2 Dec 07, 11:18PM - The Worship Experience
One of the things I miss the most about singing in the choir was the chance to see our people worship. Watching people participate in worship, getting lost in the praise, seeing faces light up in adoration, and once in a while seeing people weep. So I looked around today during worship and saw new faces involved in this earnest worship, and what an encouragement that was. And no one stared back in one of those "what the heck do you think you are doing" glares. Everyone was so captive to the worship at hand.
Sure, the numbers are up. New people are coming in and staying. But people are being touched to the core with the messages. And I hear that new people are coming out to join Love Ministries and other activities.
As leaders, this is the time to look for opportunities to encourage one another. We are more vulnerable than ever to discord because so much more is at stake. We could literally be at Jordan's shore, seeing glimpses of the other side.
When we have the chance to take sides, we ought to look instead for opportunities to build comradery and concensus. Saying no to the desire within all of us to be right. There will be mistakes made. I know that I've been at the wrong end of the discussion many times. Grace to cover one another's mistakes. Grace to give the benefit of doubt. Grace transferred from that which I have received, just as pastor michael wonderfully explained.
29 Oct 07, 10:29PM - Reclaiming Lost Ground
I was jogging through many conversations at church, among our network of brothers and sisters, co-workers, pastors, teachers, deacons, elders, etc, and noticed that we have a fairly narrow range of reserved words.
What are some of your favorites?
Obvious ones. spirit, spirit filled, worship, praise, flow, great, servant, leader, shout, joy, song, sing, people of God, mission, missional, ministry, love, captive, free, release, know them by name, searching, affections, stir, peace, river, sorrows (stuck on a hymn), wisdom, deep, well, wellspring, majestic, humble, cover, banner, ...
Classical ones. blood, army, soldiers, march, blessed, forgive, grace, sin, ...
We can go on and on but in the end, our list will be pretty short, compared to the wealth of language and expression available to us.
I noticed that when musical tastes change from generation to generation, new words are adopted, to give new expression to our faith. How difficult that change is, to the older generation that wants things to stay the way they were. Most of us don't remember how difficult it was to get drums in our sanctuary. I remember having arguments with some deacons and elders when I was a sunday school because they insisted in having our students recite the lord's prayer in korean and sing korean hymns.
What the heck is John trying to say? Must be lack of sleep you say.
I am trying to understand what a lot of forward thinking Christians already know. That God is beyond our culture, the norms of our times, our familiar little patch of experience. There is a world of expression, emotion, culture, people who need to be reclaimed by the grace of God. (The interesting stage props, the new music, .. these are just the tip of the iceberg; I want to cheer the worship team on to expand the range further and further)
I hope that we would become a church that differentiates between our essential message that must be constant and the medium which is to be used to express and communicate that message. As Paul admonished, that we would be Jews to the Jew and Gentiles to the Gentile. That we would be flexible in communicating the unchanging message of redemption, to speak to the variety of personalities and experience all around us.
It is a strange excitement to forge ahead with a pretty simple sounding vision statement and a ministry plan with no bells and whistles. Strange because we have not gone this way before, but exciting because there is a deep feeling that something wonderful is about to happen. How will this time look to us a year from now?
It is great to be alive and to see God beginning to work among us.
21 Oct 07, 10:26PM - It is All in the Numbers!
It's probably painfully obvious to everyone but if you set the ratio of votes allowed per person to the number of candidates to be 2/3 or more, every candidate will be elected, provided that every voter uses the entire number of votes (if each person can select 6 out of 9 candidates, for example, and each person selects exactly 6).
If we set the ratio slightly less, then it would still be possible to elect every candidate but the probability is less than one.
So, assuming we set a sensible ratio, we need to still guard against those votes with small number of selected. What if we still ask everyone to select up to some number and encourage that. But for those ballots with less than that number, the message is that those that they didn't vote for were either unknown to them or posed some problems. What if we prorate those ballots up so that each selection made has slightly higher weight? This preserves each voter's intent while increasing the overall probability of selecting deacons (or later, elders for that matter).
