THE ROAD TO ADULTHOOD Samuel Ling [Note: This is an expanded version of an address given at the conclusion of a retreat of PRC Christian leaders in North America, November 15-17, 1996.] Dear Brothers and Sisters: Today is a milestone in the history of your lives and ministries. In the past two and a half days you have come together to share, to pray, to struggle with issues, to forge a concensus and a network, to debate, and ... to form some long-lasting friendships as fellow workers for Jesus Christ. Many of you do not know each other before. Now, a movement has been born! As I have watched you grow in the past 8 years as a generation of servants of Christ, you have reached an exciting, critical stage in ministry: the stage of adolescence. QUESTIONS WHICH NEED CONTINUED STUDY You discussed some very serious questions at this retreat: 1. What is true humility? And how do we struggle with spiritual pride? If humility is not a matter of feeling inadequate and bending one’s head all the time, then how do we practice Biblical humility? Is it a matter of appreciating others, constantly learning the truth, and never being satisfied with my own progress? 2. What is true spirituality? Do we directly knock at the door of Jesus our Master? Or is there also a place for learning from Paul, Augustine, and the saints through the ages illumined by the Holy Spirit? 3. What is the relationship between the mind and things of the Spirit? Do we by-pass the intellect? What is the proper place of the mind under the control of the Holy Spirit, in the sanctification process? 4. What is the proper pace of ministry? Is there time to go into the desert and enjoy the solitude and silence in the presence of the Lord? Is there also a place for a sense of urgency, preaching several times a day, burning all out for Christ? 5. What makes a meaningful worship experience? The Word of God must be clearly and powerfully proclaimed, yes ... but what about the sacraments, what about music, what about a heart-felt experience of drawing near to Christ? 6. What is the role of PRC servants in China’s evangelization? Are we unique? How? What is the place of Americans and non-PRC Chinese (overseas Chinese) in PRC ministry? We appreciate their contribution ... what exactly is their future role? 7. What is the nature of a network? We don’t want to dominate or dictate for other PRC ministry groups (churches, fellowships, Bible study groups ...); how do we form a profitable network? In other words, what is leadership? 8. What is God’s timing for our vision? What is the balance between vision and urgency, on the one hand, and confirming, solidifying a vision with a team which shares the vision? Does God grant vision to one person (only)? Or does it move the hearts of a team? The Spirit of God will continue to teach us, through His Word, on these issues. THE NATURE OF SPIRITUAL ADOLESCENCE Adolescence is an exciting time in life. These years are filled with vision, optimism, energy, and great plans. It is a time when teenagers go to exciting events ... but also experience tremendous mood swings (from joy to despair). It is also a time when parents wring their hands in anxiety and (for Christian parents) prayer, uncertain as to how their children would turn out. Ch’en Tu-hsiu celebrated youth in the first issue of NEW YOUTH magazine (September 15, 1915). He compared youth to the process of metabolism in the human body: the new will replace the old. It’s an exciting prospect. The Apostle John addressed his first epistle to three types of believers: one group, the young men, are said to have overcome the Evil One (I John 2:13b). You, the young men and women among PRC Christians, are strong and energetic. Perhaps we can look back to a particular stage in Paul’s life -- his ministry at the church in Antioch -- to understand more fully the characteristics of “spiritual adolescence” in the ministry (Acts 11): 1. Paul was presented with a new opportunity for ministry (Acts 11:19-30). Barnabas, when he saw the growing Christian movement in Antioch, went to Tarsus and found Paul (verse 25). Paul, after years of the desert and “ordinary life” in his home city, now receives a ministry assignment to build up the group of new believers (including Gentiles) in the Lord. You, as a group, have received a new assignment from the Lord: encouraging one another, building up each other’s ministry so that a corporate testimony may be strong and clear among PRC Christians in North America. 2. Paul began to understand something about structure, accountability and hierarchy in the Body of Christ. By the time the Holy Spirit set apart Barnabas and Paul for missionary service (Acts 13:1-3), we can see that the church has recognized at least four men as teachers and elders -- Barnabas being the “senior pastor,” Paul being the “junior pastor,” listed as fourth among four. Accountability structures are a reality in the church, which young pastors and leaders must come to understand, accept, and appreciate. Paul and Barnabas were sent out by the church; at the conclusion of their journey, they reported back to the church. There was responsibility and accountability. They were not “lone rangers.” 3. Paul was led by the Spirit to expanding frontiers of ministry (Acts 13-14). One of the very first things he learned, on the island of Cyprus, was spiritual battle! I don’t have to tell you that prayer and struggle with sin and the Devil are real issues -- you have mentioned this over and over again this weekend. One of things I am learning about prayer is: prayer is listening to God. Actively listening. Not just talking to God, but also listening. 