Have Our Religious Leaders Become Meeting Goers and Pulpit Speakers?

A Hao Tangkhul Naga Reflection

In our Hao Tangkhul Naga society, the church has long stood as the center of community life. Our leaders — pastors, elders, evangelists — are often seen as the moral and spiritual pillars of our people. But as time passes, one can’t help but ask: Have our religious leaders become meeting goers and pulpit speakers, rather than shepherds of the flock?

The Burden of Leadership

Church meetings, committees, and conferences are important. They help organize ministry and maintain unity. But when leadership becomes trapped in routine schedules, endless programs, and pulpit performances, something sacred is lost — the heart of pastoral care.
Jesus said in John 10:11,

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

A shepherd walks with the flock — not just talks to them. Leadership is not measured by how many sermons one delivers or how many meetings one attends, but by how deeply one understands and serves the people entrusted to them.

The Danger of Routine Religion

Today, many churches appear active — full of activities, meetings, and special Sundays — yet spiritual depth often feels shallow. We hear powerful sermons on Sunday, but the weekdays remain untouched by the same conviction. The Word of God risks becoming a routine, a duty, rather than a transforming encounter.
James 1:22 reminds us:

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

When faith becomes performance, and ministry becomes administration, the flame of the Spirit dims quietly beneath the noise of activity.

A Call to Return to the Heart

Our leaders are not to be blamed alone — we, the believers, also play our part. When we expect them only to preach and not to walk with us, we encourage distance instead of discipleship. The early church was a living fellowship — breaking bread together, praying together, and sharing one another’s burdens (Acts 2:42–47).

We need that spirit again — not just pulpit voices, but walking companions; not just Sunday gatherings, but weekday shepherding. Leadership must return to its roots: to love, to listen, to guide, and to live among the people.

The Way Forward

The church will be renewed when our leaders rediscover the heart of Christ — the shepherd’s heart — and when the people walk with humility and obedience to the Word.
As 1 Peter 5:2–3 urges:

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care… not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”

When leaders serve with compassion and believers respond with faithfulness, our church will no longer be a place of mere meetings and speeches — it will once again be a living community of grace, truth, and transformation.