|
|
| History इतिहास |
|
Putalisadak Church (History) |
Date:
2008-07-13 |
|
Historical study of the first Protestant Church in Kathmandu: Bethshalom Putalisadak Church
Udi Jung Gurung
History of Christianity in General
The influence of the Christianity is spread all over the world reaching almost every language and community. This was begun from Jerusalem with a commandment of Jesus which is regarded as a great commandment among the Christians. The said ‘great commandment’ reads, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." Matthew 28:18-20.
This is also called the gospel meaning good news to the hopeless humankind because of their sins according to the Bible. Jesus had chosen twelve disciples who were called Apostles. Through the testimonies and the preaching of those Apostles, the church of Jerusalem was established in Jerusalem. Within a short period, Jerusalem was filled with their doctrines and teachings of Jesus. Thousands of people became the followers of the teachings of the Apostles. After a short while, there was a great persecution against them and a numerous followers left Jerusalem spread all over Israel, Syria and Middle East preaching the gospel of Christ. The gospel reached at Antioch of Syria and the followers of Jesus were first called the 'Christians' there. The church at Antioch was the first church that sent missionaries such as Paul, Barnabas, Silvanus etc. to Europe. Through them churches were established in Turkey, Greece and Italy around the Mediterranean Sea. In the same way the gospel was preached to Asia such as Middle East, Asia including India through the disciples of Jesus. One of the Apostles Thomas came to India to preach the gospel. There was neither Catholicism, nor Protestantism, nor any denominations as today.
Christianity had suffered persecutions from the beginning everywhere, the Jew being usually the instigators. It has been noticed that in most cases, Roman officials were slow to act upon Jewish accusations and gave a measure of protection to the Christians. But later Roman Emperor Nero became one of the cruel Emperors who shed many innocent bloods of the Christians. In the summer of 64 his fury was poured upon the Christians of Rome. The occasion was the burning of ten out of fourteen of the precincts of the city. Suetonius, Dion Cassius, and Pliny stated categorically that Nero himself was the author of the conflagration. Tacitus informed that Nero was suspected of the crime and that to avert from him the suspicion; he accused the Christians of committing it. Christians were massacred in a great number on this occasion. Christians suffered throughout the remainder of his reign. Even Paul and Peter suffered in Rome under Nero.
After the conversion of Constantine, the Roman Emperor, situation was changed for the Christians. In one hand Christianity received some degree of favor among the nations in other hand new kind of church was emerged which was politicized and formed as a state religion mixing Christianity with the European religions. When the Roman people refused to accept the new religion, Constantine transferred his capital to Byzantium and built Constantinople or New Rome. There were some beneficent results of the Adoption of Christianity as the State Religion such as: larger number of people was thus brought somewhat under the influence of Christianity; it had a much more direct and powerful effect upon the legislation of the Roman Empire; it exerted a beneficent effect on morality.
But the Christianity suffered evils too such as, secularization of Christianity; worshiping of Mary, the mother of Jesus, the apostles and noted martyrs; hierarchical development; a persecuting power making use of the civil authority for the suppression of Biblical Christians.
Struggle between Rome and Constantinople for supremacy was increasing. As the time passed, Papal power in Rome was dominating the world. The Churches in Rome and Constantinople were called was called Roman Catholic Church Greek Orthodox Church respectively.
In 16th century Protestant Reformation took place in Europe and the all over the world. It was led by Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist and Anglican churches. These were called protestant churches. Many of the Protestant Churches have carried the remaining of the Roman Catholic dogmas such as child baptism, mass sacrament, maintaining a formal liturgical type of worship, with prayer books, special clothing, clergy/laity concepts, etc. They follow the organizational institutions establishing hierarchical positions, orders.
The Episcopal Church is the American counterpart of the Church of England. Following the American Revolution, the Episcopal Church was formally separated from the Church of England, and in 1789 the constitution of the newly formed Protestant Episcopal Church was adopted in Philadelphia. It has retained most Anglican doctrines and practices. The Episcopal Church is highly ritualistic, using prayer books and a formal liturgy. They claim there are three foundations of faith: Holy Scripture, Reason, and Church Tradition. Baptism is given to infants whereby they are believed to be born again and receive the Holy Spirit.
History of Bethshalom Putalisadak Church
Historical Background
Mar Thoma Syrian Church in Kerala, India was an Episcopal Church. It was practicing infant baptism, and was using prayer books; a formal liturgy meaning the prescribed forms of ritual for public worship and the celebration of the Eucharist. There used to be Maramon Convention in Riverbank of Kerala. Once Sundar Singh, one of the famous Christian Evangelists in India attended a convention. On the occasion he had asked a question which mother wants to dedicate her son for Nepal? At the moment, a mother had dedicated her child called C. K. Athyal. Athyal was grown up well but in his youth he was influenced by the people's movement against the Britishers. But later he knew Jesus and received him as the Lord and Saviour. Then he went UBS for theological education. He shared his vision of going to Nepal with other students in the seminary. Then other three followed his vision. Four of them began to pray for Nepal.
