By
The Negotiation Group
Led by
Elder C. Sangchia, MA
Lay Evangelist and Health Educator
Zarkawt, Aizawl, Mizoram, INDIA
PIN 796007
Contact PH: 09436151995
LIST OF ABREVIATION
ATI Adventist Theological Institute
CPC Conference Planning Committee
Dal Mr. Thang Khan Dal of USA
DKMang Dr. Dal Khan Mang, a PhD candidate of Myanmar
Student at AIIAS
GC General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
KKPau Kham Khen Pau, (Former President of the Upper Myanmar
Local Mission), Vice-Chairman of the MAC
KZDal Kai Za Dal, the Chairman of MAC
MAC Myanmar Adventist Conference
MYUM Myanmar Union Mission of SDA
SPDC State Peace and Development Council
SSD Southern Asia-Pacific Division of SDA
UMC Upper Myanmar Conference
Table of Contents
Contents Page
List of
Abbreviation …………………………
2
Chapter 1: Introduction
a. Purpose …………………………………………… 4
b. Methodology ……………………………………………… 4
c.
Statement of the
Problem ……………………………… 4
Chapter 2: Summary of Facts Findings
a. Emergence of the Crisis …………………………………. 5 - 7
b. Retrospect and Prospect ………………………………… 7
c.
Conclusion ……………………………………………. 8
Chapter 3: Voices from church Members
a. Explanation about Association with MBCF… 9 - 10
b. Voices from church members ……………………….. 11 - 39
c.
Voices from Mission
leaders ………………………… 40
- 42
d. Meeting With Churches …………………………………. 42 - 46
Chapter 4: Notary Copies Documents … 51 - 64
a. Summary of the Documents submitted to the
Government by MYUM ……………………………… 48 - 50
b. Copies of Notarial Translation of the documents 51 - 64
c.
Certificate of Myanmar Biblical Christian
Fellowship(MBCF)
d. MAC’s explanation about the Disbandment ………………63 - 64
Chapter 5: Current Position of MAC
a. A Contract of Mutual Agreement between Two
Parties: SDA Mission Group and SDA Conference Group. ……………………… 65 - 66
b. Official Declaration of MAS Current
Position …………… 67 -
68
c. My Personal
Declaration ……………………………….. 69
- 70
Chapter 6: List of Correspondent Letter on MYUM-MAC ……71 - 72
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
PURPOSE:
1.
To find out the present position of
the 17 churches (with more than 3500 church members) that had been disbanded by
Myanmar Union Mission whether they are still faithful to the Adventist
Fundamental Doctrines or not.
2.
How to take care of them so that they
should not be lost but turn out to be missionary force.
3.
To get a true picture of them in
order to bring them back into the fold of worldwide SDA organization.
METHODOLOGY:
1.
Personal visit to Myanmar Union
Mission after securing the consensus from the SSD President, MYUM, and the
Conference group leaders.
2.
Meeting with the Conference group,
collecting written declaration and individual views about the issue.
3.
Analysis and presentation of the
findings.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Myanmar Union Mission disbanded 3500 Adventists on questionable
ground. The MYUM leaders have accused the Conference group on the ground such
as doctrinal apostasy, rebellion against the church, insubordination,
unfaithfulness in returning tithe and offering, etc.
CHAPTER 2
SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS
Out of more than 3500
Adventists who have been disbanded, 275 Adventists from six local churches were
interviewed. Followings are the Conference group’s answer and explanation
on the issues raised by MYUM leaders.
Emergence of the Crisis
2001: Myanmar Union Mission held it Session in Yangon during
December 10-14. The Union leaders introduce a strange procedure to
nominate “the nominating Committee” without the approval of the
delegates. The UMM delegates complained about it to Pr. Tin Tun, but in
vain.
The same kind of procedure was
arbitrarily introduced by the Union leaders at the UMM Triennial Session
which was held at Kyuthonbin, Kalemyo in January, 2002.
2002: January 29, MYUM arbitrarily voted a resolution for
the closure of ATI ( Adventist Theological Institute) which had been operated
for four years (since 1998) under mutual agreement between the MYUM and
UMM (voted 97-085, 086).
After announcing the closure
of ATI, the new president began to attack to the students of the Institute and
supporters of it. Because of this, church members began to doubt about the
leadership of UMM and MYUM.
2003: The Union leaders have express their negative
responses to church members’ complaint about the election, the closure of ATI,
and promotion of achievement to Conference status.
However, the visits of SSD
officials narrowed down the gap that the MYUM/UMM and the Conference promoters
could reach a mutual agreements to step forward for the Conference status
unitedly despite of the crisis of 2001 and 2002.
Unfortunately the gap
remains unabridged and became widen that the crisis became more intensified
under the new leadership of the Union because of their refusal to fulfill their
own promises (June, July, Sept, and Nov) at the Session of MYUM (December 2-5,
2003) and their denial to comply with the SSD Policy regarding the election in
UMM Session (December 29-31, 2003).
2004: In order to justify all the failures of promises made
by the Union Leaders mentioned above, the Union and Mission leadership
consecutively voted resolutions against the Conference promoters and elevated
the issues to the government officials instead of arranging dialogue to
get a solution for the problems. This heightened church members distrust in the
leadership of MYUM and UMM.
2005: Some church members in abroad who were very much
concerned about this crisis seek way to solve the problem by proposing to have
a dialogue for reconciliation. The proposal was accepted by the leaders
of both parties (MYUM and MAC). During that situation, Pr. Muller
(President of MYUM) circulated a letter of confession for his mistakes in
election (of 2001 and 2003) among few church members but refused to address the
leaders of MAC. Instead of making arrangement for dialogue proposed
by the above mentioned concerned church members, he unaltered MYUM
planned agenda for the disbandment had clogged all arrangements of
dialogue, but only resulted the disbandment of 17 churches which
comprised more than 3500 Adventists in January 18, 2006.
1.
Regarding apostasy: The Myanmar Biblical
Christian Fellowship (MBCF) is not a church, but an evangelical Fellowship in
Myanmar. Registration in the MBCF was not doctrinal apostasy. There is no doubt
that the Conference group accepted the 28 fundamental doctrines of SDA
Believes. There is no evidence that the Conference group have deviated/departed
from Adventist doctrines in their belief and in their practice. It is a flimsy
excuse by MYUM to disband 3500 precious souls on this ground.
2.
Regarding policies and church
organization: The Conference group accepts The Church Manual and all the
Constitutional by-laws and Working Policies of the SSD/GC.
3.
Regarding the mission of the Church:
The Conference group believes that they have a special message (the three
angels’ message Matt 28:19-20; Rev 14:6 – 12) to preach to the world.
Especially they concentrate to evangelize among the non-Christians in Myanmar.
4.
Regarding Tithe and offering: The
Conference group wants to support the mission of the SDA church with their
means. They are ready to submit their tithe and offerings to the SSD. The
Conference welcomes and will work with Southern Asia Pacific Division (SSD)
especially to control the tithe and offerings. They requested the SSD to
make a special arrangement for the same.
5.
Regarding Administration and
leadership of the Union: The Conference groups have no confidence and trust in
the leadership of MYUM and UMM because of inconsistency and lack of moral
ascendancy.
6. Regarding CPC/UMC/MAC: The Conference Planning Committee
(CPC) has evolved gradually and known as Upper Myanmar Conference (UMC) after
MYUM arbitrarily voted a resolution (UMM EC voted No 2003-090) to disband the
Conference group on December 29-31, 2003, and now it stands as Myanmar
Adventist Conference of SDA (MAC) due to the MYUM leaders refusal to accept the
offer made by CPC for unity and reconciliation. Instead of accepting the offer
of unity, the MYUM leaders elevated the issue to the secular government (UMM
resolution 017, 018-2004 of April 6-7, 2004). This action cast serious doubt on
their sincerity to reconcile with CPC. At the earlier stage, MAC never
intended to separate from MYUM. But it is the MYUM which separated itself
from MAC. Since then MAC no longer has desire of returning into the fold of
Myanmar Union Mission.
7.
Regarding disbandment: They (MAC
members) respect the resolution of duly elected representatives of the church.
However, since there was no representative from Conference promoting churches
in the Session of 2006, they (MAC members) do not recognize the disbandment for
the following reasons: (a) MAC members were not invited (b) travel expense for
the Session was not provided to MAC members by the Local Mission and (c) the
MYUM leaders replaced duly elected delegates with their own men. Therefore MAC
members saw it as unconstitutional and refused to recognize the disbandment.
8.
Regarding denial to meet the SSD
leaders in September 2005: MAC leaders are always willing to have a dialogue to
settle the issues and ever willing to meet SSD leaders. However, during the SSD
President’s visit to the Headquarter of UMM in May 2-4, 2004, MAC leaders were
not able to meet them because no official arrangement had been made.
9. Regarding the Accusation Reports Sent to the Government:
The Conference group said they never initiated such reports. Already the
Mission leaders had elevated the issue of the church to the government as early
as January 2004 while the Conference groups were totally ignorant about such
conspiracies against them. It came to their attention only in early January 2005
when the government officials came to them (Conference group) for investigation
about the issue and asked them to submit a written explanation about the
reports sent by Mission group. The opinion of Conference group is that any
issue related to the church should be settled within the church and not in the
government court or office.
10. Advantage and disadvantage on separation from MYUM
Advantages: Conference
group experience the protection and the providence of God in ministry.
Less dependence on Mission for moral and financial support.
Every individual member is valued for the service of God.
Less autocratic in leadership and less bureaucracy in ministry.
Disadvantages:
Lost of trust in the leadership of MYUM, and lost of dependence on the Mission.
Retrospect and Prospect
The Conference group holds the spreading of the gospel news as a
primary goal. Unfortunately, the political in-fighting within the church
seriously undermined the growth of the church in Myanmar Union Mission. It
was the Myanmar Union Mission leaders who demonized and ostracized the
Conference group’s aspiration for church growth in Myanmar. MAC envisions
spreading of the three angels messages throughout Myanmar. It sees unity as an
important factor to achieve its vision. It also believes in dialogues and
reconciliation to settle differences with MYUM. However, a pattern of misdeeds,
lack of leadership ability, dishonesty, lust for power and position, lack of
Christian ethics and moral ascendancy, lack of credibility, and lack of burden for
lost souls have caused lost of trust in the present Union leadership. MAC is
praying for the rising of a godly, trustworthy, and credible leader(s) who will
unite the church to proclaim Jesus throughout Myanmar.
Conclusion
The only solution to the issue in Myanmar Adventist Church is to
recognize Conference Status as earlier as possible. Losing one soul is
very painful in the side of God and I have a strong concern to loose 3500
pro-conference souls. As one of the church elder, I suggest you to consider
recognition of Conference Status in Myanmar.
CHAPTER 3
VOICES FROM CHURCH MEMBERS
A brief explanation about membership in Myanmar Biblical
Christian Fellowship (MBCF)
This is a brief explanation regarding the prevailing
misunderstanding about the Conference group’s association with (registration
in) MBCF.