4. Paul learned obedience through suffering (Acts 14). I called his ministry in Asia Minor the “4-3-2-1 method of missions.” He went through city 1, city 2, 3, and 4. He was expelled by one town and went to another. What happens after this? He went back from 4 to 3, from 3 to 2, from 2 to 1 ... to the very cities which have stoned him, in order to comfort, build up, encourage the new believers. Suffering is the way to mature servanthood! Isn’t it the same pattern the Church in China has left for us? 5. Paul and Barnabas were a team; they worked together. But they also experienced conflict over John Mark. Later, they separated. The Lord chose to bless the ministry of both men; Paul, of course, went on to greater spheres of influence according to the will of God. Separation may be a necessity, if we can accomplish it in love and mutual respect. YELLOW LIGHTS There are times when God gives us a “green light” to go ahead, at other times he gives us “yellow lights” for caution ... at certain moments he may give us the “red light” to stop... pray... and listen to Him. What are some of the “yellow lights” in spiritual adolescence? 1. Listen for God’s timing. Notice that the Holy Spirit set apart Barnabas and Paul; the church then confirmed, following the Spirit’s leading, the calling and the task. We must learn to walk, not too fast, but behind the Lord’s leading. A sense of urgency does not have to mean rushing, hurrying, serving in chaos. God is a God of order (I Cor. 14). 2. There is a tension between two truths: (a) we must obey the Lord; (b) we are to submit to the church, submitting in the Lord to each other (Ephesians 5:20). How do we do both? It is an art, cultivated and developed by years of listening to the Holy Spirit. You must learn to submit to each other. It is painful. You will grow as a result! 3. How do we handle conflict? As Chinese leaders with strong wills, you will continue to experience conflict. Can we agree to disagree? Can we learn to submit to the leader among us, even when we cannot agree with his/her opinion (as long as the opinion does not contradict Scriptural truth)? Can we learn to postpone some actions, and take the time to reconcile with brothers and sisters, affirm our love and prayer for him/her, before we move on to conclude a debate? Can we commit ourselves to life long friendships, no matter how the Lord may lead us to different paths in philosophy, approach, method, style, format? We must not compromise truth. Truth is found in Scripture, not in our experience. But in real life, in the Body of Christ, there is a place for compromise -- for respecting one another, thinking that others are better and stronger than ourselves. It is an art. Accept the challenge to develop this art. STRUCTURAL ISSUES IN MINISTRY Let me be very specific now. You are reaching a stage when “family style ministry” will no longer meet the tremendous need you face. You need to face up to some realities in ministry structures: 1. Organization is necessary. It is not evil; it is not non-Biblical. It is necessary. God is a God of order. He set down job descriptions and requirements for elders and deacons in the New Testament! He organized the church! There will be some very real issues you have to face in the coming months and years: how to set up committee meetings; how to incorporate as a non-profit organization; receiving tax-exempt status, and how not to abuse the privilege given to us by the U.S. government; how to be responsible to our donors and give accurae reports; how to raise money with truthful presentations of our needs; how to relate to other organizations. You will learn to keep receipts, write expense reports, keep records of your meetings. Some of you dislike these ministry assignments. But the Holy Spirit has given gifts to the church, and I beleive he has definitely given organizational gifts (helps, the gift of overseeing) to the PRC Christian church. My strong advice to you is: do not delegate this responsibility to non-PRC coworkers. The Holy Spirit has not ONLY given you the gifts of preaching, writing and research. Discover among yourselves the gift of leadership and organization, and encourage these members of the Body to use this gift. Whether you have the gift or not, sometimes it is simply a matter of responsibility, to make sure that records and reports are properly handled. 2. Start with small tasks. Each one of us must learn to serve Christ by doing the un- spectacular tasks which no one notices. I had the wonderful experience of starting a church from scratch in New York City (1980-85). Every Sunday morning, whether my sermon was ready or not, I was the first one to go to church and set out Bibles and hymnals, and arrange the chairs. I then preached and played the piano (before we had other pianists). My wife cooked lunch for everyone at our house; afterwards we washed the dishes and cleaned up. These are real opportunities for us to mature; do not bypass this stage, or you may suffer from imbalanced growth. Go ahead, get your hands dirty; wash the dishes, take out the garbage, give rides to people who need them. Related to this need to learn by laboring with our hands, is the need to appreciate those who do so. Whenever a meeting takes place, whether it is a retreat for 20, or a convention for 2000, there are always those dear brothers and sisters who do not talk, but work hard behind the scenes. And very often it is these “soldiers in the trenches” who get hurt and injured. They weep in silence, when no one notices. And after weeping and praying, they continue to serve. It is our duty to encourage them, comfort them, affirm them, appreciate them, respect them, and learn from their example. Nothing less will make Body life genuine. 