Asian American Youthworkers

I've been writing "notes" on facebook.  But I don't think many people have an account...I thought I'd do some cutting and pasting.  Here are some thoughts from my facebook:

Pastor Gaines from Bellvue Church in TN spoke today in chapel. I think he is the pastor of Adrian Roger's old church. His message was on the "Praying Preacher" and the text was Mark 1:35.

He ended chapel praying and it was awesome to pray on our knees (literally and/or in our hearts) before the Lord. SWBTS has been trying to encourage prayer/prayer/prayer. How many Wednesday night prayer meetings are spent not praying but communicating requests or doing something other than prayer...

Tonight, God answered a prayer, there wasn't much hail damage in our area. Someone parked under our garage space tonight, oh well. I moved our car with the storm approaching. Pretty exciting. As I drive around, I noticed my efforts for not.

So many things to do before finals, and other things on my mind...something wonderful about prayer. I'm realizing how much of a mole hill I am compared to God and his infinite goodness. Can't help but praise him for the things in my life. My wife, my church, my school, and my life.

 

 

Started a conversation on Facebook.  Thought I would throw it out here:

At this year's Youth Ministry Lab, we were blessed to have Francis Chan come and speak. He's a pastor from California...and interestingly enough is speaking close by again here: http://www.comeworshiptx.com/

Well Michael and I began a conversation surrounding some comments by Chan. In short, Francis mentioned that his church was not building a 50 million dollar building but instead decided to give away, yes give away 55% of the offering..so Mike mentioned that this was like our conversation over Velvet Elvis, and how the book Velvet Elvis was challenging him to rethink, repaint, if you will the Christian faith. I don't remember that book mentioning giving anything away..but anyhoo we are challenged by the idea of a church that will impact this world for Christ. So Mike was going to visit with someone in Houston about the concept of "Church with No Walls" and I told him that there is another guy in Ca. who has that as his church's mission...so I thought I would ask Neal who goes to that church to see if he could share what "Church with No Walls" means in the context of New Song Church in California.

So I will post any replies in later posts...

Thanks to D.J. Chuang's Blog I was able to listen in to some conferences from across the land.  (Having cut and pasted a link, I've forgotten what I was writing about.)  Oh, one of the speakers was talking about how difficult ministry is, and how difficult it is in the immigrant church.  I like how he said that he has friends in the Chinese Church (serving with youth?) and he just wants to get them out alive.  In a way I can concur about how bad it can be.  I am wondering is it the Chinese culture?  Do Chinese churches need to be run by dictators?  I kind of feel like Chinese Churches don't have 2 Timothy 2:2 down.  Well, come to think of it, my seminary seems to only recently have been building up their spiritual formations classes, attempting to foster discipleship and accountability.  For most of my life in the Chinese church I never really had anyone hold me accountable, nor perhaps truly discipled...but utimately God will hold me accountable.  I sort of miss having another hold me accountable. And I believe that many of my peers regret not having a true mentor/discipler. 

 Vodie Baucham has written a book entitled, "Family Driven Faith" in which he is 'double dog daring the daddy's to disciple thier kids' (Heard him on the radio).  Well, in a way the Chinese church sort of faces the same issues.  Perhaps historically out of necessity, but in essence, I think that we can implement basic biblical principles.  That is---> Families: parents, teach your kids about your faith.  In Baucham's church plant they don't have youth ministry.  So I guess I can see it...but if anything youth ministry should be more about scripture, witnessing, service, and prayer...and less about programs.

 I guess that was what I wanted to write about.  Ok, time to cross post...(Facebook, Xanga, Here).

Strange week.  I take my wife to the airport one week ago, get on a plane myself.  I go to Ohio, where I preached a revival...fly back, and after spending one night at home, I spend the night at church with a bunch of youth.  My pastor gave me a break, he told me just come by, everything is taken care of, and everything was.  One more night alone and my wife returns.

While I was in Ohio, I had access to the internet and filled out my Finals brackets.  I read in the local paper that West Virginia was good, and sure enough they are going to the Sweet 16.  I was able to catch the UCLA game (the old lady's alma mater) and during the breaks they summarize the day's events, and they show West Virginia, and their coach, I recognized him, and remembered he coached at Cinci, they may go far.

I worked this past Good Friday and as I put together the plumbing for an apartment I was able to hear three sermons on Easter.  All (Richard Land, Ed Young, James McDonald) dealt with the power of Easter, is that Jesus rose from the dead.  If he didn't, then we are wasting time.