Korean American Christian Blog

Courtesy of David Chung, Living Hope Community Church  

During these tumultuous economic times I can’t help but wonder when it is going to get “better”. Friends and family members are reporting layoffs and lost incomes. I know we all have people we care about and maybe even ourselves are going through some really tough times; we all are affected in some way.

I’ve had numerous discussions with friends and family members as to how they have learned from the current uncertain times; and how much they cherish the truly important things in their lives such as the relationships they have. They often reflected on the importance of spouses, children, family members and friends. I too find myself giving extra hugs and kisses to Susanna, Caden and Cara these days. Actually, when you think about it, the only thing that really matters in the end, and also to God, is our relationships to each other.

I can’t describe with words the awesome feeling of coming home from a tough day at work and having Susana and my children eagerly great me at the door. Actually most of the time the kids and Cody, my dog, are usually plastered to the window at my usual time of arrival home. It makes me feel like a king and the troubles of the world melt away at the front door. They truly want me to come home, and I can’t think of a better place to be each day.

I guess that is why God gave Israel a daily portion of manna each day. He wanted them to relate to Him as the provider on a daily basis. Remember what happened in the wilderness/desert when they cried out due to hunger? He provided bread, manna, from heaven; from heaven. Did you get that? From heaven the Father fed his children on a daily basis. Some tried to gather and store away as any smart survivalist would do. However, the manna only lasted one day. Why? Why not allow the manna to last a week, a month or a year at that. After all they were going to be out there 40 long years 

In the past two years of speaking pretty regularly on the issue of slavery around the country, I've come across two disturbing lines of reasoning for not combating slavery. Both of these views have come from the faith community. Being a follower of Christ myself, it has been especially difficult to kindly respond to those who carry such perspective, especially since many of the leading abolitionists around the world come from a faith perspective as well.

Here are their views and reasoning (paraphrased to protect the guilty):

Yesterday at New Hope, we kicked off a new series of teachings entitled, "Sacred Kinship". The focus of the new few months will center around this notion of biblical kinship and its impact on how we live our faith within the context of family, friendship, and mission (community). I'm anticipating that this series will help to frame a healthy context for life with those we love.

Our next Freeze Project will be in Glendale, CA (at the Americana)! We're excited to partner with friends in the LA area on our next Freeze. Here is the info:

Date/Time: Saturday January 31st

• Meet Up at 1:30pm
• Actual Freeze at 2:00pm

Location: Americana on Brand.

Please meet at 125 S. Louise St. Glendale, CA 91205 (inside a church parking lot) and be sure to look for the Freeze Project signs.

There is no doubt that times are changing...the only constant is change itself. This applies to pastoral ministry as well.

I have been in some form of pastoral ministry for half of my life, [ i.e., 18 years...do the math :) ]. Although this is a short period of time relative to many of my colleagues in vocational ministry, I have seen and experienced some of the mass changes related to paradigms and expectations for those who work as primary leaders of the Church.

I have struggled over the past several years (even as a church planter and lead pastor) as to whether or not I fit the mold of what I was trained to be...the answer (so far)...I definitely feel like fish out of water. I am self-aware enough to know (with the help of my wife, of course) that I would suffocate myself and be a disservice to our community if I simply took on the role I was taught to take on during my years of formal bible education. Quite honestly, for awhile, I questioned my place as a pastor (or whatever title you want to give it).

The shoe just didn't fit. I'm not just talking here about stylistic changes or aesthetic development. I'm sensing that the overall role of a pastor will seismically shift in the years to come. I know from conversations I've participated in around the country that I'm not the only one who feels this way.

Our organization, JustOne, recently set up a social networking site on ning.com for our One Voice to End Slavery network. It's a great platform for people to raise awareness about the reality of modern-day slavery, create working networks, and share ideas towards mobilization.

I invite you to take a couple of minutes to visit our site and consider participating in our new network. The following are some features of our new networking site (By the way, this platform (Ning) offers so many more features than any facebook group):

• Blog Posts with Latest News about Slavery
• Page to Upload Photos and Videos by Members
• Post and RSVP to Upcoming Anti-Slavery Events
• Chat with other Members Online
• Post and Respond to Forums About Slavery

I believe that technology will definitely be a practical tool we can use to abolish slavery in our lifetime.

Abolition!

Oh Lord, my heart longs to be a habitation fit for thee

A place where peace riegns and love can flourish

A heart where you will feel at home

Oh Lord, I want to be like You

My tongue to speak the word You do

Well, first of all props to kacmedia! 

Wow, this site is so awesome!  I'm lovin the vision.  Yeah, yeah, "i'm lovin it."

 I can only hope and pray that God uses y'all beyond all thinking and imagining.  I can see a lot of potential for many of God's people getting encouraged and inspired through what can happen on this site.  I pray for that and so much more to happen!

To God be the glory y'all.

Keep rockin it! 

is this the first pastorpost?

eh. moving on.

just returned from a pastoral staff retreat.  it is very intimidating preaching in front of your senior pastor who is noted for being one of the best 1st generation preachers as well as an EM pastor who is also known for being pretty stinkin awesome.  i don't think the senior pastor said anything to me the entire time there.  hmm...

now that summer is wrapping up, there's only one more big event i've got to work on.  this weekend i'm taking some kids to a mountain prayer place in sunland.  we had such a good time praying at the retreat, i thought we should carry it on another week.  gonna pray for a lot of things.  i'm actually looking forward to it.  KACMedia, wanna spankysit for me? just keeding. :p