# Read Psalm 51:1-19

~ Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. … Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:4, 10

I do not like it when someone points out my mistakes. It’s worse when my sins are exposed. My first reaction is to hide in shame and guilt. And yet, what is needed is to face myself. What have I done? Whom am I responsible to? Where do I go from here? Psalm 51 gives us the prayer language and the process leading from repentance to restoration.

The psalmist starts with the truth of the matter – ‘I have sinned and I am a sinner’ (vs 1-6). Adultery and murder are not small matters. So often, we rush through our repentance and want our forgiveness quickly. But if the cleansing is going to be thorough and in depth, and most importantly, from God (vs 7-12), we are to be naked and transparent before God – our Creator. There’s nothing we can hide from Him. He knows everything, anyway. So, long-term restoration begins with authentic repentance and honest acknowledgement, hiding nothing – especially denying nothing – so that we will not be deceiving ourselves. Restoration not only leads us back into a relationship with our Lord, but we are also plugged back into the life of the worshipping community (vs 13-19).

It is not popular to talk about sin these days (most of us would prefer to share our ‘success stories’). The word ‘sin’ in Mandarin is translated ‘crime’. So, I may assume that if I didn’t commit a crime then I have not sinned. But, deep down, we know we have acted in ways that have broken relationships and promises, and hurt ourselves and others. Our comfort is that Jesus calls ‘sinners’ to come to Him. He is waiting for ‘broken’ people, not those who think that they are whole. His specialty is to take us beyond forgiveness to transformation.

+ Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love Thee and worthily magnify Thy holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

– Book of Common Prayer –

1. What made you decide to blog? When did you start to blog?

I started off blogging using Blogger in 2002. A little later there was this younger friend Kiffer whom became my tech guru who offered me to use his webspace and helped me set up “Movable Type” and showed me some basics in using the tools for blogging.

Here’s what I wrote on my first post on August 22, 2002 entitled “Start”:

“I just decided to start my own weblog. Karen Ward from ELCA was the first person to nudge me in this direction. The Newsweek article sparked a greater interest. Ah! I dunno what I’m getting myself into … well … let’s see what happens. Just came back from pre-natal class with May Chin, it was fun. The refreshments were good!

Two years later this is what I wrote here “Thoughts from a 32year Old: How broadband & blogging changed my life”:

“… At first, I just wanted to have a “place” to “record” down my moments and reflections. I never thought it actually gave me more confidence in my writing (which I still think it sucks!). The more delightful and surprising aspect is how new “friendships” (to many to even link now) that are formed by a “generous” exchange of ideas and links (and love/respect/encouragement/correction?!). I find my horizons constantly “expanding” and more multiple “connections”in terms of ideas and insights. And of course, in a context like that, I believe some “butterfly effect” kind of change (for the better of course) is happening! Some of this has spilled over even to others in the church and now we even have a BLC community blog …”

2. . What have you been blogging about?

The subtitle of my blog is “Happenings in my head and heart on this side of heaven.” So, I mainly blog about whatever catches my attention or is occupying my mind. This includes books I’ve read, movies or music I enjoy, and personal reflections on a given subject – which in my case very often revolves around my observations on faith, friends, family, church and society. Occasionally, I’d put up quotes or insights I’ve benefited from others, and recently I’ve tried posting up and even uploading Youtube videos which I think are worth sharing.

When I don’t have anything focused to say I like to blog about “Random Thoughts” which is a free-flow write down whatever comes to my mind kind of therapeutic exercise. I also enjoy doing “Random Links” where I put up links up and little comments on why I put them up (some people think I actually have read everything I linked J but in actual fact, there are some links I put up there to read later.)

So, I think what I blog about can be pretty eclectic and yet those who read it would probably find some common themes which is very much a reflection of what engages by head and heart!

3. What do you hope to achieve with your blog?

At first nothing — apart from putting up my thoughts and having a record of it online. I started with a lot of fear. I always lacked confidence in my writing. But I do enjoy communicating and connecting with people. The delightful surprise is that gradually my blog created opportunities for that to happen. After blogging the last few years, it’s become a daily discipline (at times an obsession if not careful) of conscious personal reflection which I open up for others to eavesdrop on.

4. How do others respond to your blog?

Someone commented on my blog once and called me a false prophet! But then after a little email exchange between us, he apologized after discovering he misunderstood the post and a link which was meant to be humoruos and not to be taken seriously. So, at times it’s easy for people to misunderstand you since very often we may unconsciously read into someone’s blog or their comments (there is a lot of limitation when it comes to mere textual communication, thus face to face interaction is still very important!).

Most of the time, people are appreciative of the links and reflections I’ve posted up. Some enjoy a glimpse into my life whether it’s personal, family or church. Recently, a new friend from the USA told me that he would point people to my blog to read about what is life like as a Christian and a pastor in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

A few people have become friends as we read each others blog regularly. Nowadays, it’s not surprising that we actually have opportunities to meet with people who read our blog face to face which takes the relationship to another dimension. The face to face interaction also in my view transforms how we read each others blogs as we have a better context on why certain posts may be posted up. A couple of years ago, I met up in UK with a pastor and a professor in one week for the first time, I found the whole experience of meeting bloggers a little frightening and yet exciting.

