BCM PASTOR TE LEH AN NUPUITE CHUNGCHANG- 3

Nizan chu kan kohhran (BCM) headquarter office-a thawk pakhat, u anga ka en thin avanga ka nel ve ngam deuh nen kan inbiaknaah a lo ngaihven em em lem loh leh a sawi chak em em pawh ni lova ka hriat, kan kohhran pastorte leh an nupuite chungchang ka sawipui a.

Thil engengemaw kan sawi a. Serkawn boruak tlangpui min hrilh bawk a.

A khawi lam lam hi tanna tur sawi chuan an tanawm ve vena lai a awm thei a. Amaherawhchu, a hnena ka sawi ber chu pastor nupuite chungchanga kan kohhran rorelna sang ber 2008 Assembly-in a rel kha kan dan kalh a ni tih leh legal consequence nei a ni tih a ni. Tin, khami rorelna diklo atanga kal dik ta lo zel hi ti dik turin kan kohhran hruaituten mawhphurhna an neih thu ka sawi bawk a.

Min hrilh pakhat chu "Matana mai mai hi..." tih lam zawnga lo ngai te pawh a ni awm e. An lo thlirna zawn atang chuan a hriatthiamawm ka ti tho mai. Ka tawmpui kher lo nain.

Kan ngaihdan a inang lo tih ka hria a. A ngaihdan ka tawm loh avang emaw ka ngaihdan a tawmloh avang khan, Congress mi dukdaklo hovin an lamtanglo a chhe thei ang bera beih an ching ang ni lo hian, tha takin kan ngaihdan kan sawidun thei a, a lawmawm ka ti hle.

Hmanni deuh khan hemi chungchanga zawhna awm pawimawh tak tak chhanna hriat a tul avangin, thil dangah pawh miin an lo tih thin tawh angin kan HQ lam internet kaktlangin ka zawt a. "Sawi a hun tawh lo" tiin min chhang.

Min chhangtu hi ka thian tho a ni a. A lawmawmloh ka ti nain kohhran mipui tam tak leh hruaitu te rilru a nih thu mi hrilh a. A dinhmun chu ka hriatthiampui tho mai. A chhan chu kohhran thawktu a nihnaah hotu lu ber ten sawiho hun tawh lova an ngaih chuan sawihona lo hawn leh kha a tan thil rem ber pawh a ni chiah lovang. A hnuah telephone in kan inbia a, tha tak chuan ngaihdan inang lo bawk chu kan sawi dun leh a. Ka hrilhhriat duh erawh min lo ngaihthlak sak avangin ka lawm hle.

Pawi deuh chu kan kohhran chhungkuaah boruak thalo tak maiin min chiah a, pawl ang deuh reuh kan awm ta phawk mai hi a ni. Inhmangaihnaa rawng in bawlsak tawnna thlarau phei chu a bo hlauh tawhin ka hmu. Hei hi ti dik leh turin min hruai tura kan ruat, kan thlan hruaituten mawhphurhna lian tak an nei tih an hriat a pawimawh hle. Hruaitute an ni miau a.

Kan boruak hi a thalo tih mai pawh a tawk tawh lova, a bawlhhlawh tel tawh tih kan hriat a pawimawh hle bawk awm e. A lehlam lehlam atanga tawngkam chhuak phei chu sawichhawn leh tlakloh khawpa mawilo a ni. A hre hnem phei chuan sawi tur in hre teuh zawk ang.

Kan dinhmun hi, saptawngin, a "toxic" hle a tih loh theih loh. Lehlamin engemaw sawi se, a lehlamin anmahni do zawngin an ngai tlat tawh a. A khawi lam lam pawhin an ngaihdan leh duhdan sawi se, insual ngam khawpin kan thin a rim a ni tawh ber e.

Sawiho a hun tawh lo anga ngaihna leh sawi ve thiang lo awm anga ngaihna hi thil hriat dan diklo a ni tih leh ngaihdan puitlinglo a ni tih kan hriat a tha hlein ka lo hria.

Tin, kan ngaihdan a inanloh avanga kan ngaihdan tawmpuilo te va hmuh diklohna lian tak hian Pathian aw min hriat tir thei lo niin ka lo hre bawk a. Tun ang zela kan kal chuan Setana aia sual zawk intih te emaw sarcastic taka tawngtai tlem, tawngtai tam mamawh tih te'n kan insawi mai mai dawnin a lang!

He'ng boruak thalo zawng zawng lo irhchhuahna hi chi hrang hrang a ni thei anga, ziaka kan hmuh theih thutling hmasa berah chuan 2008 Assembly Thurel 1.21 kha a ni ang.