Myanmar Union Mission (MYUM) leaders began to stamped
out Conference aspiration and its promoters by attacking them verbally
since 2002, and by taking arbitrary actions right after the Triennial Session
of the Upper Myanmar (UMM) which was held on 29 -31 December 2003. Since 2002
MYUM leaders have shown a pattern of inconsistency and failure to fulfill their
promises which seriously eroded their credibility as moral and spiritual
leaders of the church. The following chronology of events gives a glimpse of
the leaders’ inconsistency and lack of moral ascendancy.
1.
December 2-5, 2003: MYUM leaders
blocked all possible diplomatic approaches made by the CPC for the achievement
of Conference status and for the unity of the church. Moreover, the MYUM
arbitrarily proposed to vote for the disbandment of the Conference group at the
Triennial Session of UMM which was held during December 29-31, 2003.
2.
January 1, 2004: MYUM/UMM officially
declared the disbandment of the Conference promoters during the month of April
after they have confirmed the disbandment on April 6-7, 2004 (UMM Voted No.
017, 018-2004) and then proceeded the issue to the government.
Due to these actions, the CPC proposed to name as the Upper Myanmar
Conference of Seventh-day Adventist on 16th January 2004 only after
all possible diplomatic approaches made by the CPC had failed.
3.
February 2004: Pr. Muller Kyaw, MYUM
President, delegated the Special Power of Attorney (SP) to the UMM officers so
that they could proceed the issue of the church to the Criminal Courts. (We
believe issues of the church should be settled within the church. We were very
sad to see our spiritual father having no second thought about bringing his
sheep to criminal courts).
4.
April 19, 2004: after disbandment of
Conference promoters (Ref No.1) Pr. Min Lwin, the President of Upper Myanmar
Local Mission, publicly declared the Conference group as an illegal religious
body which is not related to SDA Church. Copies of his letter were distributed
among all levels of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and also submitted to the
Government’s Ministry of Home Affairs.
5.
May 18, 2004: Pr. Neng Khan Suan, the
church pastor of Tonzang Township sued the Conference gospel team as criminals and
requested Township police and authorities to arrest the Conference gospel team.
6. September 2004: Pr. Samuel Thein, the circle pastor of
Kachin State, with the help of policemen and village chief padlocked the SDA
worship house at Mayan Village despite heartfelt pleas by church members not to
do so.
7.
October 5, 6, 2004: Tual Khan Mang,
the church pastor at Sawbuayeshin submitted a written request to the village
council and Township council for the closure of the church building and the
church’s school.
8.
October 7, 2004: Tonzang church
building was padlocked by the mission pastor Neng Khan Suan, following Pr. Kai
Khan Khual’s (the Secretary of Upper Myanmar Local Mission) fax message on 4th
October. (A fax copy was kept for documentary evidence).
9. October 25, 2004: Pr. Min Lwin requested to Mayan Village
Council to help protect the Mayan SDA worship house from the present use by the
Conference group there for their worship purpose.(The whole Church of Mayan
belong to the Conference group)
10. October 29, 2004: Pr. Muller Kyaw, MYUM President, sent a
written request to the Chairman of Sawbuayeshin Village Council that he might
dissolve the Conference group.
11. November 22, 2004: Pr. Muller Kyaw submitted a written
request to the Township Religious Director to dissolve the Conference group on
criminal ground. (Copy of notarial translation of Elder Muller’s’ letter is
attached)
12. December 12, 2004: Pum Za Lian, a Mission loyalist who
himself relayed publicly about his acceptance of 3 million kyats( 3000 US$)
from Pr. Memory Tun, the Secretary of MYUM, padlocked the church at
Pinlon, Kalemyo.
13. February 12, 2005, July 19, and August of 2005: UMM
leaders constantly submitted reports and requests to Township and District,
even to the Central office of the SPDC that they might close down the churches
of Conference groups and their Bible schools.
Due to this kind of offensive attacks by the MYUM/UMM, it was
seen necessary to have a legal protection, therefore Mr. Cin Sian Pau
(Conference group member) secured a certificate of membership in the Myanmar
Biblical Christian Fellowship(MBCF). The Conference group’s association with
MBCF has nothing to do with doctrinal disagreement with the world-wide
Adventist church. Contrary to malicious rumors, the Conference group wholly
embraces all fundamental doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventist church.
MBCF is the largest national Evangelical Fellowship in Myanmar
and its basic stand is to encourage self-supporting, self-governing, and
self-propagating efforts in ministry. (Dr. Michael Chong Luai, “Myanmar
Theological Association,” MBCF 30th Anniversary Magazine, vol
1, 2005-2006, p. 112.)
Kham Khen Pau, Vice-Chairman
Myanmar Adventist Conference
VOICES FROM CHURCH MEMBERS 1
March 5, 2006
Dear Sir,
1.
I had endeavored in church planting
for five years on my own expenses and could established churches without any
financial aid from the Mission. I love the church and its mission.
2.
I was one of the Conference promoters
visiting from church to church. During my visits Mr. Biak Chawnna from a Lushai
sub clan of the Chin wanted to know about privileges for them (job, positions,
etc.) in exchange for their joining with the Conference group. Since it was
only a promotion toward achievement of Conference status, frankly speaking, I
could not assure and promise him of such things. The Lushai members were then
reluctant to take part in this endeavor despite a few who actively participated
in this movement.
3.
Regarding Mr. Kai Za Dal’s
Leadership:
The Conference promotion was initiated by lay members. Since Mr.
Kai Za Dal is an educated person with rich background of experience in
denominational services, the lay people entrusted this auspicious task of
leadership to him for the time being.
4.
SSD President Visit:
SSD President visited my church and gave a speech. At the end of
his speech I requested to exchange my thanks for his visit, but even a single
minute was not granted to me by the MYUM leaders who accompanied him.
Therefore, till today, I am sure that he is not truly informed about the issue
of our church.
May God bless each one of us that love may prevail in our
beloved church.
Nang Chin Khen, Elder
Tahan (B) SDA Church
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 2
Because of lack of love for
souls, discriminations, attempts to destroy church members by might of the
State, we are sure that the leadership denied any reformation in the church. I
have no trust in them so we joined Conference groups. We enjoyed being a member
of that group.
Tuan Khan Cin, Elder
SDA Church, Cikung
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM CHURCH MEMBERS 3
PAANGPI SDA CHURCH
10/3/2006
Reason why we are not willing to join MYUM/Upper Myanmar
Mission:
1.
I believe growth is a Biblical
mandate. Only about 20,000 Adventists in this Myanmar Union after 104 years
indicates a very slow pace of growth. Therefore I believe a satisfactory level
of growth will occur under the leadership of Conference.
2.
Conference status was officially
applied since 1987. But MYUM leaders have never forwarded the proposals to the
Division despite verbal promises. (They were not faithful to their promises).
If a satisfactory level of growth does not occur under the leadership of
Conference, I will be willing to join the Mission groups again.
Lian Khaw Hau,
Paangpi Quarter,
Kalemyo
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM CHURCH MEMBERS 4
Church buildings were
dedicated to God for spiritual uplifting purpose. But the Mission leaders
attempted to confiscate the churches by force so that no Conference members
could worship in them. Bible schools operated by the Conference group were
closed down by the MYUM/UMM leaders. To accomplish all these things they seek
help from the local government authorities, and the police forces. God’s money
was wasted for such attempts to destroy the Conference promotion instead of
spending it in winning many lost souls. That is the reason why I have no trust
in MYUM’s leadership and I could not support them.
Name withheld
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM CHURCH MEMBERS 5
9/3/2006
Dear Elder Sangchia,
Great thanks to you for your
love for us. During the Presidency of Pr. Thang Siangh in Upper Myanmar Local
Mission, every church was assigned to conduct at least 15 evangelistic efforts.
As the result, the membership of the church grew significantly. Unfortunately
his term was cut short into only 2 years (before due date) by MYUM.
A College level Bible school
was inaugurated at Pyin Oo Lwin by mutual agreement between the Union and
Mission Executive Committee during the leadership of Pr. Kham Khen Pau (the
President) and Pr. Gin Lian Pau(the Education Director). But newly elected MYUM
officers harshly enforced to close down the college contrary to their previous
promises to recommend it to the SSD.
Plus Two program (2 years
pre-college program) was started in Anderson Adventist Seminary, Tedim, Chin
State but terminated by Pr. Kenneth Suanzanang. Reach International Fund was
diverted to another student from the original recipients merely because they
belong to Conference group or attend the Revival meeting held by them.
Conference promoters were disfellowship without sufficient reasons. Mission
leadership has no qualm to tell lies in their attempt to destroy Conference
aspiration.
For these reasons I have no
trust in MYUM/UMM leadership. So I joined the Conference group.
Pum Khan Kham
Pyidawtha SDA Church
VOICES FROM CHURCH MEMBERS 6
REASON WHY I REFUSED TO JOIN THE MISSION GROUP
The Myanmar Adventist church
had been operated under the administration of MYUM for more than a century now.
The Union leadership has become more and more dictatorial, autocratic, and
position seeking. MYUM employees were involved in unethical sideline business.
Discrimination of social status, race, and cruelty has become the norm in
dealing with members and in dealing with any issue in the church.
The Conference is more
spiritual, more supportive, less bureaucratic, and less dependent on Mission
for ministry.
For these reasons I joined
the Conference group. I accept all 28 fundamental doctrines. I want to support
the church, and be part of the world-wide church.
Name withheld
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 7
WHY I WILL NOT RETURN TO
MISSION
1.
Because of MYUM leaders’ constant
attacks and false reports against Adventist members to government authorities.
And also I did not see sufficient reasons to disfellowship more than 3500
Adventists just because they aspired to achieve Conference status.
2.
Because MYUM leaders arbitrarily
closed down Bible schools that were operated by local churches.
Name withheld
VOICES FROM CHURCH MEMBERS 8
Attention: GC leaders and SSD leaders
C/o Elder
Sangchia
Dear Sir,
1.
I and my family are SDA members who
believe and hold 28 fundamental belief of SDA and we are happy attending Church
services. At the beginning we were neither supporters of mission nor
conference. But every Sabbath our church (Paangpi SDA Church, Kalay)
pastor, mission workers and pro-mission members kept criticized Conference
group from the pulpit, instead of preaching the gospel news. We attend to
church regularly because we long to hear God’s words and not to hear
criticism. It becomes irritating in our ears and this is the major turning
point why we support Conference.
2.
Another reason is the mission church
leaders instead of finding a solution to the current problem, they gave reports
to the government offices to punish the pro-conference. I have a feeling
that Church matter should be solved within the church alone and it should not
be taken to the secular court or office. Because we (mission and
conference) are one family, all are SDA members. Mission plus Conference
is Seventh Day Adventists. I want you to let our MYUM/ UMM leaders
understand about this. This kind of worldly action of our leaders make we,
the lay members distrust on them.
