Progress and problems of the church of Christ in Thailand 1957-1971

Abstract

This thesis is entitled: "Progress and Problems of the Church of Christ in Thailand, 1957-1971". A study of the life of the Christian movement in Thailand confined to the national Protestant Church (the Church of Christ in Thailand) which grew out of Presbyterian, Baptist and Disciples traditions. It is divided into six chapters as follows: Chapter One: A presentation of historical background of the Protestant Missions in Thailand from 1828 through 1957 is given with special mention of the American Presbyterian Mission which appears as the backbone of the national Protestant Church (the Church of Christ in Thailand). The writer has made an attempt to b ring out the pictures of those missionaries who devoted their lives to working for Christ in Thailand where they met all kinds of hardships and difficulties, even death. A number of their great contributions are mentioned, such as education, medicine, and printing. Above all they made the Gospel known to Thai people with the result that a number of converts were gained and local congregations came into existence. From then both missionaries and nationals worked hand in hand to bring the Gospel to non- Christians. The organization of the national Protestant Church was established in 1934 and from that time it moved forward trying to achieve the goal of self-support in all aspects. Unfortunately, the Second World War broke out and weakened this national church, It survived and was strengthened by aid from abroad when the war was over and the missionaries returned, From time onward the Church and the Mission (American Presbyterian) put forth more effort to bring the national Church into a state of self-support. The Mission helped the national Church to expand its work in certain areas before it integrated itself into the national Church in 1957. This is a landmark of the work of the American Presbyterian Mission in Thailand. In the last part of this chapter the writer mentions the development of the Church structure in which four specific districts are specially dealt with. They are the 7th and 12th Chinese districts, the 10th Karen district and the 11th district which has Disciple background. These groups have certain characteristics distinguishing them from other districts of the Church. Chapter Two: Presentation and discussion of evangelism in the Church are made. A picture is drawn of the Department of Evangelism of the Church, A prominent fig Akkapin, the first Moderator of the Church after the War, is mentioned. He is the one who adapted the "spiritual emphasis week" to the churches as well as to the church-related schools. The program of evangelism-in-depth by which the policy of doubling membership in four years would be fulfilled is also touched on. Evangelistic programs in local churches are brought up for consideration. Such a review helps one to see opportunities for the churches and schools to present Christ's Good News to non- Christians, but it is to be regretted that these have not been used as effectively as they could have been. The Church mission field in Sangklaburi among the minority groups near the Burmese border is described. It is noted that this project has been carried out cooperatively through the Disciples and the American Baptist Mission, an affiliate of the Church. Another hopeful field of evangelism dealt with is the church- related institutions, such as schools and hospitals. Opportunities and weaknesses are mentioned. The Urban Industrial Mission in central Thailand, particularly Bangkok and the cities nearby, is described both in its historical development and its programs. Finally, the writer presents the evangelistic activities of the theological professors and students of Thailand Theological Seminary’s Christian Service Training Center. Chapter Three: The first part of this chapter deals with programs of nurture for Christians and new converts alike in local churches and church-related institutions, schools in particular. Mention is made of the two agencies helping to promote Christian nurture programs, namely the Department of Christian Education and Literature and the Committee on Christian Home and Family Life. The writer points out certain weaknesses in programs of nurture. The second part of this chapter concentrates on theological education with special attention given to the Thailand Theological Seminary. Included are a historical sketch and a summary of activities, the departmental structure designed to serve the varied needs of the Church, the Seminary's struggle with all kinds of problems, funding and recruitment in particular. There is also an evaluation of results. Also mentioned are two other Bible training institute that help equip leadership, namely the Bangkok Institute of Theology and the Bethel Bible School in Bangkok. Both are mainly supported by the Chinese speaking congregations and their graduates serve the Chinese congregations. Chapter Four: This chapter touches on the programs that help promote the policy and goal seeking national self-support for the Church. One of these programs is the "Thirty-Satang" program which is trying to build a central fund for salaries of the pastors in the rural churches and varied activities done through the Rural Life Division of the Church to help rural church members raise their standard of living and consequently give more to the support of the Church. Another aspect in this chapter is the process of nationalization and indigenization. The increasing leadership roles of national church men since the Second World War is noted with comments on present weaknesses in many fields, especially theological thinking and liturgical worship. Chapter Five: In this chapter, various groups and organizations related to the Church are brought up for attention, such as the Youth Division, Christian student groups in secondary schools, vocational schools, colleges and universities, Christian Women's Association and the university student centers in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Finally a study of the Thailand Overseas Missionary Society is made nothing as special points of interest that this Society is neither established nor administered by any committee appointed by the Church. It has come out from students and later graduates of the Thailand Theological Seminary. Chapter Six: Five major problem areas of the life of the Church of Christ in Thailand are summed up briefly for discussion and further study. These problem areas are: Church and Culture, the Church's Faith and Its Communication, Church and Society, Church Administration, and the Church and Fraternal Aid. Certain recommendations are made with the hope that they are applicable to the actual situation in Thai society, and through them the Church may accomplish her mission here and now.