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