The Center of Christianity
As missiologists say that the center of Christianity is no longer in the West, but that the gospel has moved back to the East, do you see that in your home country?
Yes, but moving slowly…
Christianity was introduced in Myanmar since the 11th century and even some of the Kings became Christians. In 1813, An American Baptist missionary Adoniram Judson came and gave us the Bible in our language. Later, other missionaries came and, about 67% are Asian Missionaries and the majority are the Korean.
Yet, up to now, the Christian population is still only about 8%. What’s wrong?
1. The Buddhist practitioners can not tolerant to the “Westerness” and “Otherness” of Myanmar Christians' principles and practices, which were endorsed by the missionaries. We, Myanmar Christians, need an effective “Contextualization.” Andrew Walls’ “Translation Principle” needs to be applied, but like Paul Hiebert warned us, it has to be applied “Critically.” He said, “Critical Contextualization.”
2. There is a need to redefine the “Christian Identity” for the Myanmar Christianity. The question is — “What does it mean to a Christian in Myanmar?” I recall what Rev. Sam Pascoe said, “Christianity began in Palestine as a fellowship (a relationship), and then moved to Greece and became a philosophy (way to think). Afterward, it moved on to Rome and became an institution (a place you go) and then to Europe where it became a culture (a way of life). Finally, it settled in America where it has become an enterprise (a business).”
3. Pastoral Conversion is essential in Myanmar especially in the context of mission. The Christian leaders need to be “born-again” missionaries. The idea of Missional Church is still very new to almost all Myanmar Pastors. By perceiving mission all about what you “Do,” they focus to do “ministries and activities” in the church or for the church. But the missional church idea is: “Be the Church” everywhere you go, which means all believers are missionaries, and everywhere is a mission field.
The Myanmar churches want to send missionaries locally and global, but they think they are poor to send.
To me: lacking money, lacking resources, poverty, and even persecution cannot stop us doing missions. Look at the nation, Korea. In the past, WARS had destroyed almost everything they have. The nation became one of the poorest countries in the world. But, in such situation, they started sending out missionaries, and God was pleased. He blessed the nation. The nation became the top-second missionaries sending countries in the world for many years.
Yes, but moving slowly…
Christianity was introduced in Myanmar since the 11th century and even some of the Kings became Christians. In 1813, An American Baptist missionary Adoniram Judson came and gave us the Bible in our language. Later, other missionaries came and, about 67% are Asian Missionaries and the majority are the Korean.
Yet, up to now, the Christian population is still only about 8%. What’s wrong?
1. The Buddhist practitioners can not tolerant to the “Westerness” and “Otherness” of Myanmar Christians' principles and practices, which were endorsed by the missionaries. We, Myanmar Christians, need an effective “Contextualization.” Andrew Walls’ “Translation Principle” needs to be applied, but like Paul Hiebert warned us, it has to be applied “Critically.” He said, “Critical Contextualization.”
2. There is a need to redefine the “Christian Identity” for the Myanmar Christianity. The question is — “What does it mean to a Christian in Myanmar?” I recall what Rev. Sam Pascoe said, “Christianity began in Palestine as a fellowship (a relationship), and then moved to Greece and became a philosophy (way to think). Afterward, it moved on to Rome and became an institution (a place you go) and then to Europe where it became a culture (a way of life). Finally, it settled in America where it has become an enterprise (a business).”
3. Pastoral Conversion is essential in Myanmar especially in the context of mission. The Christian leaders need to be “born-again” missionaries. The idea of Missional Church is still very new to almost all Myanmar Pastors. By perceiving mission all about what you “Do,” they focus to do “ministries and activities” in the church or for the church. But the missional church idea is: “Be the Church” everywhere you go, which means all believers are missionaries, and everywhere is a mission field.
The Myanmar churches want to send missionaries locally and global, but they think they are poor to send.
To me: lacking money, lacking resources, poverty, and even persecution cannot stop us doing missions. Look at the nation, Korea. In the past, WARS had destroyed almost everything they have. The nation became one of the poorest countries in the world. But, in such situation, they started sending out missionaries, and God was pleased. He blessed the nation. The nation became the top-second missionaries sending countries in the world for many years.
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