Photo by Nick Kenrick
By Eun Joo Angela Ryo
Some years ago, I had attended a conference geared toward Asian American church leaders who were either involved in a second-generation ministry (i.e. English Ministry) within Korean immigrant churches or multicultural ministries. I was one of three women in a sea of male pastors discussing the future of the English Ministry within the Presbyterian Church (USA). Continue Reading »
Posted in reflections | Tagged immigrant church, women in ministry, women pastors | Leave a Comment »
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By Sarah D. Park
If you are 25 years of age or older and pass an application process, you are able to house a stranger’s child for a certain period of time. I was at first astounded at how easy it is to become a foster family, and in Orange and Los Angeles County, there is a growing need for Asian American families and individuals to sign up. Continue Reading »
Posted in reflections | Tagged church, foster care, nonprofit | Leave a Comment »
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By Maria Liu Wong
The theme of “broadening worldviews” is near and dear to my heart and my life’s work. Since being mistaken more than twenty years ago — a young Chinese-American woman teaching music in a south Bronx public school — as a “take-out” cook by second graders in my class, opening up possibilities for others to see more than what they expect or know has been of critical importance. I can think of three ways I have had the privilege to engage in this. Continue Reading »
Posted in reflections | Tagged church, city, cross-culture, hospitality | Leave a Comment »
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By Wendy Choy-Chan
When I was in Israel last year, one of my most loved and dreaded places was the Old City in Jerusalem. Most loved because I was truly experiencing another side of the world, a world full of history and discoveries. Yet I also dreaded the journey into such a foreign place, where it was so easy to get lost in the maze of big and small alleys. At each turn of a corner, I asked, “what awaits me next?” with both a sense of excitement and caution. Continue Reading »
Posted in reflections | Tagged cross-culture, travel | Leave a Comment »
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By Tina Teng-Henson
On my run this morning, I turned into the gateway of the Catholic convent in my neighborhood. As I jogged down the leafy pathway, this thought crossed my mind: “I could always just abandon my husband and kids and become a nun…then I could really focus on serving God.” I imagined Beatrice and Peter visiting me at the convent once a year, watching them grow up from afar. Then I imagined myself crying in anguish, after each visit would end — overwhelmed with regret and remorse for having made that decision. I would miss watching them grow up far too much. Continue Reading »
Posted in reflections | Tagged family, motherhood, parenting | Leave a Comment »
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By Chloe Sun
Many years ago, I heard someone say that traveling is one of the best ways to broaden our worldview and to transform ourselves into a growing person. At the time, I was not much of a traveler but his words stuck in my mind nevertheless. Several years later, as I travel across the globe from the Middle East such as Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Turkey to Asian countries such as Taiwan and Hong Kong, from different parts of the United States to Europe including the cities of London and Paris, not to mention Brazil in South America, I have come to appreciate and agree with what that person said. Continue Reading »
Posted in reflections | Tagged broadening world views, diversity, humanity, travel | Leave a Comment »
Photo by Nick Kenrick
By Debbie Gin
It’s been nearly two years in my role at ATS, and what has surprised me the most, interacting with many many seminary faculty and lead administrators, isn’t what you would expect.
I’ve learned priceless wisdom about how theological education works, what’s important to churches and why, and just how delicate, yet robust, is the ecology of donor and beneficiary. But I suppose these were expected areas of learning. Continue Reading »
Posted in reflections | Tagged bamboo ceiling, false humility, glass ceiling, imposter syndrome, internal scripts | Leave a Comment »
Photo by Nick Kenrick
By Sharon Lee Song
I wrote this statement on the inside front cover of my journal: “I need to establish a rhythm that feels sane, reflects a deep love for God, and a respect for how He made me.” Lately this statement has been the meditation and longing of my life. In these past months, there has been a deepening of the truth of who I am and who I am not.
I shared in January that I felt called to explore joining a holistic wellness ministry called Alive & Well Women. I never expected that this exploration would lead to more clarity of who God has made me to be, and ultimately that I was not called to join this ministry at this time! Continue Reading »
Posted in reflections | Tagged accepting limitations, flourishing, striving, the power of no | 1 Comment »
seyed mostafa zamani
By Vivian Mabuni
“If ever we needed prayer, it is now. The pain is indescribable.” I read and reread Maegan’s post on Facebook in absolute shock and disbelief. No. There must have been a mistake. This can’t be. None of the thousands upon thousands who rallied in prayer the past several weeks expected the story to end this way. Continue Reading »
Posted in reflections | Tagged grief, the power of no | 2 Comments »
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By Jerrica Ching
I recently had a conversation with a coworker on the difficulties that I have with uttering the two-letter word of “no.” Beginning in my undergraduate years, I struggled with not associating this word with lack of competence or confidence, and found myself feeling guilty and second-guessing my decisions when I use it. Why is a tiny two-letter word so hard to say sometimes?
Through my work as a mental health therapist I often share with clients that some behaviors are motivated by fear. The anxious person refuses to go outside out of fear that something awful will happen. I also stress with clients that even though our mind can rationalize that nothing awful has ever happened or will happen, sometimes going out of one’s comfort zone can elicit a brand new sense of fear. Continue Reading »
Posted in reflections | Tagged balance, fears, the power of no | Leave a Comment »
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