Reconciliation efforts within the LBCA

Introduction
The Lotha Baptist Churches Association (LBCA), established on June 21, 1923, in Okotso village by twelve pioneering churches, has served as a unifying spiritual body for the Lotha community for over a century. Throughout its hundred-year history, the LBCA has been a central and stabilizing force in the spiritual life of the Lotha people. However, the Association now faces its most serious and prolonged internal crisis. This unrest is not the result of isolated grievances but rather reflects deep and widespread concerns regarding doctrinal integrity, ethical leadership, and governance. It is a systemic issue that calls for urgent and thoughtful engagement. In this context, the growing reform movement cannot be dismissed as mere factionalism. On the contrary, it represents a genuine effort to restore the Association to its biblical and constitutional foundations. Ignoring or minimizing these concerns jeopardizes both unity and the long-term credibility of the institution. While unity and reconciliation remain essential goals, they must be pursued on a foundation of repentance, justice, and accountability. Without these, any reconciliation will be superficial and unsustainable. At this critical juncture, the LBCA is called to a path of honest self-examination and courageous reform—a path that holds the promise not only of healing, but also of restored integrity, renewed strength, and enduring unity for future generations.
Initial Reconciliation Efforts
At the Delegates’ Meeting held at Hajung Baptist Church, Sanis, on 5 July 2024, the reformist majority within the LBCA adopted a resolution to initiate a reconciliation process with the minority group. In pursuit of this objective, a nine-member committee was constituted to facilitate dialogue and foster meaningful engagement with the minority group (Ref. LBCA/T.M/No.2/05-07-24).
Despite earnest and sustained efforts by the Committee, the minority group remained uncooperative and unwilling to engage in constructive dialogue. All avenues for reconciliation were thoroughly explored and exhausted, leaving no viable path toward consensus. Accordingly, during the Delegates’ Meeting held at United Baptist Church, Doyang, on 13 August 2024, the Committee formally reported its inability to make further progress and tendered its resignation. The house, upon due consideration, accepted the resignation, thereby effecting the formal dissolution of the Committee (Ref. LBCA/T.M/No.4/13-08-24). Following this development, and after comprehensive deliberation, the house unanimously resolved that the reformist majority would continue to lead the Association. Pursuant to this decision, the office bearers and LBCA staff were mandated to undertake outreach efforts directed toward churches that had not yet aligned with the majority group, with the objective of encouraging their reintegration into the Association (Ref. LBCA/T.M/No.2/13-08-24).
Engagement with NBCC
At the General Meeting held in Doyang, seven delegates were appointed to represent the LBCA in a meeting convened by the NBCC on 14 August 2024, involving both LBCA groups (Ref. LBCA/T.M/No.3/13-08-24). The designated team members—Dr. Yanbemo Lotha, Mr. Zurenthung Humtsoe, Rev. R.P. Murry, Rev. Sankiluma Kikon, Rev. Nyanchumo Lotha (Executive Secretary), Mr. Libonthung Yanthan, and Mr. Nongothung Kikon—met with NBCC officials on the scheduled date. Despite sincere efforts, the meeting failed to achieve consensus due to divergent perspectives and an absence of mutual understanding, ultimately resulting in no substantive progress.
Unconstitutional Actions by the Pastors’ Conference
Further complicating the situation, the Lotha Baptist Churches Pastors’ Conference (Lotha Baptist Ekhümkho Pastors’ Sanrhyu), during its 62nd annual conference held at Lakhuti Baptist Church from 25 to 27 October 2024, unilaterally adopted a resolution to initiate an independent reconciliation process. This act was unconstitutional as the Pastors’ Conference holds no authority independent of or superior to the LBCA Constitution. Therefore, to restore constitutional order, the delegates’ meeting at Wokha Town Baptist
Church on 13–14 December 2024 formally authorized a joint reconciliation initiative by the office bearers of both the Pastors’ Conference and the LBCA, under the leadership of the Executive Secretary (Ref. LBCA/T.M/No-13/14-12-24). This resolution reaffirmed that all reconciliation efforts must be collaborative and aligned with the authority vested in the Executive Secretary, as originally mandated (Ref. LBCA/T.M/No.2/13-08-24). Accordingly, representatives from both bodies convened multiple joint meetings to advance the reconciliation process, focusing on constructive engagement with the minority group to resolve underlying issues and foster unity within the Association.
Emergency Executive Committee Meeting
In an unforeseen development, officials of the Pastors’ Conference exerted pressure on the Executive Secretary and office bearers of the LBCA to convene a general meeting to deliberate on the ongoing reconciliation process between the two groups within the Association. In response, the LBCA Executive Committee convened an emergency meeting on 19 May 2025 at Likhya Community Hall, Wokha Town (Ref. LBCA/E.M-1/19-05-2025, Likhya Community Hall, Wokha Town). The meeting lasted approximately three hours and thirty minutes.
Following extensive deliberation, the Executive Committee referred to the earlier resolution (Ref. LBCA/T.M/No.13/14-12-2024 W/T), which stipulates that all matters on the reconciliation process and the involvement of both parties must be addressed in compliance with established procedures. After careful consideration, the Committee concluded that there was no immediate need to convene a delegates’ meeting. Instead, it reaffirmed its commitment to the ongoing reconciliation process and resolved that all related activities undertaken by the office bearers of both the LBCA and the Pastors’ Conference be formally documented and reported to the delegates during the Annual General Meeting.