Kha kan thurel kha uluk deuhva kan en chuan keimahni danpui chiang takin kan kalh a. India ram danpui chiang takin kan kalh bawk a. A hnu zela bawhzuina rorel hrang hrangah phei chuan thil nihphung, kan danpui leh inkaihhruai dan kan pawngsual a ni a ber mai. Kum 5/6 kaltaa rilru te kum 5/6 hnua meeting ah ziaka kan dah theih chuan kum 100 kaltaa kohhran ngaihdan kha vawiin ah kan siam chawp thei anga. Kum 2000 kaltaa Isua ngaihdan pawh kan ziak chawp thei ang.

Kan rorelna diklo nghawng avangin kan inhliam nasa ta lutuk a. Zawhna a siam hnem ta lutuk bawk si a. Thil thalo lian zawk a hrin hmain tihdik thuai a pawimawh hle.

A tihdik dan awlsam leh tih theih awm chu kha kan Assembly thurel diklo tihtawp a ni. Chumi tur chuan kan GS hmasa ten Assembly thurel an bawhzuiloh thenkhat ang chiah khan bawhzui theihloh a nihna kohhran mipui hnenah hrilhin he harsatna kan insiam hi an titawp thei a. Chu chu an mawhphurhna lian tak pawh a ni.

Rorelna dik hi luipui angin luang rawh se. Chu chuan kan rawngbawlna leh pastor te rawngbawlna a tichak zawk ang.

BCM PUIPATEN ZAWHNA AN CHHAN NGAITE

BCM Assembly 2008 Thurel No.1.21;page 20

Pastor Biala Nupui hruai chungchang:

Bialtu Pastor ten an thawhna hmunah an nupuite an hruailoh avangin rawngbawlna kawngah harsatna leh fel lohna tam tak a awm thin a. Hetiang harsatna sut kian nan hian Pastoral Committee chuan a hnuaia mi ang hian inkaihhruaina a siam a ni.

1. Sawt zawk leh tangkai zawka rawng kan bawl theih nan, Bialtu Pastor chuan a thawhna hmunah a nupui a hruai ngei tur a ni.

2. Hrisel lohna (health ground) avanga harsatna neite chuan Pastoral Committee-ah thlen theih a ni ang.

3. Kum 2015 hnu lamah chuan Pastor/Minister nupuite chu Sawrkar hna leh hna dang Full Time a thawh phal a ni lo ang a. Kohhranin Pastor/Minister nupui service mamawh tak takna a nei a nih chuan, a mamawhtu Department chuan Pastoral Committee-ah a dil thei ang a, Pastoral Committee chuan a thutlukna chu Executive Committee ah a thlen ang.

Assembly thurel 1.21 sub number 3 hian kan Constitution Bung 3-na leh Indian Article 19 (1) (g) a kalh lova kan ngaih chuan heng a hnuaia zawhna te hi kan kohhran puipaten an chhan a tul a ni:

1) 2008 Assembly thurel 3-na ah hian 2015 hnu lamah pastor nupui te full time-a hna thawh phalloh tih chauh a lang a. 

Nov 2014 Pastoral Committee in "an nupuite sawrkar hna leh hna dang full time a thawkte an bantir theilo a nih chuan anmahni zawk chu chawl tura ngaih an ni" tiin 2008 Assembly thurel "tum dan" a belh hi engvanga 2008-a Assembly minute-a lang lo nge a nih? Assembly thurel hi Pastoral Committee in a ti danglam em? A tih danglam chuan Assembly thurel ang lo a nihna angin a valid lo tihna a ni em?

2) 2008 Assembly thurel 3-naa "Kohhranin pastor/minister nupui service mamawh tak takna a nei a nih chuan, a mamawhtu Department chuan Pastoral Committee-ah a dil thei ang a, Pastoral Committee chuan a thu tlukna chu Executive Committee-ah a thlen ang" tihah hian pastor/minister nupui Kohhrana thawkte chungchang chauh tan ngaihhnathiamna provision a lang a. Kohhrana thawk nilo te tan ruahmanna siam a ni lo hi eng vang nge? Kohhrana thawk nilo ten anmahni ruaitu hnen atangin Kohhrana thawkten an tih theih angin Pastoral Committee-ah thlen ta se, an service chungchang tawptir mai lo tura ngaihtuah a ni angem? 

3) 2004 Pastoral Committee minute No.3 hi Assembly thurel dan nena inang lo a nih vangin minute No.4 hi bawhzui theih a ni lo tihna a ni em?

