It's finally happening! After ten years of ministering in San Diego, Lighthouse is going to act on its Vision Statement and plant a church in the San Jose area. Even while typing these words, it seems a bit surreal. Most of the members at Lighthouse probably remember the spiel from their membership interview about how one day John would go up to the pulpit and announce that we are going to plant a church in some Podunk city in Oklahoma (not that Oklahoma is a bad place to live!).
But the day has come. The location is not Podunk, but San Jose, and the goal is summer of 2010. Make no mistake! This is going to require a lot of hard work and diligent planning if we are going to be able to get a team up to San Jose by then. When Lighthouse first began about ten years ago, there was an exciting buzz in the air. Everyone came out to everything. People were excited to be together and to be a part of the ministry. We knew that one day some of that would fade and that the "honeymoon" phase would eventually come to an end, but it was still exciting to be a part of that time. There was an intense commitment and consistency on the part of each member. If this church plant is going to succeed, it will require similar commitment and consistency on the part of all the members.
One of the most encouraging things about this new direction is the response we received from the members. There was a feeling of genuine excitement at the members meeting on Sunday. A few came and communicated their support afterwards and I appreciated their kind words. Most who talked to me promised that they would pray for me and the leadership. I appreciated that as well. Now is the time to make good on those promises. A year from now, hopefully we can all say that we have faithfully prayed for Lighthouse. We're going to have to pray.
We're also going to have to rethink our lives. For many, this will be a time of thoughtful reevaluation. Do you live your life as if it is the Lord's or do you manage your life as if you are in control? Are you holding on to what you have loosely or is your life in San Diego so precious to you that you would be unwilling to go anywhere else the Lord would lead? Of course, we can't have everyone go. Knowing that I am now preparing to be the new senior pastor at Lighthouse, I can confidently say, "You better not all go!" =) But we are going to need some to go. We are going to want families to go. That is going to require a bit of faith and may prove to be quite challenging for some.
This is an exciting time for the church, but it is a time when we particularly need to lean on the Lord for His guidance and strength. People may tell us we're crazy (that's what they said ten years ago), but we are determined to believe that God can do seemingly impossible things through us if we allow Him to. Honestly, I'm excited for the next church plant. Perhaps it'll be in three years. Maybe it'll be in five. But now that the ball is rolling for Lighthouse Bible Church of San Jose, there's no telling where the Lord might have us plant next. The Vision of LBC doesn't end with LBC San Jose. I'm confident this is just the beginning. We just need the members to be onboard. We need to constantly ask ourselves, "Do we really believe in the MVP of LBC?" enough to act on it.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Love or Die
The most recent book by Alexander Strauch titled, "Love or Die" is a very serious and challenging work that needs to be read by anyone who loves the church. The rebuke of the Ephesian church in Revelation 2 by Christ is one that every church needs to take seriously because hard work, perseverance, and even doctrinal purity are no guarantee for success in God's eyes. What God is looking for is a heart that truly loves Him as well as loves others as Matthew 22:37-40 calls us to in what is known as the Great Commandment.
I have long feared that the day would come where our love would grow cold and it seems to be creeping into our church as the level of selfish ambition and empty conceit continue to rise in various forms. It breaks my heart to hear of the slander and gossip that takes place, the absolute refusal to apply the Peacemaker Pledge in dealing with conflict, and the lack of compassion that some have for others that don't seem to please them for one reason or another. I have realized that even as I have been reading the Old Testament record of the nation of Israel found in the Pentateuch that though they were privileged to have seen incredible signs and wonders by God, were delivered from slavery in Egypt, saw God part the Red Sea and destroy Pharoah's army, were fed with manna from heaven and all you can eat quail buffet line, had water drawn from rocks, it still was never enough to keep them from complaining and seeking to rebel against God's leadership. While we might think we could do better, I don't think so. Even with all God's blessings given to us, His grace and mercy being poured out through the cross of Christ, His mercies being made new every morning, people who claim to be Christians still have the audacity to hate their brother or sister. I think that's why the title "Love or Die" is very appropriate to consider. If we do not love the way God calls us to love, the church will die. Relationships will die. Pastors will die. Church member will die. It is a serious matter and I hope that everyone at Lighthouse will take the Passion statement serious - to love God and people. It's not enough to make it a nice slogan. It's not just something to recite at members meetings. It is the heart and soul of our Mission and Vision, for without true and genuine love for God and people, the mission will fail and the vision will fade.