3. As you continue to stay in North America, you will notice more “evils” in this very secular society. However, may I warn you: Do not reject everything in North America. There are tremendous lessons God wants you to learn here. He didn’t just bring you to North America in order to pronounce judgment on this place. He has things for you to learn. For example, the selfless hospitality by North American Christians is something we intellectuals must learn. The emphasis on orderliness and serious execution of small tasks are also things we need to inculcate in our ministry. To be on time for a meeting. How to keep the church clean? Who cleans up? How do you make sure that everyone understands what he/she should do, at every stage of a ministry? In your frustration with materialism and “success theology” which you observe in North America, do not fail to learn. MONEY MATTERS Now I must turn to the very realistic issue of money. 1. Twenty-four years ago, when Mildred and I got married, we lived in a very large apartment. It was cheap: $80 a month. We enjoyed a large living room and three bedrooms. As the rooms were large, so were the holes in the wall -- they were large enough for large rats to go in and out! As we look back on those student years, when we were poor and had very little money, we realize that those were the years when we were most free. There is freedom in poverty -- we do not have a “crutch” to lean on. There is the freedom to give of our time, and of our limited money! Learn your lessons of giving and generosity now, when you have limited money. The lesson will be much more difficult 5 years from now, when you may have a little more money. 2. Practice tithing, giving at least 10% of what the Lord gives you. Then, by his grace, increase it. You may use a variety of methods (faith promise is one way; another way is to simply increase the percentage every year). It is also worthwhile to remember to regularly bring the Lord’s tithes into His storehouse. 3. When you have a need (for your coordination center, for a new magazine, etc.), first ask: What can we give, as PRC Christians? Encourage each other to give what the Lord has given you. Only after you have done so, may you go and ask the non-PRC’s (overseas Chinese, Koreans, Caucasians) to help you. Remember: these non-PRC’s have a tremendous desire to help you with their funds! However it will hinder your maturity if we constantly rely on their help. It is not wise to BEGIN a ministry by leaning on their help. START with your own resources; then allow non-PRC’s to contribute their part. You will be stronger and more mature as a result of practicing this principle of indigenous church growth (which 19th century missionaries in China and Korea, e.g. John Nevius, left behind for us). 4. Learn how to raise funds. What is fund -raising? It is the task of informing Christians about your vision, your goals, your ministry and your needs. It is the responsibility of ALLOWING the Body of Christ, under the moving of the Holy Spirit, to contribute. Giving is a privilege. Giving is a calling. Giving is an art. Giving is responding to opportunities. As you feel the pressure to raise funds from people who may (temporarily) have more money than you do, remember: You have a ministry to them. Your ministry to them is: help them grow and receive the joy through giving to those ministries the Lord wants them to give to. Be very careful not to manipulate people. Be very careful and cautious -- don’t use words like “We serve by faith and never ask for money” casually. Think carefully before you adopt such slogans. You may find yourself to manipulate your way to talk about your financial need! Why not be honest, and communicate to others your vision, goals, and financial need? It takes a secure, free spirit to do so. The Holy Spirit will heal us of our sense of inadequacy; the Holy Spirit will make us bold. Paul asked for money! Paul was bold in everything he did, whether teaching/preaching, or handling offerings. May the Lord strengthen you in this area. BLESSING I leave with you three gifts with our blessing: a 90-minute phone conference paid-for, so that your new committee can take the time to pray, and discuss important plans; a copy of THE MAKING OF A LEADER to every committee member (this book outlines the different ways in which God shapes and molds a leader through the different stages in life); and finally, our newsletter is open for you to use as a temporary home for your periodical, if you so choose. Brothers and sisters, as youthful eagles you are beginning to fly. May you soar like eagles! (Isaiah 40) The Lord’s richest blessings to you all! [ Samuel Ling is an author and general director of China Horizon, a literature and training ministry serving mainland Chinese intellectuals in North America. He and his family live near Chicago, Illinois, USA.]