Factors for the renewal of the Karen Baptist Church of Myanmar

• Main Author: Shwe, Saw Thein
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-1997
• Subjects: Asian History; Cultural anthropology; History; Theology
• ISBN: 0591577356; 9780591577358

The Karen people are the second largest people group in Myanmar. Their invaluable religious traditions had opened the door for the Gospel. Culture should always be understood as an important factor in making known the Gospel. People can understand the Gospel more clearly when it is presented within their own cultural boundary. Missionaries and early Karen mission workers used these traditions as vehicles for the spread of the Gospel. The Karen Baptist Church was started with Ko Tha Byu, whose commitment and sacrificial life to win his own people to Christ set a good example. The commitments and sacrificial lives of many missionaries and Karen Evangelists were the reason why the church grow. Since the growth of the church is slowing down, it is evident that nominalism is a problem in the church. Renewal is greatly needed to foster the growth of the church and enable it to fulfill her call. The biblical and historical understanding of renewal must be learned and put into practice. Since leadership is always an important factor in helping the church to grow, key leaders are needed for the growth of the church. An understanding of how the church grows is also needed to foster its growth. Lack of church growth understanding will bring failure in the growth of the church. Our battle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities and powers of darkness. We cannot win the battle by any human power, but only through the guidance and power from above. An understanding of spiritual warfare from the biblical perspective, and putting it into practice, is needed for church planting. Our church leaders and members must learn how to engage in spiritual warfare. We are on the winning side if we war against the powers of darkness according to God's will, because Jesus Christ is with us yesterday, today and forever.