Church’s ministry to the context
The life of the church in North East India and Chin regions of Myanmar are similar in many ways. First and foremost, most churches belong to Baptist denominations and they subscribed to all the fundamental beliefs and practices of the Baptist all over the world.
Many of the Baptist churches are not susceptible to the changes. The churches (including other denominations) tend to draw lines between the social issues and church issues. For instances, the churches did not join rally or protest gathering. Though pastors and church members join the rally and protest but as an individual. Another feature of the churches is that we draw a big line between the church and politics. The church did not endorse any candidates or political parties. So, the churches are keeping themselves away from anything which is political in nature. However, churches face enormous challenges and persecutions. The churches are severely affected by political activities. For instance, if there is a rebellious activity in a particular place, the government or military will always target the church; accusing the church harbor the rebels. The church stood there voiceless; for if they utter a word, it does more harm than good. Militarization, poverty, drugs, human rights violation, migration is the context of the churches in North East India and Myanmar. The church’s ministry should be addressing to all these issues. It is not easier for the church to have a meaningful dialogue with the military. A protest and rally against military is suicidal. The world has witnessed the recent event in the Myanmar. So, one must be tactful in dealing with sensitive issue like military. If rally and protest are not working, there must be other way to deal. Poverty and drugs are two issues that bring so much harm to the community. Additions to these issues are the issues of human rights violation and migration. People cease to believe in their own people; helpless and hopeless is a harsh word but not far from the truth. People are not confident in the midst of these challenges.
The church must help the community in rediscovering and reviving the confidence of the people. The church is called to lift the people up and provide hope for the mass. Can the church do the task? The transforming power of God is the sources of strength for the church to accomplish this task through the working of the Holy Spirit.
Many of the Baptist churches are not susceptible to the changes. The churches (including other denominations) tend to draw lines between the social issues and church issues. For instances, the churches did not join rally or protest gathering. Though pastors and church members join the rally and protest but as an individual. Another feature of the churches is that we draw a big line between the church and politics. The church did not endorse any candidates or political parties. So, the churches are keeping themselves away from anything which is political in nature. However, churches face enormous challenges and persecutions. The churches are severely affected by political activities. For instance, if there is a rebellious activity in a particular place, the government or military will always target the church; accusing the church harbor the rebels. The church stood there voiceless; for if they utter a word, it does more harm than good. Militarization, poverty, drugs, human rights violation, migration is the context of the churches in North East India and Myanmar. The church’s ministry should be addressing to all these issues. It is not easier for the church to have a meaningful dialogue with the military. A protest and rally against military is suicidal. The world has witnessed the recent event in the Myanmar. So, one must be tactful in dealing with sensitive issue like military. If rally and protest are not working, there must be other way to deal. Poverty and drugs are two issues that bring so much harm to the community. Additions to these issues are the issues of human rights violation and migration. People cease to believe in their own people; helpless and hopeless is a harsh word but not far from the truth. People are not confident in the midst of these challenges.
The church must help the community in rediscovering and reviving the confidence of the people. The church is called to lift the people up and provide hope for the mass. Can the church do the task? The transforming power of God is the sources of strength for the church to accomplish this task through the working of the Holy Spirit.
Nice blog and inspiring content. Keep it up
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