At a recent conference, it was exciting to meet up with a blogger from the USA whom we have been emailing here and there. It was quite easy to plunge deeper into our friendship as we have already a head start through reading each others blog. After a few days, I was surprised when an Hungarian lady turned to me and asked “Are you Sivin Kit?”, I said, “Yes!” She said “I read your blog”. I blushed! Of course, I do advice caution and wisdom when it comes to meeting strangers, but I’m still quite fascinated at how new connections and friendships have developed directly or indirectly through my adventures in blogging.

5. What are your personal opinions about people who seemingly are different when they blog? (almost a different persona)

It’s hard to give an opinion on the question above. Partly because the question that would be bugging me is why does this person want to or need to portray a different persona? That would involve some interesting and enlightening conversations.

But, I’ve met people who have chosen to blog anonymously because they feel it gives them a freedom to express themselves in ways they couldn’t have if they did so openly. I tried once to blog anonymously, but it was too hard to always need to switch my mental mode when I was writing. I think I gave up after less than a few posts and deleted the blog. I found it easier to be myself (with relevant restraints of course when it comes to what I chose to make public). I think this is the way we are in real life and I reserve the more private stuff between God and me in my spiritual/prayer journal which one discipline has been liberating for me since I started when I was 17 (I assure you there’s more juicy stuff in there than my blog!).

So, to the question “Are you who you blog?” – my answer is Yes. And yet my life is not confined to my blog, my life is more than my blog, it’s merely a tip of the iceberg of a lot of “happenings” that my blog could never fully capture. But it’s a space where I share thoughts, opinions, and reflections as well as life episodes where for one reason or another I sense it’s worth planting in “Sivin Kit’s Garden” and see what can grow from there.

___________________________________

Rev. Sivin Kit is married to May Chin with two young children Gareth and Elysia. He’s an ordained minister with the Lutheran Church in Malaysia and Singapore (LCMS) and pastors Bangsar Lutheran Church (http://blc.net.my). His interests includes theology, spiritual formation, missiology, and networking. He enjoys eating potatos, blogging (http://sivinkit.net), reading, music and movies.

Originally published in http://d2y2.com/

We have often been asked what the Emerging Church movement or the emergent conversation is all about. We usually hesitate in our response since we are still grappling with what it means, even as efforts are underway to unpack and articulate this recent phenomenon. You may have come across buzz words such as “missional”, “postmodern”, “postcolonial”, “contextual”, “friendship”, “local”, “justice”, “safe place”, “culture” and “story” that are often used in the context of discussions about the Emerging Church movement. In this article, we have put together excerpts and references that explore the subject in an exercise likened to ‘eavesdropping’ on the conversation. We will also share some developments that have been taking place here in Malaysia.

A common misconception of Emerging Churches is it follows a specific church growth model and that they are “high-profile, youth-oriented congregations that have gained attention on account of their rapid numerical growth, their ability to attract (or retain) the twenty-somethings, and their contemporary worship that draws upon popular music styles with the accompanying pyrotechnics, and that promotes itself to the Christian sub-culture through its websites and by word of mouth.

After 5 years of research and interviewing over fifty reflective practitioners in the USA and UK, Eddie Gibbs and Ryan Bolger of Fuller Seminary in their book Emerging Churches: Creating Christian Community in Postmodern Cultures suggest that Emerging Churches come in different styles, shapes and sizes but all with the following ethos—“[they are] missional communities arising from within postmodern culture, consisting of followers of Jesus seeking to be faithful in their place and time.” Gibbs and Bolger further identifies nine patterns they observed as missiologically significant. Obviously, the list below is aspired by all churches seeking to be faithful to the Gospel, perhaps these younger churches in the midst of seeking relevance to their context paradoxically are drawn back to essential theological emphasis in reaction to easy sounding formulas for church growth:

1. Identifying with Jesus: Re-centering the gospel on Christ and the kingdom of God.
2. Transforming secular space: Engaging culture without a sacred-secular dualism.
3. Living as Community: Doing life together in 24/7 community.
4. Welcoming the Stranger: Listening with openness, including the outsider.
5. Serving with Generosity: Serving those in need without ulterior motive.
6. Participating as Producers: Involving participants in worship.
7. Creating as Created Beings: Valuing creativity in the image of the Creator.
8. Leading as a Body: Leading through networks, not hierarchies.
9. Merging Ancient and Contemporary Spiritualities: Integrating ancient and avant-garde in spiritual formation.

Prof. Scot McKnight refers to the movement as an “Emerging movement” in which “conversation” takes place. He places the phenomenon within the context of the traditional evangelical movement. His description is useful:

It is a conversation about the future direction of the evangelical church in a postmodern world; it’s a reaction and a protest against traditional evangelical churches; and it’s a conversation focussed less on theological niceties and more on ‘performing’ the gospel in a local setting.