5 Aug 07, 8:41PM - Feeding of the 700
Everyone was drenched in sweat, completely engaged in what they were doing in the kitchen, on the grill, on the stage, setting up and cleaning up. But I did not see one face showing any sign of despair or fatigue. It really was an amazing show of volunteerism and the team pulled it off! We fed over 700 people today and everyone walked away having thoroughly enjoyed the time. I think Michael Lee and his family were deeply appreciative of the outpouring of love and attention. Thank you all for participating, serving and
investing yourself in our community today.
Thank you to the EM ladies who are boundless in their energy and optimism and poured their hearts into the dishes served today.
Thank you to the PTA ladies from KM and EM who mixed skill with a labor of love to efficiently produce appetizers and help produce a wonderful dinner.
Thank you to Tallis Chang, Steve Kim, Steve Koh, Jason Kim, Joe Lee, Richard Kim, and many others that ended up grilling two types of animals from 2PM-7PM. You all deserve to be called priests from the grilling aspect.
Thank you to Esther Koh and Jenny Chong and many ladies who orchestrated a wonderful venue and helped to organize the overall dining experience. You should start a restaurant of your own. I am sure you will have lines of customers from day 1.
Thank you to Caroline Chang, and the army of about 25 volunteers who set up, cleaned up, set up and cleaned up, without a single hint of complaint.
Thank you to Josh Kang for pre-arranging the event with the maintenance department.
Thank you Sojin, Anthony, Patty and several others for taking photographs. We should continue to add to our family album.
Thank you to Pastor John Loppnow and Yana Ahn for advising as pastors the overall event.
Thank you to Pastors David and Kevin for praying. Thank you to the admin team for helping in the preparations.
Thank you to Caleb and the band. You guys are awesome. You should have an independent label. I will buy the first 10 CDs.
Thank you pastor Rim for your encouraging words and for opening your hands and heart for true partnership.
Thank you pastor Michael for obeying the call to be with us.
Thank you Lord, for orchestrating everything.
13 July 07, 4:23PM - I Want to be a Volunteer
Random thoughts float around in my brain and once in a while, I am moved to grab one to mull over. Maybe in the greater scheme of things, they are not so random. Just maybe, it is part of learning to listen well.
Our church is a very special place. I have learned to call it home. I love the people of ynem, very much. I am, what people might say, invested in this place. I think that you share this perspective.
One of the real distinctions of ynem are the "volunteers" that give of their time and resources. The thing that gives me the most exhilaration, the greatest "high" in serving, is to see people step up and essentially give a blank check of their commitment and say "I am there!" Maybe we have an impossible task in front of us. Maybe it's fraught with problems. During such times, the folks who step in and say "I will do what it takes to get this done" literally bring tears to my eyes. We are blessed with many with such passion. My hope is that as we grow (and grow we will), that we don't lose this volunteer spirit. In this definition, a volunteer is not an unpaid worker. In this definition, all of our pastors and staff are "volunteers."
I want to be a volunteer. When I grow up, I want to be a volunteer. When I die, I want to die as a volunteer.
9 July 07, 10:42AM - Vision Concert
The Vision Concert last night was really great for a number of important reasons. Please offer a prayer of thanks and also a covering of grace (I don't know what the church looks like in daylight).
Peter Lee and his team (Johnny Chon, et al) is to be highly commended for many days and nights of preparation and for being very alert and efficient during execution.
I estimated about 500 people in the audience. The artists were great. The show really pushed me to think into the future to imagine what the church needs to become. Pastor Michael arrived just in time to do an impromptu rap which people really enjoyed. It was really fantastic.
