{ "book_metadata": { "book_name": "History of Christianity in India: Source Materials", "book_author": "M. K. Kuriakose", "publisher": "Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge", "published_on": "2011" }, "chunks": [ { "chunk_index": 1, "chapter_name": "195. The Plan of Church Union and Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India", "page_numbers": [ 413 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00437-abc3986ef424054cd4cd.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Regional Union Considered", "chunk_data": "195. THE PLAN OF CHURCH UNION AND DRAFT CONSTITUTION OF THE CHURCH OF NORTH-EAST INDIA (1970 A.D.)\nThough two of the members of the North-East India Christian Council, the Diocese of Assam of the Church of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon and the Eastern Himalayan Church Council of the United Church of Northern India, were involved directly in the North India negotiations, and two others were involved indirectly, the N.E.I.C.C. convened a Faith and Order Conference at Barapani in 1963 to consider the question of whether or not there were valid grounds for working towards a separate united church in that region. For various reasons of geography, denominational make-up and cultural distinctness it was agreed that there were grounds. These were also accepted as valid by the North India negotiating committee.", "time": { "start_year": 1963, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1963, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1963" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "Barapani", "North-East India", "North India" ], "event": "The North-East India Christian Council convened a Faith and Order Conference to consider a separate united church.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Union", "India" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 2, "chapter_name": "195. The Plan of Church Union and Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India", "page_numbers": [ 413 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00437-abc3986ef424054cd4cd.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Plan Approved at Shillong", "chunk_data": "The Plan and Draft Constitution were approved by a Church Union Conference held at Shillong on 19th and 20th of September 1969, and were published for consideration by the Churches in 1970. Portions of this document are reproduced here. The area covered by this Plan are North Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh. The Plan of Church Union and the Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India, 1970.", "time": { "start_year": 1969, "start_month": 9, "start_date": 19, "end_year": 1970, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "September 1969–1970" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "Shillong", "North Bengal", "Assam", "Meghalaya", "Nagaland", "Manipur", "Mizoram", "Tripura", "Arunachal Pradesh" ], "event": "The Church Union Conference approved the Plan and Draft Constitution, which were published for consideration in 1970.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Union", "India" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 3, "chapter_name": "195. The Plan of Church Union and Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India", "page_numbers": [ 413, 414 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00437-abc3986ef424054cd4cd.webp", "raw\\pages\\00438-e7b9baf9baf5828fe985.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Historical Basis of Union", "chunk_data": "THE PLAN OF UNION\nI. Historical Statement\nSince 1963 there have been two Faith and Order Conferences and two Church Union Conferences apart from general discussions in the Council (N.E.I.C.C.) itself for a number of years on the question of Church Union. The original plan was whether the affiliated Churches of North-East India should form part of the Church of North India then in the negotiating stage. In view of certain objections and the practical difficulties involved in relating the Churches of our area to such a union with the Church of North India, the affiliated churches of this Council felt that in the circumstances now obtaining in India, it would be wiser to work towards a union within North-East India itself in the first instance. Even the two Churches namely, the Eastern Himalayan Church Council (UCNI) and the Assam Diocese of the CIPBC which have been effectively represented in the CNI negotiations expressed their preference for joining the Church of North-East India if it comes into being. The Working Committee of the Negotiating Committee of the CNI which met in Calcutta in July 1969 also expressed its appreciation of the view of the NEICC and the consensus of opinion was that the two units of the CNI in this region would be allowed to join the Church of North-East India if and when it comes into being.", "time": { "start_year": 1963, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1969, "end_month": 7, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1963–July 1969" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "North-East India", "North India", "Calcutta" ], "event": "North-East Indian Churches decided to pursue regional union, with CNI negotiators agreeing that their regional units could join the proposed Church of North-East India.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Union", "Politics" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 4, "chapter_name": "195. The Plan of Church Union and Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India", "page_numbers": [ 414 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00438-e7b9baf9baf5828fe985.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Second Draft of Union Basis", "chunk_data": "The Second Draft of the Basis of Union for the Churches in North-East India was formulated in November 1965 by delegates representing eighty-six per cent of the non-Roman Catholic Christians in North-East India as well as by observers representing another seven per cent, totalling 93% of the non-Roman Catholic Christians of North-East India, most of whom are either Baptists or Presbyterians.", "time": { "start_year": 1965, "start_month": 11, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1965, "end_month": 11, "end_date": null, "time_display": "November 1965" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "North-East India" ], "event": "Delegates and observers representing 93 percent of non-Roman Catholic Christians formulated the Second Draft of the Basis of Union.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Union", "Christianity" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 5, "chapter_name": "195. The Plan of Church Union and Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India", "page_numbers": [ 414 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00438-e7b9baf9baf5828fe985.