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Archive of "Church" Category
Secret to Lasting Longer in English Ministry
During my recent visit to Austin, I had met Ken Liu at Chesterbrook Taiwanese Presbyterian Church in VA. Here’s an impromptu interview of him sharing the trade secret for lasting longer in English Ministry. [Thanks @DJChuang]
He’s made it past 5 years!
Unheard of?ConferenceSpotting
I’ll be headed out to Austin, Texas tomorrow to join 2000+ church leaders at Verge 2010. Should be interesting since it’s the first “missional” church conference of this kind. I’ll be hanging out with the good folks at Vox Veniae as well as DJChuang and David Park (NextGenerAsianChurch.com).
You can follow the live stream through DJChuang.com as well as through his tweets on @djchuang247. He and David Park are part of the official Verge Social Media Team.
But you can also follow @laurencetom @abcpastor for my live tweets
as well as Live twitter tweets on twubs + use official hashtag #verge10 There’s other significant conferences that I still need to follow up on like NA-CCCOWE. Co-wha? Way back at the beginning of December back in 09, a little event took place that gathered many Chinese churches together in North America. The conference also had a separate English speaking track that focused on “The Challenges and Future of English Speaking Ministries in Chinese Churches.” It was a momentous gathering of leaders. While abcpastor.com goes through a facelift I’ll provide a separate page to include some of the dialogue, documents, and future plans from the NACCOWE event. I know many of you have been asking for it. I’ll make good on it soon.
My 2010 conference itinerary so far includes:
EPIC, Jan 15-18
Verge, Feb 4-6
Ecclesia National Gathering, Feb 16
The Ideation Conference, Apr 5-6
The 99% Conference, Apr 15Any other suggestions?
Undergrads from China growing on US Campuses
Photo by Jacob Hannah for USA TODAY
For years we have seen mostly graduate students pour in from China but we’re witnessing a surge in undergrad enrollment as USAToday confirms. Campus/Student ministries in Chinese churches are fairly new developments. It’s wonderful to see these missional efforts from the Chinese church side and I see that they’re getting a taste of what English speaking ministries experience in a Chinese church context. Leaders of these ministries are much more contextual and intentional in their ministry approach. They have to deal with turnover more frequently than traditional Chinese pastors. How will Chinese churches respond to the surge in undergrads? Generally grad students are older and may be single or married. It’s a different stage of life. Undergrad attitudes and outlook will be different.
Is this a moment of opportunity for English-speaking ministries and not just Chinese congregations? Perhaps this development can provide a bridging ministry between the Chinese and English speaking ministries of Chinese churches.
Seeking Reconciliation after Deadly Vipers
It’s been a week after the Deadly Viper controversy and much dialogue and movement has happened. Moving toward reconciliation Mike Foster & Jud Wilhite have posted their conversation w Asian American leaders as well as Soong-Chan Rah. A conference with Zondervan was also conducted which included Ken Fong weighing in. This is definitely bigger than Mike & Jud or Zondervan could have ever anticipated.
What more is needed? Well. Much. Much. More. It’s beyond Mike & Jud but Deadly Vipers has certainly been an undeniable catalyst for change. If anything it will serve as a great case study in marketing on many levels including conflict resolution through social media.
Let me first say that I appreciate the many non-Asian voices that have added not just their voices to this important conversation but the steps to sincerely seek deep reconciliation and the faith to move towards the vision of a better ‘country’.I think the question that many Asians bring up is, “Do White people get it?”
