprehensive discipleship programmes and by encouraging churches to develop strategic plans for discipleship.
Likewise, it committed to prayerfully prepare the “church of Jesus Christ for the renewing work of the Holy Spirit within His body.” This will include organising prayer meetings and spiritual retreats for both church leaders and members, while also encouraging personal and corporate prayer, fasting, and meditation on God’s Word, it added.
The NBCC also affirmed the Bible as the sole authority over our faith and practice. Accordingly, it resolved to strengthen biblical literacy among Naga Baptists by recommitting to the faithful study of God’s Word.
“This will be achieved through ongoing education and training for pastors, leaders, and church members, as well as intensifying Bible study initiatives within local churches,” it added.
Hosted by the PBCC and held under the theme, “Experiencing God Together,” outgoing General Secretary Rev Dr Zelhou Keyho maintained that it was exposited on “Guarding our faith, living the gospel, being prophetic, and bearing each other.”
“These expositions of the theme evolve to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ, which alone has the power to transform lives, communities, and nations,” he added.
Meanwhile, as reported earlier, a new NBCC team was installed at the 88th Council, with Rev. Dr. Mar Pongener, the Executive Secretary of ABAM, as the new General Secretary of NBCC.
The speakers of the programme were Rev Dr Keyho, Rev Dr Pongener, Visasieü Dolie, Women Secretary, NBCC, and Wapangtoshi, Pastor, NCF Chennai.
The 88th Council also featured Executive sessions, Council business sessions, worship services, and recreation for supporting staff, choral competition, inter-association interaction, heart talk and fellowship through cultural interaction, and celebration of the uniqueness.