4) 2004 Pastoral Committee minute No.3 hi Assembly thurel tumdan bawhzui theihna niin minute No.4 ang hian Service Rules Bung 10-naa KOHHRAN-A THAWKTUTE TIH LOH TUR LEH THUNUNNA, THAWKTUTE TIH LOH TUR LEH THUNUNNA hman tur ni ta se, thununna 5-na hman hma hian thununna dang - zilh, hnathawhna hmun sawn, hlawh pum emaw a then pek te hi hman hmasak phawt a ni dawn em?

a) Zilh

b) A hnathawhna hmun sawn (transfer)

c) A hlawh pumin emaw a then emaw pêk loh

d) Hna hniam zâwka dah

e) Chawlh lailâwk tìr

f) Service tihtâwp

g) Compulsory pension pêk.

5) He inthununna danin a sawi, "Hnathawktu thawk tha duh lo, hotute thu awih lo leh awm tha duh lo chu a thawhna hotuin a zilh hnu pawha a la sim duh loh fo chuan Committee-ah a thlen ang.  Committee chuan a awm dân chu tha lo ngeia a hriat chuan a hnuaia thununna chi hrang hrangte zînga mi hmang hian hnathawktu chungah action a la nghâl ang" ah hian pastor leh an nupuiten an harsatna an rawn thlen Committee in genuine case tlinga a ruat loh avang hian he'ng pastor te hi "hnathawktu thawk tha duhlo, hotute thu awih lo leh awm tha duhlo" an ni kan ti em?

6) Chutianga hnathawktu awm tha duhlo lo ni ta se, danin a sawi angin zilh an ni tawh em? Zilh an nih chuan engtinnge zilh an nih? An harsatna rawn sawi te hi nungchang thalo zilh sim theih ang sim theihloh harsatna ni ta se Committee in engtin nge a tih ang?

7) Pastoral Committee Nov 2014 Minute No.3-a pastor te "chawl tura ngaih an ni" tiha "chawl" tih hi Constitution Bung 10 No.12 in "suspend" a tih nen a inang em? Suspend tura ngaih ni ta se, Pastoral Committee in suspend na tur thupek a pe dawn tihna a ni em? Suspend hun hi eng anga rei tur nge? Eng tlawhchhanin nge a hunchhung tur rel a nih ang? Suspend chhungin pastor quarter an luah thei em?

8) Kan Kohhran constitution in Pastor mawhphurhna leh tihturte a tih 26 zingah hian tihlawhtling thei lo pastor engzat nge awm? An nupui te full time-a hnathawh vanga tihlawhtling theilo engzat nge awm? A tihlawhtling theilo te chu engtinnge Pastoral Committee in a an chungchang a ngaihtuah?

He'ng zawhna bakah hian Kohhran inrelbawlna pawn lam thil kan Assembly leh Pastoral Committee thurelah a awm niin a lang:

1) Pastor nupui sorkar leh hna dang hnathawk te hi Kohhranin kan rawih an nilo tih kan pawm chuan Assembly thurel "Sawrkar hna leh hna dang Full Time a thawh phal a ni lo ang" tih hian awmzia a neilo tihna a ni em?

2) Pastoral Committee minute-a lang, "an nupuite sawrkar hna leh hna dang full time a thawkte an bantir theilo a nih chuan..." tihah hian a ruaitu nilo pastorin an nupuite bantir turin kan beisei tihna a ni em? An nupuite tihluinain bantir ta se, pastor te chu dan kan bawhchhiat tir a ni theiin Pastoral Committee in a hria em?

3) BCM Constitution Bung 3 MIZORAM BAPTIST KOHHRAN TIHTUMTE (OBJECTIVES)-a "mihring dikna (Fundamental Rights) humhalh" ("defend human rights") hi kan Kohhran danpui constitution a chuang a nih si chuan pastor nupui sawrkar emaw hna dang thawk te bang tura an pasal te kan phut hian humhalh kan tum an human right kan bawhchhiat sak a ni em? Kan kohhran hian kan rorelna sang berah kan danpui kan kalh em?

4) Article 19(1)(g) Constitution Of India "Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech etc 

All citizens shall have the right (g) to practise any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business" tih ah hian India khua leh tui zawng zawng Fundamental Right zinga an hna thawh theih emaw thawh duh zawng an tihbuai loh a an thawh phalsak kan ni a. Chu Fundamental Right chu kan Kohhran Constitution thiltum ah pawh humhalh kan ziak lang a ni. 2008 Assembly thurel hian India ram Constitution a kalh a. Hei hi Kohhranin kan thuneihna piah lamah ro kan lo rel tihna a ni. Keimahni Constitution ngei pawh kan kalh avangin 2008 Assembly thurel kha a ding (valid) thei lovang. Chuvang chuan Pastoral Committee in bawhzui theihna chhan a neiin a lang lo.