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Draft Circulated Among Churches", "chunk_data": "The Second Draft as well as Dr. Downs' paper entitled Church Union: Theological and Non-Theological Factors' were printed and circulated to all the affiliated Churches. Many Churches had translated the above two papers into the local languages either as booklets or as publications in their official organs. The contents have been discussed at the higher echelons of the Councils of the various constituents of the NEICC, many of whom have accepted the Second Draft as the Basis of Union.", "time": { "start_year": 1965, "start_month": 11, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1970, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1965–1970" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Dr. Downs" ], "places": [ "North-East India" ], "event": "The Second Draft and Dr. Downs' paper were circulated, translated, discussed, and accepted by many affiliated Churches.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Union", "Publication" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 6, "chapter_name": "195. The Plan of Church Union and Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India", "page_numbers": [ 414 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00438-e7b9baf9baf5828fe985.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Churches Move Toward Unity", "chunk_data": "Some units, most notable among which is the CBCNEI, have by and large accepted it at the higher levels but they have yet to carry all the Associations and local congregations with them. This is understandable in the context of the organizations of each affiliated Church as well as in view of the variegated nature of our multi-ethnic and multi-lingual community with different social backgrounds and heritage. But the wind of change has been blowing and circumstances have compelled us to draw closer to each other. Above all, the Holy Spirit is silently but surely working towards unity in spite of obstacles.", "time": { "start_year": 1970, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1970, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1970" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "North-East India" ], "event": "Church leaders accepted the union proposal while seeking to bring associations and congregations into agreement.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Union", "Christianity" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 7, "chapter_name": "195. The Plan of Church Union and Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India", "page_numbers": [ 414 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00438-e7b9baf9baf5828fe985.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Drafting Committee Established", "chunk_data": "In the last Church Union Conference held in Shillong on September 19 and 20, 1969 we have gone one step ahead in deciding to set up this Drafting Committee which will prepare the Plan of Union and the Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India. Such a Plan of Union and Draft Constitution will enable the affiliated Churches to study more closely and concretely what would be the implications of Church Union thereby enabling them to grapple with and come to decisions on the basic issue of union.", "time": { "start_year": 1969, "start_month": 9, "start_date": 19, "end_year": 1969, "end_month": 9, "end_date": 20, "time_display": "September 19–20, 1969" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "Shillong" ], "event": "The Church Union Conference decided to establish a Drafting Committee to prepare the Plan of Union and Draft Constitution.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Union", "Administration" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 8, "chapter_name": "195. The Plan of Church Union and Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India", "page_numbers": [ 414, 415 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00438-e7b9baf9baf5828fe985.webp", "raw\\pages\\00439-37aa2330035ee2b9ed86.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Statement of Intention", "chunk_data": "II. Statement of Intention\nAt the level of leadership, it was generally felt that the Churches should first unite in mutual trust, leaving the settlement of their smaller differences to be worked out in the context of the larger fellowship. In this context it may be noted that the Church of South India came into being in 1947, while the Church of North India will be inaugurated in November 1970. We in North-East India have been moving slow because of several factors. Social changes are taking place at a very rapid pace in this world, and we in North-East India have to catch up or else be swamped by undesirable ideologies.", "time": { "start_year": 1947, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1970, "end_month": 11, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1947–November 1970" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "South India", "North India", "North-East India" ], "event": "Church leaders advocated uniting in mutual trust while noting the earlier formation of the Church of South India and the planned inauguration of the Church of North India.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Union", "India" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 9, "chapter_name": "195. The Plan of Church Union and Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India", "page_numbers": [ 415 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00439-37aa2330035ee2b9ed86.webp" ], "chunk_title": "A Wider Ecumenical Perspective", "chunk_data": "The Churches cannot afford to be self-centered any longer. Even while attempting to draw up a scheme that would be more relevant to our own region we cannot lose sight that we are part of a larger Church even within India and so we should maintain a larger ecumenical perspective.", "time": { "start_year": 1970, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1970, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1970" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "North-East India", "India" ], "event": "The proposed regional church was urged to retain a wider Indian and ecumenical perspective.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Ecumenism", "Church Union" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 10, "chapter_name": "195. The Plan of Church Union and Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India", "page_numbers": [ 415 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00439-37aa2330035ee2b9ed86.