Rev. Dr. Nuklu Longkumer
Principal, DBC
As per the recent statistic, there are 13 (Thirteen) Government Colleges and 37 (Thirty-Seven) Secular Private Colleges in Nagaland affiliated to Nagaland University. There are 40 (Forty) Bible/Theological Colleges/Seminaries in Nagaland (excluding vernacular & Bible Training Centers), out of which only 19 (Nineteen) colleges have obtained Permission Order from Higher Education Department, Government of Nagaland.
The opening of Bible Colleges started since 1970 and till 1990 there were only 7 (Seven) Bible Colleges in Nagaland. The rapid establishment of Bible Colleges started since 1990’s and now (2007) we have at least 40 Bible colleges in Nagaland. The distributions of colleges in district-wise are as follows:
Dimapur - 26, Kohima - 3, Wokha - 1, Mokokchung - 2, Zunheboto - 2, Mon - 1, Phek - 1, Tuensang - 4
Church leaders say that the excessive mushrooming of present Bible Colleges in Nagaland will bring problem for qualitative growth of the church and leadership. They are of the view that many colleges do not provide adequate facilities in all dimensions. On the other hand, as per the observation, majority of the Bible Colleges are facing untold suffering in terms of financial resources and struggle for survival. In such a condition, how will the ill health theological colleges offer qualitative theological education? Many Bible colleges are managed with the total enrollment of 30-40 students at the average.
The existing Bible colleges (40) in Nagaland are regarded as beyond the strength of the Churches and people. But without looking at the present scenario, there are tendencies to open more Bible Colleges. There is no one to prevent from opening more Bible colleges but one needs self-understanding. Someone said, “Thinking to establish a Bible college is a temptation. Better run away from implementing it”. Five years back, a Naga couple went for theological studies for Ph. D. thinking that they will open a Bible college on their return. But when they return home after the completion of their studies, they felt that opening another Bible college would be another burden for the people. Therefore they gave up the idea of establishing a new Bible college in Dimapur. .
Why people want to establish Bible College one after another? We may raise certain questions. Is it to produce more workers for the Lord’s service? Is it to fulfill their vision? Is it to make their own family kingdom? Is it for the sake of employment? In the wider understanding, each Christian denomination, every linguistic group and each church association of Nagaland want to have their own Bible College. At present there are about fourteen (14) Bible colleges established by denominational church associations and the remaining are established by para-churches/societies and individuals.
To know the fact from the people on Bible colleges, I did a survey among 30 various local church leaders in Dimapur. They represent Pastors, Evangelists, Theological Teachers and certain members of NGO. I have served them three questionnaires. As per the questions, they have responded in the following manners.
The first question was: “Do we need to open more Bible Colleges in Nagaland?” 100% of the respondents said “No”. The second question was “Do you agree that many of the existing Bible Colleges offer quality theological education?” 73% of them responded “No”. And they were of the opinion that some of them should be discontinued. The third question was: “How many Bible colleges do we need in Nagaland? Majority of them responded 5 Bible Colleges and the second majority opined 20 Bible colleges at the most. The mushrooming of Bible Colleges in Nagaland is a serious concern for the churches.