I think SMT Michael can and should elaborate more on the army of people that helped, to properly recognize the many hands and feet that were involved. I can list a few names here:
Johnny Chon, Michael Lee (overall roaming manager, security) BBQ crew (Tallis Chang, Jason Kim, Joe Lee, Bowen Park, Richard __, Steve Koh, John Hong) Drinks/food crew (Esther Yoon, Paul Yoon, Meesa Kim, Susie Meng, Serena Lee, Christine Hong, Jae Yim and several others!) Phil Han (he set up the entire stage equipment with help of 3-4 people I can't quite name right now and he slept at church to protect the set up on sat night) The Artists (all of whom gave glory to God in their own ways, even the guy from Mad TV, who I thought was very funny) Trish Whang, Stephanie Hong, Alex Pak for manning or womanning the information booth (church rep) Many leaders that came out to support (presumably paying for tickets too!) David & Patty and their girls, Kyungho "Toughguy" Hong who generally scared away other scary guys without knowing it, Pastors Kevin, John, Yana who stayed for the entire event, walking prayerfully, somewhat rythmically, and Pastor Michael and his two friends from seattle who drove over 1000 miles to be there to do his holy rap.. (I made sure I didn't mistakenly type an errant "c"). And many others that I can't remember right now.
2 July 07, 11:46AM - Chaos Theory
Please excuse this intrusion into your otherwise geek-free day. But after talking with my son about an esoteric field of mathematics, a corollary (sort of) came to me that you might enjoy thinking about.
Chaos theory (sometimes called nonlinear dynamics) deals with mathematical equations or mathematical descriptions of interesting physical problems (such as weather patterns or flow of fluids) which have really surprising behavior. If you made it through that sentence, read on. The surprising thing is that these equations and systems can be impacted in fundamental ways (in math lingo, this means big patterns) by very small changes in the initial conditions (what you start with). This is sometimes known as the butterfly effect. The flapping of a butterfly's wings causes minute pressure changes which is somehow related to the occurrence of a major weather event. The fact of the matter is, there are such cause and effect phenomena out there. The intuition that we all have is that for something to happen, we have to start with significant inputs. A big change in the economy must have its roots in some other significant event to seed it, for example. But chaos theory and natural phenomena that it describes have shown the contrary.
What does this have to do with faith? Well, I don't know exactly, but at least we don't have to discount the small things that we do as being hopelessly inadequate for the task at hand. I don't think that I will apply chaos theory to the little boy who brought the 5 loaves and fish. But the results are similar.
We often discount things that we do. Sometimes we discount something that someone else has attempted. And in so doing, we discount the possibilities beyond what we do. This is what I gleaned from my conversation with my son.
Love LA scratches the surface of the homeless problem. But we ought to continue to trickle!
Hope this didn't cause an unwanted headache.
8 May 07, 9:18PM - Forward Looking
Only two people qualified in my offer to buy coffee (for those that read my email to the last line!). Serves me right for writing long emails. My son complains about my verbose aim and cell phone text messaging habits too. One of these days, my words will grow silent. If you don't read this, I will not be offended. At a minimum, this is my fellowship time with the computer monitor.
I observed that we are a group of independent thinkers. We seem to take a bit of time to converge, often starting with different positions. This is our strength but one that needs to be managed with love and respect. I have been carefully studying the topic of evolution and I see a great lesson to be learned. Diversity is essential for those of us that do not have the vision of the Almighty. But in the end, there is one best way for a given problem at hand. The process of trying, testing, pruning is essentially the process of evolution. If you want to talk to me about that interesting topic, you can buy me a cup of coffee. The open processes of discussion, trying to convince ourselves and one another of a certain point of view, being open to the possibility that I am wrong, praying together for the vision and guidance of God. These are the core processes that we have been following without an outline. And it has and is serving us well. But the key to it all really is to know that there is a limit to it all and in the end, we have to converge and come together. Love capture and covers it all. Love one another as I have loved you is what Jesus told his disciples. And the same love has to constrain us, restrain us at time and at others, release us.
When Jim Bob first told me about his plans to move, I was shocked. When I told the rest of you (elders), you were shocked. I showed that I could be out of step with everyone when I had the unfortunate outburst of anger in the newcomer's room, saying quite earnestly that I would gladly quit if Jim Bob goes ahead with it. One of my low points but one that I remember was extremely clear at the time. If you recall our positions on who we should "go after," for the new senior pastor, each of us has wandered a circuitous path. I think that I can stand in front of the congregation and say that we did our best and we would probably repeat the process if we were given the chance.
