History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

Analysis 208
communicate with him, do not try to get him back into the Church by visitation, counseling, and
helping him to repentance and restoration. When I was in NamKham in 2001, I was called to visit and
pray for a man who had been excluded from the Church because of adultery. He felt very lonely and
depress. No Christian or pastor visited him. He was completely isolated. He said that he still believed in
Christ. In fact backsliders must not be isolated and abandoned. Counseling, restoration and reviving
program must be offered to them. We have to find the lost sheep. Jesus came to find the lost sheep. He
commanded us to find the lost sheep. We must open the door and welcome repented sinners. They
believe that once one is excluded from the Church one is no longer Christian and one will not go to
heaven after death. They also avoid associating with such sinner.
There is a procedure in Shan Baptist Church in exclusion a member from the Church. The
decision must be made by the Church council and congregation. In accepting a backslider back to the
Church, first of all, the backslider has to confess his sin openly to the council of the Church. The
council then decides whether to accept his confession and accept his request for reinstatement into the
Church. Then the proposal of the acceptance will be presented to the Church congregation and the
congregation will make a decision whether to accept the person back to the Church as a member or not.
A young Shan pastor from a Church in the Northern Shan State resigned in July 1993 because of unethical
behavior. But he was not excluded from the Church. A new graduate from Seminary was
excluded from the Church in 1963 because of sexual immorality but now ordained and serving as pastor
without repentance and going through the reinstating procedure. Shan Churches need more clear
discipline, teaching, theology and spirituality.
Matthew 18:17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the
church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
Luke 15:7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who
repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
10. Water Baptism
Past
Rev. Bixby reported on November 25, 1862, “Three applicants for baptism, after a trial of six
months, have been refused. Two more are under consideration. Several others have abandoned their
idols and have become regular attendance at the chapel.” 39 As reported in Toungoo on January 6,
1863 by Rev. Bixby, “We are enjoying glorious work of grace among Shan and Burman of Toungoo.
Last week ten adults, eight Shan and two Burman, presented themselves for baptism and after a careful
and prayer seven of the number were approved and on the first Sabbath of New Year they were buried
with Christ in baptism. The others were not rejected but delayed for further instruction for brighter
evidences of grace.” 40
As reported on March 25, 1863 by Rev. Bixby, “Since the New Year came in twenty-five adults
nearly all heads of families have applied for baptism. Some of them are in the midst of great opposition.
Nineteen of them have been accepted and baptized while the others remain on trial. Baptized seven last
Lord’s day at Myogyee in the presence of a crowd of Burman and Shan who had never witnessed the
ordinance before. Two of them were Sawdees (aqM;wDh) (wisdom-worshippers). Maung O’s wife, one
year ago, who drove her husband from his house and disowned her husband, was one of the baptized.
She is now with her husband clothed in her right mind. In the evening of the Sabbath we administered
the Lord’s Supper to thirty-one disciples of Jesus and enjoyed the season exceedingly.” 41
39 Letter From Mr. Bixby, Toungoo, British Burma, October 25, 1862.
40 Letter From Mr. Bixby, Jan. 6, 1863. Toungoo.
41 Letter From Mr. Bixby, March 25, 1863. Toungoo.