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Denominational Names Divide Christians", "chunk_data": "We Christians of North-East India still belong to different denominations which have names like 'Baptist', 'Presbyterian', 'Lutheran', 'Anglican', etc. If these names separate Christians from each other, then they are contrary to the teaching of the Bible. In this Draft, it is proposed that the now separated Churches in our region unite, both to follow the will of God and to give a stronger witness. No new denominations will be formed, but the existing Churches should enlarge their fellowship to include all the other Christians in the region into one Church representing all the Protestant Christians instead of the more than fifteen separate denominations that now exist.", "time": { "start_year": 1970, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1970, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1970" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "North-East India" ], "event": "The draft proposed uniting the region's Protestant denominations into one Church without creating a new denomination.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Union", "Christianity" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 11, "chapter_name": "195. The Plan of Church Union and Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India", "page_numbers": [ 415 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00439-37aa2330035ee2b9ed86.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Communication Encourages Union", "chunk_data": "In former times the need for this kind of united Church organization was not so great because there was little communication between the different parts of our area. Today with the rapid progress of our peoples, the situation is quite different. Government officers move from place to place and young people travel outside their own areas to study. In the towns and cities, Christians from many different denominations live together but cannot have a congregation of their own together. Some of them are always guests of the denomination in that place—guests when they should be equally full members of that local Church.", "time": { "start_year": 1970, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1970, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1970" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "North-East India" ], "event": "Improved communication and population movement exposed the practical need for united congregations.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Union", "Society" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 12, "chapter_name": "195. The Plan of Church Union and Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India", "page_numbers": [ 415 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00439-37aa2330035ee2b9ed86.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Denominational Division Hinders Witness", "chunk_data": "Because of improved communications, non-Christians are also becoming more aware of the divisions among Christians. This becomes a stumbling block for them. When they are asked to accept Christ as their Saviour they ask, 'to which Church shall I belong?' Because they receive many different answers they turn away. Christ said that His disciples must be united so that the world might believe the gospel. The gospel proclaims that all men are one in Christ. The presence of many different denominations denies this truth. Christians who condemn each other and do not have fellowship with each other bear false witness. Christians themselves are confused about the differences between the denominations. If Christians are confused, how much more confused must the non-Christians be. For the sake of Christ's Kingdom, this stumbling-block must be removed.", "time": { "start_year": 1970, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1970, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1970" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Jesus Christ" ], "places": [ "North-East India" ], "event": "The draft argued that denominational divisions confused non-Christians and obstructed Christian witness.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Union", "Evangelism" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 13, "chapter_name": "195. The Plan of Church Union and Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India", "page_numbers": [ 415, 416 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00439-37aa2330035ee2b9ed86.webp", "raw\\pages\\00440-bc1dab5acd1966dfbcff.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Approach to Unity", "chunk_data": "III. Our Approach to Unity\nThe kind of United Church that is proposed will not solve all our problems but it will give us greater strength to face those problems. The following are the few points on which a great measure of unanimity has been reached in past conferences and discussions:", "time": { "start_year": 1970, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1970, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1970" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "North-East India" ], "event": "The proposed United Church was presented as a means of strengthening Christians despite continuing problems.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Union", "Administration" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 14, "chapter_name": "195. The Plan of Church Union and Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India", "page_numbers": [ 416 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00440-bc1dab5acd1966dfbcff.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Organic Union Proposed", "chunk_data": "1. The Churches now in existence would join together in an organic body.", "time": { "start_year": 1970, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1970, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1970" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "North-East India" ], "event": "Existing Churches would unite in one organic body.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Union" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 15, "chapter_name": "195. The Plan of Church Union and Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India", "page_numbers": [ 416 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00440-bc1dab5acd1966dfbcff.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Local Structures Retained", "chunk_data": "2. No immediate changes will be imposed at the level of the local congregation or in the organisations such as Associations, Presbyteries or similar Councils which bring the congregations in one area together.", "time": { "start_year": 1970, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1970, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1970" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "North-East India" ], "event": "The union plan would initially preserve local congregations and existing regional organizations.