History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

Analysis 214
Present
A Church should have good and effective activities and programs seven days a week. But most
of our church buildings only open on Sunday. They are closed and not used in weekdays, six days a
week. Some churches open on Wednesday for evening prayer meeting. We should make use of our
church building every day for His glory and Kingdom with Christian activities. Some Churches are
very busy on the Lord’s day only. There are worship services ranging from two to seven services on
Sunday but no activity on weekdays. Usually there are Sunday schools for children, women’s
fellowship, youth fellowship and main worship service on Sunday. Some Churches also have men’s
fellowship. Few Churches have Adult Bible Study program. Sometimes adult Sunday school is held
immediately after worship service or one hour before worship service. Since there are no activities on
weekdays people may think that the church only opens on Sunday and they have to worship God only
on Sunday. They use to call Sunday as “Sabbath Day” instead of “The Lord’s Day.” Some are “Sunday
Christians” “Easter Christians” “Communion Christians” and “Christmas Christians” only. They will
appear at the Church only on such special occasions. Some will make every effort to be there on
Communion Sunday once a month to partake the communion. They believe that once they have taken
the communion all their sins, which they have committed in the past whole month, were cleansed. In
fact Sunday is not only the day for the Lord and the rest are the days for ourselves. Believers need to
have fellowship with the Lord every day. I have seen a pastor sleeping on the bench, in his front yard,
almost every afternoon after lunch, under the sun. He said that he had nothing to do. His work was just
preaching on Sunday. Actually he should not be a Sunday pastor only. I was told that he mistakenly
preached about Jesus’ crucifixion instead of Jesus’ resurrection at Easter Sunrise Service on Easter
Sunday. Preaching without preparation was quite common. Sometimes the pastor was struggling trying
to find the songs to sing and Bible verses to read at worship service because he had not made
preparation before hand. Sometimes the leader did not know the song and sang with the wrong tune.
Never mind. They would start again when some one knew the song.
A Shan Church in Eastern Shan State has a busy activity such as a prayer warriors praying every
morning at 8 AM, caring AIDS patients and giving health education, youth and music ministry by the
youth group to different places, organizing evangelistic trip to different places, organizing men and
women association, conducting training and producing future leadership of the Church, three months
evangelistic training for future evangelist production and building children hostel for poor village
children to stay and continue their basic education. Some of the hostel students have graduated from
training and Bible School and are now in full-time ministry. More and more young people are now
graduating from Bible Seminary.
The worship programs in Shan Baptist Churches are traditionally follow the order of service. It
follows the program drafted by the pastor or leader. The chairman use to lead the worship service as
announcer making announcement according to the program. It seldom follows the leading of the Holy
Sprit in worship, praise and prayer. Sometimes worship service becomes program service. They use to
say, “Let us start our worship program. May the Lord bless our worship program.” Program oriented!
They will not accept anything if not included in the program.
Common Sunday worship program liturgy:
1. Prelude
2. Call to worship (Chairman)
3. Opening prayer (Chairman)
4. Singing Hymn (Congregation)
5. Announcement (Chairman or secretary or pastor)
6. Intercessory Prayer (As selected)
7. Singing Hymn (Congregation)
8. Offering (Special Music during offering)
9. Prayer for offering (Chairman)