“Will they ever get it?”This is about all of us and not just demonizing the “White Privilege” of Caucasian men. I am capable of insensitivity, prejudice, and worse. Our church is far from perfect. Our church bumbles and stumbles our way in the ministry of reconciliation but we’re committed to engaging in both conversation and actions – even if we know we’ll fall short. But we’ll keep trying because we know that the ministry of all things reconciliation is not an option but part of our discipleship. – From Eugene Cho
In race matters as well as in real relationships, we’re never going to get anywhere unless we step into the world of another person who is different from us. Becoming like Christ means we willingly step into another person’s reality just. I say this often, I never realized how ‘Chinese’ I was until I married my Italian-German wife. I thought I was more Italian than Chinese growing up in Brooklyn but living with my non-Chinese wife has forced me to confront things about myself. This is how I begin my response to Chinese leaderships that think to be an multi-ethnic church is merely the task of the American born in their church. Not that I think this should or shouldn’t be the goal of ethnic/immigrant churches but becoming a multi-ethnic church will challenge us in ways we cannot begin to imagine and typically fail to acknowledge. It’s a ‘nice’ thing to dream about. Unless we’re willing to step out, reinvent our ways of thinking and have our social consciousness challenged it will always remain a dream. We like being around people just like us. Once we’re doing life on life with those different than us be it their skin color or socio-economic status or something else will we really taste what Christ came to do – deep reconciliation. I have to ask church leaders, are you really committed to building ethnically rich dynamic gospel communities or clusters of likeness where we have lots in common and oh yea Jesus too…
Anyways there’s been some great movement amongst Asian American Leaders about what we need to do next. I had a great tokbox session last week with some great voices including headsparks (Dan So), elderj (Joshua Settles), djchuang, jadanzzy (Dan Ra), NextGenerAsian Church (David Park) including Eugene Cho and Bruce Reyes-Chow who popped their heads in now and then. We discussed identity formation for the next generation of Asian Americans in the church and we want to follow up from that conversation with “Asian American Women and the Church”. What an appropriate next step.
So if you’re around this Thurs 11/12 10p ET / 7p PT tune in on TokBox. I’ll post details on that soon.Non-Asian Responses to Deadly Vipers
Skye Jethani: Hidden Racism?
Jonathan Brink: Confronting the Enemy Within
Ed Cyzewski: How White Christians Can Deal with Racial InsensitivityInterview on L2Foundation Blog
Last weekend I had the honor of being interviewed by DJChuang for the L2 Foundation Blog to discuss in short being an ABC Pastor in a Chinese Church. It was my first encounter with a Flip cam. I want one now.
Watch Interview with Laurence Tom or “LT” with DJ Chuang
The Challenges and Future of English Ministries in Chinese Churches
Compelling?
PALM(Pastoral & Laity Ministries), CCCOWE-USA (Chinese Coordination Centre on World Evangelization), CCCOWE-Canada are partnering together for a conference on the Challenges & Future of English Ministries in Chinese Churches. Stuff that we’re passionate about here at abcpastor.comThis should be quite interesting and serve to be a viable gathering ground for ABC pastors or pastors/leaders of EMs (English Ministries) in Chinese churches. Let’s meet finally face to face.
Why don’t we begin the dialogue here or on twitter [twitter.com/abcpastor] prior to the conference so we can fast forward our interactions?
• Share what topics you want discussed at this conference
Conference Details
Location: Tuscarora Inn & Conference Center
3300 River Road Mt. Bethel, PA 18343Rev. Jim Cymbala of Brooklyn Tabernacle speaking on Wednesday afternoon and evening, Dec 2.
Registration: $50 (by August 1, 2009) $70 thereafterMitzie Mackenzie (1920-2009)
The community of Chinese Christian Church + Center will deeply miss Mitzie.
We’ve spoken about being “transcultural” or “Third Culture” on this blog. Mitzie’s life truly was transcultural. As Dave Gibbons (NewSong) would put it, she had the mindset and the will to love, learn, and serve in any culture, even in the midst of pain and discomfort. As we mature in knowing Christ’s character, we discover that he has called us to love and serve cultures and people unlike our own — may it be racially, or socioeconomically.As a 20 year old white girl she stepped into Chinatown and gave over 60 years of her life to serve this community never being fluent in Chinese. She always said she was Chinese at heart.
Respect. Imitate. Live.