BCM PASTOR TE LEH AN NUPUITE CHUNGCHANG - 2

Ruatfela Nuin, "dan rorelna hma a insawifiah a tul hma hian, Pathian rawn chunga an inngaihtuah nawn leh a tha hlein ka hria" tiin pastor nupui hnathawk te bang tura tih chungchangah Baptist Church of Mizoram hotute a ngenna dengkhawng tak article hmangin a tarlang a, BCM hotu thenkhat tan chuan a kuanglo nawrtu dik tak a ni zawk awm e.

Baptist kohhran hruaitute ngaihdanah chuan Ruatfela Nuin dan a rawn changchawi hi kohhran huang chhunga kan invoke ngai lem loh thil a ni a. Pathianin a kohhrante min awmpui tlata hriatna avangin he khawvel dan hian min tibuaiin mi tam takin kan ngai lem lo.

BCM Assembly 2008 Thurel No.1.21 in "Kum 2015 hnu lamah chuan Pastor/Minister nupuite chu Sawrkar hna leh hna dang Full Time a thawh phal a ni lo ang..." vang hian pastor nupui te emaw Ruatfela Nu emaw pastor nupui sorkar hnathawk hotuten emaw court ah kalpui ta se, Indian Constitution Article 19 (1) (g) "All citizens shall have the right...to practise any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business" tih leh BCM Constitution Bung 3-a Mizoram Baptist Kohhran Thiltumte zinga mi "mihring dikna (Fundamental Rights) humhalh" a kalh a.

Rorelna sang berin rorelna kaihhruaitu danpui a kalh chuan chu rorelna chu bawhzui theihloh leh void a ni.

Khawvel rorelnaah chuan "unconstitutional" tia sawi thin a ni a. Chief Minister sms duhdaklo thawn a nih khan Information Technology Act, 2000 Section 66A-na hmanga a thawntu man a ni a. Democracy innghahna bulpui ber ber te - zalen taka miin a ngaihdan a sawi theihna - a kalh avangin Supreme Court in March 24, 2015 khan "unconstitutional" tiin a paih thla a ni.

Kan kohhran pawhin BCM Assembly 2008 thurel No.1.21, sub number 3 hi kan dan a kalh avangin bawhzui emaw kalpui theih a ni lo tih kan pawm a ngai. Kan pawm loh chuan Constitution in awmzia a nei lo a ni ang a, Bible-a inziaklo dan mihringin tha nia kan hriat kan siam hmangin harsatna pumpelh theih kan indelh tir tihna a ni ang.

"Pathian ram he khawvêla a lo zau zêla, a lo ngheha, a lo lan fiah
deuh deuh theih nân Mizoram Baptist Kohhran inkaihhruaina atân he Constitution leh Rules" hi siam a nih chuan chumi ang chuan kan inkaihruai tur a ni ang.

BCM PASTOR TE LEH AN NUPUITE CHUNGCHANG - 1

2008 BCM Assembly thurel No.1.21 ah heti hian a inziak a:

"Kum 2015 hnu lamah chuan Pastor/Minister nupuite chu Sawrkar hna leh hna dang Full Time a thawh phal a ni lo ang a. Kohhranin Pastor/Minister nupui service mamawh tak takna a nei a nih chuan, a mamawhtu Department chuan Pastoral Committee-ah a dil thei ang a, Pastoral Committee chuan a thutlukna chu Executive Committee ah a thlen ang."

2015 hnu lamah pastor nupui te full time-a hna thawh phalloh tih thu a ni.

Nov 2014 Pastoral Committee in "an nupuite sawrkar hna leh hna dang full time a thawkte an bantir theilo a nih chuan anmahni zawk chu chawl tura ngaih an ni" tiin 2008 Assembly thurel "tum dan" a belh hi 2008-a Assembly thurel ang a nih si loh chuan Pastoral Committee in Assembly thurel a ti danglam tihna a ni em? Pastoral Committee hian Assembly thurel tihdanglam theihna thuneihna a nei em?

BCM PUIPATE NENA INBIAK THU

Mizoram Baptist Kohhran rorelna sang ber Assembly chuan 2008 khan “sawt zawk leh tangkai zawka rawng kan bawl theih nan, Bialtu Pastor chuan a thawhna hmunah a nupui a hruai ngei tur a ni” tiin ro a rel a.

