“Rev. Dr. CJ Hrang Hmung Interview” by Filip Khup Lian, a DMin student at Union Theological Seminary, Philippines. 1. Could you please tell me your Professional experiences and education? A. Primary to High School I have studied from Primary to High School from the following schools: - Primary at Basic Education Primary School, Tahan, Kalay Myo. - Middle school at Basic Education Middle School, Falam, Chin State. - High School at No (1) Basic Education High School, Falam, Chin State and No (4) Basic Education High School, Ahlone, Yangon (Cushing school), and passed 10th standard with Mathematics distinction. B. University attended and Degree earned: - I have studied Bachelor of Science in Physics as majoring subject at Yangon University, Myanmar (1985-1988 & 1992-1993) and earned Bachelor of Science in 1993; - I have begun religious studies at Serampore College (University), West Bengal, India (1996-1999) and received Bachelor of Divinity in 1999. - I received the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) from the joint program of Union Theological Seminary (Philippines) & Myanmar Institute of Theology, Yangon (Myanmar) in 2009. - From November 2011, I am studying a secular Ph.D. in Development Administration at Philippine Christian University, Manila, and expected to finish before the end of 2014. C. Professional & Work experiences: - A Treasurer of Falam Baptist Fellowship (2009-2011), Kalay, Myanmar. - A member of Board of Directors of the Global Chin Christian Fellowship (2010-2012) (International Organization based at USA) - President of International Students Fellowship, PCU-UTS, Dasmarinas, Philippines since 2012-2013. - President of Myanmar Community, PCU-UTS, Dasmarinas, Philippines, 2013. - Associate General Secretary of the Lairawn Baptist Association, Kalay, Myanmar (2004-2006). - Vice Principal (Vice President) of Bethel Theological Seminary (ATESEA), Kalay, Myanmar (2006-2010). - Principal (President) of Bethel Theological Seminary, Kalay, Myanmar (2010-2012). - An EC Member of Association of Theological Education in Myanmar (ATEM), Yangon, Myanmar (2010-2013). - Church Pastor of Toungphila Baptist Church, Kalay, Myanmar since 1999. 2. May I know that you have written Books or articles? Thesis/Dissertation: a. “A Study of ‘Parousia’ in 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 Corinthians and its relevant to Chin Churches in Myanmar,” (BD thesis submitted to Senate of Serampore College [University], India, 1999) b. “A Study of Biblical Foundations for Pastor Leadership in the Local Church,” (D.Min Dissertation submitted to UTS, Philippines & MIT, Yangon, Myanmar, 2009). Books/Articles In the writing activities, I have written 12 books (mostly in Falam Chin dialect) dealing with Pastoral theology, Christian Baptism, Christian doctrine, a specific area of Evangelical theology. I have written more than 130 articles in Chin, Myanmar and English which were published in various magazines in Myanmar. The followings are books and articles I have written and edited in Falam Chin Dialect: 1. Baptist Kaihhruai awk daan le Danglamnak (2001) (Baptist Faith and Distinctives) 2. Jeim cakuat simfiangnak (2001) (Commentary on James) 3. Galati cakuat simfiangnak (2002) (Commentary on Galatians) 4. Kawhhran dang pawlih zum daan le kaihhruaiawk daan (2003) (Faith and Practice of Various Denominations) 5. Kolose cakuat simfiangnak (2004) (Commentary on Kolose) 6. Kawhhran Hruaitu Kutken (2008) (Handbook on Church Leaders) 7. Baptist Thupom Hleicetnak pawl (2008, 2009) (Baptist Doctrine and Distinctives) 8. Thinsaunak ih Huham (2009) (The Power of Patient) 9. 1 Piter cakuat simfiangnak (2009) (Commentary on 1 Peter) 10. 1 Timote cakuat simfiangnak (2010) (Commentary on 1 Timothy) 11. Efesa cakuat simfiangnak (2011) (Commentary on Ephesus) 12. Hlawhtlinnak lamzin (2011) (A Way to Success) Edited Magazine as Chief Editor: 1. Lairawn Deirel Magazine (Vol. 1, No. 1, 2, 3, 4; Vol. 2, No. 1, 2, 3, 4, in 2004 and 2005) (Chinland Star Magazine) 2. Lairawn Baptist Association, Evangelism & Mission Tin Jubilee Magazine (2006) 3. BTS Awkhawk Magazine (Vol. 12, No 1, 2, 3; Vol. 13, No. 1, 2, 3; Vol. 14, No. 1, 2, 3; Vol. 15. No. 1, 2, in 2006-2011) (Echo of Bethel Theological Seminary) 4. Falam Christian Centenary Magazine (2006) 5. Manna Magazine (Vol. 1, No. 1, 2, 3 - 2007; Vol. 2, No. 1, 2 - 2008; Vol. 3. No. 1, 2 - 2009, No. 4 - 2010; No. 5 - 2010; No. 6 - 2011; No. 7 – 2012; No. 8 - 2013) 6. Moyon Naga Baptist Church Golden Jubilee Magazine, Tamu (2008) The ongoing project is my involvement in the writing of the whole New Testament commentaries in Falam dialect/language (named: Hre Kio Commentary Series). Nine Pastors (Chin