3.
MYUM/ UMM leaders disband the
Conference support churches and its members by announcing that only if you
submit your tithe and offerings to Myanmar Union Mission, we will accept you
again to the SDA organization. According to you, is this the way the SDA
church leaders have to speak to their church members? We, pro-Conference
have submitted faithfully our tithe and offerings to Conference churches and we
want to handover these to the SDA organization(SSD), we the members do not
have trust on the Myanmar Union Mission, so we had requested the SSD
President to make a special arrangement for this purpose(to collect
these) but so far it is not materialized.
4.
Under the mission leadership, after
100 years of Adventist message spread in Myanmar there is only 24000 Adventists
while other Christian denominations in Myanmar grow rapidly. This shows
negligence from our church leaders or lack of motivation to the mission workers
may be the leaders engaged more with other things and not to win many
souls. I am not saying all but most of them. But there are handful
mission workers who have sense of mission. By seeing this I feel that
there is a need to change leaders and leadership style. That is why we
support Conference.
5.
I strongly feel that SSD leaders open
their ears only for MYUM/UMM and closed their ears for Conference
group. Whenever SSD officials or leaders visit Myanmar, it is MYUM leaders
who received them first from Yangon International Airport and entertain them
and shown a good hospitality to them. But by receiving this kind of
hospitality does not mean that SSD leaders should show partiality in their
dealing with and in solving the current problem or issues of (Mission and Conference)
in Myanmar. I want unity in the SDA organization in Myanmar and as a lay
member my earnest request to SSD leaders is that “please act as a big brother
in our SDA family of Myanmar and listen equally to both side stories without
showing partiality. Because SSD leaders are God’s ordained ministers and
you are not secular leaders, God gave you responsibilities to take care of us
(His sheep) in a spiritual manner and not in a worldly manner. We
Conference members and leaders have grieviances too and lend your ears to
us. Don’t wash your hand in this problem, and be a Godly mediator.
6. We, the pro-conference about 3500 Adventist are
disfellowship by the MYUM/UMM by saying that the world SDA organization has
disfellowship you all. Is this true or false? After hearing messages from
SDA members from many parts of the world praying for us (Conference members), I
realized that it is MYUM who disfellowship us and not the world SDA
organization. This is the way how MYUM leaders cheated on its fellow
church members. This make me lost of trust on their leadership and I feel
that MYUM/UMM leaders under-estimate conference members and think we are a
fool. I feel this type of our church leaders let Satan rule their mind to
divide God’s sheep and we the world SDA church need to pray hard for our
Myanmar Union leaders so that the Holy Spirit should guide them in their action
in accordance with God’s plan.
7.
Instead of appreciating them, the
pensions of three retired MYUM Pastors, Pr. Daniel Nangno, Pr. Thang Khan Dal
and Pr. Lal Kho Pau were cut off for five months as a punishment by MYUM/UMM
leaders on the ground that they support Conference group and in order not to
deviate to other denomination, they take care of the spiritual life of about
3500 Adventists disfellowship by their shepherds (MYUM/UMM leaders). These
pastors have served the church faithfully for more than 30 years and they are
genuine servants of God.
8.
I also want the SSD leaders to aware
that Upper Myanmar (Kalay Myo) is not a restricted zone; many missionaries from
other denominations came to this place freely. There are flights every
week and it is not a risky town to conduct a dialogue for reconciliation with
both the parties (mission and conference). It may not be a fun to arrange
this kind of dialogue but it is a necessity for church’s unity and if you have
a sense of mission and feel sorry for the 3500 precious souls disfellowship by
the MYUM, kindly arrange for reconciliation.
9. MYUM President has confessed his fault in the election of
2001 and 2003 by circulating a pamphlet among the SDA Churches. If any of
the SDA church members make a mistake or committed a sin, action is taken by
the church by giving punishment (eg. Disciplinary action according to the
situation) but why this is not apply on our MYUM President because he conducted
wrong election intentionally, this is against the policy of the SDA
Church. I wonder why punishment is applied only on lay members or ordinary
mission workers and not on church leaders of Myanmar. The problem (Mission and
Conference) begins mainly with wrong election conducted by MYUM President and
he is the culprit so why are we still keeping him as MYUM President?
10. Last, but not the least, I would like to mention that I
and my fellow conference members are not interested in other
denomination. We will remain faithful in Seventh-day Adventist Church
Organization, even though MYUM/UMM leaders have disfellowship us. We pray
to God in unity and have a strong believe that our names are not erased in the
Book of Life in God’s Kingdom.
Signature:
Mr.
Neng Hau Thang
Paangpi
SDA Church, Kalay Myo
VOICES FROM CHURCH
MEMBERS 9
REASONS WHY I REFUSE TO
BE UNDER MYUM/UMM LEADERSHIP
1.
MYUM Mission leaders lack love for
souls.
2.
MYUM/UMM leaders grossly violated the
SSD Working Policies.
3.
Relentless efforts to stamp out the
Conference promoters by reporting them to all levels of government authorities
and to criminal courts.
Vungh Za Do
Myothit, Kalemyo
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VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 10
11/3/2006
From Paangpi Church
1.
Discriminations of social status and
racism within MYUM/UMM leadership.
2.
MYUM Mission workers taunted church
members that their salary will not be reduced or cut off even if all the church
members stop supporting them with their tithe and offerings because they are
supported by the Division and the GC (this shows their uncaring attitude upon
God’s flock and it also shows their lust for position and power).
3.
Pastors never visited church members
who needed spiritual care.
4.
Discrimination by MYUM/UMM in
disbursing the Reach International fund.
5.
In Contrary to dictatorial leadership
of Mission leaders, there is a shared responsibility within the members in
Conference leadership.
Zam Khan Khup
Paangpi SDA Church
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 11
REASON WHY WE REFUSE TO RETURN TO MISSION
I and my family joined the
Conference group solely because the Mission leaders are too cruel and
autocratic in dealing with members and in handling problems of the church.
Sian Khan Mang
Elder of Cikung SDA Church
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VOICES
FROM CHURCH MEMBERS 12
1.
I conducted evangelistic meeting at
Khaikam village in 1997 and 30 souls were converted. 22 souls were converted in
Saikhua village, in July 23, 2000; 6 souls in Myaungsong village in 12/5/2002;
6 souls in Pyinkhonggyi in 12/5/2005; 12 souls in Kanmagyi village in 8/4/2004;
8souls in Zozang village in 12/5/2002; and 7 souls in Indaingale village in
10/5/2005.
2.
Mission workers tried to take credit
for themselves for the results of my evangelism and told the newly converted
souls that they will not be saved unless they belong to the Mission.
3.
Ordained ministers in UMM refused to
officiate baptismal rites to people who have been won to Christ as the result
of evangelistic meetings conducted by Conference group. Not only did they
refuse to officiate baptismal services, they condemned me for performing
baptismal services for souls who have been won to Christ.
Mr. Hmun Ling
Lay Evangelist
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 13
(11/32006)
REASONS WHY I REFUSE TO JOIN THE UMM/MYUM:
1.
UMM leaders publicly promised to step
forward for achieving conference status by letter (circular dated 18/7/2003)
and verbally on 24/8/2003, but acted contrary to their own promises by
attacking the Conference promoters.
Min Lwin, UMM President circulated a letter that appeal for
unity for the achievement of conference status on January 6, 2005. But he
himself led to vote for disbandment of his sheep three times.
2.
Mission leaders violated policies
Local Mission leaders and MYUM leaders circulated a message of
regret for their mistakes they have done ( by Kenneth Suanzanang on
18/7/2003, by Min Lwin on 6/1/2006, and by Pr. Muller Kyaw on 31/10/2005)
but they took a firm stand against members till today.
3.
They haven’t shown their love
toward their sheep. They disbanded their sheep three times instead of winning
them back to the fold with love.
4.
Mission workers locked up church
buildings and closed down Bible schools at the following places:
1.
Pinlong – Kalaymyo
2.
Mayan Village, Moekaung Township,
Kachin State
3.
Teinkayah, Tamu Township (Mission leaders
reported to the government authorities and then it was closed down.
4.
Khampat Town, Tamu District (the same
case with that of Theinkayah)
5.
MYUM/UMM Leaders always gave warning
to any mission worker who merely sympathizes Conference group.
6. MYUM/ UMM withheld money for retirement fund for Pr.
Daniel Nangno, a retiree of MYUM Ministerial Dept. Secretary, and Lal Khaw Pau
for five months merely because they joined the Conference group.
7.
Mission leaders refused to disburse
Reach Fund to recipients who merely belong to Conference group, and transferred
the money to the account of their favored students. Before disbursement of
funds a recantation or an affidavit from the recipients is required to prove
that he or she is pro-mission.
8.
Mission pastors demand rebaptism as a
condition for the Conference group in order to join back with UMM/MYUM. This
condition is bereft of Biblical justification.
9. Mission pastors preached that God no longer judge people
on the basis of the Ten Commandments but He directly judge against the
Conference groups as He did in the time of Moses.
10. Pr. Zen Do Lian heralded that the Conference promoters
will not be saved by God.
11. Mission leaders gave false informations to foreign
missionaries about Kalemyo as a restricted area so that they could not visit
churches up there. But Kalaymyo is one of the tourist centers in Myanmar
hosting many foreigners from other Christian denominations.
Eg: Elder Don Forkenberg came to visit Kalemyo in 2001. But
MYUM personnels diverted his trip. The excuse was that there was “no flight”.
But there were four flights in a week to Kalemyo.
Kai
Lun Mang
Pinlon-Kalemyo
SDA Church
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 14
A FEW NUGGETS FOR CONFERENCE ASPIRATION
1.
The Myanmar SDA Conference abides by
the GC Guidelines in all manner of Beliefs and Practices, and adheres to the
worldwide SDA Church. This is its passion, its lifestyle plus.
2.
It is good, and it is better, and still
it is best, to encourage members to make necessary changes as per policy
and method, to meet the challenges of current trend of evangelization, rather
than intimidating, evil surmising, condemning, threatening, and even
anathemizing those who aspire to a more concerted move. The Myanmar SDA
Church has so many things to update to be counted as a working church.
“For
who hath despiseth the day of small things?”
Perfection and sufficiency seldom or never comes or happens
overnight.
3.
Why does the Myanmar Union of SDAs
detest Self-supporting scheme? The answer is lurking in the question
below- No. 4 .
4.
One of our Division Presidents asked
one of our former Myanmar Union President if he would like to rejoin the
Southern Asia Division – at least twice.
5.
To feel complacent with an almost
stalemate success is alarming. It will spell a crime to neglect
opportunities for progress and success.
6. President Dr. Otis C. Edwards dropped a few meaningful
worlds for us just prior to his permanent return home –
“Attempt
to attain to a Union Conference Status by year 2000.”
I feel condemned, and
ashamed, because year 2000 had swung away 6 years ago. And we
appear retrograde or stand-still.
