After three consecutive weeks of preaching engagements I was ready to take a break. Actually, it also marked my 50% done of my thesis (first draft). So, I think I deserve a little break. I went to visit my nephews in PJ over the long weekend. The problem with taking a break is the reluctance of getting back to work! That’s why I’m in front of the PC right now writing this blog entry.
The Seminary is all geared up for the next School of Trans-Cultural Missions (STCM). There are exciting programs lining up – classroom instructions, field study, etc. I’m taking a team to Pengkalan Hulu end of June, another team to Gopeng at the end of July and still another team to Acheh in August. So, should I go for the church camp scheduled for the first weekend of June? I’m still pondering. But back to Seminary news, we have just launched another prayer meeting. Besides the dawn prayer meetings that are attended by most residential students, we have this lunch time prayer meetings. And I invite you to share my vision for the Seminary to be so soaked in prayers that there is an open heaven above us. Those of you who are MBTS Alumni, do join us to carry the burden for a spiritual revival of our Seminary.
My thesis is coming along well. It’s a great opportunity to speak to various churches to discover the status of youth ministry in Malaysian Baptist churches all through the peninsular. Apart from that is the study into various aspects of discipleship, training, missions education, etc. What is more exciting is that my study is an original research needing raw data from the field. Actually, I’m very excited to pursue further into a dissertation on missions strategy involving youth in missions. Anyone like to join me in this study?
Ministry in church is progressing well, I suppose. The new youth group is doing sturdily well in GBC South. We are meeting once a month, at the first Saturday of each month. Our regular program is a game followed by Bible study and we project towards the next meeting & how to prepare for it. I’m hoping to build some accountability in them as I asked them to commit themselves to study a certain portion of the Bible. I certainly welcome suggestions from anyone of you. There’s some good youth study materials offered to us at the Seminary by some local publishers at a discounted rate. I think if we start using these, I can start letting the youth lead some sessions. Youth needs to know that they don’t need to wait until tomorrow to be effective ministers.
The Viet church is growing. It’s due to the Viet pastor who is actively ministering to the Viets around Paya Terubong. This old man can hold cell groups to cater to those working on shifts regardless of time. This means, there’s a cell meeting at 2am!
Please remember me in prayer – the three mission trips (two short over the weekend field trip & the overseas one), my studies (scheduled to graduate this November with ThM), my ministries in MBTS (BM Dept., Graduate Studies Dept., Missions Dept.) & in church (GBC South & Viet church). Thank you. (Phil. 1:3)
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Ministry Update April 2007
Ministry Update April 2007
11 April 2007
Entering into the second quarter of the year gives the impression that things are moving so fast, maybe just too fast. On Good Friday I finished the last of the assignments for my doctoral seminar (I have some doctoral seminars & several master level courses for my ThM program & there's only one more master level course in July besides the thesis to complete my program) I spent Resurrection Day with two wonderful friends. We had the best koay teow thng in town for breakfast & attended Easter Service in church; then we proceeded to the best char koay teow in town for lunch, then adjourned to the best ice-cream parlor in town. What a Sunday!
I preached the Easter message at the Vietnamese church & it was frustrating because my interpreter could not understand "evidence" nor "proof" – so I let you imagine how I delivered a message on the proof of Easter…I hope my next preaching engagement this Sunday will turn out better. After all, she eagerly asked for the message script to be emailed to her as soon as possible. Please pray for this ministry. They are extremely hungry for God's Word and whenever the Vietnamese pastor is away, we are limited by language.
We had the second youth meeting at GBC South last Saturday (someone mentioned that I ought to report about church ministry in my updates) The first meeting the previous month had 3 members & the second (last Saturday) we had 9. Please join us to pray for this young group. They are very fun & active.
I led the dawn prayer meeting in campus this morning, once again sharing the burden in my heart for revival. Was pretty upset & disappointed seeing blank faces staring at me in the midst of the meeting. But God never fail to amaze me. Despite being so disappointed with myself & the students, great things are churning. One student shared with me of her burden to pray more, to soak campus with prayer, etc. then at lunch another student stepped up beside me to ask if I have the burden to join him in praying for our cousins. And guess what?! These two students are Honkies! Malaysians, where are you?!
Soon we will be publishing several books translated into BM. They are now in the final stages of editing before publishing. There are exciting developments in the BM Dept. (sorry I can't be more specific), teaching/preaching engagements, my mission trip to Acheh and most of all great things God is revealing everyday…Thank you for your partnership in ministry.
11 April 2007
Entering into the second quarter of the year gives the impression that things are moving so fast, maybe just too fast. On Good Friday I finished the last of the assignments for my doctoral seminar (I have some doctoral seminars & several master level courses for my ThM program & there's only one more master level course in July besides the thesis to complete my program) I spent Resurrection Day with two wonderful friends. We had the best koay teow thng in town for breakfast & attended Easter Service in church; then we proceeded to the best char koay teow in town for lunch, then adjourned to the best ice-cream parlor in town. What a Sunday!