It is the prayer of my heart that the members of our church will grow in their love, that it may abound more and more in real knowledge and all discernment so that we might approve the things that are excellent before God. We must help each other, for we are all incapable of doing it on our own. It truly is a team effort and I pray that we will be united in our love for God and people.
As it is our 10 year anniversary this year, let's make it our goal to really ask if we believe in our MVP statement and will we actually live it out? This coming Sunday we will talk about our Mission and Vision and I hope that you are ready!
In His grace,
Pastor John
I have long feared that the day would come where our love would grow cold and it seems to be creeping into our church as the level of selfish ambition and empty conceit continue to rise in various forms. It breaks my heart to hear of the slander and gossip that takes place, the absolute refusal to apply the Peacemaker Pledge in dealing with conflict, and the lack of compassion that some have for others that don't seem to please them for one reason or another. I have realized that even as I have been reading the Old Testament record of the nation of Israel found in the Pentateuch that though they were privileged to have seen incredible signs and wonders by God, were delivered from slavery in Egypt, saw God part the Red Sea and destroy Pharoah's army, were fed with manna from heaven and all you can eat quail buffet line, had water drawn from rocks, it still was never enough to keep them from complaining and seeking to rebel against God's leadership. While we might think we could do better, I don't think so. Even with all God's blessings given to us, His grace and mercy being poured out through the cross of Christ, His mercies being made new every morning, people who claim to be Christians still have the audacity to hate their brother or sister. I think that's why the title "Love or Die" is very appropriate to consider. If we do not love the way God calls us to love, the church will die. Relationships will die. Pastors will die. Church member will die. It is a serious matter and I hope that everyone at Lighthouse will take the Passion statement serious - to love God and people. It's not enough to make it a nice slogan. It's not just something to recite at members meetings. It is the heart and soul of our Mission and Vision, for without true and genuine love for God and people, the mission will fail and the vision will fade.
It is the prayer of my heart that the members of our church will grow in their love, that it may abound more and more in real knowledge and all discernment so that we might approve the things that are excellent before God. We must help each other, for we are all incapable of doing it on our own. It truly is a team effort and I pray that we will be united in our love for God and people.
As it is our 10 year anniversary this year, let's make it our goal to really ask if we believe in our MVP statement and will we actually live it out? This coming Sunday we will talk about our Mission and Vision and I hope that you are ready!
In His grace,
Pastor John
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Consider It All Joy
James 1:2 has long been instilled in my head and heart as a verse to keep in mind, particularly when things get difficult. But it is not easy to actually apply as the reality of life often overshadows the truth of God's Word and it is easy to dismiss Scripture as impractical. But I am thankful that despite how I might feel about this, the truthfulness and the trustworthiness of the Scriptures remains constant due to the fact that God's Word is inextricably tied to God's character and nature.
But to consider it all joy when various trials are encountered - this is something easy to tell someone else but it is a whole other story when it comes to me. Next to the spiritual battles that have been waged over the years, the next most challenging thing has been the trials of my physical health. The past few weeks were indeed filled with some minor issues, a bad cough, a cold (it is the cold season), and an allergic reaction to my blood pressure medication that caused me to go visit the hospital. This past week I was introduced to a pain that I had not had before, that of diverticulitis. At first my doctor thought it might be appendicitis and I was bracing myself for surgery. While I understand it to be a common procedure that many undergo, nothing seems to be common to me. But after a battery of tests, I was finally diagnosed and was given a number of medications to take, which my wife Angela promptly took care of getting for me. By the evening time after having taken the first dose of the antibiotics, I started to get an allergic reaction and I knew that it had to be because of the medications. So off I went back to the hospital and was given additional medication as well as a switch on the antibiotics. So here I am in bed now not being able to do much since I end up getting drowsy from both the painkillers (I was in a lot of pain in my lower abdomen due to the inflammation in my colon as well as my lower back) and the antihistimine (for the allergic reaction). I have anti-nausea medication to combat the nausea that comes from the other medications. I see why pharmicists have a job now - they need to know how everything works together. So now I understand why doctors keep asking if you allergic to medications - it is not helpful to take medications that cause your body to do crazy things. So I am thankful to be alive because I know it is only by the mercies of God that I am.
