Dr Asangba Tzudir
An integral aspect of Church ministry is the hospital ministry where the Church is involved in providing care in different ways and praying for the sick people from time to time. A simple visitation by the Church not only blesses but brings hope and joy to the patients. Such is the spiritually positive impact a Church can bring to the patients.
Considering the times and especially in the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic, issues of hospital infrastructure, resources management and healthcare delivery has only assumed greater importance in the state and this is where the Church can play a more pro-active role by giving a newer meaning to Church ministry, that, the very conceptual understanding of Church ministry needs to evolve to a much greater dimension.
Sadly, the demands of ‘consumerism’ and modernity today has also badly affected the Churches today where Churches are also swayed away by the ‘forces’ of modernity so much so that there is a shift from the spiritual to the commercial aspect of Church growth. The general understanding of Church and missions has remained stagnant and in need of fresh and innovative ideas to ruffle the seemingly ritualistic routine like template of yearly programmed outreach missions.
While COVID-19 has become the talk of the town, it also brings to fore the issues related to health care infrastructure and delivery system in the state which is clearly seen lacking and which is simply attested by the fact that many patients are left with no option but to go out of the state seeking better treatment and healthcare facilities because human life is at stake. While there are instances where professionalism and ethical standards have been called to question, and being in a noble profession where only a morally thin line separates what ought and ought not to be done, the ‘economics’ of treatment and the ‘business’ of medicine do not go low. And since life is at stake, one is not at liberty to negotiate the price. That, more often, the very definition of ‘hospital’ gets misplaced within the economics of money.
This is where the Church and its hospital ministry assumes a much greater importance and can do much more and differently. While there is bigger and economically richer Church which has also purchased land and constructed commercial building for the economic benefit of the Church, the Church while adding a newer dimension to the meaning of Church and hospital ministry can also think about constructing a hospital and run a hospital ministry through it. Such a ministry will surely give balance to the economics and the spirituality aspect of Church ministry and mission.
The idea of a healthcare mission that also provides various other needs of the people through such a hospital will definitely bring in both moral and spiritual aspects. Besides curtailing the economic burden on healthcare expenditure, it will not only become a place of healing but also a place of salvation.
(Dr Asangba Tzudir contributes a weekly guest editorial to the Morung Express. Comments can be mailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
