Students advised to think beyond and transform society
Dimapur, June 23 (MExN): Twenty six students of the Oriental Theological Seminary (OTS), Dimapur officially graduated today in their black gowns and red and blue sashes at the Town Baptist Church here. The graduating students delightfully walked to the stage one after another to get their sashes and degree certificates as the Academic Dean read their names describing each person’s personalities and future ventures rife with humour. This was the XVIIIth Commencement Day of OTS, yet the first time to have a female speaker – Phutoli Shikhu Chingmak, a lawyer and co-founder of Eleutheros Christian Society based in Tuensang.
Phutoli while congratulating the graduating students, their families and sponsors cautioned the students about the real world, outside the comfort of the Seminary. “The world is cruel…you have to brave it.” Drawing reference from Isaiah 54: 2 -5, she encouraged the students to be bold, courageous, and not be intimidated in life. “Whatever you do, do it differently. Do it without fear. But do it God’s way,” she stated while urging the students to assume God’s character, which does not have ‘self-limitation’. Further quoting William Carey’s “Expect great things from God. Attemp great things for God,” Phutoli asked the students to be fearless and limitless to work for God.
Meanwhile, giving an analogy of making tent to ministry, she affirmed ministry is about humility and stooping down. Pointing out that people will have different opinions about them, she encouraged them to be firm, and stretch, enlarge, and lengthen their tents and cords as written in the bible. Another advice she gave was to go beyond rational and people’s opinion. “Your coverage should penetrate ever sphere of life – social, economic, and political aspect of the society.” Further giving illustrations, the speaker advised the students to be true to themselves and never trade heaven for anything. “Stay away from anything which acts contrary to God’s words.”
Speaking on behalf of the graduating students, Kesolenuo questioned whether Churches in Nagaland were relevant in the contemporary context, which she described was the “burning issue”. Stating that the church is called to be in the world and not on the world, she asserted that it should voice out against corruption, injustices against women, and other issues prevalent in the society. The church should come down to the level of the world and address the issues of the people. It is designed to reach outside its structure, she added. As a parting word, she advised her fellow graduating students, “Delivering knowledge should not be our focus…Our theology should relate to the society and transform it.”
Among the 26, nineteen were Master of Divinity students, six were Master in Ministry, and one Diploma in Theological studies. Three special awards were also presented: The OTS Award for Academic Excellence to Kesolenuo, The Late Nula Panger Award in Ministry to Ruokuovinuo Keyho, and The OTS Award for Dignity to K Langsen.