Name
withheld
1
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 15
REASONS WHY I REFUSE TO BE UNDER MYUM/UMM LEADERSHIP
Application for conference status was submitted to the
Division(FED) through the proper channel in 1987, and in 1992. But the Union
objected.
In 7th January 2003, about 2500 member of Adventist
in Upper Myanmar discussed for the achievement of conference status. As the
result of three full days meeting they voted to submit an application for
Conference status.
In 29th April, 2003 Dr. GT Ng encouraged to proceed
it through the UMM EC and lay unitedly.
In 22-25th September 2003 SSD President Elder Gulfan, Jr. also
encouraged and gave instruction positively toward the achievement of Conference
status. Pr. Kai Khan Khual the Secretary of Upper Myanmar Local Mission
publicly promised to the audience (about 300) that he himself will take
necessary steps toward Conference status.
January 1, 2004. UMM EC voted to disfellowship the leaders
of the Conference Planning Committee as their first step of offensive attack
against the Conference. It was known as Vote No. 011-015-2004.
April 7, 2003 UMM-EC voted (No 2004-017, 018) to disfellowship
or disband the Conference groups. Territorial assignment for the implementation
was as follows:
Pr. Min Lwin to initiate all necessary actions against them in
Tonzang district
Pr. Kai Khan Khual in Kale and Tamu district
Pr. Suak Khaw Ngin in Tiddim district
21/5/2004 Gospel Teams of Conference were reported to village
Council of SPDC at Zampi village that they might be fined 50,000 Ks. But God
intervened to protect us in time.
24/5/2004. 8:00pm: Mission pastor Neng Khan Suan agitated
village authorities to fine the Conference gospel team at Zampi village and
again threatened the Gospel team to be killed in Cikha.
7/10/2004 Tonzang church building was locked down by the circle
pastor. He also reported us to be criminal victims to the Township Police and
to the Military Intelligence, and to the Township SPDC that might imprisoned us
or severely fine.
12/12/2004 Pinlon-Kalay church building, and school
building were padlocked and watched day and night by Pum Za Lian. But it was
re-opened on 24/12/2004 by the order of the Chairman of Township Council.
TO THE CRIMINAL COURTS
1. 30/7/2004: Van Pe Oo a mission employee now in the Union
office and Gin Do Pau, the church pastor, requested the Ward authorities of
Kalaymyo town to grant them authority to take over all the said building.
2. 4,5,6/10/2004: Gin Do Pau, repeatedly submitted a
request to local civil authorities that they might grated him to take over and
control the Church building at Sawbuayeshin.
3. 22/11/2004: MYUM President Pr. Muller Kyaw submitted a
written request to the Township Director of Religious Affair in Kalemyo that he
might fine and dissolve the Conference groups, as the victims of religious
criminals.”
4. 6/2/2005: Mission leadership submitted a request to the
Township Council that they might dissolve the Conference along with their
church schools.
5. 7/2/2005: The UMM officers requested the Government
authorities that the school buildings and church buildings, and telephone might
be taken up by the state.
6. 8/2/2005: Gin Do Pau repeatedly submitted reports
against the Conference.
7. 9/2/2005: Pr. Suak Khaw Ngin, the Edu. Dir. of UMM
submitted a request to the Township and District councils of Tiddim, Kale, and
Tamu that they might close down all the church schools of the Conference groups.
(As the result two Elementary Bible schools at Khampat Town and Teinkayah
village are being closed down by local authorities)
8. 12/5/2005: Pr. Lal Chawnna, the Circle pastor of Tamu
district, accompanied by the village chief and the Township Police went to
Yangngophai (Yee Aye village) to dismantle the church building there.
9. 19/7/2005: Using an artificial document to be from the
Central State Peace and Development Council, Pr. Kai Khan Khual, Pr. Myin Lwin,
Pr. Suak Khaw Ngin, and Pr. Ngin Do Pau falsely accused us at the District
Council office to be victims of criminal trespass.
10. 18/8/2005: MYUM/UMM leadership again submitted a report
against the Conference to be criminal trespass of church buildings, and their
related compounds. Authorities concerned assigned the Divisional personnel’s to
inquire about it. As the result we were summoned for hearing.
11. 2/11/2005 We are again summoned by the government
authorities to appear and gave oral defense before the Chairman of Township
Council, the District Council, the District Attorney, the Township Religious
Affairs, and District Police officers due to mission leaders’ false accusations
us of religious criminals who have been expelled from churches and schools for
liable of punishment. But thanks to the Lord for He was our Rock for refuge in
times of need.
MYUM/UMM LEADERS LOST LOVE FOR SOULS
1.
They disfellowship Conference group
three times.
2.
Promotion of position of in cash was
practices toward workers outstanding in against the Conference.
3.
Destroyed ATI with the expenses about
20 million kyats of God’s money.
4.
No social services to members who
belong to conference.
5.
Reach International Fund was being
cut off to recipient students who belong to Conference.
6. Refused to accept church chosen delegates from Conference
churches against SSD Working Policies on Receiving Representatives and despite
of SSD instruction to invite and all churches regardless of Conference or
Mission for 2006 UMM Session. (Eg: Chantagyi and Pyidawtha B, Yangngophai
etc..)
7.
An ordained Minister heralded that
Conference should not be welcome in the house of Missions.
THEOLOGICAL APOSTASIES
1.
They make Tithe as test of fellowship
against the Church Manual
2.
They proclaimed that Conference will
not be saved by God.
3.
They preached that God never judges
accordingly to the law but directly.
4.
They accused that conference groups
are God’s enemies
For theses reasons I and my family have
no trust in the Leadership of MYUM and UMM. Therefore will not return to
the Mission, but remain faithful to all the Fundamental Doctrines of SDA, it
Organizations, its by laws, and mission of the Church.
Thang Za Pau, Ex Elder,
Pinlon-Kalay SDA Church
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 16
My Position:
1.
I accept the 27 fundamental believes,
the Church Manual, Bylaws and Constitution, and the SOP, and etc.,
2.
I want to support the world church
with my tithe and offerings. I strongly disappointed to support MYUM/UMM
because they spent God’s money for Court expenses against their sheep.
3.
I want to share my tithe and
offerings that due to the world church via SSD.
4.
As MYUM/UMM acted violently toward
us, we stop to support them financially.
5.
We registered in MBCF only for one
year (2005) because of MYUM/UMM constantly reported against us to the
government.
6. Since baptismal services were refused to us by the mission
leaders, ordained elders were authorized to perform or officiate it.
Langh Khan Suan, Elder,
Pinlon, Kalaymyo SDA Church
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 17
REASONS NOT TO JOIN THE UMM/MYUM
1.
MYUM/UMM leaders intentionally
violated SSD policy in 2001 and 2003 election.
2.
Only pro-mission delegates were
received by the leaders at the UMM Triennial Session January 18-21, 2006.
3.
Pastors claimed that though all
members stop financial support, they will not lose their salary. For this I
lost my confidence and trust in them
4.
Adventists had been for more than a
century in Myanmar with only over 20,000 memberships. Conference system is
better than Mission for growth.
5.
A Mission pastors proudly heralded
that he would rather have his neck cut if Conference group get salvation.
6. Mission leaders submitted false information and
accusations to the Central Government of Myanmar that they might dissolve us.
It was contradicted with the teaching of Bible and Working Policies.
7.
Mission leaders withheld Reach
International fund to recipient students merely because of joining the
Conference group by their parents.
8.
Mission leaders withheld pension to
Pr. D. Nangno and Let Kho Pau
9. We lost trust and confident in the leadership because of
their effort to imprison the leaders of the Conference group, and their attempt
to locked up all the church buildings, and the schools.
10. In order to implement and fulfill their dream they plot to
disband the leaders of Conference, by rejecting delegates duly elected by the
local churches, and replacing them with their own selected pro-mission members
in 2006.
11. Since they have disbanded us we no longer have relation
with them.
12. We want to join any SDA organization except MYUM/UMM.
Name withheld
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 18
CHANTHAGYI
8/3/2006
Elder Sangchia,
The Mission group treated us
as Satanic, disbanded us twice in 2004, and 2006. During March 2006, they again
forced us to sign for compliance with them. They misinterpreted us to be
apostasy.
There are 3390 faithful
Conference Adventists, who are faithful to the 28 Fundamental doctrines of SDA.
Yet why the MYUM leaders disbanded such volume of Adventist Christians. Would
God be happy with this kind of things?
Mission leaders acted like
wolves in sheepskin. MYUM leaders cheated the GC leaders in such a way that in
some cases MYUM applied new policies and rules to Conference group by saying
“the new policy or rule is from GC”.
I want to be part of the
world church organization, but reluctant to be in UMM/MYUM leadership.
Thang Khan Dal, Elder,
Chanthagyi Church.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 19
Dear Sir,
For more than 12 years since
1974, we have been under the leadership of Mission. During this course we have
constructed two buildings for worship, 4 for church school, 5 for workers
resident. All these buildings were built on self-supporting basis. That is one
of the achievements due to the instruction given by the UMM/MYUM themselves.
The only thing we want to
request the higher leaders is for recognition of us as fellow Adventists.
Name withheld
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 20
REASONS WHY I REFUSED TO JOIN UMM/MYUM ARE:
1.
The way they officiate in election of
Upper Myanmar Local Mission was not in accordance with the policy.
2.
Debarment of pension/stipend for
retirees.
3.
Their main task was to disband
Adventists members who have not complied with their egoism.
4.
The way they disbursed Reach
International Fund was questionable.
5.
UMM/MYUM have promoted to higher
responsibilities for a mission worker who have outstanding performance in
offensive action against Conference groups.
6. Mission leaders are presumptuously kind enough to the SSD
officers and the GC officers but behind the screen they brutally acted to their
sheep.
7.
They disfellowship and terminated
workers who are not yes man to them.
Tual Lian Dal
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 21
15/3/2006
1.
Mission leaders are not mature in
their leadership. They are dictatorial, oppressive, and pessimistic in their
actions.
2.
MYUM/UMM leaders have no vision for
church growth. Had the leadership of Mission system be taken up by angels,
there would not have been problems. But when it was taken up by man of such nature,
it automatically turned out to be autocratic communism that caused thousands of
souls perished in MYUM.
Thual
Lian Thang
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 22
Dear Sir,
1.
Verbally, Mission leaders pretended
to be supportive to Conference but they suppressed with might.
2.
They said that the Conference group
will not be saved by God, or they would rather have their necks cut
3.
Mission group always try to disfellowship
us.
4.
I wonder whether God discriminates
Conference group and Mission group in heaven or not.
5.
Children of Conference group are not
allowed in Mission operated Bible schools.
6. Reach Fund was not disbursed to recipient students due to
attending McNeilus Maranatha Christion College (MMCC), a layman operated
college.
7.
Pr. Lian Khan Dal lied that the
Conference group in Yangon already banded their movement since the Dorcas group
there made a negotiation. Was it true or not?