Hlawh neia hun puma Pathian rawngbawl tura serh hran Pastor te chauh nilo Baptist kohhran pumpuiin kan Lalpa Isua Krista hnungzui leh Thupek Ropui min pek tihlawhtling tura kan ngaihtuahna, tha , sum, hun leh tawngtaina kan seng hi Baptist kohhran chuan kan danglamnaah kan chhiar thin a. Kan thupuiah pawh “Chanchin Tha Mi Tin Tan” kan ti a ni. Khawvelah hian Kristian pawl hmingpu he rilru pu lemlo an awm teuh avangin Mizoram Baptist Kohhran te chuan tam lo mah ila, kan Lalpa Thupek Ropui vawngtute zinga mi nia kan inhriat avangin Pathian Thlarau Thianghlim hruainaa kalah kan inngai a ni. Tlinlohna tam tak awm mah se, kan theology a dika kan hriat avangin min cho tu a ni fo. (Baptist chauh lo pawh evangelical Kristian kan awm tih erawh kan pawm)

Chu mission oriented rawngbawlna tichak tura kan Kohhran upate leh pastor ten min kaihhruainaah pastor nupui bik te hian dinhmun pawimawh tak an chelh a ni tih kan hriat avangin an pasalte rawngbawlnaah thuk zawkin tel se tih chu kan duhdan a ni a. A pawimawh hle. Pastor rawngbawlna pawimawh tak mai – counselling – ah phei chuan pastor in nula emaw hmeichhia a mala kawm a rem loh thin avangin a nupui a tangkai mai nilovin a tel ve ngei ngei a tulna a awm zawk a ni. Baptist minister leh khawvel huapa thuhriltu langsar Rev.Dr.Billy Graham-a phei chuan amah chauhvin pindan khar hnanah a nupui tih loh chu hmeichhe dang reng reng awmpuilo turin a intiam hial a ni. US President candidate Hillary Clinton-i nena tum khat an in hmuh pawhin restaurant ah a ualau thei ang berin an thu dun.

Pastor nupui ten an pasal te an tawiawm zel a pawimawhzia hi kan sawi tawklo fo zawk a ni.

Harsatna awm ta erawh chu “hruai ngei” tura ro kan rel tak lai hi a ni ta a ni.

“Sawrkar hna leh hna dang Full Time a thawh phal a ni lo ang” tiin Assembly in 2008 khan ro a lo rel a. Kan Assembly hian a “tul apiang” a ngaihtuah theih laiin kan danpui ber – BCM Constitution- kalha a rel dawn chuan chu Constitution chu a siam that phawt a ngai a. A nih loh chuan thurel awmze neilo (valid lo) tihna a ni ang, thil tum tha tak pawh ni se. A nih loh chuan Constitution in awmzia a neilo tihna a ni ang.

BCM Consitution Bung 3-na “MIZORAM BAPTIST KOHHRAN TIHTUMTE (OBJECTIVES)” kan en chuan heti hian a inziak:

“Bible zirtîrna leh Thlarau Thianghlim hruaina ngaichâng zêlin Mizoram Baptist Kohhran chuan a hnuaia târlante hi Pathian ram a lo zau va, a lo ngheh a, a lo lan fiah deuh deuh theih nân tihpuitlin a tum a ni:-

5) Khawtlâng nun siamthat leh tih hmasâwn : Mi zawng zawng tâna inremna kawng zawn te, mihring dikna (Fundamental Rights) humhalh leh sakhaw zalênna vawnhim tlat te, mihring nun pumpui changkânna tûra thawh te, Pathian thilsiam humhalh te, mipui rilru leh ngaihtuahna tichangkâng tûra zirtîr te, inthliar bîkna awm lo leh hlâwkna ngawt ûm lova khawtlang thatna leh hmasâwnna tûra thawh.”

Mihring dikna human right hi India ram constitution pawhin a humhalh a ni a, BCM pawhin a pawimawhna hriain kan humhalh a ni. Chumi dan kalh chuan ro rel a theih lova. Kan thahnemngaih vanga kan lo rel palh a nih chuan kan hriatchhuah rualin chu rorel thiat thei tur thuneitu in a tih dik tur a ni ang.

He thilah hian July 14 khan kan kohhran puipate pahnih Rev.C.Ngurhnema leh Rev.H.Lianngaia te telephone in ka han bia a. In hawng takin thil kan sawi theiin ka hria. An ngaihdan leh hriatthiam dan a diklo nia ka hriat ka hrilh a. Annin Kohhran thlirna zawn atanga thil awmdan nia an hriat min hrilh bawk a. Puitling takin kan inbe thei a, a lawmawm hle.

Kan hotute hnena ka sawi ber chu Kohhran hian kan rorelnaah keimahni Constitution kan kalh a remlo a ni tih leh khawvela kan awmna ram India ram constitution kalh a ro kan relin legal issue a tling thei a ni tih a ni.

Chumi tifiah tur chuan email ka thawn a. Zawhna pawh ka zawh tur thu ka hrilh a. Anni pawhin chutianga tih chu rem tiin an chhan theih ang lo chhan min tiam a. Ka lawm hle.