(more…)Remembering Ralph Winter & Mitzie Mackenzie
As I’m returning home from a long stint of speaking and ministry I received news of the passing of two great and influential people. Last week we lost the great American missiologist, Ralph Winter. A giant. He was identified by Time Magazine as one of America’s most influential evangelicals in 2005. His book, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement is a formative read to reach the world’s “unreached” with the Gospel. I’ve held a Perspectives course for those interested in missions at my church and it was intense.I love this quote:
“You do not evaluate a risk by the probability of success but by the worthiness of the goal.” – Ralph Winter 1925 – 2009
Link: LA Times
The memorial service for Dr. Ralph D. Winter has been scheduled for Sunday, June 28, in the main sanctuary of Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, Calif.I also just received news that Mitzie Mackenzie passed away this morning. Many of you will not know who Mitzie is but she is a hero in our church community here in Chinatown, Philadelphia. She was an advocate for the voiceless in Chinatown and under her leadership, our church opened its doors to them in 1941. She was 20 when arrived in Chinatown, a lone white girl with a heart and vision to reach the poor immigrants of this community.
The memorial service for Mitzie Mackenzie will be held at The Vine of Chinese Christian Church+Center on Saturday, May 30 at 8am
What hearts. What legacies.
REILLY+NEW HEIGHTS CONCERT
The Vine presents the music of REILLY and NEW HEIGHTS
ABOUT REILLY THE BANDHailing from the City of Brotherly Love, Reilly’s signature “symphonic-rock” has garnered them national recognition as one of America’s best independent bands. Fusing acoustic and electric guitars with violin hooks and refreshingly thought provoking lyrics, REILLY’s artistry is original and irresistible. Accompanying lead singer/songwriter John Reilly is the versatile violin duo of Dan and Noele Huie, bassist Matthew Bomberger, and drummer Kyle Thoman. The band’s engaging stage interaction opens a new world for listeners to become long-time fans. Numerous first place finishes in “battle of the band” competitions and increasing notoriety have allowed the band to play at notable music festivals including CREATION, ATLANTAFEST, CORNERSTONE, AUTUMN BLAZE, PURPLE DOOR, REVELATION GENERATION. Reilly is becoming more and more of a household name as they have played with national acts like SWITCHFOOT, NEWSBOYS, JARS OF CLAY, LEELAND, TOBY MAC, BARLOW GIRL. Off stage they are a team of hard working D.I.Y. entrepreneurs, having created and implemented successful marketing plans, and recorded albums without the help of a record label.“If the hearts, lyrics and music of REILLY is not enough, the dueling violins will blow you out of your seat. This band is my new favorite live band!” ~ Chris Strayer, Producer for Purple Door Music Festival
“WJTL is currently playing an independent rock ‘n’ roll band from Philadelphia called Reilly. They produce a big, expansive sound replete with 2 violins! I highly recommend spending some time with their latest record, “Let June Decide.” Listen and let the music penetrate your soul.” ~ Phil Smith, Music Director for 90.3 WJTL PA
REILLY Music, LLC
www.REILLYtheband.com
www.myspace.com/REILLYtheband
www.sonicbids.com/REILLYmusicWHAT WE DO AT THE VINE
There’s a world of hurt out there…but LOVE is alive and moving.
We’re raising awareness to the needs in our hurting world by mobilizing our community with creative events and projects to bring about change. The first step is to know what the problem is. The next step is up to you.FRIDAY NIGHT. MARCH 27. 7:30PM
Featuring Music By:
REILLY www.reillytheband.com
NEW HEIGHTS www.new-heights.net
Tickets are $7 at the door
Facebook event link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=137690665133
REILLY: We’re inviting our fans and anybody who attends the concert to come out to Chinatown with us after the show for some post concert dinner.Saying No to Casinos in Chinatown Part 7
UPDATE: The battle against proposed casinos in the heart of Philadelphia ensues. It’s now a citywide effort and not just a Chinatown matter. The thing is that it was never just a Chinatown matter but now a coalition has been formed (The No Casino in the Heart of the City Coalition) that includes major groups like The Black Clergy of Philadelphia and AAU amongst many others. The coalition’s first move is a press conference at the Bellevue Hotel (Broad & Walnut Sts) Headquarters for Gov. Rendell and PREIT (Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust), Wednesday, February 18, 11am.