So the past year has been filled with so many visits to the hospital that I feel like I am really getting to know the place well. Drawing blood is like second nature. Getting hooked up to iv's and being subjected to swallowing all sorts of strange concoctions so that I can get scanned is old hat. But one thing I do know, I am able to truly say that it is causing me to appreciate all the more those who have suffered for the sake of Christ in ways that are unimaginable. As the end of Hebrews 11 shares, there were many who suffered horrendous deaths for the sake of Christ. If you have ever read J.C. Ryle's work on the martyrs of the English Reformation, "Light from Old Times" or Foxe's Book of Martyrs, you will see that today's sufferings for those of us who live in southern California don't even compare to those who willingly laid down their lives for the One whom they loved more than life itself. So I am thankful that my measly sufferings, as small as they might be, cause me to look forward and to press onward with endurance so as to run the race that Christ has called us to run.
At the same time I would ask for your prayers that I would be patient with the recovery time, that I would be diligent though I am dazed by the effects of all the medication I am taking, and that I would continue to experience joy in light of my Savior's love.
Thank you for those who have been praying. I am so thankful.
But to consider it all joy when various trials are encountered - this is something easy to tell someone else but it is a whole other story when it comes to me. Next to the spiritual battles that have been waged over the years, the next most challenging thing has been the trials of my physical health. The past few weeks were indeed filled with some minor issues, a bad cough, a cold (it is the cold season), and an allergic reaction to my blood pressure medication that caused me to go visit the hospital. This past week I was introduced to a pain that I had not had before, that of diverticulitis. At first my doctor thought it might be appendicitis and I was bracing myself for surgery. While I understand it to be a common procedure that many undergo, nothing seems to be common to me. But after a battery of tests, I was finally diagnosed and was given a number of medications to take, which my wife Angela promptly took care of getting for me. By the evening time after having taken the first dose of the antibiotics, I started to get an allergic reaction and I knew that it had to be because of the medications. So off I went back to the hospital and was given additional medication as well as a switch on the antibiotics. So here I am in bed now not being able to do much since I end up getting drowsy from both the painkillers (I was in a lot of pain in my lower abdomen due to the inflammation in my colon as well as my lower back) and the antihistimine (for the allergic reaction). I have anti-nausea medication to combat the nausea that comes from the other medications. I see why pharmicists have a job now - they need to know how everything works together. So now I understand why doctors keep asking if you allergic to medications - it is not helpful to take medications that cause your body to do crazy things. So I am thankful to be alive because I know it is only by the mercies of God that I am.
So the past year has been filled with so many visits to the hospital that I feel like I am really getting to know the place well. Drawing blood is like second nature. Getting hooked up to iv's and being subjected to swallowing all sorts of strange concoctions so that I can get scanned is old hat. But one thing I do know, I am able to truly say that it is causing me to appreciate all the more those who have suffered for the sake of Christ in ways that are unimaginable. As the end of Hebrews 11 shares, there were many who suffered horrendous deaths for the sake of Christ. If you have ever read J.C. Ryle's work on the martyrs of the English Reformation, "Light from Old Times" or Foxe's Book of Martyrs, you will see that today's sufferings for those of us who live in southern California don't even compare to those who willingly laid down their lives for the One whom they loved more than life itself. So I am thankful that my measly sufferings, as small as they might be, cause me to look forward and to press onward with endurance so as to run the race that Christ has called us to run.
At the same time I would ask for your prayers that I would be patient with the recovery time, that I would be diligent though I am dazed by the effects of all the medication I am taking, and that I would continue to experience joy in light of my Savior's love.
Thank you for those who have been praying. I am so thankful.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Happy New Year!!
2009 has come upon us and I am eagerly awaiting what God has in store for us. Last year was quite a challenge to say the least and it really was difficult to recover from but God has been gracious in being more than merciful and has restored my heart and hope in light of the cross of Christ and the hope of the resurrection.
This past Christmas break gave me the opportunity to minister in several places. The first was a youth retreat with Los Angeles Christian Presbyterian Church's youth winter camp at Big Bear. I had done an evangelism training seminar for them during the summer so it was an opportunity to follow up with them and I had a great time challenging them to be unifed in Christ. It snowed quite a bit as well so the retreat site was a bit slippery and I ended up having to put on chains but it was a wonderful time, especially having the opportunity to encourage the youth pastor and the Christian Education director. We had some great talks and I realized that God has been gracious to give me an opportunity to minister to other pastors and leaders who have been discouraged and downcast because of ministry.
After enjoying Christmas with both sides of the family, we drove up to San Jose for two ministry opportunities. One was with San Jose Korean Presbyterian Church where my friend is the EM pastor. I had a chance to preach at both the youth service in the morning and then the EM service in the afternoon. From there we drove over to Mount Hermon where I was the main speaker for Student for Christ, a college/singles winter conference that is held every year. I was still getting over a cold and cough that I had before the previous retreat so it was a bit challenging to speak so many times when my throat was killing me. But God again was faithful to get me through each session and I had the opportunity again to speak with other pastors who were discouraged and were in need of encouragement.
