Monthly Archives: July 2010

A Quest Toward Reconciliation

Summer is a time for vacations and relaxing.  It’s a time when churches can take a break from studying serious topics and talk about relationships, marriage, and dating, or at least that has been my experience.  I don’t know many pastors who choose to preach a summer series on Leviticus or many congregations that would put up with it.  But on this particular Sunday, by the invitation of Brian and Gail Bantum, I found myself at Quest Church listening to Pastor Eugene Cho preach a sermon on  A People Set Apart from Leviticus 11.  I was shocked to find that this was week 3 of the sermon series that would continue even after my week in Seattle.

While I had heard about Quest’s multi-ethnic community in the Evangelical Covenant Church, I was convinced that the appearance of diversity could not be a deep investment into the life of the church and community.

But Quest captured my imagination that afternoon.

I am continually amazed with the diversity of folks chatting away in the lobby, without the superficial talk of the weather and what you did last night (the myth of rainy seattle is a ploy to keep visitors from staying- its beautiful in seattle).  The crowd was black, white, Asian, and many things between.  I was excited about the worship and the music.  It’s rare to gather people who are so different and get them to learn different styles while worshipping God.  I don’t know the struggles and the conversations that have taken place up to that moment, but I will say Quest gave me hope for worship and music in the life of the church.  Even with Eugene’s 41-minute sermon, not too typical for Caucasian churches, I was amazed at the congregations commitment to be present.

Although I was only there on one Sunday, I’m convinced that the gathering of people from every “neck of the woods” is possible and that the Lord does call us to dine together.

Quest Church has a pretty interesting story about its formation and the challenges of being a multi-ethnic multigenerational church (here’s an article about that), but thier story is two churches uniting, dying to self, the sharing of resources, land, and property, so that the greater community of Seattle could be reached and served.  I’m encouraged by their faithfulness to each other, the surrounding community of Seattle, and even to the World through One Days Wages (a non-profit founded by Eugene and his wife, Minhee).

No church or ministry is perfect, but if there’s one lesson I learned this summer, it’s one of being faithful to wherever the Lord calls you.  And in that faithfulness, a people to love and journey with.  Reconciliation, loving and serving our community, and stirring up holy mischief takes time and calls for our faithfulness.

Unpacking… Faithfully

Every morning, for the last couple of days, I walk over to my suitcase seeking what to wear and picking out books to read.  My favorite white v-neck shirt or the yellow one?  Shorts or pants? Should I reread the Girl Who Fell From the Sky or God’s Economy?

The options are endless because I’ve lived out of my suitcase for the last 4 weeks.  I’ve acquired clothes, books, and even stories- all neatly tucked into my 28-inch hard shell suitcase.

My suitcase is my home away from home.  The only problem is… I am home.

Living out of my suitcase makes me feel like I’m still somewhere else… and not home.

I’ve had the most incredible summer exploring avenues of reconciliation and almost one week later my heart cannot rest.

I am constantly reminded of how much work needs to be done and how this ministry is not one of exploration “over there.”  The work of reconciliation is one that is always at work wherever we might find ourselves and with whomever.

I feel pretty energized to engage the issues of reconciliation that are closer to home and in my community.  There is wisdom in stability (check out the book).  While I’m sure I didn’t learn an  the “art of reconciliation” (let me know if there is one), I learned what it means to be faithful.  I have not heard any stories on how easy this work is- rather I’ve heard how hard, challenging, and sometimes painful it can be. And though not easy, the fruit from the work of these sown seeds of peace is sweet, abundant and always inviting all those near and far to come and partake at the table. It’s a celebration and joyous reminder of the invitation that Christ has already laid before us.

In Durham, I am considering daily what it means to be faithful in ministry in this community for as long as the Lord calls me here (more to come on how the Marin Foundation taught me that).

As I complete my last year at Duke Divinity, I’m praying for boldness to follow Jesus, the wisdom to discern, and the courage to act living a life of justice, peace, and faithfulness.

I hate unpacking because it reminds me that I am home.  But I am reminded that home is indeed home, a place to plant my feet, grow, and learn.

Not Just A Field Ed…

Just a side about my summer because folks keeps asking and/or emailing me:

My summer was not:
-a venture to become a Medallion member
-a field education
-a vacation

My summer was:
-pretty awesome and I’m extremely grateful for it.
-Ministry Fellow Project made possible through the Fund for theological Education
-organized with the help of many

A Special Thanks to: Chicago City Transit, The Marin Foundation- with a special shout out to Kevin Harris, Lillian Daniel, the Butler’s, Nick Liao, the City of Los Angeles!, Amey Adkins, the Bantum Five, the Whitesox (for winning against the Mariner’s), The John Perkins Center at SPU, and Quest Church.

I’m glad to be back in Durham and would love to sit down, tell you about my summer, and show you pictures, so holler at me.