By Rev. Zambolis M. Sawkmie
This open letter is not intended to malign the Presbyterian Church, of which I am an adherent. However, with a deep sense of responsibility, I feel compelled to point out what I perceive as the arbitrariness and executive overreach of the Executive Committee of the Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian Synod Sepngi. This is in relation to its decision to summon a Special Session to be held at Mawlai Presbyterian Church on the 27th of November, 2025.
In the last Synod durbar, held at Sakwang Presbyterian Church in South West Khasi Hills District, it was decided that my name be removed from its list of Pastors because I refused to sign the Bond Agreement. In my informed opinion and conviction, I consider the Bond Agreement to be repugnant to the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church of India. Furthermore, I believe it diminishes the sanctity of the vows undertaken before assuming the role of Pastoral care and service to the Church. I wholeheartedly accept and respect the decision of the Synod durbar to remove me from its list of Pastors.
Now, I find myself with limited avenues to voice my concerns within the proper ecclesiastical platforms. However, living in a free country, I choose to utilise this medium to express my views on this particular matter.
After the Sakwang chapter, I thought that I had also been relieved of the responsibility to deal with Church-related matters. However, as an ardent member of the Presbyterian Church, I cannot turn a blind eye when I witness the unpleasant developments within the Church that run contrary to its values and principles. Such developments could lead to unfounded dismissal of a fellow pastor and devout servant of the Church. What went wrong with the KJP Synod Sepngi? Have we divested ourselves of the teachings of Jesus? Dark clouds are hovering, and unpleasant days loom large.
Recently, the Executive Committee of the Khasi Jaintia Synod Sepngi arbitrarily resolved to convene a Special Session at Mawlai Presbyterian Church on 27 November 2025, as per letter KJPSS/EC/2024-2027/135 dated 13 November 2025. This Special Session has been convened solely to discuss the recommendation put forward by the Executive Committee regarding a case of non-compliance with the Bond Agreement by one of the pastors of the Synod, which amounts to insubordination and violation of the Synod’s resolutions and rules.
Is it justified to call for a Special Session solely for this matter? Why can’t we wait until the next annual meeting of the Synod, scheduled for March 2026? What is the urgency that necessitates this immediate convening?
In the backdrop of the Special Session, one has to delve and meticulously look into the various decisions of the Synod durbars held in the preceding years, of which I would like to lay bare the following points, for the people and the members of the Presbyterian Churches in particular, to understand and decide for themselves. The records clearly identified Rev. M. Pyngrope, pastor of the Mawkhar Presbyterian Church and none other. Immediately, I contacted him and was scared to death to see the contents of the correspondence. With deep concerns, I wish to state the following facts as they are.
- In 2022, the KJP Synod Sepngi accepted the execution of the Bond Agreement for its Pastors without any proper discussions or deliberations, which is contrary to the well-established conventions of the Presbyterian Church. According to these conventions, matters that affect the values and principles of the Church, as well as the Constitution, require members of every local church within the Synod to be given the right and opportunity to express their views through the Church Court, i.e., the Presbytery. However, no such solicitation of views was made to members of local churches. The Bond Agreement is appended as Annexure X in the Synod Report 2022 and can be found on pages 147-148, where in point No. 4, it states: “I signed this bond in the presence of the Moderator, the Secretary of the Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian Synod Sepngi, without coercion from anybody but in sound mind and health.” The Bond Agreement is written in English and in legal language, which makes it more difficult for us Pastors to understand. Despite the phrase “without coercion” being included in the Bond Agreement, the Synod imposed upon retired Pastors to sign the same.
- Immediately after the Synod durbar at Sakwang in March 2025, the Executive Committee decided to issue a show-cause notice to Rev. M. Pyngrope via letter No. EC/2024-2027/83 dated 15th April 2025. The notice states that he did not submit himself or sign the Bond Agreement, which is considered a violation of the rules and resolutions of the Synod. Furthermore, the notice claims that his refusal to sign amounts to rebellion against the authority that ordained him.
Rev. M. Pyngrope responded to the show-cause notice; however, he received a blunt and sweeping reply stating that the Synod cannot accept his responses. Subsequently, the Executive Committee unilaterally and arbitrarily decided to suspend him as per letter No. KJPSS/EC/2024-2027/96 dated 10th June 2025.It is crucial to emphasise that Rev. M. Pyngrope has not violated any rules or articles of faith as prescribed in the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church of India.
- At the same time, the Executive Committee of the KJP Synod Sepngi decided to file a caveat against Rev. M. Pyngrope via a Civil Miscellaneous Application before the Meghalaya High Court. The Caveat had been filed on the 10th June 2025. This is an act of abuse, and for those of us who do not understand the proceedings of the civil court of law, it has caused confusion and has left us in a state of shock and disbelief. When did the Executive Committee learn that Rev. M. Pyngrope would appeal to the civil court against his suspension? Is it not presumptuous?
As per Chapter 5 of the latest edition of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church of India, it categorically prohibits any pastor or church elder from taking matters to civil court against the decisions of the Synod or Assembly. Is the Executive Committee of the Khasi Jaintia Synod Sepngi not in violation of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church of India by filing a caveat in the High Court against its own pastor?
- The Mawkhar Presbyterian Church did not remain silent on this matter and recognising that it concerns not only the life and well-being of Rev. M. Pyngrope, but more so, it is impacting the members of the church, whose care is the responsibility of the Church Committee. Therefore, the Church Committee unanimously resolved to direct Rev. M. Pyngrope to comply with the directives of the KJP Synod Sepngi and to sign the Bond Agreement, as per letter No. MPC/Pastoral Care/2025/31 dated 18th September 2025.
Subsequently, on 24th September 2025, Rev. M. Pyngrope submitted a letter to the office of the KJP Synod Sepngi stating that, in accordance with the resolution of the Church Committee, he was willing to submit himself and sign the Bond immediately. As per his statement, the officers of the KJP Synod Sepngi refused to accept his letter. This action on the part of the Synod officers is unacceptable and demonstrates a total disregard for all norms and Christian teachings.
- Now that it has been announced that a Special Session will be held to discuss the recommendations of the Executive Committee regarding the violation of rules/decisions and insubordination of one of the pastors of the Synod, I wish to express my apprehension on this matter.
Where are we heading as the Church? I dread to think that the Special Session, to be held at the Mawlai Presbyterian Church, and its subsequent decisions, will be regarded as a God-given opportunity to arbitrarily dismiss someone whose loyalty to the Church and its doctrine is unmatched.
If, at any point, Rev. M. Pynrope is found to have violated the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church of India, I would not hesitate to label him as a disobedient and arrogant shepherd who needs to be disciplined. I am certain that Mawkhar Presbyterian Church would concur with the Synod on this matter.
However, I believe that not signing the Bond Agreement is not a violation of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church of India. Therefore, I humbly urge the upcoming durbar to kindly close this matter and let Rev. M. Pyngrope continue his work for God’s glory. I strongly hope that the respectable members of the Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian Synod Sepngi who will attend the upcoming durbar will show a hearty Christian spirit. Let Rev. M. Pyngrope live, don’t kill him!
(The views expressed in this article is solely of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of Highland Post)
