And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)
Shan-Tai prayer month 2011, day 21
The question of how to do church has bothered Christians for 2,000 years. It is by no means restricted to Christians from cultures dominated by other religions such as Buddhism. The number of denominations, new experimental ways of ‘doing church’ and even virtual ‘churches’ within the white, western middle classes is testimony that we are really not quite sure if we are getting it ‘right’.
Yet when Christians from other cultures take the Gospel to Shan people, they unconsciously also take their own habitual way of doing church. But God has in fact placed very few restrictions upon how we are to meet together in worship, He simply makes it clear that we should meet together.
Therefore there is ample scope for Shan Christians to worship Jesus in ways that fit comfortably with their own cultural heritage while still remaining distinctly Christian in content. To do this requires strength (see Romans chapter 14). This will be a hard call for Shan Christians to be strong in the face of weaker western missionaries.
There will be cultural practises which are in fact acceptable to God in the worship forms of Shan Christians that may appear to be wrong to westerners. It is the Shan folks who know their culture best. They know what is irrevocably Buddhist or animist in their culture, they also know what is a cultural form which can be adapted for use in worshipping Christ.
In turn, outsiders can sometimes identify church practises which are only cultural but are so ingrained that they are thought to be essential components of Christianity. We can all learn much from each other’s cultures because western Christians are carrying a lot of extra church baggage which may be better left behind.
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
(John 4:23-24 ESV)
Pray for
- Believers to be bold in embracing their culture in a way that is faithful to Christ (Hebrews 3:5-6).
- Festivals and traditions such as Kan Taw to be door openers for people to come to faith (John 7:38).
Other posts related to this topic:
Download the Shan Prayer Guide:
30 Days of Prayer for the Shan
Images of Shan churches: Daphyyy in Thailand, Surehope, MissionsMyanmar.org