Email kan inthawn hi Kohhran mipui interest a nih vangin chutianga kohhran mipui interest chin chu remchangah rawn la pho chhuah ka tum a. Pathianin kan zavaiin min tanpui anga, BCM hian Chanchin Tha Mi Tin Tan tia ke kan pen naah chak zawka kan kal theih ngei ka beisei. Ka tawngtaina pawh a ni.

WAS VANRAMCHHUANGI RIGHT ABOUT SOMETHING?

Last week, social activist and Human Rights and Law Network strongwoman Vanramchhuangi revealed an embarassing internal dysfunction within the Baptist Church of Mizoram in an article published by some newspapers in Lunglei.

Many wondered and even questioned why a social activist from a non-Baptist background decided to get involved in what is largely seen as an internal church denominational issue.

The article implied that women's rights and even human rights may be violated and made open suggestions to the leaders of the Baptist Church of Mizoram to reconsider their decision for the sake of the church. Furious may be too weak a word to describe the Baptist leaders' (and members') reaction to the provocative article. Nevertheless, in the footsteps of Christ who taught to "turn the other cheek", the Baptist Church of Mizoram has not responded to the public revelation of its uneasy internal affairs. According to one source, the church is planning to publish an official response through the Baptist Today, weekly journal of the BCM.

The issue Vanramchhuangi, or otherwise known as "Ruatfela Nu", highlighted was the follow up of the 2008 BCM Assembly resolution No.1.21.

The 2008 Assembly passed an agenda that recognised the challenges of a pastor's ministry in his pastorate without his wife. In the past, some of the pastors' wives have not been able to live with their husbands in their pastorates due to reasons ranging from health to children's education, work etc,. Church members, especially in the rural pastorates, have often expressed their desire to have their pastors accompanied by their wives for various reasons, some of which are clearly well grounded while some may be cultural.

The 2008 Assembly agenda proposed a solution to address what is believed to be a longstanding issue. Here's the actual resolution written in Mizo - "Sawt zawk leh tangkai zawka rawng kan bawl theih nan, Bialtu Pastor chuan a thawhna hmunah a nupui a hruai ngei tur a ni."

The Assembly, recognising the important role of a pastor's wife in the overall pastoral ministry, resolved to have a married pastor ensure that his wife accompanies him to his "workplace" on a permanent basis. In the churches of Mizoram, regardless of denomination, a pastor's workplace is either his pastorate or assigned church office.

The second part of the Assembly resolution makes provision for exemption on health grounds. If the pastor's wife is sick or not healthy and is unable to avail medical treatment from her husband's rural pastorate or wherever he may work, the pastor and his wife can request the Pastoral Committee to allow her to live where she may be able to maintain her health or medical assistance. The understanding is that the Pastoral Committee will look into each request and say "yes" or "no" based on the health and healthcare of the pastor's wife.

The third and last part of this Assembly resolution has become the most contentious and controversial one as it imposes strict penalty on non-compliance while it allows relaxation for non-government employees i.e., church employees. The rationale for this provision is the "need" of the church department where the pastor's wife works. Provisions for state or union government or other non-church employees were not made in the resolution.

"Kum 2015 hnu lamah chuan Pastor/Minister nupuite chu Sawrkar hna leh hna dang Full Time a thawh phal a ni lo ang a. Kohhranin Pastor/Minister nupui service mamawh tak takna a nei anih chuan, a mamawhtu Department chuan Pastoral Committee-ah a dil thei ang a, Pastoral Committee chuan a thu tlukna chu Executive Committee-ah a thlen ang."

According to some reports, a number of attempts have been made to make changes for a more pragmatic approach since the adoption of the agenda by the highest decision making body of the church in 2008. One such attempt is an agenda from the Serkawn Pastorate. The agenda implored the Pastoral Committee "to search for a better way of dealing" with the  divisive and controversial part of the resolution.

This agenda was considered and discussed by the Pastoral Committee in November 2014 but a decision was made to uphold the 2008 Assembly resolution with the following steps for implementation. According to the understanding and interpretation of the resolution by some senior pastors in the church leadership, pastorate resolutions (such as the Serkawn Pastorate resolution mentioned above) cannot be deemed valid for consideration by the Pastoral Committee as it would contradict the resolutions of the BCM Assembly. In other words, the lower decision making body cannot change the decisions made by the higher decision making body. In this case, it is the highest decision making body. The Pastoral Committee reaffirmed the subordination of the lower levels of decision making and the authority of the BCM Assembly which, as mentioned and according to the BCM Constitution, is the highest as far as decision making is concerned.

With that in mind, the Pastoral Committee affirmed or decided the following:

1) Notice shall be given to all concerned pastors, probationary pastors and ministers for them to comply with the 2008 Assembly resolution.

