It’sbeen a wild ride. My clothes didn’t make it - so I”m wearing anotherman’s clothes - hope he doesn’t have any diseases! Last night we metat the US Ambassadors home - it was nice - opening remarks, etc. Then,several of us went to different art galleries to look - looking for aspecial painting for our new worship center. I’m sitting beside DaveGibbons from New Song Church in Irvine, Ca. Takes me back to our daysin the early 90’s with Leighton Ford. Dave was always makingwisecracks - disrupting the class - doing stupid stuff - he’s a reallive Irish/Korean/Texan wannabe! I’m on his computer - he tied intosomeone’s open wireless system - and in Vietnam everything is open! Dave is nodding his head as the lecture is going on, oh wait - - - -he’s not agreeing - - - - he’s sleeping, now snoring - should I wakehim? There’s a Vietnam TV camera man filming - will they get Dave? Nope, ain’t gonna wake him - this may get good.
I am sitting in a room with some of the greatest pastors in allVietnam, some of the greatest scholars on religion and rule of law inthe world, and my good buddy Chris Seiple. He’s just done an awesomejob putting this together. There are some 85 people in the room. Representatives from all over the world are present, scholars,religious leaders, and others. Phuc Dang is two down from me sitting byPastor YKim - NorthWood, he’s doing great and sends his greetings toall of you.
I can hardly believe what is happening here. I remember my first triphere in ‘95 - Vietnam is growing in every dimension - it’s economy,it’s education, it’s global involvement. No things are not perfect,but they are changing. We had meetings set up for Malcolm Morris ofStewart Title yesterday and he’s studying the whole real estateexplosion here. Kent Humphreys is also visiting with key leaderstrying to look at different business opportunities. Sherman Chau, headof Glocal Ventures here has made great inroads - between NorthWoodincreasing it’s involvement and now USAID here, along with a couple offoundations - we should have a fantastic year up and coming.
I’m convinced more than ever - whether working in the Vietnam or theMiddle-East - the way of the future is engagement. Communication andtransportation has connected us. Edicts, threats, and strong armdiplomacy/military must be used sparingly in this new world. There areenough reasonable people in the world with access to communication thatif we identify them and connect with them - we might be able to avoidwar like never before. I know you may think that’s crazy - BUT as themillineal generation comes into leadership - I”m optimistic.
Now for an interview with Dave Gibbons.
Dave why did you come and what do you hope to accomplish by being here?
Play with Bob. Eat Pho. Get Vietnamese massages.
Dave seriously - people are going to hell - what are you learning?
okay. . .i’m here to understand and get a pulse of what God is doingin one of the hottest spiritual areas in the world. I’m captivated bythe advancement of religious freedom that is being addressed. Moreover,I’m encouraged by individuals like yourself and Chris Seiple who arequietly doing work that is advancing the cause of Christ many inAmerica may not be aware of.
Bob: Dave you’re an Irishman who loves Thai’s - I’m a Welshman wholoves Vietnamese - why do you think we love this opposite cultures somuch?
Southeast Asians are some of the friendliest, loving people on theglobe. They have alot to teach us. Their culture and love of life, aswell as their hunger for the deeper things of life are certainlycompelling to both of us. Furthermore, this is the frontline of what webelieve is a great awakening like never seen before.
Bob: Dave I really believe the greatest move of God is from Asiaand it is going impact us more than the other way around - what’s youropinion?
I sense the same thing. Their are currents that are moving throughthis region of the world that are evident by the economic, political,and socio-cultural front that are unbelievable. Millions are enteringinto a conversation about God and spiritual things. At this Asianintersection, we’ll not only see business and artistic innovation buttheological as well. Theological perspectives coming from suffering andmarginality are deep and will resonate with most of the world more thana prosperity/blessing type of gospel often communicated via the west.
Bob: Dave that’s really good. OK, this is heavy - BUT, I honestlybelieve one of the biggest obstacles to the church in America is thather pastors are giving her the wrong medicine. It’s not that it’s justnot helping, but that it’s poisoning us. They see empty buildings,out of church people, and try to get them in the barn. The focusshouldn’t be the barn, but the Gospel of the Kingdom engaging the lifeof the disciple. Willowcreek just released their Reveal study - butthis isn’t a shock - it’s obvious. What’s your take?
hmmmm . . i love what bill hybels and willow has done for the churchnot only in America but also the world.. They have encouraged many ofus to be sensitive to the culture around us while communicating thegospel in relevant ways. While the study may not be new to those whoare engaged in a more global dialogue it is certainly welcomed. My hopeis that the study will lead us to who really is in our backyard andwhat is our main task as the church. It should lead us to reallyexamine who truly is our neighbor. As time goes on, the megachurchmovement has framed a unique picture of our neighbor that may not bewhat Jesus was actually talking about. Our typical American definitionof our neighbor has further ghettoized and segregated the globalvillage. We are more polarized than ever with the typical church growthbeliefs we have posited not only on the US but now in churches we haveinfluenced around the world. It’s time for a dramatic change.Otherwise, our church in America continues to become more self-centeredand insular.
OK, guess we’d better be listenning closer - if you have questions - email us and we’ll perhaps tackle some of them later!
Comments (2)
P Ken, wow - thank you for caring for my home country. I pray that you guys will advance God's Kingdom there as you do it here...
i pray that religious leaders will stop poisoning our church, and believe that some of the anti-venoms have begun working. speaking thru someone else's blog..., great post!