History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

Analysis 221
evangelistic rally at open-air and mass evangelistic outreach program. However not many people come
to the Lord and ended up in the Church after such trip and crusade. Sometimes we only want to have a
good record without having a good result and bearing fruits. In 1978, I have an opportunity of helping
well known Burmese evangelists from Rangoon holding several open-air evangelistic meeting in
different towns in Northern Shan State. Many people came forward and gave their names indicated that
they were either interested to know more or believed in Christ. But we didn’t see those people ended up
in our Churches. Because we didn’t plan for follow-up. We just wanted to do it and make it happen but
not really getting people converted and ended up in the Church as believers.
Buker said in 1935 that the Shan he met wanted to hear the gospel in their own language. It’s
true. When I visited PangLong in June, 2000, about one hundred Shan came to listen to gospel I
preached in Shan language as a native Shan. Many of them were in tears and came forward to receive
Jesus. They said that it was the first time they had heard the gospel in their own language.
Not every Shan Church today is engaging in evangelistic work even though it is the greatest
need among the Shan. Many Shan Churches, evangelists and pastors do not have the opportunity of
being trained in evangelism, mission and Church Planting and motivated. Many of them do not know
how to present the gospel to Buddhist. There are many methods used in gospel presentation. Most of
them are developed from the West. We have not yet developed a method to be used in the Shan in their
own context with their background belief, culture and tradition. Some “Western method of Evangelism”
may not be suitable to the Shan. Some methods of approach, the way of presentation, the words to use,
the analogy and illustration to give should be in Shan style, which is acceptable and understandable to
local people depends on their tradition and cultural back ground. We have to be aware that some of the
Western style of presentation might even be an offense to the people in the East. For example the
question, “If you died tonight, do you think you will go to heaven?” is considered bad omen and
disrespectful and the preacher will certainly receive angry response from listener. Adopting Western
style of living by local pastors, evangelists and believers is also one of the drawbacks for our
evangelistic effort among the Shan.
In evangelizing the Shan, it is important to identify with them as “Shan”. Rev. Ray Buker
dressed as Shan when he lived among the Shan. When I visited Maehongson in 1988, I saw a
missionary from Holland wearing Shan dress and having Shan name. If western missionaries put on
Shan dress and take Shan names, why do the Shan pastors, Shan evangelists and Shan Christians put on
western dress and take western name? Why not dress our own dress, speak our own language and
identify with our own people? May be our Shan long pan do not have pockets. Shan use to argue and
debate before they agree to believe. In preaching gospel to the Shan we should allow them to ask
questions. They may not believe unless they have their questions and doubts cleared. Without knowing
the Bible well, it will be difficult for evangelist to evangelize the Shan. Shan use to discuss with their
Buddhist knowledge. Knowledge of Buddhism is also very much necessary for Shan evangelist. They
will lookdown on you if you do not know how to answer their questions. Very difficult hypothetical
questions such as “How can dead woods give green leaves again?” “How can 99 people get clean when
only one person takes the bath?” “How can 10 people get full when one person eats?” etc. Even though
they will come with question, discussion, debate and argument, seldom there is a fight. We have never
seen any evangelist or missionary being beaten or killed because of preaching gospel.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to
win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I
became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.
To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law
but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win
the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all
this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.