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Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho & wife, Rev. Dr. Visielie Angami and wife seen with the graduating students during the 10th Convocation day of Faith Theological Seminary on June 1.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, June 1 (EMN): “The world blames us of being too worldly in our nature of doing church’s activities, perhaps that is because we have stayed too far from God. Simplicity, which is the mark of Christianity, is now swallowed by greed and competition. When spirituality is misplaced, simplicity in ministry is missed.”
This observation and concern was shared by the general secretary, of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council, Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho, who is the guest speaker at the 10th convocation programme of Faith Theological Seminary (FTS), Jotsoma held on the theme “Whoever serves me must follow me…” on June 1.
Challenging the graduates, whom he referred to as ‘new theologically literate generation’, Keyho maintained that to be theologically literate is to be competent.’ He advised them never to hide under the pretence and give excuse that there are not competent or lack experience.
Keyho also observed that often the ‘visible men and women’ exhibit too much of self and too little of the invisible Christ. Stressing his point, he said ‘the invisible Christ in us is made to suffocate in our selfishness as true spirituality is not ‘only right biblical beliefs but right action.’
Therefore, as theologically literate individual, he said the success in the ministry of Christ will depend not on how much one knows, but on how well one communicate his / her knowledge to the realities of life.
“Your theological knowledge should be brought down to their level - of struggles in their day to day life, of successes and even failures. These are the hard realities of life,” he said. He cautioned that the moment one detach oneself from these realities, the message will lose its relevancy. ‘Avoid theological jargons and pretensions’ he asserted and urged the graduates on the need to first develop a vertical personal relationship with the master, and go through a daily life changing experience and use that experience in horizontal relationship ‘to nurture the seed’ that God has given to each one of them.
Stating that it is no easy task ‘to call ourselves theologically literate’ which takes determination, commitment and hard work, Keyho reminded that the graduation event is not the end but a commencement to a new beginning wherein one will be tested time and again.
Making a hard hitting fact, Keyho said that if one is not committed and qualified to serve in His ministry, any kind of further study will never work.
“People you serve are not interested about your grade, not even your degree they are interested in “you” they are interested in your spiritual grade, your inter-personal skills and lifestyles grade. They are more interested about your life on how - you conduct your life and incarnate the gospel in your life,” he remarked.
Advising the graduates, Keyho said there is no doubt that their theological knowledge will surely come in handy, however, he reiterated that it’s their mentoring spiritual relationship that will take them beyond to the areas not even imagined or thought about.
Altogether 33 students graduated from B.Th (regular and extension) and M.Div (regular and extension. Degrees and special awards to the students were given away by the FTS principal, Rev. Dr. Visielie Angami.
So far Faith Theological Seminary has produced 238 graduates and as per a handout, about 98% of them are involved in the ministry in different areas as pastors, evangelists, missionaries, bible teachers, Sunday school teachers and as leaders of youth and women.
