‘People need Church now more than ever’

Churches are integral parts of their communities and already responding to pandemic both “practically and pastorally.” (Photo Courtesy: Atsung Ajem)

Churches are integral parts of their communities and already responding to pandemic both “practically and pastorally.” (Photo Courtesy: Atsung Ajem)

Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 26

“It is 2020. The global lockdown begins and when the closure of Churches was announced, a drunken uncle in the neighborhood ridicules, ‘Moi bacha time para aji thak ekbar hoilewi Church bon kuria toh hunia nai. Pastor kahn eman hala kuri thakia toh sob kutey asey?’ Yes, it was really disheartening that places of worship had to be vacated. That uncle’s tone was purely of disappointment and not mockery and of course, even if the Churches were open, he would have not attended,” articulates a student residing in Kohima sharing his observations on how the Church is doing during this pandemic.

Recalling another event of pre-pandemic years, he says, a pastor had claimed, “In European nations, many abandoned mega Church buildings are being converted into museums, galleries and movie halls whereas our Churches in Nagaland will be always here to stay.”

“Alas! We are all seated in our rooms now; the pastor, the uncle, you and I quiet clueless of how history is creating itself. Perhaps! The period of nagging and complaining has also passed,” views this 21 year old student.

Churches well-placed to build community resilience
A civil service aspirant from Dimapur shares that experience from previous epidemics has shown that “Churches are particularly well-placed to build trust and hope, to counter fear and to build community resilience.”

He cited the examples of Kohima Ao Baptist Church (KABA) providing the Jubilee Memorial Centre to be used as quarantine centre for health workers; Western Sümi Baptist Akükuhou (WSBAK) offering to sponsor coffins for poor and needy succumbing to COVID-19 at District Hospital, Dimapur.

“I see the Church, as community and also as individual, rising to unite and serve in many ways during this pandemic,” says Metseibino Chusi, a teacher from Dimapur, though she believes “Church can do more in a Christ like standard and not limit to worldly standard.”

Besides reaching out to congregations through online services, Obed Aier observes, “it is overwhelming to see Churches and believers coming out for prayer walks and street worship.”

However, for this mother of two who lives with her family in a small town in Mon district says, “Our Church is not closed. The bell rings as normal, the programme are made as normal, but gathering are made shorter like an hour or less.”

“Some still go to Church even when information is given to all the members to stay at home. But it is a challenge to educate the members who are not aware of the present situations. Forget about SOP, many don’t wear masks too,” she laments saying her family chooses to stay at home.

‘Churches should walk the talk’
“Churches should walk the talk,” asserts Metseibino while identifying areas where the Church can participate in the fight against the pandemic. “Churches should look for opportunities to step up and fill the gap as and when the need arise. It is time for the Church to provide moral and spiritual support more than ever before.”

“The Church can take the extra mile. We can always think outside the box and it can help the Churches to grow meaningfully together even after this pandemic is over,” implies Obed, a theologian.

With so many people struggling and unemployed, Obed says, “benevolence ministry is most likely overwhelmed with needs.” The Church and people can find ways to help each others in community contacts, resources or volunteering time to reach out to those in need, he suggest.

“The time also calls on Churches and its leaders to unite and bring ideas on how Churches and ministries can partner together in this uncomfortable situation. Serving the hurting, the frightened, the sick and the needy together can bring new purpose to the Churches and ministries,” he added.

Obed also shares, “In our state which talks volumes of ‘isms’, it would be a welcoming step if the Churches can find out about other local Churches who are hardest hit, and reach out beyond denominations and differences and render help to each other. It can be a great breakthrough.”

Churches are integral parts of their communities and already responding to pandemic both “practically and pastorally,” observes Hupeka Jakha Khujumi, a resident of Valley View Colony, Dimapur.

According to him, the Church can support the “most vulnerable people” impacted by COVID-19, provide accommodation for homeless people and migrant workers who have lost their job and even raise funds to support the state government in combating the pandemic.

‘Church includes you and me’
“Let us try to put on the shoes of our pastors and Church leaders as well; how much more difficult it must have been for them in the midst of chaos with weight of questions carrying doubts and unbelief yet they held in obedience to the authorities they were subjected to and led us by adapting with the changes,” ponders an author based in Kohima.

“Undeniably, the Church has been inactive in the manner of gathering inside the buildings but surely it is in times as such that the sermons has to be lived and not only preached. Indeed, the pandemic has made us realise that the Church and its building is two different entities,” he asserts.

He believes that the subject of Church should not be confined by addressing the pastors and Church leaders, ‘it includes you and me, the unions and the organisations under it, men, women and youth.’ “Together we have all put humanity first by not being rebellious against the shutdown of gatherings but in hope we remain true to its cause,” he adds.

Meanwhile, a post-graduate student regrets that “many Churches are yet to wake up from their slumber” and there is not much the Church can do but “they should be open and be willing to work hand in hand with the Government.”

This is the first of a two part series.