Sivin Kit’s Garden

48 years old … wow! that’s quite a journey as a nation. Not too young and not too old huh?

I’m having a fresh look at Our national symbols,
… and Our very special Negaraku
… and The Constitution

Nothing fancy … just the basics .. for now.

The main reason for my low blog activity is because of my participation in this important convention in my denomination (Lutheran church of Malaysia & Singapore) this past weekeend. I wanted to resume last night … but I feel alseep. You can imagine how exhausted I am.

Guess who’s the new Bishop of the Lutheran Church of Malaysia?
It’s a 4 year term … May the Lord bless him and guide him …. and for the rest of us .. we need the exact same thing too!
Read the rest of this entry »

what lies ahead for us as a denomination? how will the election go? who will be the new Bishop? how shall we play our part - in voicing as well as in voting our concerns. This is an important convention for us for it will mark our entry into a new phase of the corporate church life as Lutherans here in Malaysia. Will it be like the picture .. all clear ahead?

anyway, maybe that’s why it was funny when I heard the statement, “make the emergent founder bishop” in the context of whether anything will happen further for as fas as the emergent malaysia conversation is concerned. First, I’m not sure whether the person saying it was refering to me, I suspect he was (anyway, I’ve never seen myself as a founder … I just link people who are interested to talk - that’s why someone asked me to change my blog title to Linking Park rather than a Garden). Secondly, I don’t want to be Bishop … there are people who are up the coming exciting elections! But, back to the subject matter … “Emergent” again …

The word “Emergent” came up the last one week more than usual in some conversations at the camp in Seremban and today at Kairos Office. I think Brian is and has been wise to keep insisting the word “conversation” over movement or “emergent church” … I had some opportunities at least to comment on how I see the conversation so far in USA and UK and more importantly in Malaysia.

I laughed when someone mentioned about the “emergent” view on a particular subject. Because even as the so called “coordinator” of the conversations here in Malaysia - I said I’m not aware of the view. At this stage, we are opening up space to work on how we could think about theology, spirituality and methodology in close relation to church and mission in a more integrated manner - so I don’t see myself and my friends who are part of the emergent conversation (or any theological-spiritual-ministrial conversation) here in Malaysia hurrying too quickly to give an easy answer.

I think that if there is an emergent view or approach … it’s to first pause and re-examine the question, take seriously the context in which the question is asked, refer to historical resources, plunge back into the Gospel of Jesus, consider the way of Jesus, get back to the Scriptural narrative, … intentionally working this through not just personally but also in community … and of course, keeping in mind how all this will be for the good of the world - thus the missional dimension. Now that was a mouthful
Today, I had a chance to clarify my own thinking even as I tried to “tell my story” how I landed into the emergent conversation especially with friends in USA and UK specifically. And I think I’ve been consistent in this right from the beginning that I DO NOT see “Emergent” as a kind of “we here to come to save the day” - church movement. I don’t even tell people the church I’m pastoring is a sample of an Emergent Church (as if it’s a new brand). With Kia Meng also part of the conversation, in fact much of what we are talking or in “conversation” at our level has already been in discussion perhaps in some academic or theological discussions in the past. So, nothing is new … but it’s new to us and we’re enjoying it and find it helpful
Being part of this “conversation” no doubt has helped me see things clearer as far as what’s important to me personally, and corporately as a church, and it’s helped me think in more integrated terms. I find myself also enriched by the interaction - sharpened in some aspects and softened in other aspects especially when I’m quick to make judgement. So, I do find some relation there to how I serve and lead and wrestle with all things church and mission in my specific context.

and in addition to that … haging around those in the “conversation” helps me to intentionally keep the rhythm of how theology, spirituality, and ministry dances in my journey.

So as far as I know, for those who are looking for an “emergent” church (as a kind of special brand) in Malaysia I think will be disappointed. But, if you are looking for a bunch of freinds who enjoy engaging in theological reflection which is not divorced from ethical and ministry realities and hoping to do all this with an authentic spirituality … then, I think and I hope they would find that in the so called “emergent conversation”-Malaysian style. And if you are interested … let me know.

Oh yeah … notice … that I have not been mentioned “postmodern” until now :-). I can start with “postcolonial”:-P … but then … we’re all still in the beginning stages of seeing how this journey can be a source of encouragement for those who want be a bit more conscious in our thinking and intentional in our efforts and more integrated in our approach. I think there is a road ahead … more details after the elections …

It is exciting to connect with people whom have similar values and directions when it comes to church - and especially when the desire is to go beyond methodological innnovations - I sense there’s a hunger towards seeing a closer relationship of how our thinking (theology), our personal & communal formation (spirituality), and our ministry in this world (ethics & mission) are intentionally brought closer together in our conversations as well as the practical day to day living - from sorting out our dog poop at the backyard as well as our children’s poop in the bedroom
Hearing someone share about the “generative’ impulses and ideas around the above concerns always energizes me … and I seek to be an encourager to those who are in existing churches who seek to go in this direction, and if there are some who will be embarking on the formation of new communities or churches like this I’ll cheer them on. For those who may just see themselves as “members” (more than being in leadership), I pray they may participate fully in seeing how this kind of church or Christian community really is for the good of our world (and an added bonus is that we reap the benefits too!)

and yet … there are realities before us that saddens me (at times make me angry) - I saw something yesterday in regards to the word “prophecy” that made me wonder - who holds these so called “prophets” accountable .. and worse is when it’s associated with money … how does all this REALLY forward God’s Kingdom values and purposes? Is this the kind of “picture” (testimony) we want to give our pre-dominantly non-Christian society in Malaysia. Even as a Christian I cringe! Lord have mercy!

