History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

Analysis 257
In some Churches pastor is the most powerful leader. No one can say anything to him or do
anything against him or decide anything without his agreement. The Church Council cannot make any
decision against him. He is the only one who can make decision in all matters. No one can take
disciplinary action against him and dismiss him even though he is liable. He declares, “As long as I am
alive, no one can take my position as senior pastor. I’ll never resign.” He controls the Church as
dictator. When I visited a Church in Northern Shan State in 2001, the Chairman of the Church Council
came to me and said, “We want you to teach the Bible to our Church. But our pastor does not agree. We
don’t know why.”
Col 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the Church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among
the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.
1 Peter 5:2-3 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers — not because
you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to
serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
42. Pride
Past
The past missionaries had a wonderful servant-hood humility in serving God among the Shan.
They humbled themselves to the poor, ordinary Shan, Buddhist monks and SaoPha. They tolerated and
forgave the misunderstanding and insult of the people. They had never fought with the people who
argued with them, who ridiculed them, who mistreated them. They did not look down on the poor and
uncivilized people. They came and served the Shan, not to be served by the Shan.
Present
God hates pride. The bride breeds enemies. The leaders of the Church should understand that
they are chosen as leaders to serve, not to be served. Are the pastors serving the members of the Church
or being served by the members of the Church? There are some good and humble pastors and leaders in
Shan Churches. But some are not. Pride has destroyed our unity and relationship. Some of the leaders
take pride at their position in the Church. Some use to say, “I am ordained pastor. Only I can do that.”
Some say, “I am the chairman of the Church, without my permission no one must do anything in the
Church.” In the Church, people are treated differently according to their title and position such as
ordinary members, deacons, Seminary graduate, un-ordained pastor, ordained pastor and senior pastor
etc. The ordained senior pastor and ordained pastors are the most respected and put at the highest
position in the Church. The title “Reverend” is very important to a minister. Any pastor who has the
title “Reverend” is very much respected because they are reverend even though sometimes their dignity,
character and credibility are doubtful. They do not allow any one to lay hand on other people and
prayed, give benediction, conduct baptism and communion unless they are ordained ministers.
Laypersons in the Church are the least respected persons even though they may be spiritually matured
and have good character, credibility and dedication in Church work. People also think highly of
Seminary graduate and consider them as “Expert in the Bible” and listen to them whatever they teach
whether right or wrong. Though the laymen may have good knowledge of the Bible by self-study and
special training, preaching and teaching well, people don’t consider them as qualified persons to teach
the Bible. When a laymen teach, people use to lookdown on them and ask, “Which Bible School or
Seminary he graduated from?” and they use to say, “He did not go to Bible School. He is not a Bible
School graduate.” etc. Our most successful and faithful servants such as Rev. Kham Maung from
MuSe, Rev. Ai Pan from NamKham, Rev. Ai Hmoon from SeLan, Rev. Kham Ye from NamKham,
Rev. Park Ka Sai, Rev. Ai Noi and Rev. Ai Chein from KengTung are not Bible School graduates.