Ernest & Carmen

Yesterday I started a new role at my work in the accounts department. I did some basic accounting stuff years ago, but all of that has been long forgotten. Trying to reach into the deep crevices of my mind, I surface with only blurred memories of credits, debits, journals, receivables, etc...So I have to re-learn everything now.

I went out for street evangelism on Tuesday. We met 70+ year old Joe in the park and for once I didn't know what to say to him. He was from a Catholic background, and so I asked him what he knew of the person Jesus. In response, he started waving his arm around to gesture at the people around him.

"Young people these days," he growled, "have no idea what it's like to be hungry and poor. They've never had their homes bombed. That's why they think they don't need God anymore." (This is not word for word, but the gist of what he said)

How true indeed!

But because of that, I fell silent. All these different responses came to mind, but they got lodged in my throat. In an email to a friend, I said:

"I'm not sure why I was lost for words. I don't think I was intimidated as such, but I think it was because I felt so removed from his world of thinking and life and I felt anything I said would seem like a young, arrogant kid to him. He was talking about how people in today's society have no idea what it's like to live in poverty and have their homes bombed and stuff...and how people don't really think about God anymore...I think he must've been referring to his war time experiences. And I'd agree with him, and under normal circumstances I could've easily use that to talk about the gospel. But then I felt unqualified to challenge him because of the way he thought of young people. I didn't want him to think I was another one of those arrogant youths trying to lecture him on Jesus. So in the 1-2 sec that it took me to process that and become dumbfounded, my partner (who's a fair few yrs older) took over. *phew*"

My partner George ended up having a very good conversation with him. But even as the two of them were talking, I still could not recompose myself to join in. George tried to include me a few times but I could only stumble out with a few words. George explained Two ways to Live to him and invited him to CBF next week. He seemed to accept.

Although I dismally failed, I did learn from George in the way he handled the situation and spoke Joe. So aside from a slightly bruised ego, it was a rewarding experience.

<< Pray for Joe that the message of the gospel will leave a deep impression on him and provoke him to respond in faith and repentence. Thank God for George and the things I learnt from him that day. Pray that I can remember them for evangelism in the future.>>

Tomorrow I will also be catching up with an old work mate Jackson. We've spoken at lengths in the past about Christianity and he has a reasonable understanding of the gospel. Sadly, he continues to reject the lordship of Christ because he wants to continue living his hedonistic liftstyle.

I've tried to keep in touch with him, but on Sat he will be leaving for UK on a working visa for at least 2 years. Funnily enough, he main reason for leaving is to chase after his girlfriend. He has never been a playboy, but he never took relationships seriously either. But he fell head-over-heels over this girl who came traveling in Sydney for a few months. Never would've expected it from him, but then again, I never would've expected to have such good conversations with him about Christianity either.

So I'm meeting him for the last time tomorrow. I've given him a Bible and "A Fresh Start" in the past. This time I'll give him "1st Century Answers to 21st Century Questions" as a parting gift. The book is meant to be for Christians, but I think it'll be good for him to see how the Bible deals realistically with practical contemporary issues. Hope that he'll actually read it.

<< Thank God for the relationship I've built with Jackson over the years, and especially for the great conversations about Jesus. Pray that the Spirit may continue to stir up his heart so that through the Bible and through the Christian books he may one day come to a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus. Pray that I may be able to keep in touch with him even as he travels overseas so that I can continue to minister the Word of God to him. >>

Because we are all fallen, sinful beings, any human church structure will have strengths and weaknesses. The Alliance church is no different.

I spent over an hour last night typing up an email addressing one particular issue. I've posted it here (with minor editing to obscure identities) and I'd like to know what you think about it: (If you know who the email was addressed to, please keep it confidential)

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From: Ernest Chiang
To: *****
Subject: Club 5

Hey *****,

How are you going mate? Have you thought much about coming to Club 5 with
me? It'd be great to have you along.

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From: *****
To: Ernest Chiang
Subject: RE: Club 5

Hey Ernest,

[we] have talked about club 5 and we're still very unsure about going. i dont even know if i can go to the Alliance camp? so many things have come up but i will tell you this. if i could go to either then i would support the Alliance first. no offence to club 5, i believe it can offer me a lot but i want to offer myself to the Alliance first and foremost. Alliance is so small so i want to support anyway i can.
but i havent made a decision yet. guess i need to pray about it more. i think i have too much Alliance pride so maybe God can break down that wall of pirde to attend club 5?

