Presbyterian Review - January - March, 2016
Presbyterian Review - January - March, 2016
Presbyterian Review - January - March, 2016
No.77
Contents
Cover Story
Kristian Thalai Pawl: Saved to
Serve
10
Editorial
Moderators Message
Email:
[email protected]
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23
In Memoriam
Rev. Vanlalfaka
29
Editorial:
In any given society at any historical context the importance of the youth cannot be overestimated. This is
true even with the Christian community. Right from
its inception the youth have always been the main
force behind the dynamic life and witness of the
Church. However, at times the role and significance of
the youth have been neglected, and they would be
forced to take the back seat or stand in the fringes of
the Churchs life and activities. Often we need to create more space for the youth in the Church.
In fact, most of the great characters in the Bible were called by God during
their youthful days. In the Old Testament, distinguished figures like Joseph, Moses, Samuel, David, Jeremiah and many others who were called
by God as young people became wonderful channels of Gods steadfast
love, power and justice. Even in the New Testament, young people like
John the Baptist, the Twelve disciples, Paul and his companions became
powerful and influential ambassadors for Christ and his Gospel. Above all,
Jesus launched and accomplished his ministry of Gods salvific work as a
young man.
Even in the ensuing history of the Church, in the midst of strong oppositions and atrocious resistance, it is the energetic and fervent young people
who brought the Gospel light to the unreached and became living symbols
for the stronghold of Christian faith.
Today, as the Church faces various kinds of challenges in the forms of
religious fundamentalism, globalization, materialism and free life-style
fueled by the rapid advancement of information technology and the emergence of many new rights movements, the Christian youth need empowerment for revitalization of the Churchs life and witness. This may call
for significant changes in the Church structures and traditions where the
youth would be given ample space in the Church courts and administrative
setup so that they may be able to participate more actively in the various
decision making processes. The Church would also have to see that it
makes use of the talents and resources of the youth to the maximum to
vivify its life and witness even as Timothy was exhorted: Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct,
in love, in faith, in purity, (1 Tim 4:12. RSV).
Moderator
Mizoram Presbyterian
Church Synod
MESSAGE
The Church of God, in spite of the many adversities in our secular age, is
moving forward because Christ is her secure foundation. We still have
many people eager and willing to serve God on a full time basis. We have
been sending out more that 2000 missionaries, and we have 16 Mission
Fields (including Home Mission North and South) of which Arunachal
North and Odisha Mission Fields were newly inaugurated this year. With
13 new pastorates opened this year, there are now 53 presbyteries comprising of 303 pastorates under the Mizoram Synod. This is all due to the
united and ceaseless effort of the church under Gods mighty guidance.
While the church members have been committed more and more to God,
we must always be alert of the danger lurking just beyond us. Often some
aspects of development and technical advancement resulted with things
that are detrimental to our faith. Even the various policies of the government meant for development, to which the church usually give a moral
support, must be scrutinized more vigilantly. The church must stand up
and opposed, and keep away from, those developmental projects and policies that will pose a threat for the Christian life and holiness. Ever considering what good works God requires of us, let us prepare and stand firm in
our faith.
Rev. H. Lalrinmawia
3. Inauguration of Pain & Palliative Care Centre: Pain & Palliative Care
Centre was inaugurated by Rev. P.C. Pachhunga, Executive Secretary, i/c.
Hospital etc at the Synod Hospital Durtlang on Feb. 5, 2016. The programme was led by Dr. Lalthakima, Medical Superintendent and Rev.
Ramdinmawia, Senior Chaplain of the Hospital led the devotion. Dr. Prabakaran Naira from Pallium India, Trivandrum, who helped to set-up the
centre, gave a speech. Palliative care is specialized medical care for people
with serious illness. It focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and
stress of a serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both
the patients and their families.
4. Closing of Missionary Pre-Service Orientation and their Commissioning: Closing function of Missionary Pre-Service Orientation was held on
Feb. 5, 2016 at Mission Veng Church Hall. This programme was part of
the Pre-Service Orientation held during Jan.6 - Feb. 5, 2016 for the 104
new missionaries under the Synod Mission Board. Rev. Dr. K. Lalrinkima, Principal, Missionary Training College led the function and Rev.
K. Lalrinmawia, Secretary, Synod Mission Board delivered a message.
Mrs. Vanlalthawmi, Dean of Training, MTC proposed a vote of thanks.
5. 30th Anniversary of Hmangaihna In: The 30th Anniversary of Hmangaihna In was celebrated on Feb. 19, 2016. The programme was led by Mrs.
Rinchawii, Chairman of the Management Committee and Mrs.
Laldawnkimi, Superintendent, gave a report and introduction. Rev. P.C.
Pachhunga delivered a message.
As a follow-up to the 2015 Synod resolutions, the followings were entrusted to make proposals to the SEC in these matters:
1. The OM, regarding compensation for widows of deceased Pro-pastors
and in-service ministers, program for a state-wide mass prayer, financial
assistance to churchs members having four children and more, the statistics of those Pastors serving outside Mizoram, maintenance of record in
various Synod Departments, the proper utilization of basement in Pastor
Quarters.
