When we talk about the pulpit, it is a raised stand for preachers in a Christian church. The origin of the word comes from the Latin pulpitum, meaning “platform” or “staging.” In essence, the pulpit is far more than furniture — it is a place where heaven and earth meet, a sacred space where God speaks with His loving children through His messengers.
This pulpit must therefore be respected, honoured, and approached with deep reverence, for it stands as the bridge between divine truth and human hearts.
Has the Pulpit Become a Stage for Opinions?
In many churches today, there is growing concern that the pulpit which was once held as a sacred place to proclaim the Word of God is slowly becoming a platform for personal opinions, social commentaries, and self-promotion. This shift is also visible in the Hao Tangkhul Christian community, where the pulpit has traditionally been regarded as a divine altar, not a stage.
The pulpit was never meant for self-expression but for declaring God’s truth with humility and fear of the Lord. As Scripture reminds us, “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God” (1 Peter 4:11).
The Sacredness of the Pulpit in Hao Tangkhul Tradition
Among the Hao Tangkhuls, the pulpit was once viewed as holy ground – a place where one must stand only after spiritual preparation. Preachers were expected to pray, fast, and humble themselves before stepping forward. The people saw the preacher as a messenger, not a performer.
This aligns with Paul’s instruction to Timothy: “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2).
During the revival movements of the mid-20th century, Tangkhul preachers approached the pulpit with trembling reverence, believing it to be a meeting point between heaven and earth. Their sermons carried conviction because they came from hearts that had first been broken before God.
When the Pulpit Becomes Liberal
In recent years, however, the pulpit in some Tangkhul churches has taken a more liberal turn. Sermons often reflect personal opinions, denominational pride, or political leanings rather than pure biblical exposition. Social popularity and eloquence sometimes matter more than spiritual integrity.
Some avoid preaching about sin, repentance, or holiness for fear of displeasing the crowd – yet the Bible warns, “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine… they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear” (2 Timothy 4:3).
Even the use of media and digital platforms, while useful, can tempt preachers to project their image more than God’s message. The danger is subtle but real: when the pulpit becomes a place to impress rather than to transform, the Word loses its power.
Why the Pulpit Still Matters
Despite these modern challenges, the pulpit remains the spiritual heart of the Hao Tangkhul church – the very place where truth, correction, and comfort flow into the community. As Hebrews 4:12 declares, “The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword.”
When used rightly, the pulpit bridges divine truth and human life. It gives direction to a people standing between faith and culture – between the Gospel and the Hao way of community, truthfulness, and respect.
A faithful pulpit does not entertain; it awakens the conscience. It calls the people to righteousness, unity, and repentance. It reminds the preacher that “We are Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Reclaiming the Pulpit
For the Hao Tangkhul church to preserve the holiness of the pulpit, we must return to its original purpose. This requires:
- Preaching Christ, not self “For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord” (2 Corinthians 4:5).
- Grounding sermons in Scripture, not opinions.
- Practicing humility and holiness before stepping up to speak.
- Keeping politics, gossip, and denominational bias away from God’s altar.
- Integrating indigenous values of honesty and community with biblical truth — not as replacements, but as reflections of God’s wisdom already present in culture.
A pulpit reclaimed by the Word of God can once again become a source of revival — shaping the moral and spiritual destiny of the Tangkhul people.
Conclusion
The pulpit is not just a raised platform; it is a sacred meeting place between heaven and earth. It carries the weight of heaven’s message for earth’s people. When misused, it divides; when sanctified, it renews.
As Paul charged Timothy, “Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you — guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us” (2 Timothy 1:14).
For the Tangkhul church today, the call is clear: reclaim the pulpit as the true voice of God which is humble, truthful, and holy , so that our faith may once again shine with purity and power in the land of the hills.
Hao Tangkhul 
Leave a comment