EBC 70th Annual Conference Brief Report
Theme: Worship; pleasing and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1)
Speaker: Rev. L. Khamkholun
Bible Study: Led by Rev. V. Khamvum
Place: EBC Centenary Hall, New Lamka
Date: Dec 6-9, 2018
A delegation of 6 people from Delhi, both the Pastors- Pastor N. Tuanglang, Pastor Biakson and 4 Elders attended the EBC 70th Annual Conference which was held from Dec 6-9, 2018 at EBC Centenary Hall, New Lamka.
Rev. L. Khamkholun, Speaker of the Convocation, spoke on Worship that is holy and pleasing to God, based on Romans 12:1, on three sessions. This will be the theme of EBC in the year 2019. Bible Study and Devotion programme was presided by Rev. V. Khamvum, on the book of James 1-5. On December 9, Rev. S. VungMinthang, General Secretary presided the Ordination Service. General Secretary as Officiating Minister ordained as many as 7 Pastors, 2 for Missions and 5 for Ministry and 14 Elders in the service.
The Convocation also elected the following people as leaders of EBC for the next 3 years:-
General Secretary- Rev. PaukhanmangGuite
Director of Ministry- Rev. S. Vungminthang
Director of Missions- Rev. K. Kamchinkhup
Director of Social Development- Rev. Gin Malsawm
Apart from the above, 7 Divisional Superintendents as well as 4 Field Superintendents werealso elected.
Elder H. Kamsuanthang reported that as many as 968 delegates attended the Convocation. At present EBC has 216 Churches, 66,295 members or 11,782 household. During the year 2018, 87 member left EBC while 209 joined it. The Conference approved three new Church- (i) EBCC Manja, KarbiAnglong (ii) EBCC, Valveeng, New Lamka and (iii) EBCC Chandigarh and also approved to establish Hospital. All work relating to its establishment will be taken care of by CEC of EBC. The Conference also approved to enhance the salary of Contract workers with a minimum of Rs. 10000 w.e.f. April 1, 2019. Nepal Mission Field to be re-christened as Himalayan Mission Field. Any change, modification or addition in BiaknaLabu and PathianNgaih La shall henceforth require the approval of the Annual Convention. It is also decided that Elders of EBC should have common Uniform (Black).
Apart from the report, the following Elders of the Church, who attended the Convention shared their experience.
Elder Songzalian: With our tongue we praise God and with the same tongue we curse our brothers and sisters. For a worship to be holy and pleasing to God, we must tame our tongue. As a fig tree cannot bear olives, or a grapevine does not bear figs, with the same tongue we cannot curse our fellow beings and give praise to God.
Elder Chinsum: To be afar from God is the beginning of downfall and sin. One way of knowing a healthy Church is the absence of discrimination between and the rich and poor. Church should be free from favouritism and discrimination.
Elder Tuanmuanthang: We are created to worship God. Only when we know how wonderful and marvellous is our God that we can start to offer praise acceptable to Him.
Pastor Tuanglang: Let us worship not merely with our tongue but more so with our heart. Looking after the widow and orphans, not necessarily with monetary assistance, but in other forms like spiritual guidance and care, is also a form of worship. Worship should not be confined inside the Church but should extend outside it. A holy praise should not be defiled with by the worldly things. It is necessary that we control our tongue. From it, praise and cursing should not come forth. The standard of maturity is measured by how we utilized our tongue. To be rich is not bad per se but how our actions or ways undertaken for acquiring wealth is which can bring us to doom. The standard of being rich is measured by how much we give for others. Let us strive to give more for God for He will bless us abundantly.
