Shifting Currents - Issues, Challenges, and the Way Forward for Global Christianity (2019) by Hwa Yung, Book Review

Usually, I don't write reviews for a booklet that I read but since the message here is quite important (and perhaps urgent) for us Christians - especially the East Asian Christians - to look at, I think it is good for me to share it briefly. This booklet is based on Bishop Emeritus Hwa Yung's talk at the World Assembly of the IFES, South Africa, in July 2019. Hwa Yung believes that there are significant shifts in global Christianity, namely, from the Western World to the Majority World, and with it comes great issues and challenges. "Christians in the Majority World (or Global South) will forever owe an incalculable debt of love to those from the West who brought the gospel to us in the past, often at great cost to themselves... Moreover, there is still so much in western Christianity that is good, noble, and worth emulating," he writes, "Nevertheless, in recent years, I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that I have to think twice before I look to today's western churches for answers." I agree with Hwa Yung's realistic comment here. We need to be grateful and yet, careful.

Churches in the Majority World must have their own identities, independence, and influence from the West. The goal, I believe, is not for separation but for mutual benefits. It doesn't mean that we have to reject everything (God forbids!) but we do have to contextualize certain areas of our differences such as theology, culture, ways of thinking, and doing church and mission. Hwa Yung observes that "many churches in the Majority World still function as appendages and extensions of the churches in the West." The Majority World must grow into maturity so that instead of depending on the West for models and answers, they will "be able to work alongside those in the West with real confidence and contribute to their well-being." In short, genuine mutuality and mature partnership with one another. In his talk, the author outlines five (5) key issues and their related challenges (to know more, read this booklet or watch his talk on YouTube):

1) Worldviews and the Intellectual Challenge
2) The Growth of the Majority World Churches and the Recovery of the Supernatural
3) Ministry and Mission by Human Management vs. Dependence of the Spirit
4) The Challenge of Shallow Discipleship or Nominalism
5) Confidence In the Gospel of Christ

His concluding thoughts - the way forward for global Christianity - are worth considering and praying about. One that stands out for me is this: "If we the Majority World are to live out our calling to serve the global church, we must learn one important lesson from western church history. It is simply that the advance of the kingdom of God will inevitably involve costly sacrifice.” Amen.

To read my other book reviews/ summaries by the same author, CLICK THE TITLES to read:

Beyond AD 2000: A Call to Evangelical Faithfulness (1999)

Bribery and Corruption: Biblical Reflections and Case Studies for the Marketplace in Asia (2018)

#ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #ShiftingCurrents #GlobalChristianity #HwaYung #IFES #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Young Men and Women, Be Christ's Ambassadors (End)

"[We] are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.
We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!'"

(2 Corinthians 5:20, NLT)

Paul used many metaphors to illustrate the privileged ministry to which God had called him. One of the most impressive is that of "Christ's ambassadors." An ambassador, in Dictionary.com, is a "diplomatic official of the highest rank." It is rightly considered one of the highest honors any country can grant on one of its citizens. Even in chain, Paul delighted to use this term for himself: "I am in chain now, still preaching this message as God's ambassador" (Ephesians 6:20). It is told of John R. Mott, the YMCA leader, that he was once offered the post of ambassador of the United States to Japan. In declining the honor, he said to President Coolidge, "Mr. President, since God called me as a student to be His ambassador, my ears have been deaf to all other calls."

An ambassador has both privileges and responsibilities. First, as to privileges, he actually represents his absent king or president or prime minister, whose honor is in his hands. He does not go aboard at his own expense. All the resources of his country are behind him. He has personal fellowship with and access to the highest authority. While on nation's business, his personal safety is guaranteed. It is not difficult to relate these privileges to the post of an ambassador for Jesus Christ, the King of kings.

Then, as to responsibilities, he is required to have no associations, however seemingly innocent, that would any way compromise his country. He must keep in constant communication with his higher authority. He must live and conduct himself in a manner worthy of the one he represents. He is expected to watch over and protect the interests of fellow-citizens living in the country to which he has been empowered.

And this is important: he has no right to either add to or subtract from the message of his government but must deliver it as it is. Nor he needs to apologize for his message. He is not expected to originate his own message, but to receive his government's instructions. He is to present his government's viewpoint – not his own. He may use persuasion but not manipulation.

It is not difficult to connect this worldly ambassador's responsibilities to the ambassador of Christ. Do you qualify for the post?

We Are Christ's Ambassadors

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.