I am feeling what you’ve been writing 110% these days. There’s something sad (and I don’t say that in a finger-pointing, condescending way but more in sorrow) about 1st gen Asian immigrant churches and their inability (or complete lack of desire, honesty, etc.) to raise up leaders from the next gen.

I agree with chaulks above — it would be nice if churches would at least be honest about wanting EM’s to take care of their own, rather than paying lip service with some lofty mission/vision statement about why their EM exists. This is the murky water in which I’m barely staying afloat.

I’m okay with suffering if it feels like there’s a point, something redemptive in there. I must confess, though, these days it feels more like aimlessly banging my head against the same old wall.

I’ve recently begun rethinking this “must have experience” requirement. I actually think it’s a good requirement because most environments I’ve seen, the pastors are just thrown in there – sink or swim. there’s little or no mentoring/collaborating/living life together/accountability with the other key layleaders. However, if there ARE those pieces, I wonder if the “experience” is merely preferred, not required. and pastors are shaped as well as shapers.

I think we ABCs have such a unique calling. it’s a ministry that is more strategic and yet more frustrating, more rewarding and yet more discouraging, more targeted and yet more complex. It will take a special kind of person with a special mix of experiences, cultural savviness, and gifts to bridge the gaps (ABC to OCB AND ABC to community). And, bro, you got it.

and no you don’t look holy. you kinda look like you’re holding in #1

Good questions to be raised for anyone in EM, 2nd Gen, ABC, etc.. ministries to be thinking of.
my thoughts on it have been venturing more on the 1st gen side of the partnership. you touched upon it in your last line… stay for trouble or leave for worse.

Any immigrant church needs to come to a decision on what their strategy and purpose of English Ministry is to be in their church. Of course this is a whole lot easier said than done; esp with all the indirect talk and posturing that often goes on in Asian churches. I do wish that the leadership of the immigrant church, esp if it is dominated by 1st Gen folks, would own up to either a self-focused desire for the EM to minister to their OWN and not merely pay lip service to the idea of a church within a church, or interdependent or any other system that is miles away from fully being realized. Such candor would be at the very least, refreshing (though I’m not holding my breath for it!) and would at least give any new or young EM/2nd Gen/ABC leader a clear picture of where they stand. Perhaps this would mitigate some of the frustration our brethren have been experiencing. Like Joey mentioned, its about calling… and candid grasp of the situation and what God has called us to will help us thru the stormy periods.

hey, its been too long, let’s catch up.
got some ideas for us to possibly collobrate on.

And yes, you do look holy!

I think the question of calling is key. Unfortunately the question is often glanced over too quickly in seminary training, and rarely revisited in church staff circles. I’ve been a youth pastor for about a year now and I know what gives me hope and preservation is knowing that God has called me here. Now, I haven’t had the tenure of many other ABC pastors, but I know ministry has beaten me up this year and will continue to push hard. I have to always go back to the call.

What’s behind the door? A pretty bad road. Why do I stay? Because God continues to show me where it may lead.