Kohima: The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) is pushing for a shift in how churches treat Persons with Disabilities. Through its Social Concerns Department, the council wants communities to swap occasional charity for active inclusion. Officials spoke at Rengma Baptist church in Kohima on November 15 regarding the theme, From Charity to Participation.
Naleo pointed to the biblical story of Mephibosheth, a man with mobility impairments who regained his social and economic standing through the kindness of King David. While Mephibosheth stayed disabled, his life changed. The church must now do the same. It needs to tear down barriers that limit spiritual and economic growth for those with disabilities.
Churches need to adapt. This means making facilities accessible and training Sunday school teachers and counsellors to handle disability concerns. Members should not view PWDs as passive recipients of help. They have gifts to offer the congregation. Citing 1 Corinthians 12, Naleo noted that the church is one body where even the perceived weaker members are indispensable.
The Deaf Prayer Fellowship showcased this potential by using sign language to lead hymns. It proved that diversity strengthens the congregation. Naleo told PWDs not to let their conditions define their worth. He stated, "From charity to participation, from exclusion to belonging, and from Lo-Debar to Jerusalem" as the central challenge to move toward full integration in worship, leadership, and decision-making.
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