I preached the Easter message at the Vietnamese church & it was frustrating because my interpreter could not understand "evidence" nor "proof" – so I let you imagine how I delivered a message on the proof of Easter…I hope my next preaching engagement this Sunday will turn out better. After all, she eagerly asked for the message script to be emailed to her as soon as possible. Please pray for this ministry. They are extremely hungry for God's Word and whenever the Vietnamese pastor is away, we are limited by language.
We had the second youth meeting at GBC South last Saturday (someone mentioned that I ought to report about church ministry in my updates) The first meeting the previous month had 3 members & the second (last Saturday) we had 9. Please join us to pray for this young group. They are very fun & active.
I led the dawn prayer meeting in campus this morning, once again sharing the burden in my heart for revival. Was pretty upset & disappointed seeing blank faces staring at me in the midst of the meeting. But God never fail to amaze me. Despite being so disappointed with myself & the students, great things are churning. One student shared with me of her burden to pray more, to soak campus with prayer, etc. then at lunch another student stepped up beside me to ask if I have the burden to join him in praying for our cousins. And guess what?! These two students are Honkies! Malaysians, where are you?!
Soon we will be publishing several books translated into BM. They are now in the final stages of editing before publishing. There are exciting developments in the BM Dept. (sorry I can't be more specific), teaching/preaching engagements, my mission trip to Acheh and most of all great things God is revealing everyday…Thank you for your partnership in ministry.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Ministry Update March/April 2007
Days are moving fast don’t they? After my previous posting I was thinking, what can I post next? And now as the month comes to an end, I have found so many things to share. Well, last Sunday was a great worship service in church. Partly because it has been a long time since I heard some preaching. Huh? You may wonder. There should be preaching at every Sunday worship service, right? Well, that is the ideal. However, I discovered that many people failed to distinguish the difference between preaching & teaching. Even preachers themselves. 95% of the time, at Sunday worship services, the message was taught & not preached. I remember last year when I conducted a sermon preparation workshop at FGA with some lay preachers. When I asked the difference between preaching & teaching, no one gave an adequate answer. Besides, most of them looked puzzled. And they are not alone. In fact, most people would think preaching is teaching & teaching is preaching. Nope! That’s not it. There is a fine line dividing the two. But before I give you the answer, why not pause awhile & think…what is the difference?
I taught my first Bible class in BM. It went well. I was pretty worried of my lack of fluency in the spoken BM language. But praise God that my students were very patient & helpful. Despite the lack of language fluency, the Lord was with us & we had a lot of fun studying the historical books of the OT. I gave the lecturer evaluation form at the end of the course & received very good feedback. It encouraged me a lot. In fact, the comments were so good, I felt embarrassed reading them! (Perhaps the student wanted to encourage me, perhaps they were aware that I have not marked their tests and assignments yet!)
At present I am doing a self study course on Christian leadership in missions. The books I have to read were great. In fact, they were so interesting I found myself completing the reading assignments so fast! Among the many things I learnt were about planning, communication, team work, team building, management, etc. But one very interesting thing I learnt was this – give and it will be given to you. I’ve always known that familiar Bible verse – ask & it shall be given – but this is a bit different. Only recently did I discover the truth of it.
I found myself getting deeper & deeper involved in my students. Somehow, I just have this passion to give the best of all I have in every single task the Lord entrusted to me. (Be faithful even unto little, eh?!) And it so surprised me when this one student commented that I’m so a pastor because I regularly ask a few of them regarding their progress in studies. Huh? I have always known the pastoral tendency in me is the most and very weakest. But as I pour out care & concern, I received that in return. As I gave, it was given to me. You see, I was in a pretty frustrated moment. Then a simple phone call came to enquire, “hey…heard you were in such & such a situation, you doing ok?” Well, I suppose that’s what pastors ought to be doing. It’s only that I’ve never received such attention. (Thanks Alan…you’re a brother!) And it also taught me how I need to be more sensitive to people I work with and people all around me. (Honestly, I’m pretty “numb”!!!) Bottom line is: there’s still so much I need to learn!
I had a very interesting meeting over lunch with a friend recently. And I’ve learnt so much from her. I have to admit that I’m such a green horn in ministry. After serving in the pastoral capacity and comparing studying about it, I must admit that one definitely need to have a proper balance of the two. Seminary training is redundant without practical ministry. Just the same, practical experiences carry no weight without proper training. There really need to be adequate balance of the two. I praise the Lord for the networking opportunity He is opening to me, locally & overseas. It’s great serving here at the Seminary. It’s fun in the missions department. It’s exciting exploring cross-cultural studies. And those who have had a taste of it will testify to this. Just like my brother Casey from (EAST) Singapore!