Emerging movement is an umbrella term that refers to a group of churches, pastors, writers, and bloggers who are exploring the missional significance of culture, philosophy, and theology in a postmodern context.

The Emerging movement (following McKnight) is far from homogenous. However, it is worth noting that the leading voice within the movement is a group known as the Emergent Village. Members of the group describe their relationship with each other as “a growing, generative friendship among missional Christians seeking to love our world in the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” Key figures within the Emergent Village include authors such as Tony Jones (its current National Coordinator), Doug Pagitt and Brian McLaren. These leaders, along with others associated with the Emerging movement, have been criticised as revisionists who “question and revise not just the church, but what most evangelicals would understand the gospel to mean” (Ed Stetzer). Justin Taylor in An Emerging Church Primer categorised criticisms levelled at the Emergent Village in terms of how they view (1) the authority of God’s Word (e.g. debate on inerrancy); (2) the cross of Christ (e.g. “penal-substitutionary” view of atonement); (3) concepts of truth and knowledge (e.g. philosophical discussion on “absolute truth”); and (4) sexual ethics (e.g. issue of homosexuality).

In the face of such criticisms, Brian McLaren cautions against judging those engaged in the emergent conversation prematurely. He outlines seven layers of the emergent conversation saying, “We all enter at a different layer, but everyone should be welcomed into the conversation no matter where they may be.” The layers are areas of interest where one directs one’s attention when participating in the conversation:

• Layer 1: Style (e.g. how can we reach the 18 to 36 year olds?)
• Layer 2: Evangelism (e.g. how can we communicate the gospel in a language that young people understand?)
• Layer 3: Culture (e.g. what modern presuppositions are our churches built on?)
• Layer 4: Mission (e.g. why are our mission strategies not effective?)
• Layer 5: Church (e.g. what kind of communities and forms of churches are needed?)
• Layer 6: Gospel (e.g. how is the gospel more than what we have imagined it to be?)
• Layer 7: World (e.g. how can the church engage the larger world to reveal the fact that the kingdom of God has drawn near?)

In response to criticisms on their writings, members of the Emergent Village issued a joint statement saying, “To clarify our position and suggest ways for the conversation to continue constructively for participants and critics alike … it is our hope and prayer that even our disagreements can bring us together in respectful dialogue as Christians, resulting in growth for all concerned.” As a further example of the sort of tone and approach preferred in emergent conversations, McLaren, in his posting Emergent Reflections: Spring 2006 writes:

I hope that we can avoid polarisation on this line and instead move to a higher level of discourse. Each group, I think, should be glad for the other, just as scouts, pioneers, and settlers in the past learned, through many conflicts, to appreciate one another. The scouting and pioneering work of theological rethinking is, without question, risky business. The only thing more risky would be to see one group of settlers as perfect, beyond need of reform, and so to refuse ever to rethink anything theologically. As in the other areas we’ve considered, there are two dangers, not one: excessive theological innovation, and insufficient theological imagination.

It is important to note that a number of other groups have already been engaging in the wider Emerging Church conversations e.g. networks such as Resonate in Canada, discussion groups focussed on theological exploration such as Open Source Theology in the UK, websites that provide a platform for sharing such as EmergingChurch.Info, and organisations that provide resources and training such as Allelon (USA) and Forge (Australia). Aside from these, there are also efforts amongst the mainline churches such as the initiative and collaboration of the Methodist and Anglicans in the UK called Fresh Expressions, which is focused on church planting. There is even an aggregator that tries to keep track of the global conversations on the Emerging Church. The Internet has truly enabled this global conversation to be dynamic and fluid.

For our brothers and sisters in the West, much of the discussion and debate surrounding the Emerging movement is centred on how the church engages with the culture that is increasingly postmodern and post-Christian, and a world that is more globalised and unsettled. The initial motivation was missional—many engaged in the conversation initially were pastors and youth workers looking for new ways to connect with a new generation. In the early stages, this led to new approaches in church methodology (how to ‘do’ church) but they soon realised that there was a need for renewed theological and philosophical discussions as many aspects of our theology and philosophy are in need of fresh articulation.

For the rest of us in Asia, and indeed in our country, the sorts of questions and concerns raised by those in the Emerging movement are not entirely new to us. For example, we are constantly wrestling with issues concerning how we are to live and think as Christians in a pluralistic country where we are a minority. How can we be faithful in living and sharing the gospel, in word and in deed, in the here and now, when faced with the realities that confront us daily? In fact, questions of contextual theology and missiological possibilities have been explored in seminary classrooms in Malaysia for many years. In the year 2003, the Asian Missiology Conference on the Theology and Practice of Holistic Mission (with the theme “Mission as Transformation in 21st century ASIA”) provided a platform for ‘engaged’ scholars and ‘reflective’ practitioners to interact and deliberate on such matters. Efforts in missiological and theological conversations also take place through networks such as the International Fellowship of Evangelical Mission Theologians (INFEMIT) albeit at a more academic level.