By the beginning of 20th century some of the Christian youth in Mar Thoma Syrian Church, Kerala organized an evangelistic band called "Christ Shanti Sangha". Some educated and bold young people had given their lives for the ministry of the gospel through the new band. Among them Cunju Kuti Athyal and George John received a vision to preach the gospel in Nepal. Both of them came to Nepal Terai region for two months. They visited Koilabas, Butwal, Birgunj, Amlekhganj in the period between 1951 to 1952. In their inspiration C. G. George and Cherion Kurion came to Nepal to preach the gospel. On the Easter 1952 Col. Nar Raj Shamsher JBR got baptism at Motihari, Bihar. By the time Keralion young men were introduced with Col. Nar Raj Shamsher, Son of Rudra Shamsher. He had become a Christian in Duncan Hospital and had lived a secret Christian life in Nepal. He was born in 1896 in Kathmandu and had migrated to Rani Ganj in Tarai. While living there his eldest grandson fell ill of typhoid. He was taken to Duncan Hospital. There he heard the gospel of Jesus and was converted. After the country was opened for the gospel, he came back to Kathmandu in 1951 and was baptized on the Easter morning of 1952 at Motihari.
C. K. Athyal visited Col. Nar Raj Shamsher JBR in Kathmandu in 1952. On 8th April 1953 Cunju Kuti Athyal, George John, C. G. George and Cherion Kurion came to Kathmandu and began to work with Col. Nar Raj Shamsher JBR to establish a church. Col. Nar Raj Shamsher had actively assisted the new ministry of the Keralian young missionaries in Kathmadu from the very beginning. He had opened his Bishal Nagar Palace for the initial meetings of the Putalisadak Church. He had shown a great hospitality to the believers. He always attended the church meetings wherever the worship services were organized. There were house fellowships in his house too. He had been a great blessing for Putalisadak Church until he moved to Raniganj where he slept in the Lord.
Establishment and Development
Col. Nara Raj Shamsher had invited Cunju Kuti Athyal and C. G. George to come to Kathmandu for the establishment of a church. According to the invitation C. K. Athyal came to Kathmandu to visit Col. Nar Raj Shamsher JBR in November 1952 and stayed at his house. In 1953 all four Keralian missionaries Cunju Kuti Athyal, George John, C. G. George and Cherion Kurion came to Nepal and started a ministry to establish a church. Without the help and assistance of Col. Nar Raj Shamsher JBR the efforts of the Kerolian missionaries would be difficult. He had a great role for the establishment and the development of Putalisadak Church. He had worked in the area of Literatures, Bible Translation etc. The land of the church was registered in his name. It is said that one of his son was converted because of his writings. But till this day it is proven. Though he never preached in the congregation he had a great influence among the believers. Shanti Kunwar Agrawal, one of the early members of Bethshalom Putalisadak Church was so much influenced by the life of Col. Nar Raj. Initially he had opened his house for the missionaries and the ministries. And he continually opened his house for the house fellowships and had shown a great hospitality and charity towards the Christians. It had encouraged a lot for the missionaries and the believers. He had hung a notice in his home reading "No Ramnam (Name of Ram) should be pronounced in my ear while I'm dying." He later sold his palace in Bishal Nagar and went to Raniganj. Then he used to attend the church meetings at Raxaul. He slept in the Lord in Raniganj. It is not known yet whether anybody came in the Lord from his family.
Cunju Kuti Athyal was the one who had received the vision for Nepal from Mar Thoma Church. And he was the one who first visited Kathmandu to establish a ministry in 1952 and started to live here. The foundation was built through his effort for the establishment of Bethshalom Putalisadak Church. Mr. Athyal went to U. S. A. for further study in Fuller Theological Seminary in 1955 after the two years of ministry in Nepal. He completed his study in 1961. After being ordained as a Pastor by Mar Thoma Church he came to Nepal at the same year. He was the 2nd ordained pastor of Putalisadak Church. He and his wife Ammini Athyal worked in Nepal during the periods of 1953-55, 1961-1963 and 1972 to 1975. He went to Kerala in 1975 because of his poor health. He stayed about 10 years in Nepal for the establishment and development of Bethshalom Putalisadak Church, Kathmandu. It is clearly seen that he had the most important role for this church.