Please continue to pray for us at the Seminary. I have a strong conviction that if the Lord should visit us, the most strategic location is the Seminary – the very place where He had given the mandate to train leaders for His church. Join me in prayer for a spiritual revival here in campus. One student impacted is a whole congregation impacted and who knows, that very student may be a denomination head, a mission organization boss, etc.?! Please pray for me as I serve here in the Seminary. I’m having a great time here in the missions department, the graduate school & of course, the BM stream. And my studies? Couldn’t be better! Praise the Lord.
PS: So, have you decided what is the difference between preaching & teaching? Well, when we prepare to preach or to teach, two important elements are (1) to study the passage in its original context & I mean thorough study of it, (2) then the next step is applying it into our contemporary context. The following step is what makes the two different. When we prepare a message to preach, we proclaim it with an element of inviting or challenging a response from the hearers so that they are convicted in their thoughts – enough to spur their heart into acting out their responses. On the other hand, proclaiming the message by teaching is to teach the facts, how it can be applied into our lives and we leave it to the hearers to apply what they hear (that feed their knowledge). Most preachers, myself included, tend to pose a challenge when summing up the message. It is because, after we learn of God’s truth, we need to show our hearers how to apply them and challenge them to actually make that commitment of applying the truth that has been learnt. It’s not accomplished by a showing of hands or coming forward to the front for prayers but it is the assurance that these people are equipped enough and they are convinced enough that they need to actually practice what they hear. Imagine yourself in a cell group meeting. A message taught from the pulpit on Sunday is no different than the teaching you hear in your cell groups. But a message preached is a message that reasoned the head (knowledge), spur the heart (conviction by the Holy Spirit) & expressed through action. Well, in short, preaching is delivering a message containing an “aggressive” urge (challenge) for a response…something absent in teaching.
I taught my first Bible class in BM. It went well. I was pretty worried of my lack of fluency in the spoken BM language. But praise God that my students were very patient & helpful. Despite the lack of language fluency, the Lord was with us & we had a lot of fun studying the historical books of the OT. I gave the lecturer evaluation form at the end of the course & received very good feedback. It encouraged me a lot. In fact, the comments were so good, I felt embarrassed reading them! (Perhaps the student wanted to encourage me, perhaps they were aware that I have not marked their tests and assignments yet!)
At present I am doing a self study course on Christian leadership in missions. The books I have to read were great. In fact, they were so interesting I found myself completing the reading assignments so fast! Among the many things I learnt were about planning, communication, team work, team building, management, etc. But one very interesting thing I learnt was this – give and it will be given to you. I’ve always known that familiar Bible verse – ask & it shall be given – but this is a bit different. Only recently did I discover the truth of it.
I found myself getting deeper & deeper involved in my students. Somehow, I just have this passion to give the best of all I have in every single task the Lord entrusted to me. (Be faithful even unto little, eh?!) And it so surprised me when this one student commented that I’m so a pastor because I regularly ask a few of them regarding their progress in studies. Huh? I have always known the pastoral tendency in me is the most and very weakest. But as I pour out care & concern, I received that in return. As I gave, it was given to me. You see, I was in a pretty frustrated moment. Then a simple phone call came to enquire, “hey…heard you were in such & such a situation, you doing ok?” Well, I suppose that’s what pastors ought to be doing. It’s only that I’ve never received such attention. (Thanks Alan…you’re a brother!) And it also taught me how I need to be more sensitive to people I work with and people all around me. (Honestly, I’m pretty “numb”!!!) Bottom line is: there’s still so much I need to learn!
I had a very interesting meeting over lunch with a friend recently. And I’ve learnt so much from her. I have to admit that I’m such a green horn in ministry. After serving in the pastoral capacity and comparing studying about it, I must admit that one definitely need to have a proper balance of the two. Seminary training is redundant without practical ministry. Just the same, practical experiences carry no weight without proper training. There really need to be adequate balance of the two. I praise the Lord for the networking opportunity He is opening to me, locally & overseas. It’s great serving here at the Seminary. It’s fun in the missions department. It’s exciting exploring cross-cultural studies. And those who have had a taste of it will testify to this. Just like my brother Casey from (EAST) Singapore!
Please continue to pray for us at the Seminary. I have a strong conviction that if the Lord should visit us, the most strategic location is the Seminary – the very place where He had given the mandate to train leaders for His church. Join me in prayer for a spiritual revival here in campus. One student impacted is a whole congregation impacted and who knows, that very student may be a denomination head, a mission organization boss, etc.?! Please pray for me as I serve here in the Seminary. I’m having a great time here in the missions department, the graduate school & of course, the BM stream. And my studies? Couldn’t be better! Praise the Lord.