Increasingly, these discussions are taking place at the grassroots level among regular church folk. They usually involve those who are disillusioned with the status quo, although it also includes those who desire for the church to have a bigger impact on the wider Malaysian community. The questions asked are wide ranging and often touch on fundamental issues of faith. Not surprisingly, such questions often make others uncomfortable. Realistically, the scope for exploring and discussing such issues within the local church context may be limited. Consequently, many sought out conversation partners elsewhere, which was how some of us got involved with the global emergent conversation. The emergent conversations began locally but it was the global connection that provided us with the resources and a common language to continue with our exploration.

In 2004, rather than continue with our ad-hoc discussions, a few of us decided to organise ourselves as an informal network called “Emergent Malaysia” as a means of inviting more people into the conversation locally, and to continue our engagement with and contribution to the wider global conversations. We used the name “emergent” because we identified with the thrust of the conversation and we felt it described our journey as well. We are neither a franchise nor a sister organisation to Emergent Village USA although we are on friendly terms with them, and we respect and learn a lot from them.

Many who have entered this conversation were delightfully surprised to find a safe place to share about life, theological musings and ministry experiences. Most of our exchanges take place over an email discussion group and face-to-face ‘open’ meetings. To give you a taste of our discussions, here are some themes we explored previously in our ‘open’ meetings:

• What does it mean for us to be and do church in the Malaysian context?
• Second-generation Christians
• Modern and postmodern investigations
• Catholic, Evangelical and Charismatic perspectives of Jesus
• Post-colonial orthodoxy
• Dialogue on Eastern orthodoxy with an Eastern Orthodox priest

Some recurring themes on our online as well as offline conversations include worship and justice, gospel and culture, orthodoxy and orthopraxis, holistic spirituality, community life, church models, politics and religion, essentials and non-essentials, and how to engage with people of other beliefs. Evidently, our discussion is very eclectic at this stage.

For many of us, the space provided by Emergent Malaysia has been helpful in numerous ways. Those who were disillusioned found hope and moved towards a more constructive approach towards faith and the church. A sister shared that the ‘safe space’—relationally, spiritually and theologically—has served as an encouragement for her to still remain a Christian. For others, it is a laboratory (or an art studio depending on the metaphor you prefer) to try out new ideas without being dismissed immediately as a heretic. Those involved in pastoral ministry have gained new tools and insights to serve God’s people better. Still for others, our interaction with each other has fuelled our ‘hunger’ for deeper theological reflection.

The journey we have begun is both liberating and humbling, and points to the reality which the Apostle Paul speaks of in 1 Corinthians 13:9-13 (NIV):

For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Sivin Kit is pastor of Bangsar Lutheran Church. He wrote this article with help from Yoon Yew Khuen and Alwyn Lau, and contributions from about 10 others who have been engaged in this conversation.

FURTHER READING

Books

• Anderson, Ray S., An Emergent Theology for Emerging Churches (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006)
• Carson, D.A., Becoming Conversant with Emergent: Understanding a Movement and Its Implications (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005)
• Frost, Michael & Alan Hirsch, The Shaping of things to Come: Innovation and Mission for the 21st Century Church (Peabody: Hendrickson, 2003)
• Gibbs, Eddie & Ryan Bolger, Emerging Churches: Creating Christian Community in Postmodern Cultures (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005)
• Kimball, Dan, The Emerging Church (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003)
• McLaren, Brian D., The Church on the Other Side: Doing Church in a Postmodern Matrix (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000)
• Sweet, Leonard (ed.), The Church in Emerging Culture: Five Perspectives (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003)
• Taylor, Steve, The Out of Bounds Church: Learning to create a Community of Faith in a Culture of Change (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003)

Blogs & Links

• Scot McKnight’s Reflections on the “Emerging Movement”
  http://www.jesuscreed.org/?cat=2
• Aggregating global conversations on the emerging church
  http://emergingconnexion.wordpress.com/

Others

• http://amahoro.info/
• http://www.emergentvillage.com

(This article was originally published in Kairos Malaysia Monograph; October 2006 – Emerging Church Issues.)

The title for this piece could have been “13 Things I’ve Learnt the Past 5 Years” or maybe “What They Didn’t Teach You in Seminary” – something like that. But, after some thought these titles don’t REALLY represent where I am right now or how I view the growth of a human person. I have not learnt the follow 13 lessons in its fullness (as if I got it all figured out – in fact, I’m still learning and discovering the depth of these insights). Who am I to even think I know better then the seminary (as if I learnt nothing there – I fondly appreciate all the seeds planted in my life in those memorable 4 years – it’s more hopeful when I see us mutually learning from each other now!).

