Reflections on the Pastors' Conferences in the Philippines

Philippines Connection 2010 is completed as of today when our US
colleagues part ways with us in the Manila airport and wing their way
back home to Kansas City. Ruth, Josiah and I will continue on to Hong
Kong for a few days of rest and sight-seeing. I found online an
inexpensive "basic" hotel in a seaside village on Lantau Island, far
from Hong Kong urban bustle, but just a ferry ride away for a touring
day or two.

That brief vacation will feel good after a busy two weeks in the
Philippines, plus hectic weeks of preparation prior to leaving KC on
June 4. The end result was worth it all.

We enjoyed both of the 3-4 day conferences with approximately 80
pastors the first week and 60 the next. This was fewer than the total
of 200 participants expected, but it turned out to be better this way
for the camp staff and accommodations at Humayan Ministry.

Response to the conferencing experiences from participants was
uniformly positive, even enthusiastic. We were asked many times
whether there could be a follow-up, perhaps 3 years from now--or even
next year! We were noncommittal, saying "We'll see what happens." And
we will.

Convention leaders and those from CPU and the Convention Baptist Bible
College also are interested in events of this sort that result in
ongoing relationships and programming rather than a one time deal
only. Understandably so. The question is one of funding, of course.
And time. Again, we'll see.

Humayan was everything I had hoped for and more. Co-founders Pastors
Billy and Jerry both gave lectures (using PowerPoint) that were
excellent and educative. They could do their presentations anywhere in
the world and gain respect from the most sophisticated leaders in the
fields of organic farming and intentional Christian community. I
listened and learned much, along with the other pastors present. And I
asked a lot of questions, with others unasked due to lack of time.

Humayan is making a positive difference already in the central
Philippine islands. They could be a radical force for peaceful means
to a more just and economically sustainable society in years to come.
I come away convinced that Humayan Ministry is a worthy and
trustworthy recipient of any support others might offer, though they
do not ask for such. Our (team) gift of an LCD projector for use
there, and in the many requests being received by Humayan leaders for
talks elsewhere, was received with much gratitude as an answer to
prayer. But they don't solicit, and wish to remain sustainable "from
what God provides" mostly from the land itself. Is it obvious that I
come away thoroughly impressed, and blessed, by my new friends and
colleagues and teachers there at Humayan Ministry?!

Hopefully there was benefit to participants from lectures (discussions
primarily) I provided in partnership with Pastor-Professor F Neil
Jalondo-on from CPU. We had lively dialogue regarding the ethics of
Jesus, including radical (for mainstream Christian ethics) morals
pertaining to nonviolence and economics. This also was my sermon topic
("Learning Shalom") last Sunday morning at Bacolod Evangelical Church--
the Convention's largest, with several thousand members.

The other session I co-led at the Humayan pastors conferences was on
"equipping strategies for ministry," using family systems theory and
genograms as a ministry tool. Throughout all of this, I clearly was
both teacher and learner. What an amazing experience it has been!

And what fine colleagues we all have met while here. Gracious,
hospitable, competent, caring, funny, bright, grateful, generous.
Doing much with little in the way of financial resources and
infrastructure. I leave with much respect and admiration--and with
hope that perhaps we will meet again.