The road ahead? What today looks to be a sure thing may diverge in unexpected ways. What has to be core, what we must stick to, is our calling to be leaders and co-laborers in Christ. And love one another, we must. There is no other way, no better way to move forward. Love means to consider one another's perspectives as we discuss our issues.
So much for my email form of blog.
Praying for a day filled with revelations for you!
3 Mar 07, 9;45PM - Inspired by the Brits
A Passion for Homeless Christians by Simon Hall
The U.K. and the U.S.have much in common: you speak our language, and we watch you speaking it on our TVs. There are differences, though. We're less demonstrative; politically we lean slightly more to the left; we think soccer is really interesting;...and we are a post- Christian country.
I live in Leeds, which is roughly equivalent to a city the size of Boston. Recently, a local Christian organization that does outreach in high schools did a survey of all the local churches in Leeds to discover how many teenagers attend regularly. The number was just over 300.
That's Not Very Many.
Bad, but not unexpected. Outside the educated middle classes, where Christianity is still respectable, we're meeting kids who are third and fourth generation un-churched. They don't know why churches have crosses on them; they don't know who died on the cross. If they meet Christians (which is rare—church attendance in Leeds is about 4%), they don't even seem to speak the same language.
The church in the U.K. is either enthralled by historic Christianity—a 17th century Bible and liturgy—or, perhaps even worse, in love with the regurgitated worship product that dares call itself contemporary. There was some good music around when our church leaders were kids, but they must have been listening to something else. For kids listening to Limp Bizkit or into the U.K. Garage scene (or even those listening to Britney), Christians live in a totally different universe.
This is a problem.
If you're dealing with kids who've grown up in church, they know that even when the youth group and the evangelistic event are cool, church never will be. They put up with that. Kids with no church background might come along to your youth group, get into what you're saying, and even decide to become Christians. Yet if you take them to church, they often say, "This isn't what I signed up for! This is boring! I don't get it! Byeee!" They don't stay long enough to learn
what the gospel is really about, and they're hardened to the message of Jesus.
That was my experience at least, so I started just to disciple kids I knew. Not too many. We started attracting young adults who preferred our grungy style and democratic structures. Then a few young people joined us from other churches—and ones from no previous church. We relocated to the bohemian part of town, where most of the young single people live in our city, and we started finding people who were clearly spiritual, but hated the idea of religion. Just like Paul in Acts 17, we were able to put a name to their unknown God. Wow!
We Became a church.
It hadn't been our intention. We'd tried going to our mother church (one of the few successful churches in the city) and asking them to recognize what God was doing among the young people, Acts 15- style. The leaders were very supportive, asking the young people to lead services and be more involved in leadership, but the church itself revolted. The call ended in tears (quite literally). Looking again at Acts 15, perhaps it was always going to be the case that there would be a Jewish church and a Gentile church. Perhaps.
So I'm now a church leader, working primarily with those who belong to youth culture, whatever their age. We're still very small, and we've learned to love that. We're glad that we're growing slowly so that each person who becomes part of the Revival can be welcomed in as a family member. Because nearly every person in our community wouldn't be in a church if we didn't exist. And that might just include me.
2 Mar 07, 8:32AM - Fuming Over News
I just learned yesterday from a friend that a controversial movie (yet another one!) is being
promoted by James Cameron who claims that archaeologists have found Jesus Christ's body. So, I dutifully checked the various news outlets and saw the buzz or more like frenzy over this. I hate even talking about this stuff because it is so much like that Dan Brown thing that no one talks about anymore. Dan who? It is a fad invented by greed which served its purpose. But in case people in our church begin to latch onto the buzz, I want to offer some thoughts on this.
1. James Cameron is no scientist.
2. The archaeology over this is highly contested and
the supposed artifacts have been known since the 80's.
3. James Cameron definitely has something to gain from
this no matter the scientific outcome. All he needs
is the publicity in ANY FORM, and he wins.
4. Christians have, as with the previous
controversies, varying opinions on this. Some cry
"heresy!" In the opposite corner, others say that the
resurrection is a metaphor and start spouting off
stuff that is incomprehensible.