George John was assisting for the establishment and the development of Putalisadak Church from the beginning. After finishing his M. A. degree in Nepal, George John was teaching in tuition classes. And he was asked by a student to start a college at Pokhara. So he went to Pokhara in 1959 and established Prithvi Narayan Campus. He had a burden especially in the area of education. He had taken a less role in the area of church ministry. He used to say that the life is the testimony of Jesus. Through life people should show who Jesus is. He is still living today in Pokhara with his family.
C. G. George, born in Kerala was one of the founding members of “Christ Shanti Sangha.” C. G. George was ordained as the first Pastor of Putalisadak Church by Mar Thoma Church in June 1956. He had a different vision than George John. He had a great burden to establish a church in Kathmandu. He had a burden of establishing a Bible College also. Through his prayers and efforts a land was bought in Putalisadak, Kathmandu. George John was not interested to buy the land. Once he had questioned to C. G. George why did he buy the land? The land was bought in the names of Gupta Bahadur K. C., Ram Bahadur Shrestha and Col. Nara Raj Shamsher JBR. Later Gupta Bahadur K. C. had sued a file against C. G. George to get his portion of the land. He was paid for his portion. Even Ram Bahadur Shrestha had sued for his portion. The land crisis was not solved until a portion of the land was given to Ram Bahadur Shrestha.
According to Shanti Agrawal, C. G. George did a lot for the Lord in Nepal. But it was sad that he could not stay here enough because of the hardships raised through the land case. Shanti Agrawal went to Kerala in the 90s to meet C. G. George. On her visit she told her spiritual brother and Pastor C. G. George that the Lord had blessed his ministry in Nepal. She said that because of his prayers numerous churches were established in Nepal. C. G. George loved the land in putalisadak, which was provided by the Lord. He used to work hard in the land. The same land is being used by the Lord to give glory to the Lord confessed Shanti. C. G. George was one of the initial Nepal Christian Fellowship (NCF) leaders of Nepal. After he left Nepal for India he ministered as a Pastor in Mar Thoma Churches of Tamilnadu and Kerala. He died in 2000.
Cherion Kurion continued to assist for the development of Behtshalom Putalisadak Church in Kathmandu. He left Nepal in 1964.
In some ways U. M. N. missionaries had a role for the development of this church though the Keralian missionaries were not so frankly to them in the initial periods. From 1954 U. M. N. missionaries were attending to the church gatherings of Putalisadak Church. But the first baptism service was kept secret from them. Not only so they did not inform U. M. N. missionaries and other Christians about the purchasing of the land for the church building.
On 25th July of 1955 Shanti Kunwar, a eight years old orphan girl, joined in Christ Shanti Sangha. She is serving the Lord through this church till this day. She is regarded a living history of Bethshalom Putalisadak Church, Kathmandu. Shanti was born on 25th July 1946 at Lagan, Kathmandu in the family of Kunwar, Chhetri. She was a highly educated person with her degree of B. Ed. She was a teacher in St. Mary's School, Jawalakhel for thirty years. She has one son and two daughters today. Her husband Jagadish Agrawal was born at Kalaiya, Nepal. Today they are living in their home at Dillibazar, Kathmandu.
Jagadish Agrawal was living in Darjeeling when he became a Christian. His family were not on the line of commerce but in political line. After her graduation of B. Ed. she was suggested to marry with a believer God provided. Though she had a desire to enrol for Master degree she married with Jagadish. It was done especially according to the will of her Pastor C. G. Geroge. He had suggested Shanti not to marry with Darjeeling Christians and had suggested to marry a native Nepali Christian. Some other Nepali Christians had already proposed her for the marriage. Though she had desire to chose a Nepali Christian she had married with Jagadish. She still thinks of the event but she added that there is no use of regretting the matter. As the time passed her husband Jagadish stopped to walk with the Lord. He began to choose his own way. It was a hurtful case for her. She is satisfied with the lives of her children. They all are walking with the Lord. Elder daughter and her husband are pastoring in a Baptist Church in Canada. And her son is in Malta with his family. Her younger daughter had married with the elder son of Dr. Ramesh Khatri.
She had lost her parents while she was a child. She had sisters but in the request of C. G. George and other Keralian missionaries she was adopted as a sister. They helped her for her education. And she assisted them for the ministry. Shanti struggled economically with the missionaries. They were living by the regular supports from Mar Thoma Church and with their earnings through tuitions. Shanti learned a lot from the missionaries. She leant to trust upon the Lord. Though her relatives were in high official ranks in the army she did not go back to home or to the relatives because of her faith. Rather she chose to serve the Lord. She was a pillar of Putalisadak church. Shanti Kunwar Agrawal had learnt a lot from C. G. George and was influenced very much by his ministry. She was likewise influenced by the life and ministry of Col. Nar Raj Shamsher JBR.
