Eugene Cho

love mercy, do justice, and walk with humility.

Friday, April 17, 2009 • 12:38 am 14

the beauty of diversity, community, and uniqueness

_c062387

Ministry has its up and downs. Such is life.

But one of the joys of planting and pastoring Quest Church is that it’s one of the most unique and diverse communities I have been a part of. This isn’t meant to be a slam against homogeneous churches.  In fact, I believe that every community is multicultural on some level – [Hint: think beyond race.]  While I miss (very much) the uniqueness of my experiences in Korean-American churches – food, generations, languages, etc. (and still am involved in KA/Asian communities), I now understand why God called Minhee and I to venture out from our homogeneous suburban church into the city to plant Quest and Q Cafe.

While we have a long way to go, we’re thankful that Quest is growing as a multicultural, multigenerational, and urban faith community – with a desire to be an incarnational presence both in the city of Seattle and the larger world – teaching and living out the Gospel of Christ.

Questions: What are ways that you encourage your community to grow in diversity, community, and uniqueness?

These are my encouragements to fellow leaders and pastors:

  1. Know the diversity of your community.  Simply, do you know their stories?  They may “look” the same but they represent different ‘cultures’ – if not ethnicities.  We all have diverse stories.  If you know their stories, are you making their stories known?  FWIW, this is my story.
  2. Nevertheless, have a vision of the larger Kingdom and the “future Church” and consider what it looks like to take “one step closer…” Even if your church community isn’t ethnically diverse, how are you personally building friendships and encouraging your congregants to live in friendship with neighbors and the  larger community?  How is your church serving  ”other” churches and communities – especially those that don’t look like yours?  You don’t have to put all your eggs in one basket and think that “worshipping together” is the only expression.  Think outside of Sundays and outside the building box.
  3. Be committed to the truth that each person is uniquely created in the image of God.  Consider the lessons learned from the story of Susan Boyle of Britain’s Got Talent and meditate on this quote from C. S. Lewis in The Weight Of Glory.

“There are no ordinary people. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: church, churchplanting, ministry, pastors, seattle, ,

Friday, February 13, 2009 • 12:10 am 12

why sundays still matter…

worship at quest

In conversations with people about the state of [Western] christianity, people can be all over the map.  And at times, I think it’s because we’re really that desperate, that upset, that disillusioned, or that [insert word here].  And then, there are times we just want to make a crazy statement to sound edgy and prophetic.  Yo, it’s pomo, bro.

One of those crazy conversations surrounds the topic of the corporate worship gatherings known to most people as ‘Sunday worship services.’  

I want to contend –  that whether it’s on a Sunday or another day – that gathering as a unified faith community is very important and healthy.  Or more accurately, it is one aspect of a healthy faith community.

Now, don’t mistake what I’m saying.  I’m not a big fan of big productions, fancy shows, gift giveaways, Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: church, churchplanting, emerging church, ministry, quest church, seattle

Monday, February 9, 2009 • 8:24 am 7

from the trenches: no idea where to get food

Quest has had the privilege of helping facilitate a new churchplant in the Kent, Washington area.  But it’s likely that these folks have never even heard of the word ‘churchplant’ and the numerous technical words that pastors like myself like to throw around.  And to be honest, these folks probably don’t care.

But they do care about one another, family, community, justice, their children, their people, and of course, they care about their faith in Christ.

Over a year ago, a group of friends including Rich and Teresa from Quest helped start a church community for refugees from Burma including the Karen and Chin people.  The group has since grown to over 100 people the last time I heard including tons of young children. I’ve had the privilege of visiting and preaching there and I’ve been immensely encouraged by this community – even though I know there are numerous hardships and struggles.  I was even greeted by a man who recognized me from my visit to Burma several years ago.  I’m glad to report that this community has moved to another location that better accomodates their growing community.  The last time I visited them, the kids were meeting in the janitor’s room.

karen-church-2-1-09-001

This isn’t an official Quest plant but we are supporting them through our Quest Churchplanting Foundation.  Years ago, Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: churchplanting, ministry, quest church, seattle

Monday, December 8, 2008 • 1:42 am 16

know and love your city

Minhee and I moved to Seattle in 1997.  We are entering our 12th year in Seattle but it was only about 8 years ago when I really began to grow in love with the city of Seattle.  I was kayaking in Lake Union when I just gushed over the beauty over the city.  And I just started praying for the city and the hope – someday – of being able to plant a church in the city.  God honored that prayer and on occasion, I’ll trek over to Kerry Park [few mins from Quest] and lift occasional prayers for the city and people of this city.

It isn’t a perfect city by any means:  I wish there was more diversity; city remains ethnically divided;  the road systems are wacky; a subway system would be nice; our sports teams are dreadfully cursed, we need more sun, etc.  But there are also some amazing things about this city:  the topography is absolutely breathtaking; the local music scene is alive and well; everything is green and wet; the city is a creative force and is the hub of numerous companies, etc.