2. The Social Front, regarding conservation of sources of water, eradication of tobacco consumption,
3. The Synod Service Board, regarding Ministers who voluntarily left the
Synod Service, workers for the Women Centre.
4. Research and Evaluation Wing, regarding dates of commencement of
newly-established churches, Youth Empowerment Programme.
5. Synod Finance Committee, regarding Synod financial control.
6. Marital Affairs Sub-Committee, regarding revision of Marital Manual.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARIES
The newly elected Executive Secretaries of the Mizoram Presbyterian
Church Synod were in-charge of the followings:
1. Pastoral 2. Finance 3. General Administration
4. Pension and Provident Fund 5. Theological Education
6. Service Board 7. Synod Trust Committee
8. Endowment Fund 9. Synod Prison
Ministry 10. Administrative Areas
11. Campus Ministry 12. Revival
13. Any other business
1. Sunday School 2. PRESCOM 3. Synod Literature and
Publication Board 4. Hospital 5. Marital Matters
6. Partnership 7. Family Guidance and
Counselling Centre 8. Women Fellowship 9. Synod Multipurpose Training Centre 1 0 . L o v e
Home (Orphanage) 11. Womens Hostel
1.Mission 2. Education
3. Synod Worship Committee
4. Archive 3. Social Front 6. Youth Fellowhip
7. Presbyterian Bible School 8. Research and Evaluation
Wing 9. Synod Information and Publicity
KTP General Conference being organised every year was alter in the
Golden Jubilee Year 2004, since then General Conference is held in alternate years with Business Session hosted by Aizawl city Area churches
exclusive of which Business Session was held at Lunglei in 2013.
prayer meeting with slight alteration on the prayer items. The prayer items
will include: (i) prayer for children and grandchildren; (ii) prayer for every
family that they may be able to have daily devotion; (iii) prayer for MPC
Synod run Grace Home (Hospice for HIV/AIDS patients); (iv) prayer for
overcoming the different works of evil in Mizoram; (v) prayer for Women
Centre; and (iv) prayer for spiritual revivals in India and Wales.
nal, in the Pastorates within Aizawl city in 2016 to meet the raise in the
cost of publication for the journal.
delivered inspiring and challenging messages on the MPWF General Business Meeting theme, The Person and Works of the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion:
The physical and spiritual preparation of the host, Mission Vengthlang
Church is praiseworthy. Their hospitality, generosity and dedication deserved great appreciation and commendation. The presence of the Holy
Spirit was wonderfully experienced in the worship services, in which
many people danced in praising God as the congregations cheerfully sang
the songs with joy. Praise the Lord for the accomplishment of the 8 th
MPWF General Business Meeting with the abundant blessings of the Holy
Spirit.
CALCUTTA MISSION FIELD:
A BRIEF REPORT ON MISSION AND EVANGELISM
Rev.Zochhuanmawia
Field Secretary, Calcutta Mission Field
The Synod Meeting of the Mizoram Presbyterian Church, with zeal of
proclaiming the Gospel resolved to open the Calcutta Mission Field
(CMF) in the year 1987 and in 1988, the CMF was initiated like a tiny
seed in a thick forest. In the beginning there were no members as well as
workers in the city of the then Calcutta, presently Kolkata. While such
being the case, the CMF received manifold blessings from God through
different people and churches in Kolkata particularly from the Church of
North India (CNI) Calcutta Diocese. Therefore, the CMF, by the grace of
God has been growing bit by bit and increasing in members and workers
as well.
At present, there are five (5) Pastorates in the CMF-Kolkata pastorate,
Baruipur Pastorate, Basirhat Pastorate, Manicktala Pastorate and Bardhoman Pastorate. The Mission Field Working committee is inclined to open
two more pastorates (Serampur and Kharagpur Pastorate) in the near future. The CMF is doing ministry in 11 districts out of the total 19 districts
in the state of W.Bengal. Field Secretary, 5 Pastors, 39 Missionaries, 46
Field Worker Evangelists, 60 Part-time Workers are now doing their respective ministries in this Mission Field. The CMF is blessed with 60 Fellowships plus 17 Sub-Centres (Place of prayer meeting, not yet full Fellowship). The total number of members in the CMF, based on the latest
(Mar. 2016) report is 3645.
Indirect Evangelism: An indirect Evangelism is a mode of gospel propagation by using some means or tools so that people may pay attention to
the Words of God. Even though we called it as an indirect Evangelism, the
CMF considered it as an effective means of direct evangelism. These are
the modes of indirect evangelism which have been using to introduce the
Good news- NonFormal School, Spoken
English Class, Adult
Education, Music class,
Medical Ministry and
Craft training ministry.
These ministries are
useful to prepare the
atmosphere the localities
that the gospel might be
freely preached.