In 1956 the young missionaries from Kalimpong attended the services of Bethshalom church. But by 1957 they began to have independent ministry at Dillibazar, which was a foundation of Nepali Ishai Mandali ‘Gyaneshwor Church’.
On 18th May 1957 this Bethshalom Putalisadak Church was recognized as an independent church giving the name "Church of Christ in Nepal". But it had a continual co-operation with Mar Thoma Syrian Church, Kerala.
Until 1961 there was no permanent church building built for this church. So the gathering halls were rented in different places such as Bishal Nagar, Mahendra Bhawan (Gyaneshwor), Juddha Sadak and Naradevi etc. Later they bought a land at Putalisadak, Kathmandu, where they built a building for the church gatherings.
In 1957 “Church of Christ in Nepal” bought a land of six ropanies at Putalisadak, Kathmandu in the name of Col. Nar Raj Shamsher, Ram Bahadur Shrestha and Gupta Bahadur K. C. It was possible because of prayers and support of Mar Thoma Syrian Church in Kerala. The land was bought for the Church building and Bible College building. A Church building was built in the land and was used from 2nd June 1961.
While M. K. Jacob was pastoring the Church there were church services in English medium only. So the church members used to go to Gyaneshwor Church or AG Church at Basantapur for the Nepali services. In those days the fellowship at Basantapur was called 'Basantapur Fellowship' instead of AG Church. It was established by Ezekiel in 1976.
Later Ps. Eapen started church services in Putalisadak Church in Nepali medium. Raju K. C. was one of the students of M. J. Joseph. After Eapen was arrested because of his evangelism, Raju K. C. was appointed as an Evangelist in Putalisadak Church. But there was financial problem in the church. So he was suffering financially. And he went to Bible College in India. By then Christian leaders requested M. J. Joseph to take the leadership of Putalisadak Church. But he did not accept the request initially. He asked others to take the responsibility. It was not an easy job to be the Pastor of Putalisadak Church. The Land of the church was occupied by the gamblers. Nobody was ready to be the Pastor of the Church. After seeing nobody is interested to take the responsibility M. J. Joseph accepted the leadership of the church in May 1985.
M. J. Joseph came from Kerala in 1975. He was born in 1954. He was from Orthodox Church background. His Grandfather turned to Christ in the Pentecostal ministry when he heard the preaching of justification by faith. When M. J. Joseph was about 6 years old his sister got sickness with cough. It was so serious that she was about to die. In the last stage some of the Pastors prayed for her and was healed miraculously. Joseph was baptized in the age of two according in the Orthodox Church. But when he was of 10 years old he understood the gospel and received Jesus as the Lord. And in the age of 14 he took baptism. When he finished his school he attended the New Life Bible College, Benaras. K. B. Abraham was the Principal of the college who had served the Lord in Nepal already. He had heard that Nepal needs the evangelists where very few Christians are living and they are under persecution. And Joseph was praying to go to Nepal. The principal once asked Joseph whether he was praying to go to Nepal. After his positive answer he promised to provide the support of Rs. 250.00 per month if he works in Nepal.
When M. J. Joseph came to Nepal there were very few churches in Kathmandu, such as Putalisadak Church, Bhaktapur Church and Gyanieshwor Church. And some other new fellowships had just begun. Gopaljee Adhikari was leading a small group of believers in Samakhusi. Patan church was having church services at Hisop Book Shop, Mangal Bazar. M. J. Joseph still remembers the sweet fellowship of Nepal Christian Fellowship leaders at Gyaneshwor Church. He further added that those meetings were so heartily and in love. The leaders from different churches of Nepal came and shared their blessings and challenges.
Soon after M. J. Joseph had taken the leadership of Putalisadak Church 17 people were baptized. He formed a committee of Elders and Deacons for the administration of the Church. According to him all the elders were equal but the elders had different gifts. The one who has the gift of a Pastor was to be called the Pastor of the Church. Putalisadak Church regards those house fellowship leaders as Mini Pastors. Believers could approach to them for their problems. If the problem is not solved, house fellowship leaders could bring the matters to the elders.
Bethshalom Putalisadak church was established by the Keralian young missionaries with the great help of Col. Nar Raj Shamsher JBR. They were assisted by U. M. N. and Kalimpong young missionaries in some distant. But the Keralian Missionaries were narrow minded too. They baptized some of the early converts without the consent of other Christians such as Kalimpong missionaries, U. M. N. missionaries who were attending the church services. And they did not take any counsel in the affairs of land purchasing. As a result they suffered a lot in the land matters. Anyway Keralian missionaries took a keen interest for Bethshalom Church ministry from the beginning which was an excellent aspect.
