History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

Analysis 244
village schools and by organization of Churches and association among the converts won.” 132 General
meeting of association was held annually.
E.E. Sowards reported in 1954, “In our dealing with Baptist work in the Shan State we have
frequently realized keenly the need for stronger local organizations through which we might work. The
Burma Baptist Convention office in Rangoon is a long way removed from work in the Shan State and it
would help the work considerably to have strong local organizations to assume responsibilities and to
plan more wisely the forward steps necessary for the advancement of the work. In Burma Proper the
organization has tended to be along racial lines with the Karen Baptist Convention, the Pwo Karen
Baptist Conference, the Burma Baptist Churches Union, the Kachin Baptist Convention and the ZoMi
(Chin Hills) Baptist Convention as outstanding examples. This kind of organization has probably
tended to promote the progress of the evangelization of the different racial groups by their own people
but especially since independence it has given rise to the Church that Mission work is divisive rather
than unified.” “Therefore I recommend that we follow the example of the Southern Shan State
Association and organize a new convention based not on racial but on geographical principles with all
the Baptists residing in the area of the Shan State as potential members of a new Shan State Baptist
Convention.” 133
Present
Forming association and convention and working together in unity is good. We want to unite all
Shan Churches and form Shan Churches Association. In fact forming Shan Churches Association is not
a new idea. The first Shan Churches Association was formed in 1894 at HsiPaw but no more report
about this association was recorded. ShweLi Shan Baptist Mission was formed in 1945 and later
Eastern Shan State Shan Baptist Convention was formed in 1997. However they are not formed with
pure Shan Churches. It includes Chinese, Palong and Wa Churches.
We’ve tried three times to unite all Shan Churches from all Shan States and form Shan Baptist
Convention since 1978 but failed because of disunity among Shan Churches’ leaders combined with
rejection of Burma Baptist Convention. The main reasons for being unable to unite and form one
convention are misunderstanding, pride and selfishness. There are little communications among Shan
Churches in Eastern Shan State, Southern Shan State and Northern Shan State thus lead to
misunderstanding and lack of cooperation. The leaders fear of loosing position when all Shan Churches
united and become one.
The leaders, usually the secretary of each association, only see one another for a few days when
they are at a business meeting of Myanmar Baptist Convention. They don’t have a chance of meeting
formally and regularly to discuss about Shan Churches and Shan missions in the whole Shan States.
Until today there is no pure Shan Churches association or convention representing all Shan Churches
from all Shan States. Eastern Shan State Shan Baptist Convention is representing Shan and Wa
Churches from the East and ShweLi Valley Shan Baptist Mission is representing Shan Churches,
Chinese Churches and Palong Churches from the North. Ahka, Lahu, Myanmar, Kayin, Po Kayin,
Kachin, Zomi, Asho Chin, Rakhine, Lisu, Naga and Mon have their own racial conventions and
associations. But Shan do not have one to represent all Shan Churches. Without Shan convention or
association it is difficult for all Shan Churches to work together for a common goal and common
missions. But there are leadership pride and selfishness among the leaders from East and North.
Ezekiel 13:8-9 My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying
divinations. They will not belong to the council of my people or be listed in the records of the house of
Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD.
132 102nd Annual Report, 1916, American Baptist Missionary Union
133 A study on Baptist work in Shan States by E.E. Sowards, 1954, Burma Baptist Mission, Rangoon.