PS: So, have you decided what is the difference between preaching & teaching? Well, when we prepare to preach or to teach, two important elements are (1) to study the passage in its original context & I mean thorough study of it, (2) then the next step is applying it into our contemporary context. The following step is what makes the two different. When we prepare a message to preach, we proclaim it with an element of inviting or challenging a response from the hearers so that they are convicted in their thoughts – enough to spur their heart into acting out their responses. On the other hand, proclaiming the message by teaching is to teach the facts, how it can be applied into our lives and we leave it to the hearers to apply what they hear (that feed their knowledge). Most preachers, myself included, tend to pose a challenge when summing up the message. It is because, after we learn of God’s truth, we need to show our hearers how to apply them and challenge them to actually make that commitment of applying the truth that has been learnt. It’s not accomplished by a showing of hands or coming forward to the front for prayers but it is the assurance that these people are equipped enough and they are convinced enough that they need to actually practice what they hear. Imagine yourself in a cell group meeting. A message taught from the pulpit on Sunday is no different than the teaching you hear in your cell groups. But a message preached is a message that reasoned the head (knowledge), spur the heart (conviction by the Holy Spirit) & expressed through action. Well, in short, preaching is delivering a message containing an “aggressive” urge (challenge) for a response…something absent in teaching.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Ministry Update March 2007
I’m never a morning person. Having to wake up early is a drag. I prefer staying up late but never to wake up early. Because of that I was pretty worried when I was asked to lead the dawn prayer meeting in campus. They meet at 7am on every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I stayed in campus hostel the day before so that I don’t have to wake up super early & drive through dark streets under the moonlight zig-zagging through the mountainous road to campus. And it was a great meeting. I did a little sharing & led a corporate repentance for ignoring our cousins and denying them the Good News. I appointed a few students to represent several people groups to pray for God’s forgiveness and I also asked a few foreign students to represent their nation to accept forgiveness of how Malaysians had treated them. I did not think I did a good job, yea – maybe I’m a bit of a perfectionist, after all, my secondary temperament is melancholy. But the response amazed me. One after another came to me to express how touched they were – both local and foreign students. Some even caught the passion to pursue further in such prayer and there are talks about planning an all-night prayer. So, please join me in prayer as we press in for a spiritual breakthrough at MBTS. I can feel it in my bones that we are coming near to a time of a great out-pouring of God’s power upon us. Where else is more strategic than the place where God had given the mandate to train leaders for His church? Please pray for Dr L, Amanda & myself to press on for a spiritual breakthrough in campus
At the same time last week, a Korean intercessory team was here. Several more are coming, from Korea and from America. Praise God that Penang is going to be so saturated by prayers! Great things are in store. I am very excited.
In a week’s time I’ll be teaching a week-long intensive course in BM. The very first time teaching the Bible in BM. Please pray for me. It’s not easy trying to converse/teach in a language with different Biblical terms. Pray for my students who are ministering in this language.
Pray for Michael S & myself as we launch the youth work at GBC South. I carry the conviction that youth today are leaders of today and this is Biblical. And youth work is not merely a “babysitting” ministry or an extension of children work. It is a distinct ministry of raising individuals at the cross road of childhood and adulthood. In fact, it is pretty much a “cross-cultural” effort.
Also, please pray for my thesis. I have started the initial ground research and I’m probably steering it into a narrower path to focus more on qualitative implication of data collected. And it’s a bit more focus than previously. I also need to consider its “sequel” because I’m extending the same topic into a dissertation.
Finally, thank you for your partnership in ministry. God is good all the time & all the time God is good.
At the same time last week, a Korean intercessory team was here. Several more are coming, from Korea and from America. Praise God that Penang is going to be so saturated by prayers! Great things are in store. I am very excited.
In a week’s time I’ll be teaching a week-long intensive course in BM. The very first time teaching the Bible in BM. Please pray for me. It’s not easy trying to converse/teach in a language with different Biblical terms. Pray for my students who are ministering in this language.
Pray for Michael S & myself as we launch the youth work at GBC South. I carry the conviction that youth today are leaders of today and this is Biblical. And youth work is not merely a “babysitting” ministry or an extension of children work. It is a distinct ministry of raising individuals at the cross road of childhood and adulthood. In fact, it is pretty much a “cross-cultural” effort.
Also, please pray for my thesis. I have started the initial ground research and I’m probably steering it into a narrower path to focus more on qualitative implication of data collected. And it’s a bit more focus than previously. I also need to consider its “sequel” because I’m extending the same topic into a dissertation.