Land Crisis
By 1956 Jagat Bahadur or Ram Bahadur Shrestha (Paulus) became a member of Bethshalom church. And by 1957 Gupta Bahadur K. C. with his family got baptism and joined this church. The land was bought in the names of Gupta Bahadur K. C., Ram Bahadur Shrestha and Col. Nara Raj Shamsher JBR. Later Gupta Bahadur K. C. had sued a file against C. G. George to get his portion of the land. Ram Bahadur Shrestha had opposed the idea and action of Gupta Bahadur K. C. Mr. K. C. was a cunning person working in Land Revenue (malpot) office according to Shanti Kunwar Agrawal. His portion of the land was bought for the church. Ram Bahadur Shrestha was helped by the missionaries to study up to his S. L. C. and he was sent to a Bible College in India. But he was sent back to Nepal because of his incapability to study in the college. Then he became an enemy of Putalisadak church. He came to the church several times to attack C. G. George. Sometimes the Pastor was insulted on the way. He broke different things of Pastor's residence. He persecuted a lot. Later he sued a file against C. G. George to find his portion of the land. The file reached up to the Supreme Court and even to His Majesty the King. According to the decision of the Supreme Court the land of the Bethshalom Putlai Sadak was divided into three parts. Brien Senit bought the portion of Gupta Bahadur K. C. for the church. And the portion of Ram Bahadur Shrestha was given to him. After C. G. George got his Nepalese nationality the land was registered in his name replacing the name of Nar Raj Shamsher JBR. The trouble in Bethshalom for the land matters is a great lesson for the churches of Nepal. Since the government of Nepal has not legalized the registration of the churches there could be a dangerous of such events. Concerning the registration of the churches there are different views among the Christians of Nepal. Some says that the registration of the churches will bring churches in difficulties. There could be governmental controls over the internal aspects of church life and activities after the registration. And others opine that the registration will make the churches legal and gives more benefits to the churches. Coming in conclusion, if the government does not take interfere in the affairs of the church and does not give burdens financially, it is quite fine for the churches for their registrations.
Administration
Until 1985 there were no committee for the administration. The Pastor was leading the church with the help of Local evangelists. In 1985, a committee was formed to run the church. A constitution was made in 1990 for administration of the church. According to the constitution, a Council was formed to lead the church which was called ‘Mandali Parishad’. The council was consisted of the Pastor, Elders, Full Time workers, 3 from house fellowship teachers, 2 from the senior believers, each from Sunday School Teachers, Ladies Leaders and Youth Leaders and the Directors of the projects. By 1998 the office of deacons was replaced by house fellowship leaders. Though the Bible clearly mentions the office of the Deacons Bethshalom had replaced it with house fellowship leaders. The church felt that the constitution of 1990 is outdated. So she is working for a new constitution.
Ladies are not allowed to preach in the church services besides ladies meetings and Sunday school classes. They are not appointed as elders and deacons. But one of the leaders Shivahari Bhattarai opined that the church needs to reconsider about the position of the women in the church. According to him foreign ladies are allowed to preach in the church services but the local ladies are not allowed to do the same ministry. In the viewpoint of Shanti Kunwar Agrawal, a living history of Bethshalom, ladies should be allowed to preach in the church services. She opined if someone is capable to preach she should be allowed to preach in the main services of the church. At the same time she believed that the women should be in submission in the church.
Bible has clearly stated that the elders and the deacons should be men. No ladies can play the role of men in a church. Instead they are to be in submission. Pastor and Elders are the administrators and the leaders of a local church whereas the Deacons are helpers to the leaders. Though the Bible has clearly stated the position of the ladies in the church, in recent days the churches are not following the Bible concerning the position of the ladies. Some churches have ordained ladies as Pastors and Elders. And many churches have ordained ladies as Deacons. A picture is coming that soon or later Bethshalom is going to allow the ladies to preach in the main services of the church.
The Leaderships
Cunju Kuti Athyal was the leader of the Keralian missionaries to Nepal and their ministry in Kathmandu. Mr. Athyal went to U. S. A. for further studies in Fuller Theological Seminary in 1955 after the two years of ministry in Nepal. C. G. George was ordained as the first Pastor of Bethshalom Putalisadak Church by Mar Thoma Church in June 1956. George John left for Pokhara in 1959. C. G. George and his wife Kunjoonjamma George got their Nepali nationality in Nepal. He ministered in Bethshalom as a Pastor until 1972. After he left Nepal for India he ministered as a Pastor in Mar Thoma Churches of Tamilnadu and Kerala. He died in 2000. Mr. Athyal had completed his studies in theology in 1961. After being ordained as a Pastor he came to Nepal at the same year. He was the 2nd ordained pastor of Bethshalom. He and his wife Ammini Athyal worked in Nepal during the periods of 1953-55, 1961-1963 and 1972 to 1975. Another Keralian missionary Cherian Kurian left Nepal in 1964. C. G. George left Nepal on 18th of May, 1972. And C. K. Athyal left for Kerala in 1975 because of his poor health.
