History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

Analysis 235
used Church money to do his own business, a leader did not show the account properly and put
donation into his own pockets, a leader showed more than actual expense and claim extra into his own
pocket, a leader cheated by claiming double in traveling expenses and allowances from the Church and
organization and a leader used Church or mission properties for his own use and benefit. Some honest
Christian leaders are really concerned on decaying ministries in our Churches. Despite poverty and
hardship some leaders are faithfully sacrificing, dedicating and serving God. We are accountable to
God. We must be good stewards.
Proverbs 30:8-9 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me
only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, “Who is the LORD?”
Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
Matthew 6:25-27 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about
your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than
clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your
heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can
add a single hour to his life?
24. Denominationalism
Past
In 1876 “The China Inland Mission offered to let Baptists be responsible for Shan and Kachin
work on the Bhamo field (they retaining the Chinese) if the station should be occupied at once.” 116
It was reported in 1900 by Rev. Young from KengTung, “In the interests of mission comity an attempt
was made at a joint conference of representatives of the Baptist and Presbyterian designing a definite
portion to each body. With the assistance of the Presbyterians it was hoped that the whole field may be
developed a task, which the Baptists alone had not had the men or the resources to accomplish.” 117
It was reported in TaungGyi in 1912, “A Lutheran, who is engaged as a hospital assistant, subscribed
Rs. 100 toward the building and undertook to raise another Rs. 200 through local contractors and
himself and gave Rs. 15 monthly toward the support of the preacher” 118 It was reported in 1914,
“There the mission comes face to face with the outposts of the Presbyterian Mission which is pressing
north in Siam. It has seemed wise, therefore, to enter into negotiations with the Presbyterian Board
with a view to an equitable division of labor among the various tribes.” 119 In the past, Presbyterian,
Baptist, Lutheran, China Inland Mission were cooperating with one another and working together for
common goal.
Present
Almost all Shan Churches in Burma are Baptist. (American Baptist). There is no Southern
Baptist Churches in Shan States. Shan Baptist Churches are very denominational minded. They are very
proud to be Baptist. They always say, “We are Baptist” “This and that is not Baptist.” They use to ask,
“Are you Baptist? Is he Baptist?” If any leader or pastor is coming from Baptist he is very much
welcomed but not from other denomination. Their main concern is not the theological differences but
the defection of their members to other denominations or groups. Especially they are very sensitive to
Assemblies of God. They use to accuse AOG “stealing sheep” because some members from Baptist
Church use to move to AOG Church whenever AOG has established a Church. There are very few
AOG Churches in the Shan. Shan Baptist has very little ecumenical spirit. They don’t even know what
116 64th Annual Report, July 1878, American Baptist Missionary Union
117 101st Annual Report, 1915, American Baptist Missionary Union
118 98th Annual Report, 1912, American Baptist Missionary Union report from Dr. Henderson
119 100th Annual Report, 1914, American Baptist Missionary Union