2) The 2008 Assembly resolution shall be effective from April 2015.

The Committee added two strikingly disciplinary overtones to the original 2008 Assembly resolution by stating that the intention of the Assembly resolution was for the pastors to either resign or self impose a suspension if they are not able to persuade or compel their wives to resign from their jobs.

The Committee further added that unless their wives are exempted by the Pastoral Department and they still donot have their wives accompany them to their pastorates, they will be considered "disobedient to [their] superiors" and will come under the disciplinary clause of the Service Rules Chapter 10(4) which states:

If an employee is not efficient in his/her work and is disobedient to his/her superiors, and does not mend his/her ways even after being counselled, his/her superior shall take the matter to the concerned Committee. If the Committee is convinced that his/her performance is indeed inadequate, then it may take action against the employee in any one of the following ways: 

(1) Reprimanding. 

(2) Transfer. 

(3) Withholding a part or the full amount of his/her salary. 

(4) Demotion. 

(5) Suspension. 

(6) Terminating Service. 

(7) Compulsory Pension. If he/she is suspended or fired, it should be reported to the Assembly or the Executive Committee. 

Now, back to the original story. Why did Vanramchhuangi come into the picture and where does she fit in?

The issue of human rights was mentioned by the social activist. This was taken as an insult to the church by many who consider the church to have certain immunities and protections and not necessarily bound by the laws of the land. Generally, within the church, a person's right is considered subservient to the will of God and, to a large extent, the will of the church. Any assertion of secular rights issues, even human rights issues are often considered unbiblical and against God.

It is an inconvenient truth that the Baptist Church of Mizoram, in chapter 3 of its constitution titled "OBJECTIVES OF THE BCM" clearly spells out the church's view on human rights even before Vanramchhuangi mentioned it in her article.

"The methods and means used for the fulfillment of its mission may defer from time to time and place to place, at present, the following aims and objectives are identified: ...

5. To build a harmonious, peaceful, progressive and sustainable society, and promote justice and freedom and defend human rights (fundamental rights)."

This clause of the BCM Constitution even affirms human right as a fundamental right which happens to be enshrined in Article 19 (1) (g) of the Indian Constitution -

Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech etc

All citizens shall have the right...to practise any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business

The Assembly resolution in 2008 that prohibits pastors' wives to work either in the government or non-government organisations is a violation of the highest laws of the Baptist Church of Mizoram --- the BCM Constitution --- and also the highest law of the land --- the Indian Constitution. Therefore, all discussions regarding the third part of the Assembly resolution stands invalid as far as the church is concerned and as far as the Indian law is concerned, the church is in violation of a well protected right which, when brought to a court of law, carries real penalties.

The Baptist Church of Mizoram, in its attempt to strengthen pastoral ministry, is charting dangerous and unwanted territory. It needs to correct the unconstitutional (both church and government) resolution by ceasing all decisions and recommendations flowing from that divisive resolution. It also needs to heal deep self inflicted wounds through godly leadership and prayer so that it can continue its mission without avoidable distractions.

"NOT THE BETTER HALF"

Do you remember the movie "Titanic"? I think you still do. Do you remember the part where panicked Ruth (Frances Fisher) asked, "Will the lifeboats be seated according to class? I hope they're not too crowded." Rose (Kate Winslet), in frustration and anger, replied, "Oh mother, shut up! Don't you understand? The water is freezing and there aren't enough boats. Not enough by half. Half the people on this ship are going to die."

And do you remember what Cal Hockley (Billy Zane) said right after that? "Not the better half" was what he said.

As we all know, the government of Mizoram led by Chief Minister Lalthanhawla is in what many would call "deep sh#%" as far as the economy is concerned. The state's 5000 plus crore debt (around 1 billion US dollars) continues to rise and the government seems to have only two solutions to rein in its spending that is driving the debt and deficit north - tax increase and culling of public employees!

The state's lone Rajya Sabha MP Ronald Sapa Tlau, a US-educated politician, recently admitted in the parliament that the state government is planning to increase taxes. This comes as a surprise because the admission is a rather naive political move on the part of the MP whose party is already under severe criticisms by the main opposition party and the public as being insensitive towards the people, even heavy-handed. He, however, did not specify the different areas where taxes would be raised. Regardless, any tax hike is likely to generate resentment from the people who are already feeling the pinch by the high cost of living and commodities and also the effect of the government's poor handling of the economy and finances.

The government of India led by a more pro-business, anti-socialist, right-wing PM Narendra Modi has made it clear to the states that they will have to up their game in the overall management of their economy and finances. The subsidized child of the country - the North Eastern region - according to some reports, is no longer going to enjoy some of the entitlements it previous took for granted. Take for example, funding of the Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) such as Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). Funding is now reduced and NE States will cease to enjoy their special category status that allows them to contribute only 10% of project costs while their counterparts contribute 35%.

