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
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Analysis 240<br />
who swayed away from the Church regulation and committed s<strong>in</strong>. They were excluded from the<br />
Church. It is true that the healthy Church is more desirable than sick Church which is filled with<br />
spiritual sicknesses. Real conversion is better than just add<strong>in</strong>g name to membership list. Discipleship is<br />
very important <strong>in</strong> Christian life. Christian should know their identity and responsibility.<br />
Present<br />
Simply tak<strong>in</strong>g water baptism doesn’t mean that he has become Jesus’ disciple.<br />
When an exist<strong>in</strong>g Christian, learn<strong>in</strong>g much <strong>of</strong> the Bible and <strong>of</strong> what the Lord requires <strong>of</strong> him,<br />
become an illum<strong>in</strong>ed follower, he may be called disciple. (The discipl<strong>in</strong>e <strong>of</strong> a nation By James H.<br />
Montgomery and Donald A. McGavran)<br />
Discipleship tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g is to tra<strong>in</strong> the believers to become Christ like. Discipleship tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g and<br />
teach<strong>in</strong>g are not well conducted <strong>in</strong> <strong>Shan</strong> <strong>Churches</strong>. Many Christians do not understand well about<br />
“Christianity and Practices” even though they believed and have been baptized. Some Christians are<br />
still superstitious. Some may say that they believe <strong>in</strong> Christ but they also believe <strong>in</strong> other th<strong>in</strong>gs like<br />
astrologers and witchdoctor. They sometimes consulted them when they are <strong>in</strong> trouble. Many <strong>Shan</strong><br />
believers and leaders need to learn how to have good discipl<strong>in</strong>e. Sometimes when worship service is<br />
due to be started at 11 AM people come at 11:30 or 12. They always come late. Even the leaders and<br />
pastors are late. They may feel like more honorable when they come <strong>in</strong> late <strong>in</strong> front <strong>of</strong> many on lookers.<br />
They do not start the meet<strong>in</strong>g or worship service on time. They use to wait for one another. The leaders<br />
feel angry when the meet<strong>in</strong>g started before they arrive but they always come late. In the past the<br />
missionaries did not seem to care much about quantity but they care more about quality and purity <strong>of</strong><br />
the Church. Should we today also care about quality and purity <strong>of</strong> our pastors, leaders and <strong>Churches</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>stead <strong>of</strong> quantity? Members <strong>of</strong> a Church <strong>in</strong> the North compla<strong>in</strong>ed about un-ethical behavior <strong>of</strong> the<br />
pastor and pastor had resigned <strong>in</strong> 1993. What about drug addiction, gambl<strong>in</strong>g, drunkenness, cheat<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
steal<strong>in</strong>g? Many young people are <strong>in</strong> trouble with these problems. Do they need to be discipl<strong>in</strong>ed? We<br />
must have courage to discipl<strong>in</strong>e one another. We need to have good discipleship tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g program for<br />
all <strong>Shan</strong> believers so that their faith will be genu<strong>in</strong>e and strong and they will become the light <strong>of</strong> the<br />
world and the salt <strong>of</strong> the earth. Discipleship tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g for the believers should be very much encouraged<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>Shan</strong> <strong>Churches</strong> for all ages. We need to tra<strong>in</strong> our <strong>Shan</strong> Christians to become Christ like.<br />
Luke 14:26-27 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and<br />
children, his brothers and sisters — yes, even his own life — he cannot be my disciple. And anyone<br />
who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”<br />
Titus 1:6-9 An elder must be blameless, the husband <strong>of</strong> but one wife, a man whose children believe and<br />
are not open to the charge <strong>of</strong> be<strong>in</strong>g wild and disobedient. S<strong>in</strong>ce an overseer is entrusted with God’s<br />
work, he must be blameless--not overbear<strong>in</strong>g, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not<br />
violent, not pursu<strong>in</strong>g dishonest ga<strong>in</strong>. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is<br />
self-controlled, upright, holy and discipl<strong>in</strong>ed. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has<br />
been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctr<strong>in</strong>e and refute those who oppose it.<br />
Hebrews 12:7-8 Endure hardship as discipl<strong>in</strong>e ; God is treat<strong>in</strong>g you as sons. For what son is not<br />
discipl<strong>in</strong>ed by his father? If you are not discipl<strong>in</strong>ed (and everyone undergoes discipl<strong>in</strong>e ), then you are<br />
illegitimate children and not true sons.<br />
28. Power <strong>of</strong> Holy Spirit<br />
Past<br />
Bixby reported on Feb 2, 1863, “It is true all genu<strong>in</strong>e sympathy is the product <strong>of</strong> the Holy Spirit<br />
but its brand must be brought together to reach the highest degree <strong>of</strong> heat as light. Truth is the Spirit’s