So, I decided to write what I’m ACTUALLY learning and discovering day by day, layer-by-layer, deeper and further since the year 2000…

The following are a sampling offering in no particular order and I’ve included some of my favorite pictures as a bonus! All these lessons or insights have emerged somehow as I’m seeking to integrate what I see as my calling expressed through

• re-starting & pastoring BLC, serving within the Lutheran denomination, coordinating the Emergent Malaysia conversation, connecting beyond to Christian fellowships, Christian thinkers and practitioners local and worldwide.

• learning how to be a Christ-follower afresh in the 21^st century.

• rediscovering the ups and downs of being human – as husband, as father, as son, as son-in-law, as brother, as friend, as Malaysian/Global citizen, etc.

1. The world is shrinking and possibilities are surprising.

Two groups came to visit us from overseas in the span of a month through one common link – a certain Joel! Two articles – one for an overseas magazine I wrote which was a great joy to see published, another sent to me by a Professor whom humbled me by seeking my opinion. Chatted online two days ago with a former associate pastor of one of my favorite authors. Spoke in real-time on Skype with a new friend. Finally met up with 2 friends through their books or their blogs this year in Singapore. Even within BLC, 5 years ago I would not have imagined there would be Koreans, Japanese, USAmericans, Aussies, Germans, Finnish part and parcel of our journey for shorter terms as well as longer term. I’m in constant awe how we are connected and delighted by the unforeseen possibilities!

2. Most of my discipleship happens when no one is looking.

All the spiritual practices – prayer, journaling, silence, solitude, worship, sacred reading, etc.- are non-negotiable and so nourishing that neglecting them would be a sure sign of something is getting out of hand. I’m also learning more how to integrate “Godly play” as part of my walk with God here on earth  without prayer – I suffocate as a child of God, without play – I’ve forgotten how to be a child. That’s why, it’s not just mere ritual, it’s about relationship with the crucified and risen Christ Jesus. It’s about living (which includes dying to stuff that hinders as well). If it’s just for show, then I’ll follow Jesus so other people won’t call me a lousy Christian. When it’s not for boasting or obligation or other people’s expectations, then I’ll follow Him because it’s about love, life and being light in our dark world –even when no one is looking.

3. Education happens outside of my mind.

Mind-mapping is my default learning and organizing tool. Conversations with people teach me so much while I listen and try to communicate what’s in my head. Writing articles has taught me to discipline my learning while blogging allows me to roam more creatively. Failure and mistakes often serve as powerful memory makers!

4. Dead people have a lot to say that I need to listen!

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Soren Kiekegaard, Lesslie Newbigin, Vincent Donovan, Confucius, Martin Luther, Philip Jakob Spener, Henri Nouwen, Lewis Smedes, Sadhu Sundar Singh, the Desert Fathers, Early Christians in Asia, Irenaus, Augustine… History teachers may be boring (I’ve had my few during school), but history at its best is a treasure house.

5. “Not there yet …” is one phrase that keeps me from insanity.

This gives space for others to “change” and grow (and thus not hopeless and damned) … it gives me “space” too.

6. The Bible doesn’t answer every question I throw at it, the Scriptures provides me with a library of answers, poetry, stories, letters, etc. that change my questions.

There’s so much to discover between its covers. Reading and reflecting upon its pages while allowing God’s truths to surface, opens one to the Holy Spirit’s illumination on its inspired texts! There are still parts that are hard to swallow. Some parts are a little easier to digest. Maybe because I’ve got the privilege to mine its depths weekly and share them with the Christian community I see more than what others might see.

7. May Chin, Elysia and Gareth are professors for my 24/7 school of life.

I doubt I’ll be graduating soon … the assignments involved for one to learn in being a husband and father looks like a long way to go. I recall my mentor Robert Brow telling me how I’ll learn so much about God, myself and the world around me as I learn how to parent (I’ll include how to be a husband too!).

8. My Canon A70 has given me a new set of eyes to capture moments on the run.

There’s so much happening around us … I was once reminded while in a state of hurry to slow down and smell the flowers. Now, with a digital camera I don’t just smell the flowers, I capture them (in a sense) and allow the pictures to remind me of the beautiful moments often easily missed. More importantly, like my artist-photographer Dad used to tell me to “Learn how to see” (more than just how to take pictures!) again.

9. Accepting people just as they are while not having to approve everything they do and believe is a door to freedom.

People are broken images … at times soaring the heights of saintliness, other times plunged into the cesspool of sinfulness (“Sin” is not just a word in a Hagen Dass ice cream menu!). Most of the time we live somewhere in between. To complicate matters, there are often beliefs, values, behavior that make it hard for us to relate to one another (how much more God!) as well as move forward as people belonging to God… John 8:1-11 is one episode that hangs close to me these days. Freedom doesn’t mean it’s not painful (“pain” indeed is a gift nobody wants but everyone goes through to some degree)… accepting doesn’t mean approving or agreeing … it’s a good starting point.

