GlocalNet

Last week I had fun hanging out with Dave Gibbons in San Diego.  We were mentors for a Leadership Network community of young Asian pastors.  I had an absolute blast.  Chinese, Korean, Japanese, no Filipino or Vietnamese, though!  We went and rode indoor go-carts.  They went faster, only because they were really skinny, plus Brian Kim disrespects the laws, rules, and others.  Brian is the guy standing to my right.  Seth, on the other hand, standing on my left, was a picture of a loving Jesus that Brian was not.  It was interesting listening to how they deal with life issues, family, ministry, etc.  The guy on the far left, next to the last, was praying for wisdom and courage to talk to his son about the birds and the bees.  His son is 12.  I told him he didn’t need to worry, his son already knew!  The other guys told him the same thing. It’s not the “Asian” way, but his son is second generation. 

The last thing I shared with them was how essential they were.  I’m not sure they truly realize the crucial nature of their role.  I told them their role was more significant in the leadership of the church in the West, than perhaps anyone else’s, if they’d only step up and see the moment.

First, Asians are incredibly successful in business, education, government, and other parts of society.  Why should it be different in the church?  The problem and challenge here is that many first and second generation believers see church as the primary gathering place to hold the old culture and values in check. This can make it difficult to reach out to others, but, they should be as fruitful and successful in the church as anywhere else.

Second, the world is global and they can do more to help us connect with the rest of the world than any other group in society.  We, in the West, frankly, don’t know how to relate to the rest of the world.  They live in our world, but also in their world, and in the global world.  No organization that’s global would do well without input from Asian Americans, as well as Asian American leadership.  The church should be no different.

Third, the church in the rest of the world is coming here to reach us.  The Asian-Americans can serve to train those coming to understand us in the West and how to communicate the Gospel here in the West.  The way of doing Missions has reversed. 

Fourth, they should be greatest leaders within the church in the West.  We need more Dave Gibbons’. He shouldn’t be rare.  If Dave wasn’t so power hungry and lazy he’d be raising more up.  It ain’t about Dave!  Just kidding you, Dave. 

What are 43 other reasons Asian Americans should be leading? .