After C. K. Athyal left Nepal M. K. Jacob was sent to Bethshalom as the Pastor in 1975. And he went back to Kerala in 1977. By then the questions were raised in Bethshalom Church about ordinations of the pastors. “Why the Pastors of Bethshalom were ordained and sent from Kerala always? Is it practical?” So the church had some correspondents with Mar Thoma Church, Kerala. By then the church was made independent in 1979. According to this decision K. S. Eapen was accepted as the Pastor of Bethshalom by the congregation. He was an Indian National. He started the Church services in Nepali medium. In 1984 he was arrested because of his testimony for Jesus and was taken in police custody for 28 days. He left Nepal in the same year. By then T. D. John, an Indian national along with Raju Chhetri led the Church. After Raju Chhetri went to India for further studies in a Bible College of India, there was a lack of leadership in Bethshalom again.
M. J. Joseph, an Indian national was working in Nepal as a missionary of New Life League. He was working in Bethshalom Church and Assembly of God Church. He was teaching in some Bible Colleges of Kathmandu too. Bethshalom Putalisadak Church requested him to take the leadership of the Church. Then he led the Church from 1985.
Name of the Church was changed from “Church of Christ in Nepal” to “Putalisadak Church” in 1986. In 1990, the former church committee was dismissed and the new constitution was passed for the church. According to the new constitution church was led by a Council consisted of Pastor, Elders, House Fellowship Leaders, Evangelists. Devi Bhujel was ordained as an elder in 1990 and he served in this office until 2001.
By 1991 a house was completed and was used for Pastors' family and Sunday school classes. The Church building, built in 1961 became small for the church gathering. Prayers were made for the new building. Construction was begun after an amount of gift received from the former Pastor K. S. Eapen in 1997. The building was dedicated on 22nd February 1998.
Name of the Church was changed as “Bethshalom Putalisadak Church” in 2003. It was established by the missionaries of Mar Thoma Church which was an Episcopal Church. According to Mr. Shiva Hari Bhattarai, a leader of Putalisadak Church, the church has not practiced Episcopal doctrines such as baptism by sprinkling, using of prayer books and liturgy etc. till today. And he also asserted that Bethshalom Putalisadak Church is an Evangelical Church but in practice it is a Pentecostal Church. According to Mr. M. J. Joseph, the Pastor of Bethshalom Putalisadak Church, the church has been always a part of National Churches Fellowship, Nepal.
Coming to conclusion Bethshalom Putalisadak church was led by Mar Thoma Church, Kerala for 26 years (1953 to 1979). According to the Bible, pastors and leaders of a local church should be ordained by the congregation if it is possible from among the congregation. Though it was organized as a church from the beginning, the pastors were ordained and sent from Mar Thoma Church, Kerala. Secondly all the pastors of Bethshalom Putalisadak Church are from India till this day. There is no question on the nationality here, but the problem is about the leadership training. Bethshalom was not being successful to train the local people for the leadership.
Independency of the Church
Time had proven that it was a hard job for the Keralian missionaries to lead the church in Nepal because of the land crisis. M. K. Jacob was sent as a Pastor from Mar Thoma Church, Kerala in 1975. But he left the church in 1977. It was not an easy job to pastor a church in Nepal coming from a different culture. Land crisis was still continuing. The church in Mar Thoma had understood the situation in Nepal and practicality of sending of Pastors from Kerala. So Mar Thoma church decided to establish the church as an indigenous church. The church was made an indigenous church in 1979.
Eapen was an evangelist who was working in Nepal for years. He was ordained as the Pastor of Putalisadak Church in 1984. Because of his ministry many women such as Mithu Sanjel, Savity etc. from Manahara came in the Lord. He was living a simple life. He helped a lot to the believers. As a result he was helped by them too. It was sad event again in the history of Putalisadak Church that Eapen was arrested in 1984 by the police for his evangelism.
For some times Raju Chhetri led the church but he was never ordinated as the Pastor of Putalisadak Church. He was just an evangelist. Later M. J. Joseph was ordained as the Pastor in 1985. Nobody wanted to be the Pastor of Putalisadak Church because of the land crisis. After the leadership of Ps. M. J. Joseph the church was moving forward in the independency. In his leadership period the land crisis was ended. A committee was formed to run the church. Since he was from the Pentecostal background the church was slowly changed as a Pentecostal Church.
