History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo
History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo
History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo
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Analysis 235<br />
used Church money to do his own bus<strong>in</strong>ess, a leader did not show the account properly and put<br />
donation <strong>in</strong>to his own pockets, a leader showed more than actual expense and claim extra <strong>in</strong>to his own<br />
pocket, a leader cheated by claim<strong>in</strong>g double <strong>in</strong> travel<strong>in</strong>g expenses and allowances from the Church and<br />
organization and a leader used Church or mission properties for his own use and benefit. Some honest<br />
Christian leaders are really concerned on decay<strong>in</strong>g m<strong>in</strong>istries <strong>in</strong> our <strong>Churches</strong>. Despite poverty and<br />
hardship some leaders are faithfully sacrific<strong>in</strong>g, dedicat<strong>in</strong>g and serv<strong>in</strong>g God. We are accountable to<br />
God. We must be good stewards.<br />
Proverbs 30:8-9 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me<br />
only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, “Who is the LORD?”<br />
Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name <strong>of</strong> my God.<br />
Matthew 6:25-27 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or dr<strong>in</strong>k; or about<br />
your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than<br />
clothes? Look at the birds <strong>of</strong> the air; they do not sow or reap or store away <strong>in</strong> barns, and yet your<br />
heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who <strong>of</strong> you by worry<strong>in</strong>g can<br />
add a s<strong>in</strong>gle hour to his life?<br />
24. Denom<strong>in</strong>ationalism<br />
Past<br />
In 1876 “The Ch<strong>in</strong>a Inland Mission <strong>of</strong>fered to let Baptists be responsible for <strong>Shan</strong> and Kach<strong>in</strong><br />
work on the Bhamo field (they reta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g the Ch<strong>in</strong>ese) if the station should be occupied at once.” 116<br />
It was reported <strong>in</strong> 1900 by Rev. Young from KengTung, “In the <strong>in</strong>terests <strong>of</strong> mission comity an attempt<br />
was made at a jo<strong>in</strong>t conference <strong>of</strong> representatives <strong>of</strong> the Baptist and Presbyterian design<strong>in</strong>g a def<strong>in</strong>ite<br />
portion to each body. With the assistance <strong>of</strong> the Presbyterians it was hoped that the whole field may be<br />
developed a task, which the Baptists alone had not had the men or the resources to accomplish.” 117<br />
It was reported <strong>in</strong> TaungGyi <strong>in</strong> 1912, “A Lutheran, who is engaged as a hospital assistant, subscribed<br />
Rs. 100 toward the build<strong>in</strong>g and undertook to raise another Rs. 200 through local contractors and<br />
himself and gave Rs. 15 monthly toward the support <strong>of</strong> the preacher” 118 It was reported <strong>in</strong> 1914,<br />
“There the mission comes face to face with the outposts <strong>of</strong> the Presbyterian Mission which is press<strong>in</strong>g<br />
north <strong>in</strong> Siam. It has seemed wise, therefore, to enter <strong>in</strong>to negotiations with the Presbyterian Board<br />
with a view to an equitable division <strong>of</strong> labor among the various tribes.” 119 In the past, Presbyterian,<br />
Baptist, Lutheran, Ch<strong>in</strong>a Inland Mission were cooperat<strong>in</strong>g with one another and work<strong>in</strong>g together for<br />
common goal.<br />
Present<br />
Almost all <strong>Shan</strong> <strong>Churches</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Burma</strong> are Baptist. (American Baptist). There is no Southern<br />
Baptist <strong>Churches</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Shan</strong> States. <strong>Shan</strong> Baptist <strong>Churches</strong> are very denom<strong>in</strong>ational m<strong>in</strong>ded. They are very<br />
proud to be Baptist. They always say, “We are Baptist” “This and that is not Baptist.” They use to ask,<br />
“Are you Baptist? Is he Baptist?” If any leader or pastor is com<strong>in</strong>g from Baptist he is very much<br />
welcomed but not from other denom<strong>in</strong>ation. Their ma<strong>in</strong> concern is not the theological differences but<br />
the defection <strong>of</strong> their members to other denom<strong>in</strong>ations or groups. Especially they are very sensitive to<br />
Assemblies <strong>of</strong> God. They use to accuse AOG “steal<strong>in</strong>g sheep” because some members from Baptist<br />
Church use to move to AOG Church whenever AOG has established a Church. There are very few<br />
AOG <strong>Churches</strong> <strong>in</strong> the <strong>Shan</strong>. <strong>Shan</strong> Baptist has very little ecumenical spirit. They don’t even know what<br />
116 64th Annual Report, July 1878, American Baptist Missionary Union<br />
117 101st Annual Report, 1915, American Baptist Missionary Union<br />
118 98th Annual Report, 1912, American Baptist Missionary Union report from Dr. Henderson<br />
119 100th Annual Report, 1914, American Baptist Missionary Union