10. Eating an elephant is time consuming and it’s still one bite at a time!

Patience is indeed a need virtue today. Priority is not an easy discipline. The needs can be overwhelming – there’s so much that must be done, the lessons can be overloaded – we are so inadequate, the possibilities before us are almost unlimited – and yet we are limited. Brainstorming is fun, but baby steps are what’s needed. Painting the big picture helps, but starting to do something will make some difference and in time that step helps to finish eating the elephant.

11. I like Batman more than Superman; I like Alfred more than Robin .

Ok! Batman Begins the movie reminded me so much about what being human is all about – and how we can play our roles and fulfill responsibilities and live out our callings, even though we don’t have spectacular super-powers like Superman. Life is also full of paradoxes, complexities in the midst of apparent simplistic solutions, “both/ands” or even “beyonds” when we’re forced with “either/ors”. I can still hear so many “Alfreds” in my life – who helped me when I fell, who didn’t give up hope on me, who gave me a good rebuke, who’s there when everything is burnt to the ground … to start all over again (and again!) Money may be able to employ experts, but it can never buy good friends and godly mentors.…

.12. I still read & reflect (a lot) so I won’t feel alone.

This is supposed to be my “excuse” or “explanation” for my book buying habit! Of course, “read & reflect” for me is not confined to books – it includes experiences, events, nature, High’s & Low’s, etc (which can’t be bought!) At times, one of the best moments to pause is during my monthly haircut. (traffic jams are emotionally more difficult!)

13. Add to the list.

I’m still unfinished. We’re still learning. I’m sure there’s more we can add … if not today, surely tomorrow.

Like the Chinese expression puts it- “in a blink of an eye”, we’re already into the fifth year of the “resurrection” project called “Bangsar Lutheran Church”. The facility we affectionately call “the Father’s House” has evolved through the years. As an organization or congregation, we have “morphed” through often steps forward as well as setbacks. Many of the original members who started in my house in Petaling Jaya are with us today through the thick and thin. Some members have moved on, some got disconnected along the way, while new people have come along to join our adventures together. We are full of imperfections and yet God’s grace has not given up on us – He continues to shape us day by day.

We continue to extend open invitations to all who hear the call of Jesus upon their lives not only to be His “called out ones” to walk a less traveled path, but also respond to a journey in becoming “Sent ones” empowered by the Spirit to live the message faithfully and thus offer blessing to our fragmented world. This is one journey I’m still very much on …together we can go far!

“… The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”

~ Matthew 13:34 (NRSV)

INVISIBLE SIGNIFICANCE

A computer virus can’t be seen by the naked eye but wrecks havoc on my computer system when its infected. We live in an age when “security” is also used not just to protect ourselves from the threat of terrorism but also the vulnerability of our computer programs especially in our vastly connected world of the internet. It’s amazing how something so small and seemingly insignificant can have such worldwide impact.

In our so called medically advanced world, we were still brought to our knees by the whole SARS episode and now we read about the bird flu crisis. Who could imagine a whole epidemic started through a single sneeze? It’s astonishing how something so hidden and invisible can affect so many lives.

Perhaps, if Jesus were to re-package our little parable today he might say, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a virus …” and reworks what to many of us is an “evil” and “bad” metaphor to communicate to us the nature of the Kingdom of God and how it works hidden from our superficial way of looking at what’s important in life.¹

The phrase, “mixed in with” in the parable in Greek coveys the picture “hid in” (I noticed Jesus likes twists and turns in his communication!). Later Jesus quotes the prophet Asaph’s words in Psalm 78:2, “I will open my mouth to speak in parables, I will proclaim what has been hidden from the foundation of the world. (emphasis mine)”. A significant quality of the Kingdom of God is how even though it works silently and even secretly but its impact is no less significant. Furthermore, God has been working all this while most visibly of course through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (but even Christ’s work was largely invisible to the wider world during his time and even today!). For those who have ears to hear, and perhaps even eyes to see, we begin by noticing the presence of God in our world, and later join Jesus and cooperating with in “infecting” our worlds with this awareness and “affecting” our surroundings with the liberating good news of life with Christ here on earth and beyond in our words and actions.

PITFALLS IN THE PRESENT CULTURE

This whole way of viewing the Christian life is counter-cultural to what is commonly promoted in Malaysian Christianity today. Often when we hear the word “impact” we think of testimonies given by high profile celebrities, politicians, sportsman, in short, those who have made it or “successful.” We also equate the work of the Kingdom often with dramatic visible results of whole communities changed in a short period of time, or mass conversions in whether it’s tribes turning to Christ or people flooding the altar call of a particular church concert. Now, all the above has been part and parcel of our Christian history and there’s no denying that God is at work there also. We can be grateful to the Spirit’s power work in the lives of people who are open to the Gospel. So, we are not complaining about the above (as if there’s no value at all in them) .. an appropriate response is – we give thanks!