How about you?  Where do you live and what do you like or dislike about your city or town?

One of the regular chats I give when I’ve had the privilege of speaking at conferences or churches has been the importance of knowing, loving, and engaging your city.  Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: church, churchplanting, family, leadership, ministry, quest church, seattle, travel

Friday, September 21, 2007 • 12:29 am 4

a new season

quest-invitation2.jpg

Seasons change and Quest is embarking on a new season beginning this Sunday.   In my guesstimation, I feel like we’re entering our fourth season…  We’ll discover if we’re just merely posers with lots of fluff, nice wall colors, blogs, or if we’re transforming into a community of people impacting the larger community and world with truth, justice, mercy, and compassion.  For what it’s worth, we’ll be in our “new” worship sanctuary this Sunday.  We meet at 9.15am, 11am, and 5pm.  If you’re living or visiting the Seattle area, come by for a visit.  Click here to view the invitation to our church community.

Here’s a summary of our brief church history: Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: church, emerging church, seattle, churchplanting, quest church, religion

Friday, September 14, 2007 • 11:37 am 6

not your typical church sleepover

I’m stumbling my way as a quasi “project manager” for our church remodel. Ahh, add more lessons learned via planting Quest six years ago.   Ready or not, we’ll cross the parking lot and return back to our new “traditional” church building on Sunday, September 23. 

We’re about 70% done with what we need to do.  This would have been a far easier thing if we had the money to simply HIRE OUT for the entire thing but so goes the law of economics.  With 70K, we’ve needed to basically remodel the entire church building that was built almost 40 years ago: Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: church, emerging church, churchplanting, quest church, religion

Wednesday, June 6, 2007 • 12:45 am 9

churchplanting assessment

I was out in Detroit last week for several days participating as as assessor in a Churchplanting Assessment or Bootcamp for the Evangelical Covenant Church [which also explains why the week was so crazy].  While I am part of the large “C” hurch, this is the ”team” I have chosen to invest much of my energy and time as well as place myself in accountability.  While I still have friends that rib me for joining this denomination or a denomination altogether, I am at peace and conviction that I do not want to be part of a church or a pastor as an island to myself.  Exactly five years ago, Minhee and I were participants as “candidates” in a similar assessment.  Last week, it was a little surreal to be on the other end – working with a team of twelve other pastors/churchplanters assessing 10 churchplanting candidates and their spouses [there were two single pastors] from around the country.  I felt very burdened with the responsibility… Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: church, churchplanting, emerging church, ministry

Thursday, May 24, 2007 • 12:11 am 10

ministry is messy

Ministry is never pretty.   More poignantly, life is not pretty.  It’s messy. Our idealism will never be met.  It’s the simple and brutal truth.  The reality:  Quest Church is a failure.  It sucks.  The reality:  I am a failure.  I suck.  But the good news – it’s OK.  Everyone just breathe. God is gracious.  God’s grace is sufficient.   As for Quest:  it’s too big, too small, too disorganized, too institutional, too Asian, too White, too educated, too young, too modern, too postmodern, too emerging, too un-emerging, too biblical, too liberal, too conservative, [insert your thoughts here].  After six years, while I can honestly acknowledge that Quest is a failure of sorts and has disappointed many people, I can also rest in knowing that it’s beautiful and has ministered to many people – by the grace of God.  I feel so very privileged that God called my wife, Minhee and I, to be the visioneers of this church and hopefully, a movement to come.

So, while there are disappointments and I might will never please each and every single person, I’ve learned that there’s great value in just showing up.  There’s great value in simply DOING ministry, sharing life, and just trying.   While the product might not be polished and the process is messy, it’s humbling – even if it’s very rare – to know that redemptive things can and are taking place.  Here and there, I’ve wondered to myself if the church, the cafe, the programs, the sermons, the counseling, the Live Music, the community groups, the whatever…does it matter?  Now, more than ever before, I’ve realized that being messy is where the gospel is often  manifested. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: church, churchplanting, emerging church, justice, pastors

Tuesday, May 22, 2007 • 12:30 am 7

what to do with church buildings

here and there, i get listings of churches forwarded to my inbox from friends who are real estate agents.  churches that were once thriving but left with very few choices.  most will sell off their properties and within a year or two, you’ll see condos, retail buildings, office spaces, and my worst fear – another starbucks store.  the sad part is that the while the Kingdom’s future is not contingent on that property, that ‘physical’ space will never return to be used for the Kingdom.

and the reality is that this is a very common story.  a scenario happening all around the country – especially in urban location.  this morning, i read about the long drama surrounding the building of seattle first united methodist church.   after what seems to be at least couple years of conversations, discussions, and drama, a decision has been made to preserve the actual sanctuary but demolish the church annex.  eventually, a 40 story tower will be built to add to the already very busy seattle downtown landscape. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: church, churchplanting, emerging church, seattle

