#Urbana09
In terms of inter-cultural/inter-ethnic/inter-generational ministry work, one conformation I've been getting at Urbana (affirming what I've leran in NACCOWE) is that "Fellowship springs from Mission. Mission does not spring from Fellowship." When a group of individual have a common mission, independent of their background, there will be fellowship. However, a group of friends 'hanging out' does not mean they have a mission.
Therefore, our ministry is not merely pulling groups of people together and let them have fun with one another, but to instill a purpose and a mission in them.
Reconciliation comes from a sense of mission.
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Thursday, December 31
Wednesday, December 30
"Love" & "Go"
#Urbana09
It is in the context of deep meaning relationship that spiritual formation takes place. Before any going, before any doing, before any discipleship, there has to be love, connection and reconciliation.
What I am learning today is that in order for the church to move forward as he had promised we would, first there must be reconciliation. This is where I see our congregation is at. We are ready to serve. We are ready to lead. Yet we need to reconcile.
The Great Commission and the Great Commendment goes hand in hand. There's no "Go" without love. There's no "make disciples" without loving your neighbour.
However, to love and to reconcile requires struggles and wrestling with oneself. But struggles and wrestling comes sorrow. Yet there is joy in sorrow. We must approach loving your neighbour and reconciliation not with bitterness, but to embrace sorrow - where we can find joy.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
It is in the context of deep meaning relationship that spiritual formation takes place. Before any going, before any doing, before any discipleship, there has to be love, connection and reconciliation.
What I am learning today is that in order for the church to move forward as he had promised we would, first there must be reconciliation. This is where I see our congregation is at. We are ready to serve. We are ready to lead. Yet we need to reconcile.
The Great Commission and the Great Commendment goes hand in hand. There's no "Go" without love. There's no "make disciples" without loving your neighbour.
However, to love and to reconcile requires struggles and wrestling with oneself. But struggles and wrestling comes sorrow. Yet there is joy in sorrow. We must approach loving your neighbour and reconciliation not with bitterness, but to embrace sorrow - where we can find joy.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, December 29
Defender of the Message
#urbana09
I've always been a lay back person. Nothing much gets me angry but however learning from today's "Let Scripture Speak" the Jesus was angry in John 2:13-25.
Jesus was angry because the truth was violated. The temple vendors had allowed the means to replace the message. And when the message of God's salvation to the Gentiles was violated, Jesus got angry.
As I lead my group to Urbana to see Jesus, is there anything violating the message to my students. I should stand up to defend te message, so that the message can then be a model of how to serve.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I've always been a lay back person. Nothing much gets me angry but however learning from today's "Let Scripture Speak" the Jesus was angry in John 2:13-25.
Jesus was angry because the truth was violated. The temple vendors had allowed the means to replace the message. And when the message of God's salvation to the Gentiles was violated, Jesus got angry.
As I lead my group to Urbana to see Jesus, is there anything violating the message to my students. I should stand up to defend te message, so that the message can then be a model of how to serve.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, December 28
Make God Visible. Make Yourself Invisible
I'm feeling that's the messge God is reminding me at Urbana this year.
Thanks to Patrick Fong for speaking the Word of God, and his words on Joy and Suffering vs Joy and Bitterness.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thanks to Patrick Fong for speaking the Word of God, and his words on Joy and Suffering vs Joy and Bitterness.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Breathing a Sigh of Relief
What a relief to finally register for the conference an check-into the hotel - to have the group settled in. Now we can fully enjoy the conference and no worry about the minuet details. Praise God for Albert for getting us awesome rooms for a great rate.
Last night Ramez Atallah took us through John1:1-18. Specifically verse 14. He reminded us that the Incarnation is 1) the means God reaches to us. 2) His message to us - "grace and truth". 3) model of how to minister. (identification, weakness, vulnerability)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Last night Ramez Atallah took us through John1:1-18. Specifically verse 14. He reminded us that the Incarnation is 1) the means God reaches to us. 2) His message to us - "grace and truth". 3) model of how to minister. (identification, weakness, vulnerability)
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Arrived in Urbana2009
After 2 long days on the road, we've arrived at Urbana 2009. Tired, but definitely excited to see all their enthusiasm. I'm just relieved to have them registered and check-in the hotel. Now they can go, explore by themselves, and experience God's Word.
Tired. Time to sleep first. Here are several photos for you to enjoy. Good night.
Tired. Time to sleep first. Here are several photos for you to enjoy. Good night.
Sunday, December 27
On the road to Urbana09
Today is our second day on the road to Urbana09. I cannot thank God enough for watching over us on our drive. We were blessed with wonderful weather at the beginning of the trip but as we approached Michigan City yesterday it started to blizzard and the conditions got treachous. We witnessed two cars gone off the side of the highway. The flow of traffic slowed down and we made it into Michigan City uneventfully.
The group had a great night of shopping and triple steakburgers at Steak and Shake when we came up with the ambitious idea to hit Willow Creek for Sunday Service. I knew it would be a good experience but I also know that it would be taxing to the group with another early morning start and an extra 1.5 hours of driving. However they seem eager and we went ahead with the plan.
In the morning we were pressed for time so we didn't have time to stop for breakfast but we made it to Willow at 9:10a for early Service. I was worry about the moral of the group for skipping breakfast but it seem that they were able to sleep during the ride and they were excited to experience Willow.
Compared to 3 years ago, I begin to find this Urbana experience very different. Three years ago I was merely a fellow participant at Urbana with the other 5 of us from the church. But this time I am their pastor with 19 of us in total. There's the pressure of watching over this group and maintaining their moral throughout the conference. I guess my heart can rest a little when we settle down at St. Louis. But I pray that I can set a good example for my congregation as Freda and I lead them.
The condition on the road is patchy right now. Praying for our current drivers: Gen, Joel Lau and Freda as well as other still en route to Urbana.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
The group had a great night of shopping and triple steakburgers at Steak and Shake when we came up with the ambitious idea to hit Willow Creek for Sunday Service. I knew it would be a good experience but I also know that it would be taxing to the group with another early morning start and an extra 1.5 hours of driving. However they seem eager and we went ahead with the plan.
In the morning we were pressed for time so we didn't have time to stop for breakfast but we made it to Willow at 9:10a for early Service. I was worry about the moral of the group for skipping breakfast but it seem that they were able to sleep during the ride and they were excited to experience Willow.
Compared to 3 years ago, I begin to find this Urbana experience very different. Three years ago I was merely a fellow participant at Urbana with the other 5 of us from the church. But this time I am their pastor with 19 of us in total. There's the pressure of watching over this group and maintaining their moral throughout the conference. I guess my heart can rest a little when we settle down at St. Louis. But I pray that I can set a good example for my congregation as Freda and I lead them.
The condition on the road is patchy right now. Praying for our current drivers: Gen, Joel Lau and Freda as well as other still en route to Urbana.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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