POTENT HIDDENNESS

But ..the problem occurs when we miss God’s hidden work of the Kingdom where we are at (usually not so impressive), or what we do (mostly unnoticed), or what we may dream of in the future (maybe unpopular). It would be sad to miss all the potential spaces where we could participate in his Kingdom expansion right before our eyes because of misplaced attention on what is significant. Worse is when we fall into the trap questioning whether we have any meaningful part to play in the course of God’s ongoing mission here on earth before the grand finale at the end of time, because not enough emphasis is given to hear the words of Jesus, “… the Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast…”. These words call us to see God at work where we might miss it.

The place of visibility though helpful (sometimes it can be unhelpful) needs to be replaced with a sense of mystery in how God works in the secret and when that happens we’re more open to surprises, to possibilities and new and creative ways that God is calling us to “infect” and “affect” the spheres in which we are already in (e.g. our campuses) and where would be heading to (e.g. the marketplace). Perhaps some questions could lead to further reflection and action:

• So now you have four years (some less) as a student in tertiary education, apart from glorifying God with good results, what areas are there open for you to intentionally join God’s hidden work? (Try to focus on the less spectacular openings)

• Think back on some of the conversations you had the past one week, were there any signs of interest in spiritual, moral or ethical matters around the coffee tables (or at the Mamak stalls)? How could you authentically connect with them as a Christian and genuinely connect them to God? (This is meant help us see what is already open for us)

• What do you see are some practices that perhaps God is using to shape people more into Christ-likeness or open people up to respond to his love? How can you be part of this or even initiate something for people to be part of? (I hope this question will help us think of concrete ways ahead and also involving others along the journey)

Here I was seated with three guys all whom have graduated with their degrees and are working, one of them would be getting married next year and is excited about it. This meeting was our orientation meeting for what will be a pilot mentoring group that would meet once a month and work through Henri Nouwen’s classic book on ministry and leadership, In the Name of Jesus. One of them I call him Robert shared how excited and important this group is for him, he stressed on the value of relationships and serving out of community plus the need for accountability during these chaotic transitional times. He continued relating how during his first year studying in the USA, he was invited by a mature Christian to spend time frequently to meet up to study the scriptures together, share life and think about living for Christ and serving him in simple ways. This particular invitation and the changes he experienced by being part of this mentoring relationship deeply “infected” him on the values of intentional living and community. It also “affected” the way he sees himself today and how he seeks to honor God. I could see it in the simple personal choices he makes (like sacrificing sleep to go for a walk with his mom to spend time with her), his plans for the future (like settling down and building a family on Godly principles) and his constant awareness that he’s not just an up and rising young adult who’s going to make it in life – He’s a Christ-follower who wants to make a difference. Somehow, I can’t help but be grateful that someone hidden somewhere out of sight from the media who spent time with Robert that led to Robert becoming this young mature Christian whom I see today. I believe this concerned Christian leader’s contribution to Robert’s life ranks high on the Kingdom of God scale equally with any best-selling author. He may not have reached the masses, but he reached out to Robert.

“YEASTING” OUR CAMPUSES

Imagine in different forms and ways that this kind of thing is happening at campuses all over Malaysia.

Imagine Christians putting their energies in developing themselves personally and communally with others around the Scriptures and prayer. Imagine Christian Fellowships sitting down and asking hard questions on how they could participate in God’s hidden work rather than just going with the flow or stuck in a rut.

Imagine one by one Christians breaking out of a self-centered mode of existence and embrace a sacrificial attitude in relating to others. Imagine our programs cured from consumerism and infected with commitment towards mission.

Imagine people affected by God’s unconditional love through acts of kindness and loving attention. Imagine leaders rising up and making a stand for justice and peace. (Please add to the list …)

OUR MALAYSIAN MANDATE

In the recent Christian Federation Malaysia 7^th National Christian conference at Corus Hotel in October, 2005, the 2 questions of Bishop Hwa Yung rang in my head even until today – (1) Are we Christians counter-cultural in Malaysia? (2) Are we REALLY committed to our country? I left the conference challenged that when we choose the road of counter-culture and commitment in the Christian walk here in Malaysia, it would mean for many of us first giving up our preoccupation with self-promoting celebrity-like visibility, mere human recognition, and placing our confidence in methods marketed that almost (often unconsciously) takes God’s mysterious presence out of the picture. It would mean creatively engaging in what seems to be the opposite (against what is popularly proven to work).

Jesus words gives me hope that recognizing his hidden ways ultimately works and has the final say …because all of it was leavened at the end – “… The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.” That’s the hope that motivates us to choose the road most people don’t want to travel! And this is the right road ahead for us (because that’s how the Kingdom of God works) …let’s walk this path together, I think we’ll go far!

1 The picture “Yeast” was used to refer to evil or corruption in other places, cf. Matthew 17:6; Mark 8:15, Luke 12:1, 1 Corinthians 5:6) but here Jesus turns the metaphor around and uses it for good!

Originally published in the Jan 2006 issue of FES Scene.

