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DIMAPUR — The tall claim of the Nagas with 99% population as Christians was contested due to the prevailing corruption being institutionalised as the church and community have produced many corrupt politicians, drug addicts and proxy teachers, activities which were against the Christian tenets.
This was disclosed by Rev. Chingmak Chang, secretary to Eleutheros Christian Society (ECS), during the silver jubilee of Nagaland Development Outreach (NDO), a development wing of Nagaland Baptist Churches Council (NBCC) on Friday held at Diphupar Ao Baptist Church on the theme “Towards empowering community.”
The speaker stated that social change can take place only when the Naga churches dared to tell its members saying, "If any person coming here puts your tithes from your proxy money, the church will not take.”
He claimed that corruption in Nagaland has been institutionalised, which made him feel ashamed sometimes to say that he is a Christian as many people make fun due to corruption.
As corruption has been institutionalized, he stated that it has become a challenge because the churches have not been able to respond to it. He, therefore, asserted that NDO has immense responsibilities to go and make the churches aware of loving God with all their hearts, minds and souls and to love their neighbours.
Younger generations inactive in churches
Also talking about the generation gap among X generation (born in the 60s), millennial Z generation and the baby boomers (born in 1940s), he analysed that the baby boomers and generation X emphasised a lot on traditional values and community but when it comes to the other generation they are into technology and not on community thing, which according to him is “scary thing.”
In another analysis of about 70 churches from Eastern Nagaland, he informed that 7% of baby boomers, 70% of X generation, 10% of millennial and only 7% of Gen Z generations come to church.
He expressed that the church needs to focus on the community because the X generation and the baby boomers generation will be gone in the next 20 years and the younger generation has to lead.
He shared that the younger generation today are going through a lot of anxiety and depression as they considered Instagram and Facebook as their community instead of the traditional community.
“And because of their anxiety, they start taking drugs and cannabis as a form of self-medication,” he said and requested the church leaders to become sensitive to the community who are going astray.
He also urged the church leaders to find the root cause of the corruption and redefine their vision and build a better community.
During the programme, Rev. Zelhou Keyho, NBSS general secretary, released the souvenir of NDO, while greetings were shared by Rev. Philip George, director of HCDI, and the thanksgiving and offertory prayer was said by Rev. N Lipok Jamir, pastor of Diphupar Ao Baptist Church.
A reflection was shared by Rev. Pongsing Konyak and songs were presented by tribal children hostellers of HRDC, Nikhekhu, and the Nagaland Madrigal Singers.