writers) are involved in the writing, and Rev. Dr. Stephen Hre Kio is the Chief Editor. I am the youngest author among these Hre Kio Commentary Series writers. I am currently writing on the Ephesians and Colossians. Altogether 8 volumes have been produced and ten more to go; the commentary books are being distributed throughout Chin State, and some even in USA. There are some articles I have written in Chin and English articles which are available online at my personal blog drcjhmung.blogspot/. Apart from writing articles, singing is my interesting ministry. I also compose more than 30 songs in Chin and Myanmar. I myself produced a tape (Nunnak Tinung – Living Water) in 2002 and also singing in various tapes. I always encourage the young people of my church to sing and participate in Choir regularly. 3. What kind of Vision do you have vision for future ministry in Church or Seminary? I am going to mention my vision and future plan with how I involved in the past, and what is my attitude towards the community which I am planning to carry on after my graduation. According to the teaching of our Christian Bible, the community concept of the local church begins with its own “Jerusalem” and continues to extend its influence as opportunity allows, enlarging its community ‘unto the uttermost part of the earth’. But outreach to the community must not be defined solely in terms of geographical boundaries. The in-depth penetration of the various aspects of community life is also a part of the Great Commission. My attitude toward the community and my concept of the scope of my ministry does much to determine the nature and direction of the ministry of the local body of believers. I have observed that many pastors have too narrow a concept of their pastoral responsibilities. But Jesus Christ answered the inquiry, “Who is my neighbor?” with the well-known parable of the Good Samaritan, thus illustrating that even those of different interests or social standing should be included in the outreach of His followers. A spirit of sectarianism circumscribes greatly the ministry and influence of a pastor in the community. I believe that the true work of Christ cannot be contained within the four walls of our church building. At the conclusion of morning worship, God never stops at the church door; He goes forth in the lives of His people to serve the world of persons. I feel that God has a great concern for His people because human beings are created by His own Image. I normally used to practice that as a pastor, we cannot separate our spiritual ministry from our daily lifestyle. Our one-to-one relations in the community play a large part in determining the effectiveness of our public ministry. This is especially true in a smaller community. The pastor must never ignore the value of informal contacts. Holding oneself aloof or looking down from an ‘ivory tower’ will accomplish nothing. One of the greatest responsibilities of the pastor to his/her community is to strengthen the godly home life. The best possible way to make the quality of life in the church and community what it ought to be is to make the homes what they ought to be. By exemplary living in the home, I can strive to establish my people in their home life and thus aid their growth toward mature, fruitful Christian living. I understand that the pastor is a private citizen in his/her community. A serious consideration for every pastor is the extent of his/her involvement in community affairs. Along with other people, I should exercise my rights of citizenship. Of course, as a pastor, I wisely avoids partisan politics for the sake of my members who may belong to a party other than my own. However, I need not to hesitate to take a stand on moral issues during a political campaign. Ministers have been champions of justice for all human beings throughout the centuries. A minister of Jesus Christ, motivated by His unselfish love, will be a concerned citizen of his country. I understand that my first responsibility is to my own church, a pastor is a public person with a debt of service to his/her community. The church is the servant of the Lord, and therefore the church is only one among many institutions in the community. I believe that the measure of spiritual accessibility to a community is often commensurate with the degree to which I take my civic responsibility. Let the people of God assume my role of leadership and use it to better the community and exalt our Lord. Therefore, as far as my attitude towards the community concerns, I hope that I will be the one who can help many poor people around my community. Because I have been involved for the betterment of the community uplifting as much as I can since I become a pastor. 