Kohima, March 27 (EMN): To create awareness about the clean election movement among the masses, churches under the Chakhesang Baptist Church Council (CBCC) observed March 27 as Clean Election Sunday during which pastoral exchange was also organised.
The sermon outlines for pastors/preachers were prepared by the core committee of the Chakhesang Clean Election Movement (CCEM) led by its chairman Rev. Vezopa Rhakho. The outlines were mainly to maintain uniformity and reach the masses with the right kind of message about the movement.
The topics were based on ‘What is clean election’ and ‘Christian response to the movement.’ It also implored on the real-life situation among the people for a clean election, an update from CCEM stated on Sunday.
“Politicians are people’s representatives. If any politician does not love and serve the common people, he/she is not fit to be the people’s representative. Further, politician’s success and stewardship should be determined by the kind of service he/she rendered to the people during their tenure and not by those rich words of promises, gifts, and grants during elections,” the CCEM sermon outline read adding that church and politics are mutually exclusive but are interdependent.
It stated that politics has nothing to do with the sacrament and sanctity of the church. Likewise, the church must not allow state politics to dictate the role and function of the church.
It, however, stated that the church must directly impact society and contribute positively to the social situation and political movements. It also urged to raise prophetic voices against any form of political corruption and injustice in society.
“The church leaders/ pastors must never become politically biased. The church must always seek and maintain peace and encourage individual rights to exercise the freedom to discern and vote responsibly,” the statement read.
It further stated that clean election is not an option but an absolute necessity for good governance. It, therefore, stated that the church must know the truth, speak the truth, defend the truth, and practice the truth.
The church, being the guardian of the truth of the Scriptures, must lead the way, CCEM added.