I feel that the most sensible thing to do is to point to #1-3 and perhaps other objective observations and let the archaeologists hang or otherwise denounce this as the publicity stunt that it is. Yes, we are offended by this but so what? There are many other things that we should be concerned about. My faith is not shaken in the least bit by this. I would say, please bring more credible stuff than this! Meanwhile, we should continue our good works so that all who sensible will see the core of what Christianity is all about and give glory to God.
I think that Newsweek and other tabloids passing themselves off as news magazines looked ahead to the drooping public attention on the last media frenzy (I think it was Nicole Smith) and deftly put this forth as the latest.
22 Jan 07, 1:45AM - Notes on YN History
Please read only if you have time to spare.
I was blessed to talk with my dad about church history. Young Nak, in particular. Young Nak was established in 1945, 5 years before the outbreak of the korean war. Here is a timeline (it's not in order). Ever wonder why our church spends so much on
missions? Young Nak sent the first missionary to Thailand a year after the Korean war ended! And look at the good works that the world must acknowledge, glorifying the Father. I can't fathom what was going on in the hearts and minds of the church founders. But they started the church, probably without a great plan. After the devastation of WW2. Then rebuild again after the Korean war. My mother used to tell me that she helped move rocks and stones along with a host of other people, to help in the building of the church. You will note also the names of martyrs in the timeline.
Move forward in time to 1972 when YN was created. Again, difficult times for the founders who, for the most part, had immigrated very recently. I remember those times vividly. My parents worked at a factory in downtown and used to take the bus to work each morning at 5AM, returning home after 6PM. They spoke little English. We and the other founding families were, for the most part, not well off, with small
children. I don't think they had a comprehensive plan for the church. Yet, what they started has an enduring witness in southern california and is audaciously reaching out to the ends of the earth.
Somehow, my takeaway in this is that heart trumps skill/intelligence. Of course, it is important to guide passion.
I wish that someone would make a film about the christian movement in korea. Maybe it exists and someone can tell me about it.
YN Timeline
1945. Dec. First service was dedicated.
1947. Jan. Two services on Sunday were dedicated.
Three services (1963. June)
Four services (1973. June)
Five services (1982. Jan.)
1947. Mar. Social welfare organizations, Youngnak
Borinwon(for orphans) established.
1954 Seoul Mojawon(home for single mothers),
1962 Youngnak Kyungrowon(home for the aged)
1981 Hapsil Yuawon(school for little children),
1986 Youngnak Aged Consulting(sick aged)
1990 Youngnak Children's Home,
1994 Ania's Home(clinic for mental illness)
1994 Aged Health Resort(Recuperation)
1949. June Delegation ceremony for Senior Pstor, Kyung-Chik Han and Pastor, Shin-Myung Kang.
1950. June Elder, Eungrak Kim and Deacon, Changwha Kim
died as martyr in the cause of Korean War.
1951. Oct. Pusan Youngnak Church found.
1952. Jan. Cheju Youngnak Church
1955. Apr. Fist missionary to Thailand.
1959. Mar. Educational organizations, Youngnak Middle and Highschool established.
1962. Feb. Daegu Youngnak Church
1966. Youngnak Kindergarden.
1969. Youngnak Women's Theological School.
Youngnak Women's Commercial Highschool.
1961. Oct. Youngnak Prayer Retreat Center dedicated.
1973. Jan. Senior Pastor, Chojun Park came. Pastor
Kyung-Chik Han became Pastor Emeritus.
1985. Sept. Senior Pastor, Yunkook Kim came. Pastor
Chojun Park regignated.
1988. Mar. Senior Pastor, Youngsoo Lim came. Pastor
Yunkook Kim regignated.
1992. Apr. Pastor Emeritus, Rev. Kyung-Chik Han
received the Templeton Prize.
1993. Jan. 19 parishes and 1290 regions divided.
1997. Dec. Senior Pastor, Chulshin Lee came. Pastor,
Youngsoo Lim regignated.
