While I have had participated in various events that had participants from different churches, this was the longest (and most intensive?) of such a programme that I have taken part in. Thus, there was the ever present anxiousness of not knowing how this would turn out, having been mostly confined to working with people from my own church.
I am thankful for the large number of people from my church that are participating in this programme with me, although I do recognise that this could prevent me from getting to know the other participants better, especially when as an introvert I much prefer to socialise with people I know. I do pray that I will make the effort to get to know the participants from the other churches.
The first culture shock I got was when the first day's devotion was done in Chinese. Having a general lack of competence of the language due to the lack of use (and possibly my roots in ACS), I was definitely taken out of my comfort zone (which I guess might be the one of the objectives of this programme?). Interacting with participants from Chinese congregations is also something that I have rarely done, so it was a new experience for me too.
The first culture shock I got was when the first day's devotion was done in Chinese. Having a general lack of competence of the language due to the lack of use (and possibly my roots in ACS), I was definitely taken out of my comfort zone (which I guess might be the one of the objectives of this programme?). Interacting with participants from Chinese congregations is also something that I have rarely done, so it was a new experience for me too.
After hearing about the history of the Presbyterian church in Singapore, my eyes have been opened to the realities of the strength and numbers of the Chinese congregation in the Presbyterian family in Singapore. This has definitely given me a reason to brush up on my Chinese, as was mentioned that one of the biggest mission fields in Singapore are the Chinese speaking free-thinkers and the Chinese immigrants.
My original intentions for joining this programme were mostly intellectual, to satisfy my curiosity, but after the first week, I have definitely been challenged in ways that I did not expect. My hope is that the knowledge gained during these three weeks will not just stay in my head but will also be applied to the spiritual aspect of my life.
My original intentions for joining this programme were mostly intellectual, to satisfy my curiosity, but after the first week, I have definitely been challenged in ways that I did not expect. My hope is that the knowledge gained during these three weeks will not just stay in my head but will also be applied to the spiritual aspect of my life.
Joshua Lee
No comments:
Post a Comment