History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

Analysis 262
to the teaching even though they were there doing nothing. They might think that they did not need any
training any more from any body.
Some use to come to the training just for fun, not really want to know, learn, apply and develop
in their life and ministry since the traveling expenses were paid for, meals were provided free and
allowances were given by organizers. They have nothing to loose. A pastor gave a testimony and
expressed his appreciation only on the food provided. We have organized training programs for Shan
Churches from all Shan States for eight times from 1994 to 2001. Some have attended three times but
no obvious changes were seen and they did not put into practice what they have learned. Some do really
learn and apply in their ministry, their life and benefited a lot from it. It is worth giving training to the
Eastern Shan State. Eastern Shan State Shan Churches have grown spiritually and numerically from 26
Churches to 70 Churches in ten years. We need to organize more effective trainings for our Shan
Churches and leaders. There are no Shan Seminary, Shan Bible School, Shan Training Center for the
Shan. Shan Churches’ leaders have no chance of studying abroad. There are no correspondence courses
available.
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
1 Timothy 4:7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather,
train yourself to be godly.
2 Timothy 3:14-17 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of,
because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy
Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is
God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the
man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
47. Praise and Worship
Past
It was reported in 1879, “Rev. Cushing went to Rangoon to attend to the long delayed Shan
printing more than a month of illness followed but by the end of November a small hymn-book, the
Gospel of Mark, most of Acts and fifty-six pages of the dictionary were printed.” 167 Dr. Kirkpatrick
reported in 1893, “My wife has written and translated hymns and has recently had a tract printed,
which I believe is the first original Shan printed in Burma.” 168 It was reported, “Ray had translated
a number of hymns into various languages in Burma and some had been set to native tune. In “50 and
60” the only hymns that many local Christians learned to sing were set to Western-style music that was
utterly alien to the local population.” 169 Unfortunately we do not know which songs were written by
Ray Buker in native tune.
Present
We use to say we go to Church to praise and worship God. We call our program “worship
service program.” But regretfully some of our praise and worship are not acceptable to God because
there are no spirit and truth as Jesus demands “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit
and in truth” (John 4:23-24)
One hundred years ago there was no contemporary praise and worship songs. Most Churches
are singing Baptist hymnal and worship in traditional way. Nowadays, many Churches in the world,
167 65th Annual Report, July 1879, American Baptist Missionary Union
168 79th Annual Report, 1893. American Baptist Missionary Union
169 “Against The Clock” The story of Ray Buker, Sr., Olympic Runner and Missionary Statesman By ERIC S. FIFE