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Union", "Administration" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 16, "chapter_name": "195. The Plan of Church Union and Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India", "page_numbers": [ 416 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00440-bc1dab5acd1966dfbcff.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Existing Worship Continues", "chunk_data": "3. The forms of worship and witness that now exist may continue until the uniting churches feel the need for a common form of worship.", "time": { "start_year": 1970, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1970, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1970" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "North-East India" ], "event": "Existing forms of worship and witness could continue until a common form was needed.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Union", "Worship" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 17, "chapter_name": "195. The Plan of Church Union and Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India", "page_numbers": [ 416 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00440-bc1dab5acd1966dfbcff.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Regional Councils Planned", "chunk_data": "4. There would be about ten Councils or more above the level of the Associations or similar authorities which would bring the Associations or Presbyteries within a region together.\n5. There would be a central Assembly which would bring the Councils together.", "time": { "start_year": 1970, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1970, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1970" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "North-East India" ], "event": "The proposed Church would have regional Councils brought together in a central Assembly.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Union", "Administration" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 18, "chapter_name": "195. The Plan of Church Union and Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India", "page_numbers": [ 416 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00440-bc1dab5acd1966dfbcff.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Leadership and Resources Shared", "chunk_data": "6. There would be greater sharing of leadership and resources.", "time": { "start_year": 1970, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1970, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1970" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "North-East India" ], "event": "The united Church would promote greater sharing of leadership and resources.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Union", "Administration" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 19, "chapter_name": "195. The Plan of Church Union and Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India", "page_numbers": [ 416 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00440-bc1dab5acd1966dfbcff.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Differences Within Fellowship", "chunk_data": "7. It is recognised that there are certain traditional differences among the denominations that would be coming together in the United Church. These differences are important. It is not proposed that Christians should compromise or deny what they believe to be truth. But the best way to witness to the truth as we understand it is to witness within one fellowship. Even within the denominations as they now exist, there are differences of opinion and theology, but that does not prevent fellowship within those denominations. We must first accept each other as fellow members of the Church, because God has given His own blessing to the work of each of the denominations in our area.", "time": { "start_year": 1970, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1970, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1970" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "North-East India" ], "event": "The plan accepted denominational differences while urging Christians to witness and fellowship within one Church.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Union", "Theology" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 20, "chapter_name": "195. The Plan of Church Union and Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India", "page_numbers": [ 416, 417 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00440-bc1dab5acd1966dfbcff.webp", "raw\\pages\\00441-60939873c7c32dd17962.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Church of North-East India Named", "chunk_data": "DRAFT CONSTITUTION\n1. The Name of the Church\n1. The name of this Church is the Church of North-East India.\n2. The Church of North-East India is constituted by the Union of the following Churches :-\n(a) The CBCNEI (Council of Baptist Churches in North-East India)\n(b) The Presbyterian Church of NEI\n(c) The Diocese of Assam (CIPBC)\n(d) The Eastern Himalayan Church Council\n(e) The Baptist Church of Mizo District\n(f) The North Bank Baptist Association\n(g) The Tripura Baptist Christian Union\n(h) The Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church\n(i) The Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church (in Assam)\n(j) The Laker Independent Evangelical Church\n(k) The Church of God\n(l) The Church of God (Ka Turoi Gospel)\n(m) The Christ National Church\n(n) Salvation Army\n(o) Goalpara Baptist Union\n(p) Other Churches which may join at a later stage...", "time": { "start_year": 1970, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1970, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1970" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "North-East India", "Assam", "Mizo District", "Tripura", "Goalpara" ], "event": "The Draft Constitution named the Church of North-East India and listed its constituent Churches.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Church Union", "Constitution" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 21, "chapter_name": "195. The Plan of Church Union and Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India", "page_numbers": [ 417 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00441-60939873c7c32dd17962.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Sacraments Defined", "chunk_data": "IV. The Sacraments of the Church\n1. The CNEI believes that the sacraments of Baptism and the Supper of the Lord (Holy Communion) as ordained by Christ are means of grace through which God works in us and by which we are united to God...", "time": { "start_year": 1970, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1970, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1970" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Jesus Christ" ], "places": [ "North-East India" ], "event": "The draft constitution defined Baptism and Holy Communion as sacraments and means of grace.