8.
I belief that Only Adventist Church
is a remnant church. I do not intend to join any other denomination at all.
Cin Do Langh,
Chanthagyi
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 23
9/3/2006
1.
MYUM is a Union mission for many
years. Conference status is a desirable one and 18 out of 24 household in
Chanthagyi support the Conference. We have been self-supporting for many years
in operation of our church school, etc.
2.
Mission leaders in MYUM herald that
Conference will not get into heaven. If so, does it mean that all conferences
in other countries are subject to doom?
3.
Reach Fund was withheld to students
of conference group.
4.
Mission Circle leader, Pr. Lian Khan
Dal told us that merely receiving of the Conference leaders as a guest means
committing a serious sin. But we always receive and treated Mission and
Conference group alike.
5.
Mission groups raged battle against
the Conference group in MYUM. Please grant us permission to reorganized so that
misunderstanding between the two groups will be ceased and either group will
not be disturbed.
Name withheld
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 24a
A REASONS WHY I PREFER TO JOIN CONFERENCE TO MISSION
1.
That workers and lay could
participate in ministry of the church hand in hand. Due to the fear of losing
their position; MYUM leaders bribed Mission workers to take firm stand against
the Conference status now.
2.
MYUM lost the love of God. Rather
they are only eager to disfellowship souls for the sake of supporting
Conference.
3.
MYUM leaders violated the SSD Working
Policy in Sessions.
4.
We, Chanthagyi church desperately
discouraged of the actions of mission leaders in MYUM for many reasons.
Eg: The Church pastor from the local mission allowed no one to
occupy the pulpit or take part in Divine Service
Pr. Lian Khan Dal, the circle pastor heralded that grant to take
part in church service to the Conference group meant serious sin. Even
receiving of their leaders as a guest also is a serious sin. We would like to
know whether such kind of teaching is biblical and Is this kind of
teaching good to be entertained by Christian or not?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 24b
10/3/2006
WHY I WILL NOT RETURN TO THE MISSION
1.
As the MYUM leaders threatened us to
be disfellowship for supporting the Conference, we are enforced by the mission
leaders to sign a form for a firm stand for the mission, and otherwise local
church properties will be confiscated by the Mission group.
2.
Racial discrimination is clearly seen
through the actions of our mission pastors and the mission employees.
3.
We have been operating a primary
school for several years. We sent our tithe to the local Mission.
4.
We prefer the Conference to Mission.
Name withheld
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 25
REASON WHY WE HESITATE IN MISSION
9/3/2006
1.
That the Mission leaders said that
Conference status is impossible in MYUM
2.
That Mission leaders could spend more
money in divisive measure or seeking mission loyalists.
3.
We, the mission group are being
supplied everything we need to fight against the Conference aspiration.
4.
Even the SSD leaders believed
everything what our pastor (mission employees) relayed to them about the
Conference group. Thanks for it, for we always are on the winners’ side.
5.
Since, we, the mission side, by the
help of the government, the SSD, and MYUM are sure that Conference status will
never be achieved or recognized.
Name withheld
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 26
13/3/2006
1.
The Mission leaders cancelled Reach
fund to the Conference group, then they transferred it for the students who are
pro-mission.
2.
Mission workers who support to get
Conference status are terminated from their denomination service.
3.
Pension of two retirees was cut off
by the Mission leaders due to their support in Conference group.
4.
MYUM/UMM leaders repeatedly violate
the SSD Policy and Church Manual intentionally.
5.
Local Church operated bible schools
are closed down by the mission leaders. They threatened that such schools which
joined the conference group will be closed down by the government.
6. The Mission leaders publicly heralded that failure to
submit the tithe and offerings to the mission alone will result in lost of
salvation.
7.
The Mission leaders heralded that the
Conference movement is a Satanic or a rebellion against God and it is like
Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.
8.
Baptismal services for Conference
members were refused by the Mission leaders.
9. The Mission pastors and leaders refused to visit Conference
members and they failed to strengthen the weak.
10. For these reasons mentioned above, I am sure that the
Mission leadership is always pessimistic to church growth while the Conference
leadership encouraged to involve more lay members in ministry. Therefore I join
the Conference group.
Mr. Song Khan Zam
Head Deacon, Chanthagyi.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 27
Dear Sir,
I have been in SDA church
for 44 years now. I accept the 66 books of the Bible, the 28 Fundamental
Doctrines of SDA church, EGWhite writings as SOP, the SDA Church Manual, and,
Working Policies.
MYUM leadership is not
trustworthy. It is like Saul of OT time that was jealous to David.
My Request:
MYUM has been under Mission
leadership for more than 100 years having about 24000 members. Since Conference
status is one of the administrative goal of SDA church, I see the need of a
paradigm shift in leadership style and ministry for the advancement of the
gospel in Myanmar.
Elder
Sian Cin Zam
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 28
REASON WHY I WILL NOT JOIN THE MISSION GROUP
1.
Mission leaders harshly destroyed ATI
kitchen, threatened students’ parents and mission employees that if their
children attend the Adventist Theological Institute (ATI), they will be dealt
with a serious action.
2.
Mission leaders refused to comply
with the SSD Policy in Sessions (Eg: 2001, 2003, and 2006).
3.
One of a Mission pastor had secretly
plot to place narcotic drugs and explosive weapon in the compound of Mr. Kai Za
Dal (Conference President), and then he plan to submit a report to the
government official so that he might be arrested as a victim of treason.
Name withheld
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 29
13/3/2006
1.
Conference status was supported by
lay members and mission workers alike at the time of the SSD President visit to
Kalaymyo in 2003. But Mission leaders extremely against the Conference group
again and MYUM leaders are not faithful to their words and promises, they are
liar.
2.
Sabbath School quarterlies were
discarded to Conference group. And pension was cut off for five months to Pr.
Daniel Nangno, a retired MYUM Ministerial Dept. Director
3.
Mission workers who are being neutral
in this issue were wrongly accused for their support to the Conference
group. As a punishment, some of the conference support mission workers
were transferred to the remote areas without transfer allowances.
4.
Mission leaders threatened their
fellow employees that their services will be terminated if their children
attend the Adventist Theological Institute (ATI).
. Name
withheld
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 30
PAANGPI CHURCH
Paangpi Church was organized
into a church right after a series of evangelistic meeting conducted by Pr
Thang Siangh, the Union Evangelist, in 1987. The present location of the church
was donated by elder Khual Za Nang in 4/6/1988. A two storey building was
constructed by the help of Mr. Kap Khan Hau(Ks 30,000), and ADRA(50,000).
As it could no longer
accommodate the increasing membership and students, a new building was erected
by the donation of Mr. Kap Lian Thang( Ks. 73.95 millions), Khual Za Nang, Kap
Khan Hau from the Conference group and Nang Khan Cin (zinc for roofing), Sian
Suan Pau( a meter box), and Pau Suan Mung(all the pews in the church).
Now we the pioneer donors of
the said building are being disfellowship and are not allowed to worship in it
without sufficient reasons.
Sdxxxxxx xxxxxx Sdxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sd
xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sd xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Niing Lun Mang Khual Za Nang Zam Khan Khup Khup
Ngaih Thang,
Remark: Picture of the new Church building and list
of donation attached as 29A,B,C
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 31
REASON WHY I WILL NOT JOIN THE MISSION
1.
I was a Mission employee in UMM, with
15 years of denominational service.
2.
I attended ATI to upgrade my
education. My daughter also attended ATI since 2000. As MYUM leaders launched
operation against Conference in 2002, those who have sympathy and remain to be
neutral in this issue were seriously dealt with (termination from
employment). I was transferred to a remote area on my own expense merely
because of showing sympathy to Conference group. Again, the UMM leaders blamed
me of allowing my daughter to serve in the local church Primary Bible School
which is run by Conference promoters. Then my service was terminated by UMM.
3.
Such kind of MYUM leadership is not
spiritual. I have no trust in them, and no more willingness to be an employee
under their leadership.
Some important points:
1.
MYUM/UMM officially inaugurated ATI
in 1998. But hastily closed down by force in 2002 despite of improving it. They
are not truthful to their promises.
2.
UMM President, Kenneth Suanzanang,
threatened and bribed (by giving 15,000 Kyats) the students to stop attending
ATI .
3.
Mission leaders submitted false
accusations about the Conference promoters and Mr. Kai Za Dal to the government
authorities so that they might stamped out the Conference and locked him up.
4.
Mission leaders paid divisive visits
to local churches (to discourage and to divide church members).
5.
Mission leaders did not allow
conference students to attend mission operated schools
6. Although MYUM/UMM leaders presumptuously expose themselves
to be supportive verbally by saying had it were through the proper channel we
would have been support it , but they stubbornly refused to fill up the Self
study form for Conference Status.
7.
Leaders of Conference group are
firstly disfellowshipped in 2004, and then disband the Conference members twice
in 2004, and 2006.
Due to these kind actions done
by Mission leaders I have no trust in their leadership. But I accepted all the
28 doctrines of SDA.
Thawng Za Hau
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 32
1.
I have been in SDA for 45 years. I
have never experienced any discrimination between Mission and Conference.
2.
As the Mission operated schools
rejected admission to my children because my children hold transfer
Certificates from a self-supporting school (Conference’s operated bible
schools), I have no choice but to admit them in the nearest Government School.
I am facing a problem now because they have to attend classes on Sabbath.
3.
Again, the mission leaders
disfellowship us. I was confused about the Mission or the Conference. Were the
Conference people not Seventh-day Adventists? I am neither a mission nor a
Conference loyalist but a Seventh-day Adventist Christian.
Name withheld
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 33
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS I JOIN THE CONFERENCE GROUP
1.
Growth in the Mizoram Conference is a
practical instance for MYUM in church growth.
2.
For this reason, I prefer Conference
system to Mission
3.
The Lord will be happy in soul
winning than disbandment of thousands without proper reasons.
4.
I want to see and feel love and unity
in church leadership. Without it racial discriminations prevailed in the
church administration.
5.
Giving would rather expand the
kingdom of God than receiving.
6. For these reasons I want to support Conference leadership
to enlarge the tent of God.
Thuam Go Nang
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 34
TAHAN SOUTH
12/3/2006
1.
MYUM leaders created a debarment
policy against the Spicer Memorial College (SMC) graduates in early
90s. Most of the SMC graduates were from Upper Myanmar. They have to produce
a Ministerial Training Certificate in order to be eligible for church
employment. This shows discrimination practiced by MYUM leaders.
2.
There are only about 20,000
memberships in more than a century. A radical change or paradigm change is
deeming necessary for church growth. Some workers heralded that although
the present members are completely disbanded from the church their monthly
salaries would not be decreased or deducted. This is a symptom of lack of love
for soul but love for money.
3.
The Union leaders enforced the lays
and Upper Myanmar Local Mission to close down the Adventist Theological
Institute (ATI) whose main objective is to reach the unreached, ATI was closed
down by the MYUM/UMM leaders after it had been operated successfully for five
years.
