The History of the Emergence of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in the State of Manipur, India
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Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertation Projects DMin Graduate Research 2010 The History of the Emergence of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the State of Manipur, India Cornelius Kamei Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin Part of the Practical Theology Commons Recommended Citation Kamei, Cornelius, "The History of the Emergence of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the State of Manipur, India" (2010). Dissertation Projects DMin. 514. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin/514 This Project Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertation Projects DMin by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT THE HISTORY OF THE EMERGENCE OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH IN THE STATE OF MANIPUR, INDIA by Cornelius R. Kamei Adviser: Kenley D. Hall ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary r v Title: THE HISTORY OF THE EMERGENCE OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH IN THE STATE OF MANIPUR, INDIA Name of researcher: Cornelius R. Kamei Name and degree of faculty adviser: Kenley D. Hall, DMin Date completed: February 2010 Problem The Seventh-day Adventist church emerged in the state of Manipur, India, through a lay-led church planting movement. Currently, no written account exists of the early history of this work in Manipur. Today, the work in Manipur is clergy-dependent and growth in this region has stagnated. In order for the work to move forward successfully, there is a need to remember the early history of the work in this region. Method In the absence of earlier written works on the rise of Adventism in Manipur, oral sources were relied upon as primary sources for accuracy. The sources were gathered through personal communication, observation, email, letters, and telephone. The response of pioneers and/or their children who journeyed through the rise and growth of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Manipur was the core reflection out of which this dissertation was written. Results This dissertation has shown that the Adventist church in Manipur experienced a quantum leap of church membership during its formative years as dedicated lay people diligently worked to advance the gospel mandate. The history of Manipur suggests that the involvement of lay members in gospel activities is crucial to the growth and unity of the church. Engaging lay people in evangelism/church planting enriches their faith and enhances the spread of the gospel. Conclusions In order to resume the growth of the church in Manipur, it is essential to re-ignite a lay-led movement where every believer is equipped and empowered to fulfill the Gospel commission. The doctrines of spiritual gifts and the priesthood of all believers should be understood by clergy and laity. Church leadership should mobilize church members to exercise their ministry based on their areas of giftedness. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary THE HISTORY OF THE EMERGENCE OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH IN THE STATE OF MANIPUR, INDIA A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by Cornelius Kamei February 2010 © Copyright by Cornelius R. Kamei 2010 All Rights Reserved THE HISTORY OF THE EMERGENCE OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH IN THE STATE OF MANIPUR, INDIA A dissertation • presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Ministry by Cornelius R. Kamei Dean, SDA Theological Seminary J. H. Denis Fortin v G* A c / Wagner Date approved To Eric and Rebecca Koester in TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.......................................... .......................................... viii Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION............... .................................................................... 1 Personal History............................................................ ..................... 1 ' Purpose....................................................................................... ........ 3 Statement of the Problem..................................................................... 3 Justification for the Dissertation............................... 3 Expectations from this Dissertation..................................................... 4 Limitations........................................................................................... 5 Description of the Process................................................................... 5 2. THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION FOR CHURCH PLANTING............. 7 Introduction......................................................................................... 7 Old Testament Concept of Church...................................................... 7 Israel: God’s Holy Community..................................................... 12 New Testament Concept of Church........................... 14 Church Planting in the O............................................................. T 18 Enoch............................................................................................. 19 Abraham................................................ 20 Bezalel and Oholiab....................................................................... 21 The Hebrew Maid of Namaan’s..;.................................................. 23 Daniel and His Friends................................................................... 24 Church Planting in the NT .................................................................. 26 The Samaritan Woman.................................................................. 26 The Restored Demoniacs.............................................................. 28 Apollos.................... 29 Aquila and Priscilla....................................................................... 31 Barnabas......................................................................................... 32 Paul....................................................................... 33 Theological Understanding of Church and Ministry........................... 35 The Church as a Self-emptying Community................................. 36 The Church as a Healing Agent............................................. 38 The Church as a Serving Community............................................ 39 Jesus’ Model.................................................................................. 41 Conclusion............................................................................................ 45 IV 3. LITERATURE REVIEW 48 Introduction......................................................................................... 48 Church Planting.................................................................................. 49 Church Planting in a Seventh-day Adventist Context......................... 57 Equipping.................................................. ......................................... 64 Tentmaking.............................................................................. .......... 72 Biblical Basis of Tentmaking........................................................ 72 Definition.............................................. ....................................... 72 Growing Need for Tentmakers................................................. 75 The Effectiveness of Tentmaking.................................................. 77 Apostle Paul, the NT Tentmaker................................................... 77 William Carey, the Father of Modem Tentmaking....................... 79 Conclusion.......................................................................................... 82 4. HISTORY OF ADVENTISM IN THE STATE OF MANIPUR, INDIA . 86 Introduction......................................................................................... 86 Missionary Movement in Manipur, India...................................... 86 History of the Seventh-day Adventist Mission in Manipur................. 88 Reformed Church Movement........................................................ 89 The First Adventist Missionaries to Manipur and Nagaland......... 92 Training Fourteen Young Boys for Ministry...'.............................. 95 The First 150 Adventist Converts in Ukhrul.................................. 97 Formation of the Adventist Mission Office in Ukhrul................... 99 First Organized Church................................................................. 100 Extension of Adventist Work Outside Ukhrul.............................. 101 The First Adventist Church in Imphal (Langthabal)...................... 102 Mission Office in Imphal.............................................................. 105 In-residence Foreign Missionary........................................ ................ 106 Sanjenthong Mission Property....................................................... 110 Adventism in Tamenglong and Mao Regions............................... I ll Adventism in the State of Nagaland..................................................... 115 Keingamba, Rongmei Tentmaker.................................................. 117 Formation of the Manipur-Nagaland Section...................................... 120 List of First Converts........................................................... ......... 121 Manipur Section Membership Statistics.............................................