House Church Conference for Pastors 02

What a great time I had during this conference! There were about 150 Pastors, Pastors’ wife and missionaries over 11 nations got together for this conference and had about 15 first timers as well. It gelt so good to see old faces and new.

I thought this was going to be easy schedule but not only I had to teach one of the Bible study but had to translate 4 nights of main sessions as well.

There were 2 first timers from English speaking Pastors, Pastor Tim from Mexico and Pastor Jeff from San Francisco, CA. They both shared that they were challenged and encourage through the conference and desire to attend future conferences and that was all I needed to hear. ^^;

We had 4 people in the class including Tim and Jeff and had a great time throughout. I feel like the Bible study class helped me more than those who were learning. It was a great reminder on who God is, who I am, what we need to focus and build as a Christian. I really enjoyed our time.

I felt like I was focusing more on my job in the market place than my job as a pastor and feeling the need to steer my focus on ministry by getting back to a regular prayer and meditation time in every morning.

One other thing I’m working on is to read more and I subscribe to Audible to help me reading/listening more books since I’m on the road pretty much all day.

This conference gave me an opportunity to look back and allowed to me to work on things I need to at this point of ministry.

Pastor Lee is a new Director of House Church ministry International and he’s closing message challenged me a lot as well.

Overall, it was another great conference and I hope I can make it next time. Thank you all for your prayers!

• Pastor Rein

House Church Conference for Pastors 01

My first experience in H.C Conference for Pastors was back in Sep of 2010, Richmond, Virginia, 10 years ago. And there’s one starting tomorrow, Monday to Thursday (14th - 17th) that I’m also attending online.

I was 30 years old when I first went to the conference! and now I’m … …

There are people I met throughout all these years that we continue to keep in touch, building relationship, and help each other in many ways we can.

But there are many people who’ve come for many years and one day, just don’t see them anymore… sometimes I wonder what could’ve happened to those pastors.

I don’t know the exact reason why they stopped coming but when pastors stop coming to the conference, most likely, they’re not doing House Church ministry anymore.

And I wonder, I would l do if I don’t do House Church ministry anymore, or struggle or lose conviction in ministry.

I still want to go. ^^; I probably don’t have much to share but I know for sure that it’s better to attend then not attending at all.

So if there’s time that I don’t register for the conference and not telling you about the upcoming conferences, remind me, encourage me to go and get refreshed, reminded, and reaffirmed on the church that God desires to build.

This conference is the first online conference and I’m excited to attend and see old faces and new.

Let’s do this! ^^

• Pastor Rein

I Am Church - Pastor Chai

One reason I had for starting the house church was to help every church member become a useful member of the body of Christ, the church. The Apostle Paul says that the church is the body of Christ and that we are members of his body. (1 Cor. 12) He emphasizes that no member is useless and that everyone is necessary. But in traditional churches, only a small number of people are active in church ministries. Even churches known for their active ministries have no more than 30% of their members involved in ministry.

Many churches are divided into two groups of people: ministerial staff and their helpers, who provide service, and the rest of the church members, the majority of the church, who receive service. So senior pastors employ many professional staff members to provide services that church members want, and spend most of their church budgets on hiring and maintaining church programs. The church members constantly demand that their needs be met. When they feel that’s not happening, they leave their churches without thinking twice for another one that they think will better meet their needs.

When I came to Seoul Baptist, I decided to not employ professional staff unless it was absolutely necessary to help every church member become a useful member of the body of Christ. I was determined to let lay people do ministries that are usually handled by professionals in traditional churches. This even included the chairman of the board of deacons and ministries that are usually done by an Administrative Pastor.

A few years ago, a pastor known for his successful ministry made the following comment about our church: he had tried to help his church members become ministers like assistant or associate pastors, but Seoul Baptist was helping its members become like senior pastors. His remarks made me very happy; I felt that my efforts had finally borne fruit.

I believe that almost all of our church members have become a part of Christ’s body under the motto: “Two ministries for all: one for the united church and one for the house church.” About 300 members are serving in the children’s department — almost as many people as there are children — because so many people are willing to serve.

The church is not a building. The church is the people. You are the church. So when something needs to be done, don’t expect “the church” to do it for you. It’s your responsibility to do something, because you are the church. Recently, someone pointed out some problems we had in the fellowship hall. A ministry team voluntarily formed to address the problems instead of waiting for “the church” to solve them.

• Pastor Rein

He went to a sleep…

A Pastor I've known for the past 10 years passed away last Wednesday. Kidney cancer…

He was in his late 50s and really took care of his health. When I saw him during the House Church Conference, he always gathered people to play foot-volleyball (yes, there’s such a game in Korea…), table tennis, and he was always active.
 But when he found out he had Kidney cancer, it took less than a year to take him away. 
 I know and believe he’s with God, no more pain, no more sorrow but it’s such a shame that he had to leave us so soon…

Whenever someone passes away, I always think about the resurrection and the Book of Revelation. That Jesus will come back to earth and we’ll be resurrected on that day to be with Him and others…
 I told Miyoung already about my funeral arrangements, how I wanted to be like a casual gathering rather than a funeral service. Because that day could be a sad day for my family and friends but a great day for myself. Because I get to meet Jesus!

In case Miyoung forgets, make sure to light (bright) the room, dress casually (no black suit and dress), and play my favorite hymns (1. I Could Not Do Without Thee - 2. O Jesus, I Have Promised) and make an announcement to see everyone at the resurrection.