"The the BJP government has reduced the Plan allocation for 2015-16 by 24.68 per cent. The savage cuts go across the board: the flagship Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan has been reduced by 22.14 per cent, funding for the Mid-Day Meal Scheme by 16.41 per cent, the Rashtriya Madhyama Shiksha Abhiyan for secondary education by 28.7 per cent and the Rashtriya Uchhattar Shiksha Abhiyan, to support state colleges, by 48 per cent. To take just one example, the SSA, which funds schools across the country: MHRD had asked for Rs. 50,000 cr in 2015-16; it received Rs. 22,000 cr from the Modi sarkar's current Budget" writes Dr.Shashi Tharoor, MP for Thiruvananthapuram, Kerela on NDTV website.

What is clear is that the Union government's budget cuts, in large part due to its belief in fiscal responsibility, is forcing the states to rethink about the way they manage their finances. For states like Mizoram, whose financial dependence is almost entirely on the handout from the government of India, even the 10% matching share to kickstart a government project is a struggle.

As a result, the state government is increasingly under pressure to lay-off its non-permanent employees and is gradually doing so. However, this move by the government creates an atmosphere of more disillusion and a deep sense of abandonment in the hearts of those employees whose ill-informed understanding of a government job is that of a secure one, with no possibility of really being laid-off like it is done in the corporate and business world - the real world. After all, in their mind, the government is a "good parent" who will always look after its "children". In fact, a lot of people believe in a government that will look after people from cradle to grave but somebody has to pay for it. This detrimental idea has been the driving force of most political parties in the state since the early political leaders in the early 50's demanded the abolition of the traditional Mizo Chiefs under whose rule the whole society was self sufficient. People are now lulled into a false sense of economic and job security by being taught to be dependent on government for jobs, handouts and bailouts. An entrepreneurial approach to generate wealth and income in the free market is the need of the hour. 

I personally know a government vehicle driver who decided to leave his job and take the risk of investing in school shoe business. He and his wife travel to Delhi and other Indian cities to buy school shoes at the most competitive prices and sell them to retailers in Aizawl. This former government driver generates more wealth for himself, and his retailers, selling school shoes than when he was chauffeuring his government boss from home to office. In fact, his resignation from his job saved the government money both short term and long term (that is, if the government had the wisdom not to employ another person in his place). I know this is true because the driver used to drive my father's government car.

The fact is - it is more liberating and less burdensome on the state's exchequer for people to venture out in the private sector and there are a number of real examples of successes. A thirty-some year old bachelor with an MBBS degree decided he would enter the appliances retail market and today he is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the state, much to the amazement of other already established businesses. This young businessman would have been a state legislator if his main opponent wasn't a try-hard candidate throwing everything he had in the last election.

Until and unless the political parties, including the one in government, have the courage to admit that more government jobs and more tax increase fool the people and hurt the economy we will continue to see populist policies such as the failed New Land Use Policy (NLUP) which is perhaps the biggest economic wrecking ball of all. A 2800 crore plus project carved out of the state's plan fund! (No wonder the state is running out of money.)

The state government is increasingly running out of excuses to be that "good parent" to the people. With lesser money coming from the Central government and no plan for cutting government spending, the true nature of a populist government in trouble is beginning to show. Absurd tax and policies are being proposed and forced despite widespread opposition. Taxes are hiked, in some cases, double the previous rates. Charity organisations that were hitherto exempted from certain taxes are now prey to the government's mad hunger for cash it needs to fund its seemingly senseless existence.

The big problem is not so much that the people are unwilling to share the burden or play a part in rebuilding the economy. The problem lies in the arrogance and out-of-touch attitude of the leaders whose ignorance of the people's struggle is fanning the flame of resentment towards the political and economic elites. There is a class of people in the state that has amassed or has the connection and ability to amass enough wealth and money so that they will never be left high and dry when the economy collapses.

Much like that ill-fated sealiner, the state is headed for an economic iceberg and the captain of the ship (senior Congress party media department member V.Z.Kaia actually issued an official press release calling the Chief Minister "Captain Lalthanhawla"!) Chief Minister Lalthanhawla does not have a plan to steer the ship away from disaster - political and economic. When the ship hits the iceberg and it begins to sink, there will be thousands of people going down. "The water is freezing and there aren't enough (life) boats. Not enough by half. Half the people on this ship are going to die."

 

Like the arrogant and heartless Hockley, you will hear the Chief Minister and all who are like him say, "Not the better half".

God help us all when that happens!