God bless
*****

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From: Ernest Chiang
To: *****
Subject: RE: Allegiance vs. Alliance


Hi *****,

Sorry about this late reply. It's been rather hectic over here...

Not sure if you've made a decision about Club 5 or AYA camp...

...

It was refreshing to meet someone like you who is serious about serving God and has thought about some short and long term ideas on how to do that. But I think you need to get clear in your head that as a Christian, you allegiance is always first and foremost the gospel and the glory of Christ. In all your thoughts and decision making, you need to be thinking about how you can be serving the gospel most effectively and glorifying God in the best possible way. Your allegiance is NOT to the Alliance denomination, nor to the Asians, nor to the youths or the young adults. As the apostle Paul says in Romans 1:14-16, he is obligated to everyone to preach the gospel to them because the gospel is for them all. You should be offering yourself to the gospel first and foremost, not to the Alliance.

Afterall, the body of Christ is made up of all believers from all history, all denominations, all countries, all nationalities everywhere. We are all part of ONE universal church - not each in our own little denominations serving God in our own little world. And so our allegiance is to this one church! From the Bible's point of view, how absurd - and perhaps even almost heretic! - is it to make such distinctions in how you serve? Remember in 1Corinthians 1:10-13 how Paul rebukes them for following different leaders in the church - much like how we follow different church denominations.

I hope you understand that I am in no way trying to sound superior over you, but I mean this in the most loving and humble way possible. I myself come from a different denomination at first, but I did not let that restrict my decision to come to this church in Rockdale. If I was merely loyal to my own church, then I'd never leave and would not have had the benefit of fellowship with all these other brothers and sisters. But in my decisions, I had to think about how I can be most effective for the gospel - both in terms of how I serve, and also how I am being trained to be better equipped...

...

...But this email is not really about which conference you go to - that is inconsequential. But this is about your attitude to ministry.

I truly apologise if any of this email has offended you in any way. I am merely perplexed how someone so keen for God can be so limited in his thinking. If it was someone else I may not have bothered. But I want to be able to serve along side with you someday in partnership and unity of the gospel. But that they will not come as long as you remain in your own little corner. I understand that perhaps you want to start with the Alliance first and strengthen it before branching out. But I tell you from experience that it has to be a dual process. As we strengthen bonds within the Alliance, we need to strengthen bonds outside of Alliance at the same time. I too have grand visions of uniting various Alliance churches, but that does not stop me from taking up other opportunities that God has provided here and now.

I'm currently/will be involved in several projects which I hope you and your church will be part of. By now you would've received an email about the Alliance Mission Convention. You have already heard about the gospel work of Saltlight Productions. There is an amalgamation of Chinese churches called Sydney Chinese Evangelical Association (SCEA) which provides training days for Asians church, and I'm working with them to try and organise a training day in the Sydney South region. I will be organising leadership conferences for Jan. Perhaps a Christmas outreach event. And I'm hoping to have a combine camp for Asian Alliance youths next year. I'm liasing with Baptist churches, Anglican churches, Presbyterian churches, Alliance churches, and independent churches for many of these. These, and many other events are things I'm involved with not because they belong to any particular groups, but because they are doing the work of the gospel and glorifying God.

Let me echo Paul's words in Colossians 1:28-29: "We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labour, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me."

Paul's allegiance was to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. So is mine. I hope yours is too.

Your humble servant and brother,
Ernest
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So...comments and thoughts please? :/ ??

I've been feeling quite sick the last few days. Down with a cold. But took the day off work yesterday and feeling much better now. =)

Despite having a runny nose and a husky voice, I had a very enjoyable Saturday - Saltlight Community College was on!!

Basically, we had a dozen or so classes throughout the day starting from 11am to raise funds for the production of This Way Up. The day climaxed at 3pm for the "Servant Sale" where I was one of 6 guys (well, 7 if you include a last minute impromptu addition) being "sold" for 2 hours of labour. I was sold for $120 - $60 per hour...that's pretty good. More than I've ever earnt!!

I also ran 2 classes - one on making tiramisu, and the other on learning massages. Aside from a few minor glitches (I bought shortbread instead of sponge fingers for the tiramisu (!!) and we started late for the massage class), everything else went pretty smoothly. From what I heard from other people as well, everyone had lots of fun and it was an enjoyable day - and all the while supporting the work of the gospel.