1998. Dec. 50th Commemorative Building dedicated.
19 Dec 06, 11:20PM - Thoughts about the future
Even though we wisely defer the development of a ministry vision and plan to the arrival of the new senior pastor, we should not shrink from sharing our individual visions of the future. What do you think are important things for us to worry about, to pray about, to fight for? What are the greatest needs facing korean americans today that we can use as hooks to reach out with a message of faith and hope? What
are the greatest challenges facing our kids, from toddlers up to and beyond the rebellious ages. If things go well (according to your perspective), what does our church look like 5 years from now, 10 years from now? What great social issues should we get involved in? Do we want to engage our church in something greater than the nurture and care for our families (as great as that responsibility is!).
I have been reading this book called The Language of God by Francis Collins. I am thinking of trying to put together a 1-2 hour class (probably 2 meetings) to
help present a harmonization between faith and science that I have been wrestling with and am learning more about (through books like this). I want to follow up
with an article to share with the church as well. Where are you on this issue? Faith, science? Evolution, creationism, intelligent design? Although it is probably one of the last things on anyone's ministry agenda, I think that addressing this
intellectual and faith challenge is one of the great things that our church can do not only for our people but also for the youth who have to develop some sort of understanding of their faith consistent with what they are told by many as conflicting scientific evidence.
Who has time to read, much less respond to John's email? If you do respond, I will be very grateful. If you don't, no worries. I know that everyone is extremely busy.
2 May 06, 10:45PM - Dan Brown gives me an idea
I've been reading articles about Dan Brown's Davinci book. I think that the informed public properly places his book in the fiction category but a vast majority of people are not so critical.
I think that rather than jumping on the knee-jerk bandwagon to boycott and oppose the book, we should view this as an opportunity. What churches have not done, Dan Brown has achieved. He has turned people's interest and attention to the early church period. He has created a lot of misinformation, to be sure, but the interest is there.
Is it possible for us to launch a couple of bible study classes after this talk this sunday? I think that the basic beliefs class along with another looking at early church history would be good. Perhaps there might be other topics more appropriate.
But I think that we should take advantage of this.
15 Oct 05, 12:45AM - Moved by a 4 year old's courage and vision
In doing a brief research into this, I am left in tears thinking of the 4 year old kid that is able to think so much outside of herself. This is worth doing and doing tomorrow. I will call Susie Maeng and Pastor David and let them know. I encourage you to go to the website that is listed here and see for yourself.
[This was about putting together a lemonade stand at church to support cancer research. The story below is incredible!]
ABOUT ALEX'S LEMONADE STAND
In 2000, a 4 year old cancer patient named Alexandra "Alex" Scott announced a seemingly simple idea -she was holding a lemonade stand to raise money to help "her doctors" find a cure for kids with cancer. The idea was put into action by Alex and her older brother, Patrick, when they set up the first "Alex's Lemonade Stand for Childhood Cancer" on their front lawn in July of 2000.
For the next four years, despite her deteriorating health, Alex held an annual lemonade stand to raise money for childhood cancer research. Following her inspirational example, thousands of lemonade stands and other fundraising events have been held across the country by children, schools, businesses, and organizations, all to benefit Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for childhood cancer. On August 1st, 2004, Alex died peacefully at the age of 8 -- she had raised over $1 million for childhood cancer research in her short lifetime.
Alex's spirited determination to raise awareness and money for all childhood cancer while she bravely fought her own deadly battle with cancer has inspired thousands of people, from all walks of life to raise money and give to her cause. Alex's family and supporters are committed to continuing her inspiring legacy through Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501c3 charity. As of June 2007, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation has raised over $17 million for childhood cancer research. The result -- Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation has given millions of dollars for childhood cancer research across the country!
MISSION STATEMENT
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation is a unique foundation that has evolved from a young cancer patient's front yard lemonade stand to a nationwide fundraising movement for childhood cancer.
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation is committed to:
*Raising money and awareness for pediatric cancer causes, primarily research into new cures and treatments.
*Encouraging and educating others, especially children, to raise money for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for childhood cancer.
OUR VISION:
A Cure for all children with cancer
