순례자의 샘터 Soonsam 2019 Spring | Page 13

the church… But it looks like we are on our way towards that. We do have A LOT of work to do in terms of matur- ing as congregation though… but I think we are moving forward. PK: That kind of makes sense… but let me know if you ever want to “church-plant” with your EM. You have a lot of young families and single young adults. You might be ready… PJ: Maybe… For some EM’s, it might be a good choice. But for us right now, I’m led by the Spirit to conclude oth- erwise. In addition to our EM supplying most of the Chil- dren’s ministry teachers and almost all the Youth teach- ers, we send out many missionaries. And there is just so much potential for outreach here in their own workplaces and schools. FKBC’s EM has been growing in terms of our multi-ethnicity too… although we are attracting mostly non-Korean “Asians”. PK: Yes, but don’t you think God wants the church to be bigger than just “Koreans” and other “Asians”. The goal of the church should be multi-ethnic correct? PJ: Yes… but remember, in heaven we see ALL NATIONS worshiping God… and it’s obvious that the nations are still distinct people groups… PK:… that we really want our 2nd and 1.5 generation members to be equipped as missionaries here in North America. But wr don’t go out of our way to emulate white, western Christianity… We do put emphasis on our members to never neglect culture (because it’s a gift from God that he uses to bring people together and help them commu- nicate in love), but also to remember that they need to be good missionaries in their work/studies/family life, and the context of all of that is North America. PK: Ok, I can kind of see why you might stay, but isn’t it rough sometimes? PJ: …. " Our conversation went on for a while, but we basically agreed that some 2nd generation EM Pastors can do well and equip well in the immigrant church, while others are called to be pastors of “planted” churches that grow into multi-ethnic (usually pan-Asian) churches. I do admit that I did feel a bit “small” as I unwisely com- pared my life against my Pastor friend… Please forgive me for coveting… oh well, we’ll beat them at the Turkey Bowl and Softball. PJ: Plus, they (other Asians) need somewhere to go to church… And our EM is a place where other 2nd and 1.5 gen of many Asian communities seem to be attracted to… It’s never about being “more Korean” or “worshipping Ko- rean style”, if we make our EM about that, please come and remove me… But God does use the ethnic church to draw people of that similar ethnicity… We are very clear www.fkbc.org 랄리제일한인침례교회 13