Goal # 2 Evangelism
How can we do evangelism among Buddhist Shan? According to the history, evangelism among the Buddhist Shan seems to be very difficult. They are the people who have their own gods and teaching which they have been following and practicing almost 2000 years. It is not easy for them to abandon long and old tradition and practices, which they have adopted as their culture and adopt Christian culture what we call Christian practices when they believe in Christ. They need great courage and sacrifice to confess their faith in Christ openly in their community, family and people who are Buddhists. Many face discrimination, persecution and excommunication or sometimes being disowned by family and community. It will not be difficult to make them knowing Christ because Shan are very polite and willing to listen. Many Shan use to say, “All religions are good. It doesn’t matter what religion you follow, what God you worship.” Some even worship all kinds of god but it will be difficult to ask them to abandon all their traditions and practices in order to become Christian. Old people use to say, “I believe but I cannot abandon Buddhism.” In the year 1978 only 0.12% of five million Shan believes in Christ, takes water baptism and becomes Christians.
Sai Stephen had done a good job in the Eastern Shan State in the past decade. As an Associate Director of 21st CSMP responsible for Eastern Shan State, financially supported by 21st CSMP since 1989. He was very committed, dedicated and active. He used to send out graduates from GCI training and local evangelist training school to do evangelism and Church Planting in chosen villages with full support. We do not have many evangelists doing evangelism among the Shan. Most of the full-time Christian workers are working in Churches as pastors. Very few Seminary graduates are going out and preaching gospel to the Shan as evangelists or missionaries. We have to admit that the evangelism among the Shan is not very successful. Most importantly we have to confess that we are not filled with the Holy Spirit, we have not received the power, we do not speak with power, we do not work with the power, we do not show the power and perform miracles in Jesus’ name, in the Power of the Holy Spirit. We also need to develop methods of gospel presentation easily understandable and acceptable to Buddhist Shan. Contextualization is very much important subject to develop in Shan situation. Many of our evangelists do not know how to present gospel to Buddhists. Some western methods of gospel presentation may not be very appropriate in Shan culture. In the year 2001, only 0.4% of five million Shan becomes Christians.