When my time comes, not only myself to be ready but I want my family to be ready as well. Ready to see my Lord and ready for the resurrection on that day.

• Pastor Rein

New School Year Begins

School year of 2020 - 2021 started last Wednesday with completely different ways of attending and learning in school. Now everything is done in on-line. No more physically driving kids to school or riding a bus, carrying a book bag, packing a lunch and water bottle, carrying your projects, etc.

None of it. Now they just wake up and turn on their computer and login to their class. That’s it! Completely changed how students learn and interact in school. Is it better?

To be honest, I don’t know. But I know things have changed and we don’t know how long it will go on like this. Maybe for another semester or another year? This made me think, Is this (on-line school) gonna work as a long term solution? Are we seeing changes that will come in our education system?

One of the oldest system we have in our society is education system and that hasn’t changed much compare to technological advance we have in other parts of society.

The pandemic challenged and forced us to evaluate and change many areas in our life. I believe education system is going to face dramatic changes in our time and I want our children (not just mine) to be guided in positive ways.

I used to not care much about what was happening our society because I believe at the end, God will take care. It’s true, but I’ve learned over the time that there are things that God has placed in my responsibility to be in-charge, plan and act.

I still believe God will take care our children at the end but I need/want to be responsible during this challenging time by providing good guidance and support to our children.

In times of uncertainty, it’s time for us to pray for God’s guidance in all of us.

• Pastor Rein

House Church Conference for Pastors in Sep

Each year, there are two House Church Conferences for Pastors and due to the Pandemic, Spring Conference got canceled and we weren’t sure about the Conference in September.

I felt like we must do something about it but didn’t had much solution to it and I’m sure a lot of pastors were feeling the same.

But we have one Pastor who can provide clear guidance and his name is, Pastor Chai… ^^;

He basically post a letter saying (I’m paraphrasing) that we can’t stop the House Church ministry movement and must continue to host seminars and conferences throughout the year with churches that are willing to host. Because the Pandemic is expected to go on for another year or two and it won’t be wise to stop everything we’ve been doing for next 2 years. As a church we must continue on with our ministry from God.

Amen!

So, we are having House Church Conference for Pastors in September but instead of physically gathering in one place, it will be all on-line conference using Zoom and YouTube.

I’m little disappointed that there won’t be a physical conference this year but at the same time, very excited what changes this will bring after the conference in September.

There are many uncertainties in our society and even for a church that are not able to hold worship service on Sunday.

I hope this conference will renew and reaffirm our commitment in God’s ministry of building up people of God.

Life goes on, as church stands.

• Pastor Rein

His Resurrection Proves It - Pastor Chai

People today don’t like to be told what they ought to do because we live in a pluralistic society. People have this idea that everyone is right and no one is wrong, so it’s all right for people to have their own convictions but they shouldn’t impose them on other people.

The basic assumption behind this idea is that there is no absolute truth. But this assumption is illogical and self-contradictory. If we take that belief as truth, there is no reason to take that belief seriously because the belief itself may just be an opinion.

Taking something illogical as truth seems to be the sign of the times. Instant messaging and texting seem to encourage this trend because this way of communication encourages expressing the feelings of the moment without going through a logical process.

This pluralistic milieu also seems to affect ideas about religion. Many people seem to think that all religions are essentially the same. They pursue the same goal and differ only in method. So they criticize Christians for being dogmatic when they say that people are saved only by faith in Jesus Christ. They oppose public displays of faith and condemn missionaries who go to foreign countries and try to convert people.

If Jesus is merely the founder of a religion like Muhammed, Buddha, or Confucius, Christians are indeed wrong in saying that people can be saved only through him. But if there is enough evidence that Jesus is truly the only savior of mankind, it’s not Christians but those who criticize them who are wrong because Christians are merely stating the facts.

Before criticizing Christians as dogmatic or close-minded, they must see whether their claims about Jesus are justified. A good starting point is his resurrection. The founders of every major religion died and were buried. Muhammed died and was buried; Muslims even believe that visiting his tomb enhances their chances of going to heaven. Buddha died; his disciples cremated his body and sent the ashes to 8 different locations, building shrines at each. Confucius died and lays in his tomb. But Jesus has no tomb because he rose from the dead. There was no body to bury.

I once read that a law professor whose specialty was in court evidence once said that the case for Jesus’ resurrection is so strong that jurors in any U.S. court would have to agree based on the evidence that Jesus indeed rose from the dead.

Light On My Path

In my late teens and early twenties, I was just like any other kids. Lost, confused, yet trying to find my own path and identity.

I have to say, a lot of resources I had… let’s say… wasn’t resourceful. Because most of them came from my peers and they were lost as I was. Like a blind leading a blind. We weren’t helpful to each other, at all…

Some made it out, some didn’t, some are in a good place, some aren’t, some are still around, some got lost…

For me, everything changed (gradually) after I became a Christian and the biggest vehicle that led the change in me came from the Bible.

At first, it wasn’t easy to read and understand but the Biblical meditation paved the way for me to build a good habit to spend time with God and allowed me to ask all kinds of questions and receive answers from the Bible.

It provided clear path and guidance that I’ve never experienced in my life and build up who I am, not according to what others say about me but who I am as God sees to me.

Whenever I feel lost or not sure of what to do or have any worries, I open up the Bible, ask God questions in my heart and wait for His answers. He surely answers back to me…

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

• Pastor Rein