4. What would be the best way to equip pastor for ministry in the church today? From my service as a pastor and theological educator, I have learnt many experiences. I had to travel and visit many parts of the country Burma. My experiences ware indeed an eye- opener. I had come to realize that I had to be better equipped with the Word and Skills necessary for the work of service. Peter had served Jesus in a way, but when the testing time came, he failed the Lord. When Jesus recalls him and said, “Follow me” (John 21:20-25). After this, Peter’s life is altogether/ totally different. No more does he live in the shallows of life and for this world only. Every day is spent in the service of Christ. As pastors, one thing what we need to ask ourselves is that ‘do we really serve to the LORD? Or are we serving for ourselves?’ If we say we Serve Him, then let us serve Him better with full commitment. Because the commitment is very important to serve God better. Today I have seen that many Pastors are serving without full commitment and that’s why their ministries are not fruitful. Commitment is very important qualification for pastors. The pastors who do not have wholly commitment to the church/organization will never be successful leaders. Commitment is vitally important to get things done. It is the essential for every church leader. The leaders of all organizations are acquired to their given tasks. There is no willingness to perform one’s assignment unless there is commitment. Commitment can be categorized into three parts. They are commitment to God, commitment to the people whom are being led, and commitment to the responsibilities. The Church leaders especially the pastors who are truly committed to God can lead the Church effectively. Wholly committed Christian leaders are mostly needed in the church. Pastoral leadership may not be effective unless there is strong commitment. Commitment to the given task and to the people is equally important for all pastors. 5. What kind of leadership would be preferable for the future? I would like to present my answer here with “The Pastoral Leadership Styles.” Temperament is pastors’ unique, God given behavioral style. Pastors need to understand temperament because ministry involves working with different kinds of people and various behavioral styles. By identifying pastor’s own style and the behavioral styles of others, pastors can increase their ministry effectiveness. I feel that pastoral leadership styles are important components of their temperaments. Four leadership styles correspond to the traditional four-temperament model of personality types developed by Hippocrates 2,000 years ago. It can be summarizing the styles of leadership as follows: (a) Autocratic. These leaders, like the apostle Paul, are self-starters who love a challenge and expect immediate results. They are quick decision makers who take charge and are good at managing trouble and solving problems. They exhibit a dominant style that is highly task oriented. However, due to their high task orientation, autocratic leaders risk offending people in the process. Therefore, they benefit by collaborating with those who have good people skills. While people with this style make good leaders, at times they may have trouble being good followers. They can be strong-willed and may respect only those who are strong with them. (b) Democratic. Peter exhibited this style. Democratic leaders are enthusiastic people who enjoy being around others and motivating them. They make favorable impressions and are usually articulate, preferring to minister in teams. While they listen carefully to others’ views, they prefer to make the final decision. In combination with an autocratic leader, democratic leaders make some of the best pastors. As primary leaders, they are very people oriented and are good change agents who stimulate and motivate followers to action. They are better leaders than followers. They function best when they receive significant amounts of recognition and approval. (c) Participatory. These leaders, such as Abraham, are patient, good at listening, and able to calm excited people. They are also loyal, focused and cooperative. This facilitating leader works for peace and smooth operation within an organization. Participatory leaders serve best on a ministry team in which someone else serves as the primary leader. Participatory leaders prefer stability, resist change, and seek to maintain past traditions. They make outstanding followers and support staff. (d) Bureaucratic. Bureaucratic leaders, such as Moses, are very analytical, paying close attention to standards and focusing on details. They are critical thinkers who check for accuracy and comply with authority. They serve best on ministry teams in which someone else is the primary leader. They make good followers because they are logical, thorough, and analytical, preferring that ministry be done well or not at all. Bureaucratic leaders work best with those who are interested in quality. They provide a supportive and predictable environment. 