Kenneth Liu

Two weeks ago, I headed to Chicagoland to attend the Asian North American Theology and Ministry Consultation.  In our track, we explored the shared task of ministry of the gospel in an Asian American intergenerational context. Here are some of the insights I gleaned from our conversations:

The problems are not primarily language, but attitude

One of the older, wiser pastors leading our track pointed out that most people often misdiagnose the problems in between the generations. Most point to language as the biggest barrier to overcome.  Communication is obviously important, but it can’t be reduced to language and words. Non verbal communication is just as important and often reflects one’s attitude. If we are really honest with ourselves, it’s our attitude towards each other that is the primary problem. Often times, it is the brokenness within our own households that shape our attitudes and they often get projected onto our church relationships.

Make every effort to do the cross cultural work within in order to effectively work cross culturally in the world.

In Acts, the worldwide expansion of the church did not happen without Acts 6 where they needed to work out the cultural and generational issues first. The seeking of intergenerational reconciliation is never a wasted effort. It’s a means God uses to bring about sanctification, humility, and a eventual wholeness that we all long for. When we make every effort to seek reconciliation and unity, two potential things can happen. first, it’s good preparation for cross cultural ministry. But secondly, a reconciled intergenerational community is an apologetic witness to the world. There’s something going on within that only Jesus can do.

The bridge must go two ways

Reconciliation and unity between the generations must be a shared value. Our primary identities shaped by the gospel must produce in us new attitudes towards each other. Leadership obviously must sacrificially model this for the congregation to follow.

There’s more, but that’s all for now…