Unilateral Reconciliation Meeting and Constitutional Violation
In direct violation of both the LBCA Constitution and a previously adopted General Body resolution, the Pastors’ Conference unilaterally convened a so-called “reconciliation meeting” on 26 May 2025 at Wokha Village Baptist Church (WVBC). This gathering was neither preceded by consultation nor authorized by the General Body delegates, the office-bearers, or the Executive Secretary. By what authority was this meeting called? Under whose mandate were decisions made? If proper governance structures can be ignored at will, the very foundation of constitutional order and institutional accountability within the Association is placed at risk. When such structures are bypassed or ignored, the legitimacy of decisions and the rule of law within the organization are undermined. Such actions erode the legitimacy of decisions and compromise the integrity of the Association’s operations.
Furthermore, the meeting violated an existing standing resolution of the Executive Committee, which mandates that all departments and fellowships of the Association shall operate in strict compliance with the Constitution and under the supervision, consultation, and approval of the Executive Secretary. This resolution is scheduled for formal incorporation into the forthcoming revised constitution. Until such constitutional amendments are duly enacted, the resolution remains in force as a standing directive of the Executive Committee and is binding on all operational units of the Association (Ref: LBCA/EM/No.12/11-02-2025).
Key Issues Emerging from the WVBC Meeting (26 May 2025)
The following points outline key concerns that emerged from the Pastors’ Conference held on 26 May 2025 at Wokha Village Baptist Church (WVBC), and are presented for careful analysis and critical reflection.
a) Theological Misuse and Coercion
Even more troubling is the fact that pastors were reportedly pressured to sign a pledge invoking the name of the Triune God—a sacred invocation central to Christian worship and doctrine. Can any reconciliation built on coercion and theological misuse be considered valid, let alone holy? Does invoking the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit under institutional duress not constitute a profane misuse of the sacred? These actions raise urgent procedural and theological concerns. Why were constitutional protocols bypassed? Why was the spiritual weight of the Holy Trinity leveraged for institutional convenience or personal gain? Is it not spiritually dangerous and doctrinally irresponsible to reduce sacred truth to a tool for administrative expediency? If the goal is genuine reconciliation, why avoid the very structures and processes that safeguard unity and integrity within the body? Why sideline the General Body—the highest decision-making authority in the LBCA—if the intentions were pure? At this critical juncture, the question must be asked: Are we seeking true unity grounded in truth and justice, or are we settling for the appearance of peace at the cost of both?
b) Reform Movement’s Rejection of the WVBC Meeting
In light of these serious breaches, churches committed to the reform movement within the LBCA chose not to participate in the WVBC meeting. The gathering, which purported to establish a new reconciliation framework, stands in fundamental contradiction to the spirit and principles of the ongoing reformation. It represents a clear violation of the Association’s constitutional order and a betrayal of the mandate entrusted to the leadership by the delegates at the General Body meeting held at Wokha Town Baptist Church.
c) Unsubstantiated Claims and Manipulation of Narrative
The Pastors’ Conference sought to justify the WVBC meeting by citing a series of unverified claims, including alleged excommunication from the NBCC, the dismissal of Lotha employees, and purported restrictions on Lotha’s participation in broader Baptist institutions. However, were these serious allegations ever formally reviewed or substantiated by any authorized LBCA body? What credible evidence supports such alarming assertions? Rather than promoting constructive dialogue, these claims appear to be crafted to incite fear and confusion. They seem intended more to manipulate emotions than to encourage thoughtful discernment. Can any process rooted in misinformation and emotional coercion truly lead to outcomes that are just, godly, or aligned with biblical integrity?
d) A Constitutional Crisis and Unlawful Overreach
Most gravely, the WVBC meeting resulted in a direct and flagrant violation of LBCA’s constitutional framework. Acting without any delegated authority, the Pastors’ Conference dismissed duly elected office-bearers and installed its own nominees—a move entirely devoid of constitutional legitimacy. According to the LBCA Constitution, only the Delegates’ Assembly, representing the member churches, holds the authority to nominate, approve, or remove office-bearers, including the Executive Secretary. Where does the Pastors’ Conference derive the authority to override the Assembly’s will? What precedent does this set for law and order in the LBCA? If any group can unilaterally remove elected leaders, then what remains of congregational polity, biblical accountability, and transparent governance? This action constitutes, in effect, a constitutional coup. No provision within the LBCA Constitution grants the Pastors’ Conference authority to elect or remove office-bearers independently. Therefore, all decisions made during the WVBC meeting are unconstitutional, unauthorized, and invalid.
Standpoint of the Reformist Group
The reformist group, fully aware of its covenantal responsibility before God and the Church, has consistently pursued resolution through spiritually grounded and constitutionally legitimate means. While these sustained efforts have not yet produced the desired outcome, the group remains firmly committed to the vision of a “One Unified LBCA.” This vision is not driven by divisive ambition but by a sincere and enduring concern for the healing, unity, and long-term wellbeing of the Lotha Baptist community. However, the group maintains that any form of reconciliation that ignores or circumvents the root causes of the present crisis—specifically, doctrinal compromises and repeated violations of constitutional governance—would be not only premature but dangerously short-sighted. Superficial reconciliation may create a temporary sense of calm, but it would come at the expense of the Association’s spiritual integrity and structural stability.
Conclusion
At this pivotal juncture, several pressing questions must be asked: Is reform truly a threat to unity, or is it the very foundation upon which genuine unity must be built? Can brokenness be healed, and injustice addressed, without bold and principled action? What kind of unity are we striving for—one that merely appeases for the sake of outward peace, or one that honors Christ, upholds Scripture, respects constitutional order, and preserves the sacred covenant among churches? The reformist group does not oppose reconciliation. Rather, it insists that reconciliation must be authentic marked by truth, transparency, voluntary participation, and meaningful engagement. Anything less risks replacing genuine peace with superficial harmony, leaving the deeper issues unaddressed and the Association vulnerable to future division.
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LBCA, Vankhosüng