We ended up raising over a thousand dollars, which was over our target. Yay!!

<< Praise God for the many people who came along to support the ministry of Saltlight Productions, and for the many people who came together to organise it. Thanks for everyone's generosity in giving money and generally being a good sport. Thank God also that we had good whether and no one injured themselves and all had a good time. Please keep praying that this CD will be a useful resource in bring our friends to hear about our Lord Jesus Christ. >>

I've finally finished my essay! Woo hoo!!

I've been thinking a bit about next year, particularly in terms of church and ministry. I know that once I start studying full time, I won't have as much time & energy to be devoted to ministry. I know that my priority will be as a diligent and faithful student.

I know that.

But what do I do with the little time that I have for church?

A bit of self confession here - I'm a control-freak and perfectionist. But you probably know that already, right? Well, this means that I want to do everything, and do an impeccable job of it. And so, that's why I'm involved with TG, EYF, Sunday School, English service, camps, conferences, training events, evangelism, discipleship and interchurch joint ventures. Not to mention that I will to be doing music, preaching, and mission.

So what do I do next year?

Here are some of my thoughts so far...

• Step down from my uni age Sunday School group.
  
• Ask the more mature Christians to take up Sunday School and/or partner with Jeremy or Johnny.
  
• Split EYF up into 2 groups - Chow Faan (for more mature Christians) and Chow Mein (for younger Christians). I'll lead Chow Faan (made up mainly of Sunday School teachers) while Jeremy takes Chow Mein.
  
• Continue to oversee most of the English ministries (esp TG) and evangelistic events, but abstain from other Bible teaching roles.
  
• Possibly liase & visit with other neighbour churches for combined camp/outreach/training events. But would be good to have someone dedicated to the administration.
  
• Preach in the congregration, and perhaps at other churches as well.

The main focus of this is for me to look after the older Christians and leaders in EYF, and then for them to look after the TG leaders and other EYF members, and in turn for them to be looking after the other TG members.

Sounds like an ideal flow-down effect. But the only way it'd work is if everyone understands and supports this vision. I think I'm better at teaching older Christians, and given that I have very limited time, I'd like to focus on them.

Anyone else have other ideas?

<< Pray for wisdom in making ministry decisions for next year so that I will be effective as a student and as a minister of the gospel. Pray also that God will raise up the right people to fulfill some of these roles so that I am freed up to do other things. Pray also that I won't take all the responsibilities onto myself but to trust God to be in control and for Him to bring things to perfection. >>

I haven't finished my essay yet, but I promised to have an update this week, so here I am. Besides, I got a one week extension on my essay last night. Yay! :)

As some of you may know, I'm going on my first mission trip this year. I'm going to Cowra Summer Breakout from 9th-18th Jan 2004. It's a joint mission with a Baptist and Presbyterian church in Cowra. Where is Cowra? It's west of Sydney, pass Katoomba, pass Lithgow, pass Bathurst, pass Blayney, and keep going and you'll get to Cowra. Probably about 5-6 hours drive I think.

We had our mission houseparty (ie camp) last weekend where we got to meet our team, meet the other people on this mission, and even meet some of the team from Cowra. There were a fair few 'veterans' who've been involved for a few years, but there were also lots of newbies like myself.

I'll be working with section Jumping Beans (JBs) - this is the section looking after kids from Kindergarten to Year 2. We'll be mainly looking at Luke and seeing who Jesus is. I have never taught kids this young before, so I really have no idea what to do!!!! But that's why I picked it, so I can have some experience working with little kids.

I will need to get started on some preparation soon, but not till I finish this OT essay!

<< Thank God for the extension for the essay. And also thank God for the opportunity to be part of this team for Cowra mission and part of JBs. Pray that I will get to know the rest of my team and be able to work together with them. And pray also that I'll learn how to teach little children so that they too can enter the Kingdom of God. >>

I've haven't blogged for more than a week! Sorry to my faithful group of readers (even if there are only 6-7 of you). I'm currently busy finalising 2 Bible studies I'm writing on Spiritual Gifts, as well as doing my college assignment (2,000 words due next week) and finishing my newsletter - just to name the few major ones.

I promise I'll be back with more news next week.

<< Please pray for calmness and strength to get all these things done this week. Pray that I won't slack off with the quality, but continue to press on! >>