THE NEED OF MYANMAR

by Doulos Correspondant in Myanmar (Burma)

September 12, 2008

Myanmar is a very strange country because it is quite different from other Asian countries.  In the past, Myanmar (Burma) was well known to the world because of its beauty, history and natural resources. Delta region was known as the rice pot for Asia. Myanmar education was model for other Asian countries. Even U Thant was the first United Nations General Secretary from Asia.  Myanmarʼs pioneer missionary Adoniram Judson was admired for his commitment and his translation of the Bible into very classic Burmese. Even now, Judsonʼs Burmese is the model for Burmese students.

In 1984, Myanmar got her independence by the effort of national father, Aung San, the father of Aung San Suukyi. In 1960s, Myanmar government drove out all the missionaries from the land. From that time, the government took the properties of Christians, such as church buildings, schools, land, hospitals and many others. In some churches, no leader was appointed to lead after missionaries.  Hence, Christian churches started facing leadership issues. Many churches were divided and some churches disappeared from the land.

In 1970s, churches realized the need of revival in different parts of the country. I think that era was what we called golden era for Christians in Myanmar. Many churches were coming with the prayers, and donations of believers. Many missionaries were sent throughout the country. Even my mother church could send many missionaries to different parts of the country. Churches were reunited and they made efforts to send missionaries.  In 1990s, many churches sent students to Bible schools. Some did their studies in Myanmar and some went to other countries like India, and Philippines.  When they came back to the land, they started founding different Bible schools in the countries as they were supported by foreign mission organizations. As the rise of Bible schools in Myanmar, many young leaders are coming up in different leadership levels. Today, Church leaders are divided into two groups: those who are trained by early missionaries and those who are trained in Bible schools today.  Older generations are quite legalistic and younger generations could not tolerate the leadership.

Christian churches are much similar to the Myanmar government. Myanmar government does not want to leave their position. One of my colleagues once said, Myanmar leaders want to take with them even when they die. I think it is true because older leaders do not want to leave their position even when they could not do anything for people.  It does not mean that we donʼt need older leaders. We need them, but they do not want to give place for others. Today, in Myanmar, our biggest need is leadership education and sound theological education. Not only for believers, but for the whole people leadership is the biggest challenge. Many times, we are influenced by the ways our leaders are doing. Many people understand that if they are leaders they must shout at people like military leaders. Leaders must cheat people and leaders need to take bribe from people. This what our leaders are doing. 

Another challenge is theological education. Many preachers are not trained in schools. Some are trained for three or six months and they become pastor or leaders in the organizations. When they lead the organization they become dictators. Many churches and organizations become one man show organization. Because of leaders, the churches are not growing as it should. Likewise, the country leaders are also much similar.  Whenever we heard news on the Myanmar TV, the generals visit different places like hydro power project or some factory, but the TV said the generals give necessary instructions though he does not know any thing about hydro power project or any thing else. Now it is sometimes funny that generals are trained in Army academy, but they become ministers of Myanmar Education Ministry or Myanmar Economic Ministry.  It is really important for Myanmar to educate young people and children. Otherwise, Myanmar church will be declining and it will be swallowed by other religions.  Since 1998, Myanmar education standard is very low. If we give money, we can get any degree from university.

So, please pray for Myanmar. Pray that the Lord will change Myanmar for his glory. When you read this, tell this to others that people will know that the real situation of Myanmar.