Changing a Culture January 20Filed under
Front Page by sungp
0 commentsChange is a funny thing. It is an inevitable process of life, yet often it is not welcome, especially when it comes to changing something about ourselves. Even more peculiar is our propensity to point out the need for change in others, yet we tend to be blind to our own shortcomings. And even when we are gently shown the mirror–even if we acknowledge the need for change–it is difficult to follow through. I have been guilty of all of the above, but since I have known Christ He has lovingly made it clear to me that change is a must, that it must begin with me, and that it must be real. And now I find myself continuously being transformed and growing in ways I never thought possible. I praise God for His never-ending work in me, and my new perspective. I now value the fruit of change and the labors required of it in a profound way.
I hope this site will become a place to help encourage positive change in the Asian American Christian culture. The Lord has blessed Asian Americans tremendously. In the last U.S. census Asian Americans were found to be the most educated of all ethnic groups in America (including Caucasians) as well as the group with the highest median income. I want to be careful not to overstate things, but there is substantial evidence here that Asian Americans are the most blessed group of people in the most blessed nation on the planet. Thus Asian Americans are in a position of great potential for influence. Yet those blessings have not translated, on a relative scale, into a reciprocated practice (dare I say even desire) of producing substantial fruit for the kingdom. I have consistently observed a trend of “less than ideal” church environments in Asian American churches and I find it troublesome.
However, before I become too critical, I do want to acknowledge that there are some wonderful, shining examples of Asian Americans who have sincerely internalized the gospel and live a transformed life of faith and action. I also want to clarify that this not just an issue for the Asian American church. We could certainly say the same of just about any church in America and beyond. However, God has made me with a heart for my Asian brothers and sisters, as well as with a stake in our development as a people. I have prayed to the Lord and sought his guidance on what I can do to further His kingdom and it is this very issue that He has openend my eyes to.
There is so much that we can do, and that we will do. As Asian Americans we have a unique position of influence. This is no where more evident than in the relationship we have with the peoples of our countries of origin. First I must recognize the wonderful labors of the “traditional missionaries”. Often as western or “white-faced” missionaries go to share the gospel in Asian countries, the good news of Christ is greeted with tremendous excitement and wonder. Great fruit is born as the seeds of God’s love mature through the Spirit into people of new found faith. However, another common reaction is skepticism. Many factors contribute to this reaction including culture, history, governmental influence, and media. This skepticism can be overcome, but for many their hearts are closed. But perhaps the most common reaction is a sort of combination of the aforementioned, where there is an initial excitement for the message which, unfortunately over time is replaced with skepticism as Jesus Christ becomes seen as the “western god” and not the God of all people. Thus short-term gains often are replaced with a return to pre-conceptions and ultimately disbelief.
This is where the Asian American Christian has an advantage. Instead of God being seen as the “western god” (in fact some Asians believe that Jesus was an American), Asian American Christians can share of how God is the God of all. He is not the “white-god”, he is just God. And as Asian American Christians take the time to share their personal testimony of how God and His love have impacted their lives, our Asian brothers and sisters begin to see that indeed this is the God for all people. There is something special about seeing God’s impact on someone whom you see as someone not far removed from you. Granted, for some it will not matter. They will either see the gospel or they won’t, but for others–a significant amount of others–seeing the reality of God’s love working through the life of someone just like them can make a big difference.
These advantages (or gifts as I prefer to see it) among others are what Asian Americans should focus on in setting a new course for the Asian American Church. This movement will require strong men and women of faith and vision. We must develop our core of strong servant-leaders to take charge of this calling to expand not only the breadth, but also the depth of the kingdom. The seeds have already been planted by many and attempts to mobilize the movement have already been made with varying degrees of success. But we can do more. I believe that God uniquely made the Asian American Christian with specific purposes in mind. It is up to us to seize this divine moment to break out of our shell and blossom into a new culture of believers, one that He has planned for all along.