Download the full press release
Link to AAUSpeakers include: Bishop Peggy Johnson, Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church; Pastor Ellis Washington, president, Black Clergy of Philadelphia & Vicinity; Tom Earle, CEO, Liberty Resources; and coalition partners.
Below is the statement of Beliefs and Commitments of this new coalition.
No Casino in the Heart of the City Coalition
Statement of Beliefs and CommitmentsWe, the undersigned organizations, enter into coalition with each other, united by the following beliefs and commitments.
By joining the Coalition, each of our organizations commits to mobilizing our constituency and bringing our own strengths and resources to the work of the Coalition.
OUR BELIEFS:
1) We oppose putting a casino in the heart of our city.
A Center City slots parlor aims to take money from the pocketbooks of Philadelphians who can least afford it (especially low-income, elderly, and people of color, riders of mass transit, center city workers, Chinatown workers and residents, and Gallery shoppers).2) We decry the unfair fast-tracking of the Gallery casino.
It is patently discriminatory for our public servants to work to protect some communities from this noxious industry and then to move at a feverish pace to impose it as quickly as possible in a place that will expose the maximum number of Philadelphians to it.3) We reject actions by our public officials that make them active partners with the casino industry – promoting gambling to our residents and transit riders and redesigning our central historical, business and residential corridor around a gambling anchor.
The slots business is a predatory industry that profits off addiction and impoverishes its clientele. We do not build a healthy economy or a balanced budget by increasing levels of poverty and addiction among our citizens.4) We reject the choice of any site for a casino that would threaten the health and welfare of any neighborhood.
No casino should be sited in any neighborhood that would change the nature and character of the neighborhood, or interfere with that neighborhood’s sustainable economic development.OUR COMMITMENT TO EACH OTHER:
- The Coalition will operate utilizing a fair and open process.
- The Coalition will share its knowledge and all relevant information with the community.
- The Coalition will speak with unity. At the same time, the multiple voices of our members make us stronger. Individual organizations and persons are encouraged to voice their own issues and perspectives within the broad unity expressed in this statement.
- The Coalition will collectively make strategic decisions, especially regarding lobbying, meetings with politicians and other decision makers, and significant public statements.
- Coalition members commit to speaking openly with each other about differences, mistakes, criticisms, and rumors. We enter into this Coalition with a spirit of unity, generosity, and good will.
SIGNATORIES (as of December 17, 2008)
Arch Street United Methodist Church, Outreach Committee
Asian Americans United
Black Clergy of Philadelphia & Vicinity
Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia
Casino Free Philadelphia
Chinese Benevolent Association
Chinese Christian Church & Center
Chinese Christian Herald Crusade
Chinese Overseas Association
Family, INC
Folk Arts-Cultural Treasures Charter School
Germantown Clergy Initiative
Greater Germantown Business Association
Greater Philadelphiaa Chinese Chamber of Commerce
Leadership Learning Partners Charter School
Liberation Fellowship CDC
Media Mobilizing Project
New York Tai Look Association
ODUNDE, Inc.
On Leong Chinese Merchants Association
Palmer Foundation
Philadelphia Chinese Dragon Boat Association
Philadelphia Guang Dong Association
Shalom Center
Students Against the Gallery CasiNO!
Temple University Chinese Student Assoc.
Teo Chew Association of Philadelphia
Tsung Tsin Association
University of Pennsylvania Chinese Student AssociationIf your organization is interested in joining the many groups that have signed on to the coalition, please contact Helen Gym at 215.808.1400 or HGBF @ aol.com
Events
"HERO" An EPIC MOVEMENT EAST COAST Conference January 15-18, 2010, Philadelphia
Verge Missional Community Conference,
February 4-6, Austin, Texas
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