Good CBC article on London acid attacks. It's not terrorism, fyi.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/uk-acid-attacks-spread-beyond-gangs-1.4207502?cmp=rss

@ayys I found a setting that allows us to filter languages, so I chose Japanese but some are still showing up in Federated. Not sure if it's mostly worked, or if it's just because it's night in Japan.

@djchuang I realized I shared the stuff I'm most frustrated with, though I believe it was accurate. Many in my congregation love Jesus sincerely, but just don't understand that His call is to follow Him beyond just coming to church (though they know that intellectually), and they struggle with knowing what that looks like in their own life, aside from being super busy and giving Him low priority (over fun, kids, work, etc).

@ayys I don't know about yours, but my federated is mostly Japanese too, which I don't read, and some Spanish and French mixed in (also not good at).

@Arehandoro It was way too short, unfortunately, and Trevor (esp) speaks very modern. I agree about the production, it's very good. I found it an interesting take on the story, I'm a huge fan of the games. I look forward to season two.

@djchuang Ha, sorry the order is a bit messed up, I tooted them as not replies at first by accident, then cut and pasted them as replies but still messed up once :p

@djchuang Thanks for the Q's!
Attended 13years, pastoring 2 so far. I attend monthly elder meetings (made up of reps from each congregation), plus each congregation has their own deacon board, which I lead for English. The health of the church is pretty poor overall, especially English. On top of that Mandarin pastor made lead 3 years ago, but he's very traditional. Mistake, IMO. 300avg attendance, 60 for English service

@djchuang Spiritual health of English cong. is low as mentioned: little desire for scripture knowledge/intake, little desire for personal prayer, corporate prayer meetings is just me and sometimes 1 or 2 others, little (yet growing) desire for outreach. Length of attendance = spiritual maturity & professional vocation = Elder candidate.
The English congregation is mostly young families (age 20s-40s), with a few seniors & highschool age. About 10% non-Chinese (all adult or senior).

@djchuang Thankfully, each cong. has a decent measure of independence, but it still has a lot of frustrations. The English deacons are struggling through how to become a multi-cultural cong., but not ready for the implications of that yet (becoming independent while parallel or some such similar model). This was helpful for my thinking: https://www.amazon.ca/English-Ministry-Chinese-Canadian-Churches-ebook/dp/B00VUHCE9W/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=FZMS7R6MXKZY6N4DGYAF

@djchuang I was away for 3 yrs with practicum and working at another church between attending and pastor, but cultural adjustment is really coming w/ working w/ the sr. pastor and other congregational leaders (Cant. pastor and Elder board). So for e.g., learning to communicate in less direct ways w/ certain people (and interpreting what they mean when they're not direct about it). At same time trying to stretch them to look past issues of safety/fear and Chinese only/first for English ministry.

Hi, I'm Josh, the English #pastor of a Chinese #church in Winnipeg, Canada. Just checking out this #mastodon site and liking it so far. #introductions #welcome

@djchuang Hi DJ, thanks for reaching out! I'd love to tell you about them - perhaps some specific Q's would help me to know where to start, if there's a specific focus you're interested in?
(fun fact: I've followed you on Twitter for quite a while now!)

@Theophilus @vespin_feebler Lol!

@vespin_feebler I hope so, I think BotW was what made it sell well initially. Repackaging games like MK8 is lame, in my opinion.

@vespin_feebler Actually biblical scholars are not sure or have divided opinions on why (and when) it was written. That's why I think it's better to understand it both ways. I agree, God isn't anti-romance or sex, since He created both!

@vespin_feebler In my (adult) Sunday School class I'm teaching it both ways, but since a lot in my congregation have a hard time believing (not just knowing) God loves them, I'm focusing on the allegorical interpretation.

@vespin_feebler I don't plan on getting a Switch, but that for me is disappointing about it too. I want it to do well, just like I wanted for the Wii U, but it doesn't seem like they're putting out enough games, either Nintendo or the 3rd parties.

@vespin_feebler Yeah, there's that which is quite scandalous (and why it's been neglected in the Modern age), but pre-Reformation it was interpreted allegorically (either as Christ and Church or Christ and Christian), and the Jews almost always interpreted it allegorically, and that for me is the amazing part. Like thinking of Jesus "bounding like a gazelle on the hills" towards me because He can't bare to not be with me, and calling me to "arise my love" to be with Him, for eg.

I never realized how amazing the Songs are until I started studying them. #SongofSongs #sundayscoolin #allegoryoflove

https://mastodon.network/media/YBv1K3i0MBQ_K67Lea8

@vespin_feebler I'm glad they don't get much bigger here, at least in Winnipeg where I am!