The 71st Annual Assembly of the Evangelical Baptist Convention (EBC) was organized during December 05-08, 2019 in Lamka, Manipur. Upa H Zabiak, Upa Thangkhosiam Tonsing and Pastor Thuamminlian Guite, among others, represented EBCC Delhi at the assembly.
Upa H Zabiak
The theme of the assembly was “Faithful Steward” and based on 1 Corinthians 4:1. There were three Bible study sessions on the Book of Titus, each taken by Rev. S Vung Minthang, Director of Ministries, EBC. Rev. Dr. Vesekhoyi Tetseo (Vee), General Secretary, Asian-Pacific Baptist Federation (APBF) and Rev. Nang Lian Kap, President, EBC Myanmar spoke on the theme of the assembly. A moment was also observed by the congregants to mourn the fourteen Upa (elders) and one Pastor who departed during the year. Business days were Friday and Saturday. The assembly witnessed the ordination of five new Pastors and the decision taken to upgrade Ebenezer College to degree level after conducting feasibility study, grant of approval for fixation of suitable term of Baptist Youth Fellowship Committees by the local churches, and the raise to 70 years in upper age limit from the present 60 years in the eligibility criteria for Upa election.
Takeaways from the Bible study sessions:
- The Book of Titus is written primarily for stewards of the church.
- In today’s world, peace does not last because of our inability to acknowledge the good in others along with the flaws of our own.
- Spirituality is not all beyond-worldly; it rather is practical living, by associating with the world, and working out according to the ways of the Lord.
- A steward of the church, i.e. Saptuam Upa, must be faithful to the Lord and to members of the church. He must be guided by the Holy Spirit. He must make his workplace a place of worship.
- Members of the church must seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit while electing Saptuam Upa.
- We must be able to co-exist with plants, trees, water, animals and everything else around us. We cannot simply lead ruthless and uncaring lives over the creation of God.
Upa Thangkhosiam Tonsing
Rev. Vee talked about how unbelievers ought to be taught more about the balance between rejoicing in spirituality and trials and tribulations, which are the essence of Christian life. The EBC is well-structured with a clear Vision Statement, which mentions inter alia the Missions. In the 70s, Rev. Dr Pum Za Thang and others initiated the Missionary Box. The fruit of that, Rev. Nang Lian Kap said, is the very church of our own – EBC Myanmar.
The Book of Titus is about Paul sending Titus to the churches of Crete, an island off the coast of Greece. Crete was a place inhabited by people from different walks of life with varying religious beliefs. In that background, Paul wrote to Titus little about doctrines and Christian belief; rather, Paul warned Titus of the hardened hearts of those around him and exhorted to not give into their ways. We were born Christians, brought up in a society of varying principles and beliefs. We, therefore, like Titus, must care that we do not simply walk the paths that are popular or common. We have but one path to walk – the one often difficult – which is the path of Jesus. Along the way, we may have something to lose or be made mockery of by people. But surely, we are rest assured, for our rewards are already stored in heaven.
Pastor Thuamminlian Guite
The assembly discussed ‘Urban Missions’, the winding up of Karbi Anglong mission field, establishment of new mission fields in identified areas of Assam and Tripura, reorganisation of Himalayan (Nepal) mission field, recruitment of over ten missionaries, and doing away with degree in theology as a prerequisite to qualify as a missionary.
Now, ‘Urban Missions’ will be based in Delhi, it being the Missions Centre of the EBC. Targeting only slum areas and backward localities are felt to be narrow and unviable a mission in modern environment. The IT industry and the BPO sector offer a diverse and potent field, where Christians can carry out the mission of witnessing to unbelievers. This field is, therefore, considered crucial for Urban Missions.
Just as Priscilla and Aquila were tentmakers by profession, the witnesses i.e. the youth and other members of the church, will remain employees and office workers by profession. This means, the new kind of missionaries will live off their own profession (as opposed to the present system where missionaries get paid by EBC Headquarters and select churches) and continue working out the great commission of Christ among co-workers and unbelievers at their respective workplaces. It follows the principle of “Missionary not as a profession, but in your profession as a missionary”.
Urban Mission is a concept that requires many a prayer before it becomes fruitful, and is a turn in the spiritual journey of the EBC from being a ‘worshipping’ church into a ‘witnessing’ church. The youth of EBCC Delhi are exhorted to make themselves available for the Lord in this great mission; they are poised to shoulder a responsibility immense and pivotal in the months to follow.
DEW | Dec 15, 2019 Reports Audio Sermon Audio Photo Gallery