4.
Foreigner missionaries who want to
support the ministry in Upper Myanmar were debarred by MYUM leaders with
unreliable excuses by saying that there was no flight to there. Despite, other
denominations could stay for one month in Upper Myanmar.
5.
Mission leaders’ main interest is
buildings, (material objects) rather than souls. They tried to take over all
church buildings but disbanded thousands of precious souls who are the real
owner of such buildings. For these reasons, we have no trust in them as spiritual
leaders.
6. Regarding to Mr. Kai Za Dal, since he is an educated person
who has experience of denominational service for years, he was requested to
take up the leadership task in the Conference for the time being.
Name withheld
Tahan South SDA Church
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM CHURCH MEMBERS 35
REASONS WHY I DID NOT WANT TO BE IN MISSION
1.
Only more than 20,000 members in MYUM
after 100 years of Adventists Churches established in Myanmar. It shows
something had been wrong with the leadership.
2.
Mission leadership only interested in
receiving tithe and offering from members. They threatened members to
disfellowship if they refuse to support them with tithe.
3.
Leaders live in luxurious life than
nurturing their sheep.
4.
Selecting church representative in
elections had not been in accordance with the SSD Working Policy and the Church
Manual.
5.
Pr. Kai Khan Khual, the secretary of
Upper Myanmar, publicly promised to proceed the proposals and self-study form
for Conference status to the Union, but denied to fulfill his promise.
6. Mission leaders refused me to talk with the SSD President
when he visited Tahan (B) church, Kalay.
7.
Mission leaders bribed Pum Za Lian (Mission
member) to fight the Conference group.
8.
Tahan Circle pastor and his team came
to lock up the church buildings and schools. These buildings are neither
solidly owned by the Upper Myanmar nor Myanmar Union. But they were dedicated
to God for worshipping purposes (to be used by church members of Conference and
Mission).
9. We are hurt by such endeavors to confiscate the local
church owned buildings (at Tonzang, Teinkayah, and Khampat) by the Mission
leaders
10. Sabbath School quarterly was withheld to the Conference
group by the leaders of Upper Myanmar Mission.
11. Children of Conference members were not allowed to attend
mission operated schools.
12. Racial discrimination is practiced in Myanmar Union
Adventist Seminary (MUAS), Myaungmya.
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 36
REQUEST TO WORLD WIDE ADVENTISTS
Dear fellow believers,
Be it known that we, more
than 3500 Adventists who advocate Conference status, are sincere Christians and
we request you to remember us in your prayer so that God will open a way that
the true image of us may be seen by all.
Name withheld
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 37
March 15, 2006
March 15, 2006
MIZO GROUP IN CONFERECE
1.
Achievement to Conference status is
our goal. It is neither for racial aspiration nor prejudices. It is for the
growth of the church that all tribal groups are inclusive.
2.
Mr. Kai Za Dal, is an educated person
with experience of denominational service. He was requested to resume the
responsibility to lead us. He accepted it reluctantly since there is no other
choice for him.
3.
During my visit to churches on
Conference, several Mizo were inquiring whether they would be granted position
when Conference status is officially approved by World SDA Organization. I only
explained about that we are just promoting toward achievement of Conference
status. Distribution of such positions will be up to the nominating committee.
Since then the Mizo group were reluctant to take part in this endeavor despite
of some Mizo take part in this endeavor.
Nang Chin Khen
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 37
NGENNUNG CHURCH
March 13, 2006
1.
Adventist Theological Institute (ATI)
was open for the Upper Myanmar with mutual consent between the Union and the
Local Mission. The Union leaders arbitrarily closed down the Institute by
saying that the SSD asked to do so. Pr. Kham Khen Pau and Pr. Gin Lian Pau were
seriously dealt with by Mission and Union leaders merely because of their
support of such good thing (the ATI).
2.
Conference supporters were falsely
labeled as apostasies, heresies of the church subject to be disfellowship from
the church.
3.
Mission leaders always tried to
confiscate church building of the conference regardless of local church owned.
4.
Mission leaders falsely accused and
continuously reported their fellow members (the conferences), and the gospel
team as a criminal victim so that government officials might imprisoned and
punished them severely.
5.
Mission leaders refused to comply
with SSD Policies in Sessions.
6. Mission leaders gave false information about the
Conference on giving tithe and offering despite MYUM’s failure to fulfill their
promises given to the church.
7.
MYUM/UMM leaders are always
destructive to any church growth.
8.
Due to these kinds of brutalities,
the ministries of the church were despised and embarrassed.
Elder
Ngennung SDA Church,
Teddim Township, Chin State
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 38
March 25, 2006
Dear Elder Sangchia,
a. We are Seventh-day Adventists who accept the 28
Fundamental Doctrines of SDA Church, SDA Church Manual.
b. MYUM has been under the Mission system for more than 100
years. We have experienced the advantages and disadvantages of present
administration of MYUM leaders.
c.
We support the Conference group for
we felt the need of a paradigm shift in leadership in Myanmar.
Sakollam
SDA Church
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 39
LEZAANG CHURCH
1.
I live in Lezang village.
Thirty-three out of 120 households in this village are Adventists.
2.
I knew the Conference and Mission
systems of SDA only in 1987 when pastors and elders of churches in Upper
Myanmar Local Mission met in Mandalay to discuss and submit an application of
Conference status to the Division. It was interesting to me.
3.
Again in 2003 lay members discussed
about the Conference status. But the Union and the Local Mission leaders
visited churches to resist against the Conference status.
4.
In April 2004, the Mission leaders
were more serious in dealing with the Conference. Pr. Suak Khaw Ngin, Education
Director of UMM, came to my church and disfellowship 48 church members of good
standing, merely because of their support to the Conference. This is done by
the vote of only 24 members but Pr. Suak Khaw Ngin falsely recorded this as if
it were voted by the majority (105 members out of 153) of church members. That
was not only a misuse of the Church’s authority but also a violation of the Ten
Commandments that forbids false witness against others.
5.
The Mission leaders demanded
rebaptism in order to re-admit the Conference group to the Mission church: only
after the candidate submits an application for remittance, acceptance into
membership should be done by rebaptism.
6. Although we are not officially recognized as a unit now, I
would rather remain faithful in SDA church(Conference) till we are recognized.
Thang Do Pau
Elder of Lezang SDA Church
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 40
March 4, 2006(Saturday)
With my family, we accept
all the Fundamental Doctrines of SDA church. We preferred the Conference
leadership to mission leadership. We experienced more spiritual improvements in
Conference leadership. That’s the reason why we joined it and have never
intended to return to the mission leadership. May God bless all to be
optimistic regarding my decision.
Sincerely,
Do Khawl Vung
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 41
Dear Elder Sangchia,
I accept all the 27 Believes
and the policies of the SDA church. I experience many improvements and growth
in spiritual life among our church members after I joined the Conference group.
There is loving care and warmly fellowship in it. I knew there is no love
for souls in the leadership of MYUM/UMM. It is doubtful how the Great
commission could be accomplished without love for souls.
For this I am disappointed
with the MYUM leaders.
Name withheld
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 42
3/3/2006
Sir,
Lack of love is evidenced in
the leadership of MYUM/UMM: their refusal to provide Sabbath School quarterlies
to the Conference group by the Upper Myanmar was one of the indications that
they have no qualities of spiritual leadership. We are SDA, and we never
committed any apostasy on the doctrines of SDA church, the SOP, Church Manual,
and Policies of the GC.
I hope God will send someone
to take care of us so that we will be in line with the world church of SDA. May
it be known to whole world that the Mission groups and the Conference group in
Myanmar Union press on together to accomplish the great mission instead of
disturbing each other.
Name withheld
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 43
WHY I PREFER MYANMAR ADVENTIST CONFERENCE TO MISSION
1.
I and my family faithfully accept the
28 Believes of SDA church, the SOP, and all levels of Adventist church
organization.
2.
I see that the gospel mission will be
more fruitful in Myanmar through the leadership of the Conference because
evangelistic meetings are conducted through the participation of lay
members. But the present leaders of MYUM/UMM lost love for souls and sense
of mission.
3.
Therefore I decided to be under the
leadership of Conference group. But I want to be under a Union, Division, and the
GC. I do not hate MYUM/UMM personally but could not support their leadership
due to the mentioned reasons.
Sian
Khat Mung and family
Yangon
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 44
Dear Elder Sangchia,.
1.
We accept all the Fundamental
Believes of SDA Doctrines, and the SDA working policies. My spiritual life is
strengthened after I joined the Conference group.
2.
Regarding MYUM, I felt that there is
no love in their administration and no sense of mission in their leadership.
3.
I have decided to be faithful to
Conference Leadership (SDA) that the gospel might be expanded to the unreached
in a powerful way.
Name withheld
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 45
March 4, 2006
Dear Sir,
I and my family members
accept all the 28 fundamental doctrines of SDA church. We, Conference
supporters have a separate worship service from the central church of Yangon
and I feel in our church there is more spiritual life in compare to the central
church of Yangon. So I will be faithful SDA with the Conference group. I will
pray to God that the MYUM/UMM leaders and the Conference group may have
reconciliation for unity. May God bless you.
Sincerely yours
Kham Sian Cing
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 46
26/2/2006
REASONS WHY I DO NOT WANT TO RETURN TO MYUM LEADERSHIP
1.
Mission leaders preached that those
who denied to submit tithe to the UMM/MYUM will not be saved by God while they
themselves disobeyed the biblical teaching in their dealing about the issues of
the church (1Cor 6:1-8) by reporting their fellow church members to government
officials and unethically denied to comply with the Church Manual and the Working
Policies of the SSD. This indicates lack of spiritual leadership qualities in
them.
2.
Therefore I have no confidence,
trust, and credibility in the leadership of UMM/MYUM and also they have no love
for souls and no sense of mission.
IMPROVEMENTS BY SEPARATION OF MISSION GROUP AND CONFERENCE
GROUP
1.
MYUM had celebrated its centennial
Jubilee. The Conference movement was begun by God for the advancement of
ministry. We began to have a separated worship service in 2003.
2.
As we have a separated worship, we,
Conference group could reach the unreached individuals.
3.
Every member could take part in
ministry: priesthood of all believers could be practically applied.
4.
Regular attendance of worship
services by every member.
5.
I believe that God allows the
Conference promoters for spiritual revival in Myanmar Union.
6. I and my family accept all the 28 doctrines of SDA Church.
We respect the voice of GC and Division.
7.
I did not see any ground to
disfellowship Conference promoters because both of the pro-Missions and
pro-Conference people are Adventists. I believe that God is guiding us.
Cin Sian Pau, MA(Theo)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 47
Dear Sir,
We accept all the doctrine
of the SDA church, its teachings, and Ellen G. White writings. We do join the
Myanmar Adventist Conference (MAC) because of we felt that there is no love for
souls in the leadership of MYUM and UMM.