Finally, thank you for your partnership in ministry. God is good all the time & all the time God is good.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Between the past & the future: Ministry Update February 2007
The previous week, I conducted two similar classes on writing forms. Though both consisted of very diverse groups of students, they share a similar concern – why the need to learn the various confusing writing forms? I wondered about this myself – why is the footnote done in this manner while the bibliography is done in that manner? Why the need to set the margin as such and such? Why indeed? But the years of learning, plus the many times of grading student papers, I have reached a conclusion. A standard writing format is important for the following reasons (though not comprehensive):
- it shows quality (if other organizations can strive for standardization, eg., the ISO certifications, why not the church? Aren’t we supposed to be the head and not the tail? (Deut. 28:13) We should be the one leading in excellence, not tailing far behind the world)
- we ought to present the best to God (if God takes us so seriously that He died for us, should we not take seriously everything He entrusted to us?)
- as we strive for (academic, especially) excellence, standardization exhibits professionalism
- God is a God of order, not confusion (1 Cor 14:33) – as such, a standard format is necessary
I’m presently studying the second last course to complete the credits required to fulfill my study program requirements. Please pray for me that as I complete the studies and work on my thesis, God will direct and lead me. I am truly enjoying ministry at MBTS. Probably because my temperament as a choleric-melancholy that makes “work” fun & fulfilling. I love having loads of tasks in my hands and in His own way, He speaks to me through this channel. I have not forgotten my mission nor my passion and calling. And I trust Him to take me to and through circumstances in order to mold me and prepare me for the ministry He is taking me to.
Differing from most Christians, the church is to me first universal before it is local. However, the view of the general Christian population will probably accept the church first as local before it is universal. Perhaps it is this differing perception that I find myself among a small distinct group of individuals who prefers ministering from a wider angle. What I mean is, seeing the universality of the church and ministering from that perspective. This include a, what I may address as “cross church effort” – meaning the coming together of Christians from various churches with a similar passion/conviction to serve in a ministry that seeks to honor God and bless His church. This is how I would define “Kingdom Perspective” – looking beyond each local church and seeking to glorify the Lord, pooling together efforts/talents/gifts with a common passion which is to grow the Kingdom of God. I believe the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24: 44-49; Acts 1:7-9; John 20:21) specify “ministry policy” – equip and go forth – and it is only when we obediently comply to this “policy” that the Lord will truly proper what is “at home.”
Luke 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
- it shows quality (if other organizations can strive for standardization, eg., the ISO certifications, why not the church? Aren’t we supposed to be the head and not the tail? (Deut. 28:13) We should be the one leading in excellence, not tailing far behind the world)
- we ought to present the best to God (if God takes us so seriously that He died for us, should we not take seriously everything He entrusted to us?)
- as we strive for (academic, especially) excellence, standardization exhibits professionalism
- God is a God of order, not confusion (1 Cor 14:33) – as such, a standard format is necessary
I’m presently studying the second last course to complete the credits required to fulfill my study program requirements. Please pray for me that as I complete the studies and work on my thesis, God will direct and lead me. I am truly enjoying ministry at MBTS. Probably because my temperament as a choleric-melancholy that makes “work” fun & fulfilling. I love having loads of tasks in my hands and in His own way, He speaks to me through this channel. I have not forgotten my mission nor my passion and calling. And I trust Him to take me to and through circumstances in order to mold me and prepare me for the ministry He is taking me to.
Differing from most Christians, the church is to me first universal before it is local. However, the view of the general Christian population will probably accept the church first as local before it is universal. Perhaps it is this differing perception that I find myself among a small distinct group of individuals who prefers ministering from a wider angle. What I mean is, seeing the universality of the church and ministering from that perspective. This include a, what I may address as “cross church effort” – meaning the coming together of Christians from various churches with a similar passion/conviction to serve in a ministry that seeks to honor God and bless His church. This is how I would define “Kingdom Perspective” – looking beyond each local church and seeking to glorify the Lord, pooling together efforts/talents/gifts with a common passion which is to grow the Kingdom of God. I believe the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24: 44-49; Acts 1:7-9; John 20:21) specify “ministry policy” – equip and go forth – and it is only when we obediently comply to this “policy” that the Lord will truly proper what is “at home.”
Luke 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
A Subtle Crisis
For my recent graduate seminar, I did a paper on “Women in Missions.” Along the research period, I was tempted to change my thesis title to one related to this. I was inspired by what I discovered. Saddened to observe the foolishness of the fallen human nature. Why? Because when gender difference caused a discrimination that forbids one gender from serving in some ministry capacity, the work is stunted by half. My research took me to explore books written as early as in 1929 where authors (men) were already rallying for gender equality. These books were written by Western authors and just as we may think gender discrimination is becoming less in the West, surprise…surprise! Even until 2003, which was the latest book I consulted on women in ministry, women authors are advocating gender equality…
Those in my graduate seminar are “top guns” in their own capacities/ministries. I’ve heard their comments. But I would like to hear from the members at large. Is this thing of gender discrimination prevalent in the church today? In this nation? I must be careful to add that certain denominations are “more conservative” than others.
