The news: Churches in Mumbai are responding to Maharashtra's anticonversion law by having congregants sign "consent and self-declaration" forms confirming they attend church with "free will and voluntary intention." Members like Kishore, a construction worker who has worshipped at a local home church for nearly two years, are being asked to provide passport-sized photographs alongside their signed declarations.
Why it matters for church leaders: If you pastor a church in Maharashtra — or anywhere anticonversion legislation is being discussed — this is a practical on-the-ground response worth understanding. Documenting voluntary participation may become a necessary protective measure for congregations across India, not just in Mumbai.
The takeaway: Consult a legal advisor now about whether a consent and documentation process makes sense for your church before you face pressure to prove it.
Source: Christianity Today
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