We are living in a postmodern world full of different challenges. There are too many choices unlike the previous modern era. At the same time, cultural differences have become less of a problem due to global travel and business transactions. What are some of the issues facing the Chinese-Filipino Churches in such a world? Allow me to direct our focus along three critical areas.

Theological Issue

The evangelical nature of the Chinese-Filipino churches is linked to her strong biblical and doctrinal position. This factor can be traced to the effective and influential pastoral leadership of the late Rev. Silas Wong, the late Rev. Liang Ce Ko, and Rev. Wesley K. Shao, among others, who faithfully taught the Word of God. We also have Chinese-Filipino pastors who have and are still faithfully serving and teaching in many local churches.

The Philippines, being one of the English-speaking Asian nations, can easily implement new programs from the Western world. For example, many churches today are applying the Purpose-Driven Life (PDL) program of Rick Warren. The Chinese-Filipino churches have also joined the bandwagon, riding on top of the crest. However, many of these movements may either assist or hinder us. We need to test the theology of each new program, whether it is God-centered or man-centered. The challenge of the “openness of God” theology, a view that holds that God chooses to be helpless with regard to future events, impels us to hold on to our Bible and investigate such individualistic and extreme form of theology. While acknowledging the great attraction of watching Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, let us evaluate the movie along the lines of our distinctive evangelical faith. Many Chinese-Filipino Christians are also heavily influenced by geomancy and other possible cultic practices, especially during festivals or occasions of bereavement. We need all the more to strengthen our cognitive knowledge of doctrine and balance the pragmatic messages of our pulpits with solid biblical teachings.

On one hand, we need more local born Chinese-Filipinos to shepherd and lead our churches. On the other hand, we need elders and deacons who are willing to work closely with their pastors. Currently, with the lack of pastors in a number of churches, we need to pray and encourage the best and most mature disciples to come to the Seminary for training in preparation for service. This is also the policy of BSOP: if a church is not willing to endorse her member to the Seminary, then we will also not accept such a member as our student.

The task ahead of us is very challenging. Previously, younger Christians worshiped and served God at the same church as their parents. One could see different generations worshiping together in the same church. Today’s postmodern world with its self-centeredness and individual preferences, family members are dispersing into many different churches. This creates a fuzzy concept of the “home” church. In addition, there is the movement of people toward mega-cities such as Metro-Manila, Cebu or Davao, or from urban cities in the Philippines to urban cities in Vancouver, Toronto, San Francisco, Los Angeles, or Sydney, to name a few. To strengthen our smaller churches in the province, we need to think of creative ways to help support their needs. The felt needs of our pastors of a number of provincial churches, such as medical necessities and educational opportunities for their children, must also be addressed. We have to fortify these needs for the sake of the kingdom.

How should we respond to the missiological needs of the postmodern era? We hope that the Chinese-Filipino churches will continue to emphasize both local and foreign missions. On the home front, aside from doing the regular tasks of sharing the gospel to our friends, we should put more effort into building up our mission schools. There are already 38 Christian schools throughout the country. Can we nurture Christians who are willing to invest short-term or even long-term periods into the educational needs of our next generation? At BSOP, we have a masteral program training Christian teachers that caters to just such a need.

With the recent surge of Asian participants in world mission we also must take part and be willing to share our God-given resources. BSOP has been participating in training missionaries by using the creative tool of the TESOL program. Our second training session is being done this summer. With many non-English speaking nations around us, this is certainly a very good way to reach out to them.