Malaysia
Second Thoughts on Children and More…
by Sivin Kit

“The church’s ministry to children is broken…It’s broken when church leaders and senior pastors see children’s ministry primarily as a marketing tool…Something is broken when we trivialize God to our children…It’s broken when we depend on our programs and our curriculum to introduce our children to God—not our families and communities…And perhaps most importantly, it’s broken when the church tells parents that its programs can spiritually nurture their children better than they can.” —Ivy Beckwith in Postmodern Children’s Ministry

My involvement in church as a child was sporadic, preferring basketball and kung fu on Sundays. I started attending regularly as a youth. After seminary, my main focus was as a youth and worship pastor; so it wasn’t until recently that I even really thought much about children’s ministry.

Like in youth ministry, people who are passionate about children’s ministry desire something that goes beyond mere babysitting. They’re concerned about a fragmented, or departmentalized, view of adults, youth, and children. Rich Melheim from Faith Inkubators shocks me with this statement from the U.S., though we in Malaysia seem to be no different:

“The church is the last place in America where all six living generations are gathered together every week under the same roof. And what do we do the moment we get there? We segregate them into separate rooms. That’s bad stewardship. Worse. It’s stupid.”

Blessed with Children

When Bangsar Lutheran Church (BLC) got “resurrected” in the year 2000, we only had 2 toddlers—so the urgency of launching into a children’s ministry wasn’t there. But God has blessed us with new children (praise the Lord for natural biological growth), and new families are becoming part of the BLC family. So we experimented with a variety of methods with the limited resources and experience we had, and we stumbled and fumbled here and there. As we prayed about the wellbeing of the children and discussed our desire to nurture them in a relationship with Jesus, we read excellent resources, talked with experts, spent time in prayerful reflection, searched the Scriptures, and gathered parents and other advisors to make a plan.

I’m thankful that at this stage of our church life with about 50-60 adults and 15 younger children (mostly still toddlers), we could still afford to experiment from the ground up. After several meetings, we decided to embark on the following steps:

Step 1: Integrate Children during our Corporate Worship Gathering

This means they stay with us (even during the message time, though we provide table guides and activities for them). Learning to be in the corporate worship environment isn’t achieved through lecturing to the kids but actually consistently allowing them to be with us. Indirectly, all of the adults (not just the parents) serve as models and examples for them.

Step 2: Orientation for the after- Worship Children’s Time

This four-week training helps align the basic flow of the age-specific children’s time with how all ages worship corporately. But more importantly, it gives us a more focused time when we can learn the corporate discipline of worship, listening to God’s Word, responding to God’s Word, relating to each other, and serving each other. As Mac-mini is supposed introduce people to the Mac experience, this is church-mini for kids. (Though actually, the adults who helped responded with their learning as well.)

Step 3: Learn the Nuts and Bolts of Raising Kids

We wanted to encourage all parents and other interested individuals to participate in this learning process together. If we’re going to take seriously our roles in young people’s lives, we need to understand their life stages and how to most effectively minister to (and parent) them.

Step 4: Refine Methodology and Reflect Theologically

Reviewing and refining our practical methodological issues and continuing to consciously engage in theological reflection is needed in all ministries—and it’s a longterm journey for us, not just something we can check off a list. We draw from the Bible, church history, and current available voices—especially in education, psychology, and sociological research. And we do so not as a solitary quest but rather a corporate endeavor—starting with the team directly involved, the families in the church, and ultimately the whole church community.

Continuing Questions

The following questions have sparked my quest and will continue to be crucial and keep us focused:

How can we intentionally include children in our worship life, starting with corporate worship gatherings and moving towards their future full participation?

How can we encourage Christian nurturing in our families? How do we connect to kids who come from non-Christian families?

What are some resources and reflection we could draw from to meet concerns while re-engaging the Bible and church history? Where’s God working in us, children and adults, throughout this learning process?

The GIFT We Can Offer

When I first read the quote above by Ivy Beckwith, I could feel fire in my heart and a wind of questions like the ones above spinning in my head. The questions which resulted in some second thoughts on children have moved on to include families as well as our whole local church family. I’m sure the lessons won’t end there. While not every church would do it the same way, I genuinely believe none of us can afford to rely on the “way it has always been done” or jump on what’s popular (and therefore is bound to work?).

We begin by being like children and asking questions while holding on to the value of children, honoring the importance of families and the roles they play, and seeking to be the kind of church God wants us to be—which includes bringing “generations in faith together” (a phrase innovative Lutheran Rich Melheim used to form the acronym GIFT). If there’s a GIFT we could offer our kids it would be a church that’s truly an intergenerational family where they can see Godparents and grandparents, uncles and aunties, and brothers and sisters learning to follow Jesus together.

“…A church program can’t spiritually form a child, but a family living in an intergenerational community of faith can. Our care for children is broken and badly in need of repair. Let’s imagine together a new way, a new future.”
—Ivy Beckwith in
Postmodern Children’s Ministry