We are happy of being a
member of the Conference group and enjoyed worship services. We support the
Division, but not the present leadership of MYUM and UMM.
Name withheld
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 48
We accept all the
fundamental believes of SDA, the Church Manual, and the Working Policies of SDA
Church with highest regards to the church as a living and working agency for
Christ.
Because of lack of love for
more than 3000 souls, lack of sense of mission, and unfaithfulness to policies
and bylaws of the church I have no trust in the present leadership of Myanmar
Union and Upper Myanmar Local Mission.
But I am willing to support
the church with my tithe and offerings
Pau Kap Thang, BA, MDiv
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 49
Dear Sir,
I and my household accept
the 28 doctrinal believes of SDA church, the SDA organization, and the SOP. The
reason why we are not willing to return to the MYUM and UMM is that they have
no love for souls.
We want to be part of any
unit of SDA organization except the present leadership of MYUM and UMM.
Miss Muang Hoih
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM CHURCH MEMBERS 50
NO TRUST IN MYUM LEADERSHIP
Eg: Pr. Muller Kyaw
confirmed the disbandment of the seventeen churches just right after he
publicly confessed his mistakes regarding the election in 2001, and 2003.
Sabbath School Quarterlies
were withheld; MYUM/UMM leaders treated us as enemies and they always reported
church members to all levels of government authorities, and criminal
courts. They have shown partiality in dealing with churches of the same
case: No action was taken against one of a local SDA church in Yangon that
withhold and disbursed tithes and offerings according to their own decision for
more than a decade while the MYUM accused wrongly to Conference group in many
ways.
MY DECISION
1.
I and the disbanded 17 churches
accept all the Fundamental Doctrines of the SDA church, and E G White Writings.
2.
We are sure that the actions of MYUM
against the Conference have no effect to the matter of our salvation.
3.
Preaching the three angels’ message
in Myanmar is my main concern.
4.
Therefore I do hope God will help us
grow to be a missionary force.
Sdxxxxxxx
Mr. Khup Lam Thang
Myanmar Adventist, Yangon
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 51
WHY I AM RELUCTANT TO RETURN BACT TO MYUM
1.
MYUM/UMM leaders have no respect to
SDA Church Manual, and SSD Working Policies. They have no love for souls.
2.
I felt love and care to individual
believers after joining Conference group. Spiritually I am happier with
Conference group.
3.
I accept the Fundamental doctrines of
SDA church, the SOP, and all the policies.
MY PERSONAL POSITION
1.
The un-negotiatable and reconcilable
two groups can not live in one apartment.
2.
Achievement toward Conference status
has been an aspiration of members in Upper Myanmar Adventists since 1987.
3.
I accept the 27 Believes, Policies,
and SOP of SDA church. I am not intending to join any other denomination.
4.
I want the Division and the GC to
look after us in spiritual matters. In case of any failure of care by the SSD,
and GC, I know God still loves me and am sure he will provide spiritual
nourishments to us for our spiritual survival.
5.
I have no trust in the leadership of
MYUM and UMM because they have been divisive in actions and shown no love for
souls.
Mr. Kham Sian Kim
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOICES FROM
CHURCH MEMBERS 52
February 26, 2006
Elder Sangchia,
With my family I accept the 28 doctrines of
SDA church, the Church Manual, Policies, and E G White’s writings. I have nothing
to blame about SDA, but the leadership of Myanmar Union on the ground that they
have no love for us.
So I would rather be under the leadership of
other Union in SSD. I enjoyed being one of the Conference group members. May
the Holy Spirit guide Myanmar Union.
Name withheld
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
52
Dear Sir,
Sense of belonging, assurance of God’s love
for individual soul and many other new experiences are obtained by joining the
Conference group in Yangon. With lively worship services and fellowship on
Sabbath day are what I had never tasted in the mission group. It was only
through the hearing the word of God in Conference worship services.
Name withheld
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
53
Dear Sir,
Due to the dictatorial
leadership of MYUM and UMM, I and my family joined the Conference group. We
never intended to join any other denomination, but will remain faithful to the
SDA church doctrinally and organizationally.
I want to join any organization
of SDA church except present leaders of MYUM and UMM that fraud and acted
brutally against its members
Name withheld
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
54
Though we are
disfellowshiped by the Upper Myanmar Mission due to their lost of love for
souls and failure to negotiate with members, we still accepted the 27
Fundamental Doctrines of SDA church, the Church Manual, and the Working
policies.
I want to be under the
leadership of Union, Division, and GC but not of the present MYUM and UMM.
Name withheld
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
55
Elder Sangchia,
I accept all the 27 doctrines and E G Whites teachings
and policies of the Church. I enjoyed spiritual and social fellowships after I
join the Conference group. I felt that the MYUM and UMM administration and
leadership have no love for souls. So I no longer intended to support the
present MYUM and UMM leaders. But I want to be a part of any other Union,
Division.
Nam withheld
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
56
Voices from Mission leaders
22/2/2006
Dear Elder Sangchia
The following suggestions
are important points to consider in order to win the disbanded group back to
the fold of Upper Myanmar Local Mission. They are as follows:
1.
They should be treated with love,
mercy, kindness and patience.
2.
Sabbath School quarterlies should not
be discarded but made available to them so that they could buy.
3.
Unitedly leaders of the Union and
Local Mission must have meetings, dialogues, seminars and discussion with the
Conference group representatives for the possibilities toward achievement of
the Conference status through the right channel.
4.
Separate worship services must be allowed
by the leaders in case the uncompromisable situation arise among the church
members.
5.
Let the church leaders conduct
seminars and revival meetings which will uplift the love of Christ and promote
unity in the church.
6. Let the leaders have an effort to indoctrinate the church
members that the SDA church is the only remnant church in the world.
7.
Let the Union, the Division and the
GC initiate all possibilities of efforts to the achievement toward Conference
status.
I am sure that the Lord has inspired your heart with love to
solve this issue. May God bless you!
Your fellow worker in Christ,
Pr. Rozama, Director, SS/PM
Upper Myanmar Local Mission
Cherry Rd, Pyin Oo lwin
Ph: 085 22487
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
57
Dear Sir,
1.
Elder Kai Za Dal and his group
separated themselves from the church for several reasons. It was not genuine
aspiration for Conference. They did not obey the advices of SSD.
2.
But there are many sincere members
who want to achieve the Conference status. They seem to know that the course
they are taking now is a short cut to Conference status.
3.
All united members remain faithful to
the Upper Myanmar Mission. Due to personal differences there is disunity in the
church.
4.
Two groups of people in one church
building could not promote unity.
5.
Therefore, providence of new building
to such group for worship will rather help solve the problem soon, unity will
then prevail.
6. Time will reveal the truth. I am not sure that the
majority of them will return to the fold of UMM, yet they are sincere
Adventists. But I hope they will return sooner or later.
7.
I can not see the possibilities to
support such groups outside the frame of policy. It is natural that the
prodigal son was received by his father when he returned home. But no father
could do anything with son who had never return to home.
Mr. Thang Lam Mung (Van Lalchunga)
Treasurer of Upper Myanmar Local Mission
Maymyo
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
58
Dear Sir,
Let those who refused to return to the fold of
Upper Myanmar Mission be left alone, that they should not disturbed us. Please
provide buildings of worship to them. Thus, unity could be prevailed soon.
If possible, provide worship houses to them.
Unless I must support the mission group to take over the church buildings until
a single member pro-mission remain in the local churches.
Sdxxxxxxxxx
21/02/06
Pr. Kai Khan Khual,
Secretary, UMM
Pyin Oo Lwin Phone:
085-22487
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
59
Residence Phone: 371759
Office: 371757/371758
Sir,
Regarding the Disbanding of 17 church in Upper Myanmar Mission,
1.
Whether they return or not there must
be final call by visiting to them.
2.
There must be fasting and prayer for
this group.
3.
If the Union Mission EC allowed me, I
want to visit them to show my love for the final call.
Pr. Thang Lian Khai, Director, MYUM of SDAs
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
60
TAHAN (B) OR SOUTH SDA CHUCRH
Venue: Tahan B church
Date: 6/3/2006
Attendance: 50
Mr Sangchia explained the purpose of his visit
to them in detail. He discussed about the problems of Upper Myanmar Mission and
the deadline of the probationary period of disbandment set up by MYUM/UMM.
Then he appealed them whether they are willing
to return to the fold of Upper Myanmar Mission before March 25 or not. No one
signaled willingness to return to the fold of the Mission. Then he collected
the reasons from individuals why they were so determined that they refused to
return to the Mission. The following points are a summary of reasons:
1.
They want to have spiritual leaders
who have love for souls and sense of mission. There was incredibility in
leadership of the Union since 2001 because of they disrespect policies and
bylaws to maintain their own position.
2.
The leaders took firm stand against
the Conference aspirants despite of their promises to support positively for
Conference status for many times. For this reason members lost trust in the
leadership of Myanmar Union.
3.
Corruptions in financial matter and
moral conduct are permissive to the mission loyalists in the present mission
leadership.
4.
They preached that there is no
salvation outside mission organization.
5.
Reach International fund for
educational aid was mishandled by transferring to a non recipient due to the parents
of the original recipients joined the Conference group.
61
MEETING WITH CONFERENCE GROUP LEADERS
Place: Conference office
Date: 7/3/2006(2:00 to 6:00pm)
Attendance: 20
Mr. Sangchia briefly
explained about the purpose of his visit to them. Then he asked the audiences
about their views to return to the fold of the Upper Myanmar Local Mission
leadership. No one responded. Since then he asked them to give the reasons why
they do not want to return to the leadership of UMM/MYUM. The following points
are a brief statement of their reasons.
1.
They have survived for two year on
self-supporting by the providence of God.
2.
MYUM and UMM leaders intentionally
violated the SSD Working Policies several times ( in 2001, 2003, and 2006) by
deceiving church members as if there were two systems of forming up the
nominating committee in session. Then they appointed the nominating committee
members by the already expired Executive Committee members of UMM in 2003. In
2006 Session the MYUM/UMM leaders rejected the local churches chosen
representatives and replaced them with the person of their own choice to be
pro-mission. Thus we the Conference churches have no representative
present in the Upper Myanmar Session 2006 and it happened from the time they
separated us from UMM. We knew that all these things are a serious
violation of the SDA Policies.
3.
The UMM disfellowshipped Hmun Ling,
an outstanding lay evangelist who had won many souls to Adventist Church on the
ground of his support to the Conference group.
4.
The Church pastor of Chanthagyi
refused to allow members to take part in the church.
5.
Reach International Fund was diverted
to a pro-mission students from the original recipient student who support the
Conference. But the report was given in the original recipient. This is a
defraud committed by Mission leaders in Myanmar.
6. Mission leaders did not permit the children of Conference
advocators to attend mission operated schools.
7.
Mission leaders did not allowed
members of the Conference group to worship in their churches. They always blame
and talked bad things about the Conference group from the pulpits.
