entering semi-sabbatical
I’ve finished my tenure at the longest job I’ve held to date, and ended an almost 6-year run with American Bible Society. (Grateful for the opportunity to participate with its mission to distribute the Word of God around the world and to provide for my family needs along the way. I’ll miss the good people.) Since aus_chick revealed it via her Xanga blog, thought it better for me to go on record than to let half-baked rumors abound. My good co-workers sent me off with a hibachi farewell lunch and photos courtesy of aus_chick. Now I’ll be working at 50% capacity and get a sabbatical for the other 50%. One thing I gave up by not working as a pastor is that paid sabbatical deal that many(?) pastors get.
I’ll be making a road trip up north past New York City to some place called Fishkill this weekend to join an Asian American Leadership Roundtable and to (ironically) teach a workshop about career choices. I’ll meet David Park and Peter Ong there for the first time face-to-face, along with Greg Jao, Anna Lee, Paul Tokunaga, Lisa Yu, and Glennis Lo. David, thanks in advance for flying up here to DC from Atlanta, and being my driving companion on the round trip. We’re leaving our laptops behind, so no liveblogging.
Register by tomorrow for Catalyst sweet deal
Catalyst Conference has become the big deal event for charging up next generation leaders, coming ’round on maybe 10,000 in attendance? Tomorrow is the last day for early registration for tickets as low as $239 each. Plus, get a free Sweet Tea from Chick-fil-A. [ht: Catablog]
Or, just sign up for their weekly free XBOX drawing. They’ve gots to be insane to just give those away!
I’ll see if I can finesse a blog-driven marketing special, and get you all a discount code for bloggers. The organizers are already spending marketing dollars on all kinds of other channels, but I don’t see one (yet?) for the grassroot word-of-mouse viral blogosphere. Andy Stanley probably doesn’t read my blog, but I know he reads pomomusings. Maybe he get a rate code setup just for bloggers and let’s see the proof in the pudding!
What would Tim Keller say?
I’ve heard that Tim Keller (Pastor of Redeemer New York) has a new book to be published about what he calls “defeater beliefs,” but I can’t recall specifically which sermon(s) in which he deconstructs our culture’s prevalent thinking and points people to the ultimate in Christ. A regular website visitor asks for help this way:
I’m looking for a Tim Keller mp3 to give to some post-modern friends. Tim’s article on defeater beliefs is what I have in mind, but I’d like to get an audio version that particularly addresses the unbeliever. Any suggestions?
Add a comment if you can help. Thank you!
recorded conversations
What a full day! So after my sermon yesterday morning, I needed to get myself rehydrated. Stopped by the Tenleytown Whole Foods and grabbed a bottle of Naked Juice Mighty Mango. Then an afternoon nap, leftovers for dinner, and get our monthly skypecast going. I looked around for a way to record the skypecast, and there are a handful of softwares out there you’d have to pay for to record. PrettyMay was the most generous in its trial/demo version, and allows you to record up to 30 minutes for free. So that’s what I used.
We recorded our 2nd Asian American Emergents skypecast! Our turn out has doubled, this time including Emergent Asia’s Sivin Kit, as well as Ben Pun, David Park, Peter Ong, Tim Liu, and Theo Wong.
You can listen in to part 1 and part 2 online. Part 1: [mp3]http://djchuang.podomatic.com/enclosure/2006-08-27T19_22_30-07_00.mp3[/mp3]
Part 2: [mp3]http://djchuang.podomatic.com/enclosure/2006-08-27T19_30_23-07_00.mp3[/mp3]
I felt good that I’m no longer the only Asian face interested in the emergent conversation. It’s also fascinating to hear how the emerging church conversation in Malaysia started up and has many similarities (far as I know) to how it started in the US. It really is best labeled as a conversation.
And, Tim had these great thoughts as a closing remark:
In my experience, AsAm churches tend to be even more conservative in terms of practice than American churches. They tend to be slower to adapt to changes and are rarely forerunners in ministry innovation. Many people (such as Dan Kimball) see the emerging church as a response to the contemporary worship movement. But in my (Chinese) church, we are barely contemporary. We still have those who feel that drums are of the devil. So I think the Asian churches maybe just need more time to catch up. Also, I wonder if anyone else notices the overlaps between the postmodern culture and the Eastern/Asian worldview? For example, preaching in narrative and in non-linear flow of thought is normal for Asians. When I preach to the 1st genearation adults in my church, they love to hear stories and narrative. Its already part of how they communicate. Another example is the emphasis on community and relationships in the Emerging church. Its already is a central part of asian culture. So in a lot of ways, I could see the AsAm church very welcoming to some aspects of the emerging church if it is presented in the right way.
2 links, including my sermon
For your convenience, here’s a link for tonight’s Skypecast for Asian American Emergents [cf. more info].
And, the mp3 audio from my sermon “Having the Time of Your Life” (Psalm 90:10-12) this morning at church. I’m grateful it was so well-received! 
[mp3]http://media.odeo.com/8/1/8/Having_the_time_of_your_life_djchuang-80kbps.mp3[/mp3]
My sermon’s external references:
- The Rise of Shrinking-Vacation Syndrome
- Sleep Therapy (Lauren Winner)
- Why I Decided to Cheat the Church
[update: and you can view/ download my sermon powerpoint (PDF) too]