Thursday, April 5, 2007 • 12:50 pm 2

other stupid people

every first wednesday of each month, i get together with a group of other local pastors.  fwiw, these folks can be characterized as: missional, emerging, churchplanters and other misfits.  this group unofficially began about four years ago because a couple of us were very lonely and isolated; wondering to ourselves if we were the only crazy and stupid people in the larger seattle area.  with no particular agenda, we migrate to different host locations and attempt to grow in friendship, loose accountability, and our love for the Kingdom.  we share our values, struggles and joys, and make fun of each other.  Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: churchplanting, emerging church

Saturday, March 10, 2007 • 1:54 am 1

“exploring” bellingham

For those that have known me for any length of time, you’ll know that planting churches have been on my heart even before we planted Quest.  The vision that I believe God has placed upon my heart is not only to build a healthy Quest that exemplifies the love and grace of Christ but for Quest and its community to be a catalyst to plant other churches and to build partnerships with these churches, and with our denomination, to plant more churches.  Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: church, churchplanting

Saturday, January 27, 2007 • 1:53 pm 2

dr. john perkins

johnperkins1.jpg

what a great treat yesterday!  was invited to a join a small group of pastors/leaders in seattle to have lunch with dr. john perkins and it was great to be able to take the bulk of our church staff.  how often do you get a chance to have lunch and chat with one of your life heroes.  dr. john perkins – through his books, sermons, and lectures has grown to become a significant shaper of my worldview.   quest is also very privileged to have dr. perkins join us on saturday, february 24 as we host him and the royal priesthood gospel choir for one of our ‘learning events.’

several of his books, including ‘let justice roll down’ were monumental reads early on during seminary and was reminded today of the need (& desire) to read them again. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: church, churchplanting, emerging church, justice, ministry, seattle

Friday, January 26, 2007 • 7:04 pm 2

qPhone vs. iPhone – the quest annual meeting

qphone.JPG

truly amazing to see the pop cultural phenomenon of apple, inc.  when steve jobs introduced the iphone two weeks ago, it was stunning to see the effect – on conversations, on wall street, on competitors, and the constant flows of ‘oohs,’ ‘aahs,’ and ‘it’s so pretty.’  but c’mon now, $599 for a  phone? 

this is a dumb way of sharing some thoughts on our church’s annual meeting that took place this past Saturday with our church members and partners (regular attenders).  as we began the meeting, i poked a little phone and introduced to the church our newest innovation:  the qPhone (in the pic above).  i bought this phone at goodwill a while ago and love to pretend that i’m speaking on it as i’m driving around seattle every now and then.  the looks on people’s faces are hilarious.  Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: church, churchplanting, emerging church, ministry, quest church

Friday, December 15, 2006 • 3:46 pm 1

when is dreaming too dreamy?

it’s been your typical week here in seattle:  lots of rain, record setting wind gusts over 70 miles per hour, the seattle seahawks choking to my original hometown team (the san francisco niners), lots of double short hazelnut lattes with extra foam, etc.  enjoying life and ministry as usual. 

yet in the middle of a typical week, it’s amazed me how untypical this week has turned out to be been that’s left me wondering, ‘when is dreaming too dreamy?’ Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: church, churchplanting, ministry

Sunday, May 7, 2006 • 11:33 pm 0

bellingham

as some of you know, my family and i love going to vancouver and other locales of BC.  we love it because it’s cheap vacation (even with increasing gas prices) and i can still brag that i take my family to a foreign country for vacation.  we’ve always breezed by bellingham. 

for those that dont’ know bellingham is the ‘city’ between seattle and vancouver -  only 80+ miles from seattle.  although still considered a small city, it is quickly changing.  there are about 70K+ in belligham and 170+ in the larger whatcom county.  western washington now has nearly 14K students and 2,013 are students of color with asians being the largest minority group. over 20% of this year incoming class are students of color. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under: church, churchplanting, quest church

stuff, connect, info

one day’s wages | video

my tweets

  • “I don't pray so that I can change God. I pray so that God can change me. " ~ C.S. Lewis #PrayerforLent 12 hours ago
  • God doesn't want your meat, coffee, sweets, or Facebook. God wants you. All of you. #ThatIsAll 21 hours ago
  • While we are made of dust, it's amazing that God breathed spirit into our dust, life into our dry bones & gave us a new heart. 1 day ago
  • "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return. Repent, rejoice, and be faithful to the Gospel." #AshWednesday 1 day ago
  • "I didn't ask you to give up coffee. I asked you to give up your life." ~ God :: http://t.co/CJaGOJZG #Lent 1 day ago
  • ASH WEDNESDAY service at Quest Church tmrw. 7-8 am & 7-8pm. Lights meal afterward. FULL children's ministry in PM: http://t.co/phLfk9y1 2 days ago
  • If you read one thing today, read the Scriptures. 2 days ago
  • "For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another." ~ 1 John 3:11 2 days ago

advertisements

Blog Stats

  • 2,108,445 hits