I remember someone coming into my office & saw a book by a lady mission historian & he brushed it aside, asking me why I would read a book that promotes “feminist theology.” Honestly, I do not understand why men are so fearful to accept women as their equal. In Women in the Maze: Questions and Answers on Biblical Equality the author raised several thought provoking questions. I’m glad I came across this book. Among many topics, it talks about the power of Jesus’ resurrection. That if Jesus had come, we human species no longer are under “the curse” (Gen. 3). If we truly believe Jesus had come, we can go beyond the curse. So, why still live under the bondage of the curse. This is mere foolishness to me. I know there is a school of thought that believes “leadership is male” & I would say these people are pretty ignorant. There is a difference between roles and functions. Personally, I am convicted that with the resurrection of Jesus, the church now can strive towards the original order of creation. Not to perfection – as long as we are on this side of heaven – but as near as we can.
Jesus saw both genders as equal in “value” to the Kingdom. Paul saw both genders as equal partners in ministry. They were radicals, won’t you say? But how about today in the 21st century? I remember quoting a caption of chorus from a song by ZZ Top. I don’t remember the title but I sure remember well one phrase that stood out “18th century brain, in the 21st century head.” And this is true in many circumstances. The church with its strong male adherence literally is pushing women to serve in the mission field where she can use her God-given gifts to serve. My challenge to the skeptic is to study history & to discover for yourself how we owe women who strongly persisted in using their gifts to serve God.
William Booth, who founded the Salvation Army with his wife Catherine commented that “My best men were women.”[1] Leaders like D.L. Moody, A.B. Simpson, and A.J. Gordon believed in encouraging women's gifts for public ministry. Both J. Hudson Taylor, founder of China Inland Mission, and Fredrik Franson, founder of TEAM (The Evangelical Alliance Mission), saw the need to recruit and send women to evangelize cross-culturally. In 1888, Taylor wrote, "We are manning our stations with ladies."[2] Throughout its initial history, his mission expected women, both single and married, to carry out all the missionary duties, including preaching and teaching. (extract from “Women in Missions” research paper)
The names quoted above are “big names” in history & they saw the value of including women in ministry…the result? Just read history.
In the midst of equality concern within the church today, this is a challenge. It is a challenge of and for the church to show in its life that it believes the gospel – that women as well as men are created in the image of God, that women as well as men are saved and set free by Jesus Christ and that because women and men are baptized into one Lord Jesus Christ, distinctions between women and men disappear and should not affect the life of the church. God calls the church to share in the struggle for liberation of all people, especially women. The church can only do so when it ceases to oppose its own members and let those of its members who suffer oppression in society direct its mission.[3]
That was my concluding paragraph. (I’ll be glad to oblige any request for further bibliography) In the corporate sector, women has to be twice as good to be accepted as an equal but in ministry, women just has got to be three times as anointed to be accepted as an equal. And it still puzzles me – if we truly believe the Bible & its teachings, if we truly confess faith in Jesus, why? Why the discrimination? I cannot comprehend. And I still fail to understand. For the next generation – the present generation of the so-called young adults – if they have lady bosses in their offices, if they themselves are bosses, the church has certainly lost its relevance if she still wants women to stay silent in church and refuse women the same opportunity as men to lead.
When women say that they feel left out or like second class citizens, they are often labeled radical feminists, aggressive or just plain unspiritual[4]
Am I promoting a “feminist theology”? No, on the contrary, I am appealing a return to Biblical teachings that must be extracted from cultural practices. It is the failure of the church if we do not disciple a believer until he/she experiences a transformation of worldview – from his/her old worldview to that of a Biblical worldview. And again, let me stress here, that a Biblical worldview is distinct from Biblical culture.
Read this quote,
Imagine the possibilities such a combination [cooperation of both genders] might create: strength working in tandem with stamina, the male’s laser-like focus expanding to take in the female’s quest for meaningful connections enriching the male’s determination to get things done. In theology, business, education, and communications; there is an emerging recognition of a different vision, a different voice, a different viewpoint – a female one, neither inferior nor superior, neither right nor wrong, neither better nor worse, but one that may open up new and unexplored possibilities for both sexes.[5]
It is truly my prayer that the church will rise to be the community she ought to be. Talk about love, talk about unity but beneath that is this issue of gender equality that we must confront now, in the 21st century.