After the conference we went over to the home of Ed Yip, where we were generously and graciously treated to some Shanghainese food and then we slept over. On New Year's Day we had a LBC fellowship over lunch and it was great to see both past and present LBC members come together and share how they were doing as well as hopes of future ministry in San Jose. We need to be in prayer for our brothers and sisters in San Jose as the church scene is tough and the adjustment for them has been challenging. We also need to pray that God would one day maybe give us opportunity to hopefully plant a church in the San Jose area as it seems that it is a place ripe for ministry to take place.
Our family drove back down on New Year's and we then were able to have a couple of days to recover before getting back to our home base. Church this past Sunday was sweet. It was good to see people back from studying abroad as well as to just see the church family together. One exciting thing was a quick-notice meeting of dating couples and engaged couples. I hope to start a "lab" where we could really work toward providing ongoing teaching and accountability for those in relationships. Quite a few people came out so I'm excited about the future opportunities.
Babies keep coming - Hwa and Suzie Park added Ethan to the family and Jin and Grace Lee added Christian to their family. More babies are on the way so we are excited to see the church's future take shape.
Let's all be in prayer for our church this year. As we celebrate our 10 year anniversary, I am hopeful that God would continue to lead and direct us to move forward and fulfill the MVP statement that we have set before us. I would also encourage you to spend time reading Scripture daily. Even if it is only for a few minutes, take time to read carefully and prayerfully and meditate on it throughout the day. Treasure it and it will keep you from sin (Psalm 119:11).
Thank you for your prayers and for your support. I love my church family!
This past Christmas break gave me the opportunity to minister in several places. The first was a youth retreat with Los Angeles Christian Presbyterian Church's youth winter camp at Big Bear. I had done an evangelism training seminar for them during the summer so it was an opportunity to follow up with them and I had a great time challenging them to be unifed in Christ. It snowed quite a bit as well so the retreat site was a bit slippery and I ended up having to put on chains but it was a wonderful time, especially having the opportunity to encourage the youth pastor and the Christian Education director. We had some great talks and I realized that God has been gracious to give me an opportunity to minister to other pastors and leaders who have been discouraged and downcast because of ministry.
After enjoying Christmas with both sides of the family, we drove up to San Jose for two ministry opportunities. One was with San Jose Korean Presbyterian Church where my friend is the EM pastor. I had a chance to preach at both the youth service in the morning and then the EM service in the afternoon. From there we drove over to Mount Hermon where I was the main speaker for Student for Christ, a college/singles winter conference that is held every year. I was still getting over a cold and cough that I had before the previous retreat so it was a bit challenging to speak so many times when my throat was killing me. But God again was faithful to get me through each session and I had the opportunity again to speak with other pastors who were discouraged and were in need of encouragement.
After the conference we went over to the home of Ed Yip, where we were generously and graciously treated to some Shanghainese food and then we slept over. On New Year's Day we had a LBC fellowship over lunch and it was great to see both past and present LBC members come together and share how they were doing as well as hopes of future ministry in San Jose. We need to be in prayer for our brothers and sisters in San Jose as the church scene is tough and the adjustment for them has been challenging. We also need to pray that God would one day maybe give us opportunity to hopefully plant a church in the San Jose area as it seems that it is a place ripe for ministry to take place.
Our family drove back down on New Year's and we then were able to have a couple of days to recover before getting back to our home base. Church this past Sunday was sweet. It was good to see people back from studying abroad as well as to just see the church family together. One exciting thing was a quick-notice meeting of dating couples and engaged couples. I hope to start a "lab" where we could really work toward providing ongoing teaching and accountability for those in relationships. Quite a few people came out so I'm excited about the future opportunities.
Babies keep coming - Hwa and Suzie Park added Ethan to the family and Jin and Grace Lee added Christian to their family. More babies are on the way so we are excited to see the church's future take shape.
Let's all be in prayer for our church this year. As we celebrate our 10 year anniversary, I am hopeful that God would continue to lead and direct us to move forward and fulfill the MVP statement that we have set before us. I would also encourage you to spend time reading Scripture daily. Even if it is only for a few minutes, take time to read carefully and prayerfully and meditate on it throughout the day. Treasure it and it will keep you from sin (Psalm 119:11).
Thank you for your prayers and for your support. I love my church family!
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