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Sacraments", "Theology" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 22, "chapter_name": "195. The Plan of Church Union and Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India", "page_numbers": [ 417 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00441-60939873c7c32dd17962.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Baptismal Practices Permitted", "chunk_data": "A. Baptism\n3. The Church of North-East India allows both Infant Baptism and Believers' Baptism but not both on the same person and shall receive as communicant members all those who have been baptised or confirmed. It assures freedom of expression for the particular convictions of different traditions.\n4. All ministers of the Church shall be free to administer either or both forms of Baptism. A minister who, for conscientious reasons, is unable to administer Baptism to infants shall be free to invite some other minister of the Church to perform the rite...", "time": { "start_year": 1970, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1970, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1970" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "North-East India" ], "event": "The draft constitution permitted both infant and believers' baptism while protecting ministers' conscientious freedom.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Baptism", "Church Union" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 23, "chapter_name": "195. The Plan of Church Union and Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India", "page_numbers": [ 417, 418 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00441-60939873c7c32dd17962.webp", "raw\\pages\\00442-34cbc1465b7d305e4469.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Ministry of the Whole Church", "chunk_data": "V. THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH\nA. The Ministry of the Whole Church\nThe CNEI believes that the Church is a royal priesthood through which the risen and ascended Christ continues His High Priestly work. All its members are called, by virtue of their union with Christ, to a priestly ministry; both Godward, in the offering of spiritual sacrifices, gifts and prayers for mankind; and manward, in the showing forth by life and word of the glory of the redeeming power of God. No individual and no one order in the Church can claim exclusive possession of this priesthood.\nIt recognises that it is the duty and privilege of every member to share in the service of God which is the ministry of the whole Church. This ministry includes the worship of God both in private and in public, the offering of daily life and work to God, Christian loving service both in the family of the Church and in the community at large, and faithful witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ by life and word. This includes both the laity and the clergy, each exercising its own ministry. Within this ministry, it recognizes and welcomes a rich diversity of gifts both in men and women. It will be the prime concern of the Church that all its members should contribute fully to its life of worship, witness and service.", "time": { "start_year": 1970, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1970, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1970" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Jesus Christ" ], "places": [ "North-East India" ], "event": "The constitution described all Church members as participants in a shared priestly ministry of worship, service, and witness.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Ministry", "Theology" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 24, "chapter_name": "195. The Plan of Church Union and Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India", "page_numbers": [ 418 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00442-34cbc1465b7d305e4469.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Special Ministry Established", "chunk_data": "B. The Special Ministry\n1. The CNEI believes that within this ministry of the whole Church, Christ has given a special ministry of the Word and the Sacraments. To this ministry some are set apart, receiving authority not simply from the Church but from Christ the Head of the Church. The special ministry is one of the organs of the Body through which Christ the Head acts by the Holy Spirit to build up the Body and to equip its members for their part in the ministry of the whole Church...\n2. The special ministry of the CNEI shall consist of Elders or Deacons, Pastors or Priests and Bishops.", "time": { "start_year": 1970, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1970, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1970" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Jesus Christ" ], "places": [ "North-East India" ], "event": "The constitution defined a special ministry of the Word and Sacraments comprising Elders or Deacons, Pastors or Priests, and Bishops.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Ministry", "Church Constitution" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 25, "chapter_name": "195. The Plan of Church Union and Draft Constitution of the Church of North-East India", "page_numbers": [ 418 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00442-34cbc1465b7d305e4469.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Elders and Deacons Appointed", "chunk_data": "3. Elders or Deacons\nThe CNEI agrees that there shall be recognized in the Church the office of Elder or Deacon. In each congregation men and women shall be elected by the congregation after prayer and careful consideration as persons who are recognised as having the appropriate spiritual gifts (Acts 6:3) for this office and shall be set apart in a solemn public service of the Church. Elders or Deacons shall share with the ministers in the spiritual care, nurture and government of the Church, in evangelism and Christian service, in the conduct of public worship and in the preaching of the Word. Insofar as possible it is expected that elders or Deacons shall undertake a course of Bible Study and Doctrine as arranged by the Church. All Elders or Deacons of a congregation will be members of the governing body of the congregation. Elders or Deacons shall be represented in the higher councils or assemblies of the Church in accordance with the Constitution.", "time": { "start_year": 1970, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1970, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1970" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "North-East India" ], "event": "The constitution established elected male and female Elders or Deacons to assist in church care, worship, evangelism, and governance.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Ministry", "Church Constitution" ] } } ] }