[1] Marguerite Kraft “Distinctly Female” in Frontline Women (Pasedena, CA: William Carey Library, 2003), pg 76
[2] Marguerite Kraft and Meg Crossman Women in Missions http://www.thetravelingteam.org/2000/articles/women2.shtml
[3] Virginia Fabella and Sun Ai Lee Park (eds) We Dare to Dream: Doing Theology as Asian Women (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1989) pg 153-4
[4] Lorry Lutz Women as Risk Takers for God (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books 1997) pg 241
[5] Diane Hales Just Like A Woman: How Gender Science is Redefining What Makes Us Female (NY: Bantan Books, 1999) quoted in Marguerite Kraft “Distinctly Female” in Frontline Women (Pasedena, CA: William Carey Library, 2003) 337
Those in my graduate seminar are “top guns” in their own capacities/ministries. I’ve heard their comments. But I would like to hear from the members at large. Is this thing of gender discrimination prevalent in the church today? In this nation? I must be careful to add that certain denominations are “more conservative” than others.
I remember someone coming into my office & saw a book by a lady mission historian & he brushed it aside, asking me why I would read a book that promotes “feminist theology.” Honestly, I do not understand why men are so fearful to accept women as their equal. In Women in the Maze: Questions and Answers on Biblical Equality the author raised several thought provoking questions. I’m glad I came across this book. Among many topics, it talks about the power of Jesus’ resurrection. That if Jesus had come, we human species no longer are under “the curse” (Gen. 3). If we truly believe Jesus had come, we can go beyond the curse. So, why still live under the bondage of the curse. This is mere foolishness to me. I know there is a school of thought that believes “leadership is male” & I would say these people are pretty ignorant. There is a difference between roles and functions. Personally, I am convicted that with the resurrection of Jesus, the church now can strive towards the original order of creation. Not to perfection – as long as we are on this side of heaven – but as near as we can.
Jesus saw both genders as equal in “value” to the Kingdom. Paul saw both genders as equal partners in ministry. They were radicals, won’t you say? But how about today in the 21st century? I remember quoting a caption of chorus from a song by ZZ Top. I don’t remember the title but I sure remember well one phrase that stood out “18th century brain, in the 21st century head.” And this is true in many circumstances. The church with its strong male adherence literally is pushing women to serve in the mission field where she can use her God-given gifts to serve. My challenge to the skeptic is to study history & to discover for yourself how we owe women who strongly persisted in using their gifts to serve God.
William Booth, who founded the Salvation Army with his wife Catherine commented that “My best men were women.”[1] Leaders like D.L. Moody, A.B. Simpson, and A.J. Gordon believed in encouraging women's gifts for public ministry. Both J. Hudson Taylor, founder of China Inland Mission, and Fredrik Franson, founder of TEAM (The Evangelical Alliance Mission), saw the need to recruit and send women to evangelize cross-culturally. In 1888, Taylor wrote, "We are manning our stations with ladies."[2] Throughout its initial history, his mission expected women, both single and married, to carry out all the missionary duties, including preaching and teaching. (extract from “Women in Missions” research paper)
The names quoted above are “big names” in history & they saw the value of including women in ministry…the result? Just read history.
In the midst of equality concern within the church today, this is a challenge. It is a challenge of and for the church to show in its life that it believes the gospel – that women as well as men are created in the image of God, that women as well as men are saved and set free by Jesus Christ and that because women and men are baptized into one Lord Jesus Christ, distinctions between women and men disappear and should not affect the life of the church. God calls the church to share in the struggle for liberation of all people, especially women. The church can only do so when it ceases to oppose its own members and let those of its members who suffer oppression in society direct its mission.[3]
That was my concluding paragraph. (I’ll be glad to oblige any request for further bibliography) In the corporate sector, women has to be twice as good to be accepted as an equal but in ministry, women just has got to be three times as anointed to be accepted as an equal. And it still puzzles me – if we truly believe the Bible & its teachings, if we truly confess faith in Jesus, why? Why the discrimination? I cannot comprehend. And I still fail to understand. For the next generation – the present generation of the so-called young adults – if they have lady bosses in their offices, if they themselves are bosses, the church has certainly lost its relevance if she still wants women to stay silent in church and refuse women the same opportunity as men to lead.
When women say that they feel left out or like second class citizens, they are often labeled radical feminists, aggressive or just plain unspiritual[4]
Am I promoting a “feminist theology”? No, on the contrary, I am appealing a return to Biblical teachings that must be extracted from cultural practices. It is the failure of the church if we do not disciple a believer until he/she experiences a transformation of worldview – from his/her old worldview to that of a Biblical worldview. And again, let me stress here, that a Biblical worldview is distinct from Biblical culture.