8.
Mission leaders always agitated
and initiated to summit accusations against the Conference group to the
government, but they blamed the Conference to be the agitators. (See reference
will reveal the truth)
9. Students or members were expelled from the school or disfellowshipped
from the church by the Mission leaders merely because of their parents attended
revival meetings conducted by the Conference groups.
10. Conference members want the democratic style of election
(transparency in election).
11. There are weeds and wheat growing together both in mission
group as well as Conference group among Myanmar Adventists.
12. The most important point we, the conference members want
to make SSD leaders aware is that in regards to the current problem, Conference
members do not have hatred on any clan, racial and languages. If any of
Myanmar Union leaders mislead you regarding this as a basic issue, kindly
note that it is not true. The truth is that the fire started with the
manipulation conducted by MYUM leaders in the election of 2001 and 2003 and as
year passed by it has expand to the present situation in Myanmar Adventist
circle.
They are sorry for the disbandment. However they are ever
willing to unite with the Union under the leadership of spiritual leaders and
they are praying to God for spiritual leadership in MYUM who emburdened with
reaching the unreached non-Christians.
62
MEETING WITH PAANGPI CHURCH (MISSION GROUP)
Venue: Pr. Ngul Khaw Pau’s Resident
Date: 8/3/2006
Chairman: Pr. Ngul Khaw Pau
Mr. Sangchia, as usual,
explained about the purpose of his visit to them. Then he asked about their
views on the Conference groups.
Pr. Ngul Khaw Pau, a retired
ordained pastor labeled them (Conference group) to be rebels and wicked people.
The mission group have no concern for them even the wild beasts tier them into
pieces.
63
MEETING WITH PAANGPI CONFERENCE GROUP
Venue: Mr. Kap Lian Thang’s Resident
Date: 9/3/2006
Chairman: Elder Khual Za Nang
Mr. Sangchia explained about
his purpose of visit to them. He explained that he came to seek the 3500
members who have been disbanded by the Union. Then he inquired about their
position toward the Adventist doctrines and church organization.
The Conference group
exchanged their appreciation to Elder Sangchia for his visit based on loving
concern for the Conference group. And they told him that they had never
intended to derail from the SDA church and its 28 fundamental Doctrines.
Regarding church buildings,
the Conference group believes that neither the Mission group nor the Conference
group solidly owned them. They were dedicated worship houses of God for all
people.
The group is ever ready to
pay tithe and offerings to the church. They would like to request the SSD to
arrange special people to receive their tithe and offerings. And they request
the Division to guide them how to work in evangelism especially for the non
–Christians.
The individual member
submitted written declarations of his/her own position on the Church, its
Doctrine, Organization, and leaderships of MYUM.
64
MEETING WITH PINLON-KALAY CONFERENCE GROUP
Vanue: Pinlon-Kalay SDA Church
Date: 9/3/2006
Chairman: Mr. Kam Khan Mung
Attendance: 130
Mr. Sangchia explained about
the purpose of his visit. Then asked the audience’s view in regards with the
disbandment and appealed to return into the fold of the MYUM and UMM leadership
before the deadline was expired. No one uttered even a single word of desire to
return to the UMM for the following reasons:
1.
They want to have trustworthy and
spiritual leaders for the speedy advancement of the mission of the church in
Myanmar Union.
2.
They accept the 28 fundamental
doctrines of the SDA Church, its bylaws and Policies.
65
ZAMPI SDA CHURCH:
1.
We, Zampi SDA Church members fully
accept the 27 or 28 pillars of doctrines and Statements of faith.
2.
We believe that SDA church is the
true remnant church and we don’t want to join any other denominations.
3.
We fully or wholly accept the
writings of Ellen. G. White, we accept her as one of the true prophets for our
time.
4.
We will honestly give tithes and
offerings to support the church to expand services, ministries of SDA church
world wide.
5.
We want to comply our SDA’s working
policy, the church manual and also theological handbook.
Our Goals and Objectives
1.
We will concentrate our minds,
strength, and resources in preaching to non-christians and non-Adventists and
we would strive for revivals among Adventists in Myanmar.
2.
We will work for clean competition in
working for God, in evangelism, in winning non Christian souls and non
Adventist souls and for revival of our church members and let God and the world
see whom God is using to work for Him in this last days.
Our Benefits
1.
A person who never attends Church
before starts attending the church regularly.
2.
A person who never sings or prays in
the Church before becomes active in church activities such as singing, and
praying.
3.
Every members actively involve in
church services and outreach activities, especially in preaching gospel, home
cells etc..
4.
Our tithe and offerings increase in
compare to earlier.
CHAPTER 4
NOTARY COPIES (DOCUMENTS)
SUMMARIZATION OF THE DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNMENT
BY MYUM/UMM AGAINST CONFERENCE GROUP
December 29-31, 2003: Upper Myanmar Local
Mission (UMM) had its Triennial Session. There was a serious dispute between
the MYUM leaders and the lay representatives because the Union arbitrarily
approved the UMM-Executive Committee (UMM-EC) to form up the nominating
Committee without approval of the delegates from local churches. As the result
of that dispute MYUM leaders enforced the Mission to take action against the
Conference group. Then a resolution to disband the Conference group was
proposed by Pr. Muller Kyaw (Please see the UMM Voted No 2003-090). That rather
intensified the issue.
January 1, 2004: Pr. Min Lwin, the UMM President
circulated letters of notice to all churches in Upper Myanmar about the
disbandment of several churches.
1.
April 6-7, 2004: The UMM-EC
arbitrarily voted a resolutions No 2004-017-018 for the implementation of UMM
resolution No. 2003-090. Copies of the resolution were circulated to all
Adventist churches of UMM and to the government office.
2.
April 19, 2004: Min Lwin declared to
all churches of Upper Myanmar territory that the Upper Myanmar Conference (UMC)
was an illegitimate organization. Copies of his declaration were also
submitted to the government offices to serve as notice for measure of necessary
action against the UMC. (See 66A)
3.
June 8, 2004: Pr. Min Lwin sent a
notice letter of the disbanded churches to the District pastors so that they
might have the legal hand to secure church buildings of the Conference group.
(See 66B)
4.
October 21, 2004: Pr. Memory Tun, the
Secretary of MYUM circulated a letter to all churches of Myanmar Union that the
UMC had been disfellowshiped by MYUM from Yangon with the resolution No.
2004-090. The letter conveyed that the said group is disobedient to the SDA
church and had nothing to do with the
MYUM. (See
66B1)
5.
October 25, 2004: Pr. Min Lwin sent a
letter to the Chairman of Mayan Village Council that he might knew the history
of the SDA church and could be able to protect the church building from illegal
use for personal benefits by the Conference group there. More over, he stated
that he had informed the Conference issue to the authorities of the States and
the Divisions so that they might take necessary action against the Conference group. (See
66C)
6. October 29, 2004: Pr. Muller Kyaw, President of MYUM
sent a written request to the Chairman of Sawbyuayesin village Council that he
might help dissolves the religious crime there. Copies of his letters were
submitted to Township office of Religious
Affairs. (See
66D)
7.
November 22, 2004: Pr. Muller Kyaw
requested the Kalaymyo Township Officials to help him for the dissolution of
the self-supporting group (Conference). (See 66E)
8.
November 25, 2004: Pr. Kai Khan
Khual, the Secretary of UMM notified to the following pastors that the UMM has
vested Special Power (SP) of Attorney to them that they could proceed the
issues of the church to the government in Kalaymyo Township.
Pr. Lian Khan Dal,
Circle Pastor for Teddim Chin,
Pr. Malsawma, Circle
Pastor for Lushai Chin, and
Gin Do Pau
Church pastor, Pinlon-Kalay (See 66F )
9. December 13, 2004: Pastors mentioned above (No. 8)
submitted a written request to the government for the CLOSURE of Pinlong SDA
Church so that no one could worship God in it. Copies of the request were
submitted to the Chairman of District, Township, Ward Council, the Police
Station, and MYUM, UMM. (See 66G)
Pum Za Lian, who himself confessed about his acceptance of 3
million Kyats (about 3,000 US$) from Pr. Memory Tun as a bribery for
recruitment of people to be pro-mission, submitted a written notice to the
Chairman of Township Religious Affairs that mentioned the said building was
solidly owned by the Mission group. (See 66G1)
10. December 22, 2004: Gin Do Pau, the church pastor and Pum
Za Lian again submitted a written request to the Township Religious Affairs
that he should take action against Mr. Kai Za Dal in accordance with the
law. (See 66G2)
In response to Gin Do Pau’s letter the Ward Council called for
both side to make negotiation on
27/12/2004. (See 66G3)
11. January 6, 2005: Pr. Min Lwin, UMM President, appealed to
Upper Myanmar SDA churches that they might be united in
Witnessing. (See 66G 4)
12. February 9, 2005: Pr. Suak Khaw Ngin, Director of
Education Department, requested to the Chairman of Tamu Township Council to
take action against the Conference group as criminal victims in accordance with
the existing law. (See 66H )
13. February 24, 2005: Pastor, and elders of Paangpi SDA
church informed to the government that the Conference promoters were a group of
Gang that had been disfellowshiped by them, so that no one should have association
with them even in case of sickness in accordance with the instructions of MYUM
President, and that they might take action against them as they deem necessary.
(See 66H 1)
14. February 21, 2005: Gin Do Pau submitted a letter to the
Chairman of District Council that he might be familiar with the church
organization and the right of the Local Mission to take over all properties of
the disbanded Conference churches. (See 66 I)
15. September 20, 2005: Pr. Muller Kyaw sent an email to MungGI@Secc-sda.org. He mentioned himself to be
tolerate and forgiving and humbling himself for the unity but accused of the
Conference group to be the creator of problem. He had determined to do what he
should do at the end of the year (2005). (See 66 I A).
16. October 31, 2005: Pr. Muller Kyaw distributed a letter of
invitation to return to the fold of MYUM without addressing the Conference
leaders. He confessed his mistakes for the unconstitutional election of
2001 and 2003 in the letter but blamed a responsible church official leader as
the culprit for that mistake. (See 66 J)
17.December
30, 2005: Kham Khen Pau, vice-Chairman of Myanmar Adventist Conference,
positively responded to SSD President’s appeal for reconciliation.
18. January 24, 2006: Pr. Min Lwin informed about the
disbandment to the Pinlon-Kalay SDA Church with the resolution 2006-06, and
anyone who wants to be SDA should enlist their name in the Upper Myanmar
Mission.
19. March 29, 2006: Thang Cin Khai, pastor of Anlangh SDA
submitted a written paper that falsely accused the Conference group vandalized
the minister’s quarters. In fact, the Conference group renovated and enlarged
the Church building as it could no longer accommodate growing
membership. (See 66K)
20.
March 29, 2006: The Village Council
forwarded Thang Cin Khai’s letter to Township Council, along with his personal
endorsement, for necessary action. (See 66L)