Bible plainly shows that the churches should be independent. The word ‘independent’ here means not depending upon human efforts and institutions but depending in the leading of the Christ himself. Bethshalom was made dependent in leadership and other matters for 26 years which was not an exemplary model. But though lately, it was made indigenous in leaderships and other matters.
Ministries of Bethshalom Putalisadak Church
Evangelism
Bethshalom Putalisadak Church had a Book Shop called Shanti bookshop. Through this bookshop, the church had been evangelizing the people with the gospel, the good news about Jesus. The Keralian missionaries used to call their friends for English classes where they took the opportunities to preach the gospel. Nepalese believers preached the gospel in the church meetings and in the house fellowships. They didn't go out to distribute the tracts to the open places. Evangelism was done in person to person method. By the end of the millennium there were preachers ordained to preach the gospel. Churches were established in different places such as Anpghari, Panchkhal, Maharajgunj, Manohara, Sipadol, Bhaktapur, Kewalpur, Dhading, Sankhu, Sunkhani, Dhading. It seems that the evangelism was focused in the later period. Though it has more than a half of century history very few churches were established. A local fellowship was organized as an independent church when it fulfilled two conditions: when the number of church members reaches over 30 and when the fellowship becomes able to support at least half of the amount needed for a full time worker.
Church Plantation
In the year of golden Jubilee in 2003, Bethshalom Putalisadak Church got a vision of church planting. Since then the church is planning to establish the churches in Nepal. According to M. J. Joseph Bethshalom Putalisadak Church is an indigenous church.
Because of a small number of Christians in Putalisadak Church, church planting vision was not developed Shanti argued. She said that C. G. George had the vision of church planting and established a church in Kathmandu. But because of the hardships he faced concerning the land crisis he could not work properly Shanti believed. Another reason was the divisions. There were divisions among the believers and the new churches were being established. These were the reasons why Putalisadak Church was not able to plant other churches.
Training Programs
Putalisadak Church has theological trained persons. So it has started two years training program started from June 2005 called "Bethshalom Faith School of ministry". Beside this program the church has Advanced Course training program for 12 days. This is a skill development program for those who are in the ministry. The church organizes these programs for 4 or 5 times in a year.
Worship Service
Bethshalom Putalisadak Church is an evangelical church in Name but in practice, it's a Pentecostal church. Worship service usually takes place for two hours. Songs, praises takes 1 hour 15 minutes and sermon takes about 45 minutes. In the day of Lord's Supper normally the services takes about 2 and half an hour. In the time of praise and prayers all the believers pray together loudly. In prayer meetings, prayer requests are divided among the believers and pray together opening their mouths. Putalisadak Church believes that God still gives the gifts of tongues and prophecy even today. The church encourages the believers to use the gifts of tongues and prophecy. But they do not teach that salvation depends upon experience of those gifts.
There were no tongues speaking, prophesying in the initial days of the church. Prayers were made one by one. Until today Shanti is not used to with the modern praying system. Even her husband did not like the new systems of worship she added. And she said that her husband used to criticize the way of worshiping in Putalisadak Church in the later periods. He blamed the modern way of worship service at Putalisadak Church why he left the church according to Shanti Agrawal.
Other Factors
Economic Condition
Putalisadak church is an indigenous church financially. The church teaches about tithing. If a believer does not tithe for more than six months they are to be inquired. All the believers get receipts for their tithe. Receipts were given since 1990.
Cultural Value
Shivahari Bhattarai, one of the leaders of Putalisadak Church believes in cultural value. His name is related with the Hindu gods but he says that name does not matter with his faith. There is no need of changing the name. He prefers in-cast marriage, in the same time he would like to encourage the inter-cast marriage also. Even the marriage ceremony should be according to the local culture. The bride can chose any color for her marriage dress. Even the flower garland could be used. In Christian society white dress is preferred for the bride in the day of her marriage.
Roles of the Putalisadak Church in Christian Society of Nepal
Since Putalisadak Church was one of the founding churches of NCF it has been influencing the churches of Nepal. Ps. M. J. Joseph himself had worked as Vice-Chairman of regional committee of NCF and worked as a member of executive committee of NCF. And he has been teaching in Nepal Bible Ashram, Bible College of GFA, training centre of AG, Ebenezer Bible College. Likewise PA Thomas founded NBCBS and Scripture Union in Nepal. Dr. Chitra Chhetri is working as a consultant in United Bible Society.
