Being an Elder has been a blessing. It has changed me over the course of the 6 years I’ve been serving. It’s given me a model of how to live a fruitful, abundant life. It takes commitment and discipline, which I don’t always have, but serving this community has given me an appreciation of it and a desire to do more.
I walked into this not knowing what to expect. Eldership in the English Speaking Ministries of immigrant Korean churches is still relatively new. So, it’s exciting to be able to shape and influence what it’s supposed to look like. There is a concern for the future of the church. Attendance is dwindling in all churches. At St Timothy, we have a harmonious relationship with our Korean Speaking Ministry. As our KSM congregation ages, our ESM is called upon to take more ownership. This journey has educated me about our history and made me think about what our future will look like.
The administrative aspect of how the church runs is important, but more central to the role is its focus on caring for the community. In today’s life, we struggle to find things to care about. I’ve experienced meaning and inspiration through getting involved in the lives within our community. It wouldn’t necessarily be something I would be tuned in to but being an Elder has helped me focus on others and notice the ways God has been working around us.
I’ve had the opportunity to serve with the Elder community who are a source of great love and examples of living the best lives we can and being the best people we can be. I learn a lot from them and are touched by their stories, struggles and their resiliency. As Elders, we also get the opportunity to learn from and have a unique relationship with our staff who care so deeply about us and our community. We get to reflect together about discipleship, pastoral care, and what faith means to us. I can’t say I’ve understood all this. It’s hard to articulate but as I continue through this journey, it’s my prayer that it continues to become more concrete through my daily actions. Serving has given me an overwhelming feeling of grace. I don’t bring a lot of skill or knowledge to the role. I’m not decisive, detailed or organized. However, I’ve tried to be available and open. Through this I’ve experienced many blessings.
– Peter Park
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