I’m at this stage that pouring too much energy in criticism is not fruitful (though critical evaluation has its place and is needed), I do not want to be defined by what I’m against … more effort needs to be in being an agent of change - perhaps that’s why I get more excited when I hear and see people participating in reflecting their Christianity consciously and intentionally counter-cultural (cf. against greed, grandioseness, corporate impersonalization, manipulative persuasion, etc) and humbly working out committed discipleship and mission 24/7 (especially in and through the local churches/communities they are part of).

There’s this tension I constantly face … I’m learning greater generousity (I think) when it comes to how one is thinking through and working out their Christian life in our context. And yet, there’s a greater discernment and suspicion towards bad theology, ministry malpactice, unreflective and often insensitive buldozing of ideas, etc. I find myself more able to engaging in practices that reflect a generous orthodoxy … and I’m growing in confidence in this area and yet I struggle in what are some steps I can take when confronted with what I may perceive to be harmful … there are some glimpses of light though because in some cases maybe I could inject some input, but often in many cases - the only way - or the more non-militant option is in John Wimber’s words “starve” these efforts by not giving endorsement, or even offering caution and even at appropriate times after much prayer and self-examination - indicate non-support (while not cutting off the relationship).

These are challenging times. I still believe we need to spend more time “nourishing” local churches whether existing ones or new ones to be the kind of church God intended that being drained in battling misguided ones. Besides caffine, this is what is occupying me right now.

It was good tonight to listen to this Father and Son duet about the most recent church family camp I had a chance to be part of:

Listening for God’s heartbeat
Just thinking back how we first met and then reading each others blogs and now actually deepening our friendship through this camp and more conversations is just fascinating .. and fun!

Marching to the Heartbeat of God
When I first sat down in a devotion group this young lad was already asking a challenging question on Miracle!

Interview with Doug Pagitt on Preaching Reimagined
Looking forward to get the book! Interesting new phrases - “speaching” & “progressional dialogue”.

The Professor as Scholar (pdf) (via Bob Robinson)
What it’s not and what it is …

A Bridge Far Enough? How would Jesus address the issues of our day?
I like the “bridge” metaphor … and was intrigued by one yesterday morning.

The Bridges of God by Donald A. McGavran (pdf)
Someone asked me lately…is what people perceive as “church growth” how McGraven really meant? (still on the “bridge” metaphor)

Marketing the Church (via Generoous Orthodoxy Think Tank)
At the latest church family camp I spoke in, I was sharing how through the past 5 years I’m increasingly (if not coming to a place definately) uncomfortable with using business & marketing lingo and mindsets in reference to church, life and ministry.

perhaps the lighting in this photo is better and more natural - with a different kind of look and posture (more Artsy?). I enjoy being surrounded by my own kids and on special import (trying to be more fatherly?).

Just came back from an interesting camp with Hope EFC church … in Seremban. It was a small intimate kind of camp … pretty intense with 2 speakers (the other one was I’Ching from RZIM) and I did 4 sessions on the book of Jonah, with a workshop - “Not so Random thoughts on being Church in 21st Century Malaysia
Or Stuff I’m (still) Learning after that eventful 2002 Book Review”
I titled and I’Ching did two workshops - “Develping a Christian Worldview” and ” Introduction to Worldviews” All this with devotions thrown in and a special games afternoon (where I had some fun too and some aching muscles now!)

good to read about BLC’s Sunday Blurry Sunday

Came to to a series of “intense” email exchanges between friends and trying to process what ths means for us.

chatting with Sherman was fun and insightful as usual and it’s good to see interesting additions and developments at this Think Tank. Glad to have an Asian there (especially Malaysian!). I’m also looking forward for our version of a “learning community” coming soon …

still trying to settle in … so much has happened the past 7 days and it’s still not over yet … dunno how to “transition” for a while … it’s always like that after a stretch of intense ministry …

God is gracious … will sleep soon…

This is a “nice one” (in May Chin’s words) after the wedding of Kevin and Olivia (that’s why we are all dressed up even with my robes and latin american multi-colour stole! *grin*)… It’s pretty rare for us to get a “full” family photo nowadays … so this latest one is precious. We got some nice background too.

This week has been quite a roller coaster week for me (thus the Latin prayers and sporadic blogging).. and it’s still not over yet (when is it ever? *grin*). But in the midst of all this or I think before the “ride” started we captured a fun evening together as a family. There you see Gareth experimenting with physics, movement, momentum, etc (ok! he was just having fun!) and May Chin reading to Elysia while she enjoys flipping the little book.

One of my recent joys is when I go and pick Elysia up from my Mom’s place and the excitement she shows when I call her name. The legs would start kicking (as if she’s ready to go!) and then a little giggle of happiness. And when I look at her even during the waits at the traffici light … she gives me this - “You look funny papa!”- look!

One of the fun conversations we had in the car on the way to Gareth’s Granpa’s place this week was about the use of “much” and “more”. We’ll talk about “many trees”, “many cars”, “so much water”, or “so much smoke” (during the haze!), etc. And then you could just see his excitement when he talks about how Grandpa caught a “big fat rat” in a cage! Ah .. the world is fascinating through the eyes of a child. Perhaps we are too busy looking at something else
Both May Chin and I are growing as well … some one told me how they enjoyed the family pictures and I do too! And yet reality is that there’s so much “hard work” involved in nurturing a family, a marriage, and children … as I’m thinking about the words of Jesus for a couple to be married later in the afternoon … “Love one another as I have loved you.” I recognize that Jesus has promised to “love” us first and that results in empowering us (especially when we are weak) to “love” those before us and around us .. starting at home. so, to me it’s more than just following the “example” of Jesus (which is awesome!), it’s also how the living Christ “empowers” us here and now through these words and through the life-giving Spirit.