Comments on: Unity and Diversity in a Chinese Church http://reflections.cyberpastor.net/series/chinese-church/unity-and-diversity-in-a-chinese-church/ Thoughts on God, life, and truth Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:56:25 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: PK http://reflections.cyberpastor.net/series/chinese-church/unity-and-diversity-in-a-chinese-church/comment-page-1/#comment-9006 PK Tue, 20 Nov 2007 18:54:05 +0000 http://reflections.cyberpastor.net/series/chinese-church/unity-and-diversity-in-a-chinese-church/#comment-9006 I agree with you that respect is crucial. Mutual respect that allows for cultural differences is a must. Reconciliation is needed wherever there has been a rift of some sort, whether between two groups or individuals in the church, or in the family. On SP#3, I would say that it is more than a cultural issue. Based on a biblical understanding of the spiritual nature of worship, I would never have a non-Christian playing music for worship. I agree with you that respect is crucial. Mutual respect that allows for cultural differences is a must. Reconciliation is needed wherever there has been a rift of some sort, whether between two groups or individuals in the church, or in the family.

On SP#3, I would say that it is more than a cultural issue. Based on a biblical understanding of the spiritual nature of worship, I would never have a non-Christian playing music for worship.

]]> By: NKL http://reflections.cyberpastor.net/series/chinese-church/unity-and-diversity-in-a-chinese-church/comment-page-1/#comment-8975 NKL Mon, 19 Nov 2007 18:41:00 +0000 http://reflections.cyberpastor.net/series/chinese-church/unity-and-diversity-in-a-chinese-church/#comment-8975 It's me again. I dug up notes made of a panel discussion on the pattern for spiritual growth in our Chinese churches. Three senior pastors from other churches were invited to comment. Here are their comments: SP#1 (HK born): Not an intellectual thing, the problem is whether we are willing to stretch out our hands in love to reach out to the other party SP#2 (HK born, raised in NA) What is at stake isn’t that we can become a good church. What is at stake is the credibility of the gospel. We claim to preach a gospel of reconciliation, that tears down walls. If we can’t work through these diff and work together as a community, then we discredit the very gospel that we preach and believe in. BUT, if we show the world that if we’re in Christ, that barriers are torn down, two become one, we validate the gospel. SP#3 (HK born, now leading Mandarin church) A teen piano player came to mem asking if he could play piano for the church as mandatory volunteer hours. I would say yes, but leaders say no because it is worship (i.e. teen is not a Christian) In all situations, we need compassionate understanding of the background. It’s me again. I dug up notes made of a panel discussion on the pattern for spiritual growth in our Chinese churches. Three senior pastors from other churches were invited to comment. Here are their comments:

SP#1 (HK born): Not an intellectual thing, the problem is whether we are willing to stretch out our hands in love to reach out to the other party

SP#2 (HK born, raised in NA) What is at stake isn’t that we can become a good church. What is at stake is the credibility of the gospel. We claim to preach a gospel of reconciliation, that tears down walls. If we can’t work through these diff and work together as a community, then we discredit the very gospel that we preach and believe in. BUT, if we show the world that if we’re in Christ, that barriers are torn down, two become one, we validate the gospel.

SP#3 (HK born, now leading Mandarin church) A teen piano player came to mem asking if he could play piano for the church as mandatory volunteer hours. I would say yes, but leaders say no because it is worship (i.e. teen is not a Christian) In all situations, we need compassionate understanding of the background.

]]> By: NKL http://reflections.cyberpastor.net/series/chinese-church/unity-and-diversity-in-a-chinese-church/comment-page-1/#comment-8806 NKL Thu, 15 Nov 2007 19:41:55 +0000 http://reflections.cyberpastor.net/series/chinese-church/unity-and-diversity-in-a-chinese-church/#comment-8806 2. I will begin with answering the second question: we learn RESPECT and RECONCILIATION. Again I will begin with the latter--Reconciliation is the key ministry in the church that is called to keep both an EM and an CM. Traditional Asian families are not grace centered. They are obligation centered. They are face (public image) centered. They are honor-shame centered. Some are able to follow the system, others cheat here and there, and others still are marginalized by it. There is a lot of guilt, a lot of hurt, a lot of tired people trying to satisfy a system based on shame and not grace. To bring reconciliation, healing and unity to the body of believers is a sign that an EM + CM church understands the ministry of Christ. Where reconciliation has yet to be completed, respect works as the TEMPORARY glue. You have to respect the power of respect. A EM + CM church is a peaceful place when the groups and leaders respect each other. I believe this is only temporary though--we are not given the ministry of respect but the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5); Jesus did not establish peach by setting up rules of respect but by destroying the walls of hostility (Ephesians 2). 1. So the key to unity, in my understanding of the Asian American church, is reconciliation. It's an ongoing work, and ongoing ministry. 2. I will begin with answering the second question: we learn RESPECT and RECONCILIATION. Again I will begin with the latter–Reconciliation is the key ministry in the church that is called to keep both an EM and an CM. Traditional Asian families are not grace centered. They are obligation centered. They are face (public image) centered. They are honor-shame centered. Some are able to follow the system, others cheat here and there, and others still are marginalized by it. There is a lot of guilt, a lot of hurt, a lot of tired people trying to satisfy a system based on shame and not grace.

To bring reconciliation, healing and unity to the body of believers is a sign that an EM + CM church understands the ministry of Christ.

Where reconciliation has yet to be completed, respect works as the TEMPORARY glue. You have to respect the power of respect. A EM + CM church is a peaceful place when the groups and leaders respect each other. I believe this is only temporary though–we are not given the ministry of respect but the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5); Jesus did not establish peach by setting up rules of respect but by destroying the walls of hostility (Ephesians 2).

1. So the key to unity, in my understanding of the Asian American church, is reconciliation. It’s an ongoing work, and ongoing ministry.

]]> By: Pastor Ellie Reed http://reflections.cyberpastor.net/series/chinese-church/unity-and-diversity-in-a-chinese-church/comment-page-1/#comment-6944 Pastor Ellie Reed Wed, 19 Sep 2007 22:14:08 +0000 http://reflections.cyberpastor.net/series/chinese-church/unity-and-diversity-in-a-chinese-church/#comment-6944 We are all Chidren of God, He made us, and placed each of us here. and said to take care of the Earth and Prosper. To Love each other as he Loves Us,care for each other as he cares for us. I truly beleive in Unity, as a Church Family, and not putting any thing between us,as a beleiving church body. What ever it talkes... thank You PS even if it means, to have two classes at the same time. learning the same thing. We are all Chidren of God, He made us, and placed each of us here. and said to take care of the Earth and Prosper. To Love each other as he Loves Us,care for each other as he cares for us.
I truly beleive in Unity, as a Church Family, and not putting any thing between us,as a beleiving church body. What ever it talkes…
thank You PS even if it means, to have two classes at the same time. learning the same thing.

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