Top: Tailoring Graduates;
Middle: JPM Mohila Conference;
Bottom: JPM Youth Conference
Annual Conferences
Pastorate
Pastorate Conference
Pastorate Mohila Conference
Somiti
Pastorate Youth Conference.
Pastorate Children Sunday
School Conference.
Joint Pastorate Meeting (JPM)
Joint Pastorate Meeting
Joint Pastorate Mohila Meeting
Joint Pastorate Youth Meeting.
Other Ministries:
Handful of Rice (Mustichal): This ministry is
solely undertaken by Women fellowship. A
number of women including other-faith (Hindu)
women are also interested in this ministry. To
glory of our Saviour and for the extension of
His Kingdom, they contribute in cash or in kind
in their respective fellowships.
Banglore Mizo Church is established:2 Out of necessity the Mizo Presbyterian Church was established on 6th November 2011 mostly by Mizo
Presbyterian Church members. From the mid 1970s Mizo community began their regular worship service called Bangalore Mizo Christian Fellowship (BMCF). Diaspora Mizo grew in numbers, in the mean time there
crept up diverse needs of spiritual nurture and church court matters for
which establishment of Presbyterian Church is a necessity. Diaspora Mizo
or the migrant population engaged themselves in varied professions apart
from education viz. office jobs, menial jobs, hotel & restaurant chef and
waiters, entertainers, spa & beauty professions, sports w/men, payingguest, petty traders and the like. Christian Fellowship cannot administer
church court related matters viz confirmation, sacraments baptism and
Holy Communion,3 discipline, and marriage ceremony, these are all what
our members most urgently needed.
Out of this necessity, certain Church ministers in United Theological College and theologians and likeminded people formed Church Committee.
After months of cautious move the first Church worship was held on Sunday 6th November 2011 at Tagore Hall No.3 UTC, attended by 86 members. The establishment of Mizo Church in Bangalore was reported to the
Synod Executive Committee (SEC), and the matter was taken up and then
endorsed to the Synod Conference 2011. The Synod Conference decided
that the Church be recognised and suitable minister be posted. The 2012
February SEC session nominated Rev. Vanlalnunmawia Zawngte for Bangalore Mizo Church Pastor. With much enthusiasm the Church welcome
the new pastor on 29th April 2012 Sunday worship service; in fact it was
jubilation for the church because they ultimately have the Pastor that signifies Synods approval of the Church.4 Since then the church has been
growing in varied and significant dimensions.
Worship service is held on Sunday at 3:00 pm at JRC Hall, United Theological College, paying a rent of Rs, 5,000/- per service. Last Sunday of a
month is dedicated for Sunday School, and the rest Sundays are for Sermon/Sacraments. Marriage service and church court matters are done here.
Children Sunday School is conducted every Sunday following Mizo Sunday School Union syllabus. In order to enhance the spiritual life of the
members, Church arranged crusade or camping on yearly basis, with
speakers from outside source. The spiritual vigor is so to say normal, since
church meeting can happen only once a week it is difficult to experience
ecstatic atmosphere as always happen in Mizoram Church.
Notes
1
leaders are always regarded as a must guest of importance. In this partnership endeavour single church alone can do little, strong and meaningful
partnership bit can be done through Synod level. The church is eagerly
looking forward to strong partnership between Mizo Synod and CSI
Synod so that we may be able to get a permanent worship place in the CSI
premises. The Church is recruiting leaders from Mizo local residents who
would be our future leaders to make impressive Mizo Christian presence
in South India.
IN MEMORIAM
REV. VANLALFAKA
(1944-2015)
Rev. Vanlalfaka, the second son of Elder
Chalkhuma (L) and Vanzingi (L) was born on
10th July, 1944 at Biate village, Mizoram. He
had six (6) brothers and four (4) sisters but
only his 3 brothers and 3 sisters still survive
today. He was married to Zahliri while he was
a Probationary Pastor in Baktawng on 17 th
April 1968. He was blessed with a daughter
and three (3) sons, namely, (1) Laltanpuia (L)
H/o Lalmuansangi, (2) Lalmuanpuia H/o Lalrinkimi, (3) Lalhruaitluangi
and (4) R.Lalnunpuia H/o K. Malsawmkimi. He also had seven (7) grand
children.
Education: Rev. Vanlalfaka had done his Primary and Middle level education at Tlangpui and Sialhawk village respectively and studied his secondary/ high school level at Biate village. He could not fulfill his dream of
pursuing higher studies due to financial constraint of his family. Before
finishing his high school at Biate village, he was selected to join Diploma
in Theology at Aijal Theological College. He finished his Diploma in
Theology in 1965. While working as a Probationary Pastor, he completed
Serampore Matriculate in 1969. In 1975, he pursued Bachelor of Theology
at Eastern Theological College, Jorhat, Assam. He again completed
Bachelor of Divinity at the same college in 1979 and also studied Christian Counseling at Vellore in 1984.
To,
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