Viewpoint of Putalisadak Church towards other churches and the ministers
Leaders and the churches of Nepal are to be grown up in the knowledge of Bible and Moral life. And they need to be honesty in money matter. Ministry should not be taken as commercial business. Orphanage home, Bible School money should not be used for the personal use unless it is made clear that the fund is for the personal use. Moral character should be right. Since the village leaders are looking towards the Kathmandu leaders, they are to set the examples.
Many had taken target to go to foreign lands, which is not good if they confess that they are called for the ministry of Nepal. Ps. Joseph further shared that he also had opportunities to go for the further studies in Hong Kong, Singapore etc. If he had wished to go around the world there were opportunities.
Conclusion
The Keralian missionaries from Mar Thoma Church had established Bethshalom Putalisadak Church with their burdens wishing the salvation of people from their spiritual hopelessness and sinfulness according to the Bible. They did their best in the ministry of the Church and the social welfare. They preached the gospel, strengthened the people spiritually and tried their best for the welfare of the society. They helped the church to buy a land and build a building for the church in Putalisadak, which is in the heart of Kathmandu Metropolitan. They maintained the stand and positive influence of the Christianity both to the people and the government of Nepal. They helped a lot in the area of education in Nepal. One of their missionaries established Prithvi Narayan Campus which became today a university in Pokhara. This church sometimes became a bridge for the better relationship between India and Nepal. Ambassadors from the government of India and the Indian nationalities used to attend the church services here. All the Pastors of this church are the Indian nationals till today. This church became one of the meeting points between the two states. Bethshalom Putalisadak Church played an important role to unite the churches of Nepal to stand in harmony and love before the society.
Mar Thoma missionaries brought denominational influence too. They were from the Anglican denomination. Though it is not under papal authority, many Catholic practices remain intact in Anglican denomination such as, Infant Baptism through sprinkling; Holy Communion. According to their doctrine, the elements of the Super do not actually become Christ but Christ comes to dwell within the elements spiritually so that the Church members can partake of Him through the meal. Likewise they use prayer books and formal liturgy. They ordain the women priests. But all such doctrines and the examples are not found in the Bible. Mar Thoma missionaries did not follow all the Anglican practices but they did follow some. Some times they baptized with sprinkling method. Pastors used formal dresses in the initial period. They were failed to produce the native leaders to lead the church. Only the Indian pastors are leading the church until today. They were failed to take the appropriate steps while they were buying the land for the church. As a result this church had suffered a lot concerning the church land. The church had lost two-third part of the church land. This church did not start churches enough in the comparison of the Biblical churches. For many years they were having the church services in English medium only. This has proven that they were not so much conscious in the spiritual needs of the Nepalese people.
Later this church was slowly converted in a Pentecostal Church. The Pentecostal denomination is particularly distinguished from other Christian churches by an emphasis upon signs, prophecy, and tongues speaking. The term “Pentecostal” dates to the early part of the 20th century and refers to a desire on the part of some to recapture the miracles of Pentecost and the book of Acts. They have several wrong doctrines: Religious experience is the primary basis of its unity, while doctrinal beliefs are downplayed. Christians can lose their salvation. The gift of the tongues is the evidence of the baptism and filling of the Holy Spirit. Physical healing is promised to the Christian because of Christ’s atonement. But these doctrines are contrary to the Bible.
This church has strong impacts upon the Christianity of Nepal though they were both positive and negative impacts. And it can not be bypassed in the history of Christianity of Nepal.
References
Books
Cloud, David W., Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible and Christianity, Washington: Way of Life Literature, 1997.
Newman, Albert Henry, A Manual of Church History, Valley Forge (USA): The Judson Press, 1976.
Perry, Cindy, A Biographical History of the Church in Nepal, Kathmandu: Nepal Church History Project, 2000.
Bethshalom Putalisadak Church – Ek Aitihasik Parichaya" (Bethshalom Putalisadak Church – A
Historical Introduction), Bethshalom Smarika Swarna Mahotsav (Bethshalom Memoranda Golden Jubilee) 1953-2003, 2003.
Shanti Agrawal, "Colonel Nar Raj Shamsher Jung Bahadur Ranako Smritima" (In the memory of Colonel Nar Raj Shamsher JBR), Bethshalom Smarika Swarna Mahotsab 1953-2003, 2003.
Interviews
Interview with Shivahari Bhattarai, Kathmandu, 27/5/2005.
Interview with M. J. Joseph, Kathmandu, 31/5/2005.
Interview with Shanti Kunwar Agrawal, Kathmandu, 28/8/2006.
Interview with Gyani Shah, Lalitpur, 25/5/2005.
Interview with Santi Agrawal by Shiva Hari Bhattarai, Bethshalom Smarika Swarna Mahotsav (Bethshalom Memoranda Golden Jubilee) 1953-2003, 2003.
|
 |
|
|
|