Read this quote,
Imagine the possibilities such a combination [cooperation of both genders] might create: strength working in tandem with stamina, the male’s laser-like focus expanding to take in the female’s quest for meaningful connections enriching the male’s determination to get things done. In theology, business, education, and communications; there is an emerging recognition of a different vision, a different voice, a different viewpoint – a female one, neither inferior nor superior, neither right nor wrong, neither better nor worse, but one that may open up new and unexplored possibilities for both sexes.[5]
It is truly my prayer that the church will rise to be the community she ought to be. Talk about love, talk about unity but beneath that is this issue of gender equality that we must confront now, in the 21st century.
[1] Marguerite Kraft “Distinctly Female” in Frontline Women (Pasedena, CA: William Carey Library, 2003), pg 76
[2] Marguerite Kraft and Meg Crossman Women in Missions http://www.thetravelingteam.org/2000/articles/women2.shtml
[3] Virginia Fabella and Sun Ai Lee Park (eds) We Dare to Dream: Doing Theology as Asian Women (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1989) pg 153-4
[4] Lorry Lutz Women as Risk Takers for God (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books 1997) pg 241
[5] Diane Hales Just Like A Woman: How Gender Science is Redefining What Makes Us Female (NY: Bantan Books, 1999) quoted in Marguerite Kraft “Distinctly Female” in Frontline Women (Pasedena, CA: William Carey Library, 2003) 337
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Ministry Update – January/February 2007
I’m feeling miserable…I was invited to preach this morning in a church that has a super early service. It was a strong message wrapped in royal icing. I did the usual preparations – rehearsing its delivery at an average of 10 times before the actual preaching…but I’m miserable. I did not deliver the message as good as I should. I left the church & complaint to myself in the car… “you delivered the message better last night rehearsing it than just now!” Surprisingly, the congregants thought otherwise…I don’t know if I should rejoice over this. But I placed a higher expectation on myself. My God deserves the best…I should always offer the best to Him.
It was a busy week. A whole week of classes – our graduate seminar. Somehow studying in class from 9am till 4pm is more tiring than working at my desk from 9am till 5pm! But I praise God that it was very insightful. Two more courses to go besides the thesis & I’m done for my study program. I’m looking forward to that. Because beyond this, study is more flexible. Next Tuesday I’m standing in for a colleague to teach at her class, then repeating the syllabus for the orientation class of new intake on Saturday. The YA group is meeting for a planning retreat at a beach apartment this weekend…I don’t know how much I can trust them to “truly plan” (honestly). Maybe, I just need to learn to allow others to make their own mistakes…then I won’t need to worry so much.
Then there’s the youth meeting we are planning to launch. Pray for Michael S. & myself to discern God’s direction in this work. I’m glad to have found someone sharing similar passion for youth work. I do admit that the attempt last year was pretty much a failure. But working in partnership with someone with similar passion…now that is more promising.
February is full of festivity…a whole week off for CNY. Yea, I enjoy “work” so much, holidays seem to just get in the way…but I need that break, just like everyone else, we need to take breaks. And God knows how I need to be a “Mary” once in a while & not get carried away at being “Martha.”
March already sees two major activities. One, is the morning prayer meeting with the students in campus. Gosh, it’s at 7am! I’m a night person…not a morning person, help! But it is a privilege to lead a group with the opportunity to spur the passion to pray…a group that may ultimately be a catalyst to a much larger group. Then, there’s my “debut” of teaching the Bible in BM! Gosh, I am looking forward to that…but do pray for me.
It was a busy week. A whole week of classes – our graduate seminar. Somehow studying in class from 9am till 4pm is more tiring than working at my desk from 9am till 5pm! But I praise God that it was very insightful. Two more courses to go besides the thesis & I’m done for my study program. I’m looking forward to that. Because beyond this, study is more flexible. Next Tuesday I’m standing in for a colleague to teach at her class, then repeating the syllabus for the orientation class of new intake on Saturday. The YA group is meeting for a planning retreat at a beach apartment this weekend…I don’t know how much I can trust them to “truly plan” (honestly). Maybe, I just need to learn to allow others to make their own mistakes…then I won’t need to worry so much.
Then there’s the youth meeting we are planning to launch. Pray for Michael S. & myself to discern God’s direction in this work. I’m glad to have found someone sharing similar passion for youth work. I do admit that the attempt last year was pretty much a failure. But working in partnership with someone with similar passion…now that is more promising.
February is full of festivity…a whole week off for CNY. Yea, I enjoy “work” so much, holidays seem to just get in the way…but I need that break, just like everyone else, we need to take breaks. And God knows how I need to be a “Mary” once in a while & not get carried away at being “Martha.”
March already sees two major activities. One, is the morning prayer meeting with the students in campus. Gosh, it’s at 7am! I’m a night person…not a morning person, help! But it is a privilege to lead a group with the opportunity to spur the passion to pray…a group that may ultimately be a catalyst to a much larger group. Then, there’s my “debut” of teaching the Bible in BM! Gosh, I am looking forward to that…but do pray for me.
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