6. What is your enjoyment in leadership? I enjoy knowing the progress of human social interaction in family, society, community, and government. I also understand social interaction at different fields, such as religion, politics, business and charitable organizations. The reason I enjoy very much on leadership is all of the leadership tries to promote human society to improve peace and tranquility, happiness and the betterment of human society. As I have viewed and observed the human society from leadership perspective, it is fun and enjoyable to see the collision of human stupidity and wisdom. Above all, the divine leadership is what I interest the most. I believe that God divinely ordains the Church to be the channel to carry out the divine hidden message to the world, equipping the young and old, the good, the ugly and the bad ones for accomplishing His purpose and plan. 7. What is your favorite leadership model? I believe that Pastors should not think of themselves as Lords, rather they are to think of themselves as servant. Leaders are not selected so that they might have dominion over the body of believers, but that there might be guidance in spiritual matter by qualified, godly individuals under the lordship of Christ. Therefore however we interpreted the words rule, direct, obey, and submit, they cannot be interpreted in a way that gives leaders the kind of authority that the rulers of the Gentiles had or that high officials exercise in the secular world. Jesus magnified the concept of service, not authority leader are leaders because they are excellent servants, not powerful rulers. Christian leader are always servant leaders. Three primary passages emphasize this dimension of leadership. Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being example to the flock (I Peter 5: 2-3). True leadership required service that is often considered routine or menial. The symbol of leadership is not the scepter, but the towel. True pastors never think of themselves as authority figures, only as servants. Pastors do not dominate; they serve. Pastors do not command; they guide. Pastors do not manipulate; they teach. Pastors do not subjugate; they inspire. Real Pastors are not Lords; they are models and minister. A Pastor is service not headship. Leaders are not headmaster or controllers, but ministers. Leader must be eager to serve; not lording it over follower (1 Peter 5:3). Servant leadership does not mean that sometimes one leads and at other time one serves. Rather, it means that leaders, best leads only by serving. The most important thing a leader can do for their people is to set a good example by being a servant. The Pastor is characterized by service. Jesus’ view of leadership saw the leader as a servant. He said, “Whoever wished to be first among you must be slave of all” (Mark 10:44). The wise Pastor will be a servant. He will be concerned for the members of his group, that they become all that they are capable of becoming by the grace of God and through their own effort. He does not waste his time in trivial matters but seeks to his followers by helping them to become their best. 8. Can you tell me what kind of things in ministry makes you feel bad and happy? When I see many people are committing sin and following the sinful nature, I really feel bad. Because, as we all know that Jesus Christ came to this world to save us all from the bondage of sin. He gave His life and sacrifice to save us all. I really feel happy when people know the call of Jesus today to stand by the cross. I would like to say, “Let us not live any longer for our own comfort, pleasure and satisfaction. Let us live for Christ and not for the world. Let us tear all sin out of our lives and live faithfully for Jesus. Will we do it? Jesus is calling us now. Jesus is still calling us. Jesus calls us to leave all sins. Jesus calls us to serve Him better. Jesus calls us to a deeper prayer life. Jesus calls us to read the Bible more. We have still time to response His calling. If we say later, we don’t know what will happen in the near future. Therefore, let us prepare our hearts to response His calling without hesitation. Let us remember that now is the most important time to respond the call of Jesus. +March 14, 2013/Thursday.
Posted on: Mon, 23 Sep 2013 02:42:27 +0000