Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 15
Describing gospel preaching as one of the noblest professions, Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Department of Land Resources, Y. Kikheto Sema IAS on Sunday said unlike other professions, the commitment to work in Church ministry needed careful personal analysis and strong spiritual bond with God.
“Like Jesus who was also a preacher but spent a lot of time teaching about life, our Church leaders should also teach the congregation about the social and economic aspects of life besides spiritual preaching,” Kikheto said exhorting the 41st general conference of the Sumi Baptist Theological Association (SBTA) at Ghukiye Baptist Church under Zunhebto district on Sunday.
He said God has designed people to be preachers, administrators, economists, technocrats etc and so each according to his ability should carry out responsibilities as per the Almighty’s will to let all good things that God desires to prevail upon the people.
Kikheto also opined that while degrees were important for Church leaders, degrees may not be very important for all kinds of Church leaders especially those at the village level. “Pastors and other Church leaders at the village level may not require high qualifications to preach but what is needed more than an educational degree is spiritual degree, practical degree, experience degree etc to nourish the spiritual needs of the congregation,” he added.
Kikheto was stating this from the point of view that many Church leaders at the village level going on study leave was also affecting the economy of the villagers largely.
He emphasized on the need for preachers to go home visits for those who are spiritually sick and needy. “Many preachers bring lost souls to God, but there are still many preachers who lose their family in the process since they are bad fathers and husbands,” Kikheto said and urged Church leaders to introspect on this aspect.
“You need to go back to your homes and see whether you are a dutiful father, husband and a loving neighbour,” he added.
Kikheto said that the Church leaders should take advantage of the powerful platform of the Church and use it to not only to talk about salvation but also salvation from social problems and evils. “We should focus not only on the problem but on the solution too,” he said and called upon the congregation to look towards better and brighter side.
Delivering the word of God on the theme, “Called for the Task,” Principal, Trinity Theological College, Rev. Dr. Kavito Zhimo encouraged Church workers and theological students not to falter from the task to which they have been called. “There will be so many inconveniences and difficult situations but you should not waver since you have been called to complete the task,” he said.
Rev. Dr. Kavito acknowledged that the task of working for the Lord was not easy yet it was not difficult if they take God along with them with sincerity and dedication. He challenged the Church workers to work on delivering spiritual goods to the people and be committed in their responsibility.
The conference, which began on May 13, was attended by hundreds of Sumi Church workers from different areas and culminated on Sunday.
