Page 11 - Presbyterian Connection, Spring 2024

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SPRING 2024
becomes an encounter with a living God who speaks into our hearts, minds and lives through the words of ancient texts. Preaching from that living word and helping faithful people listen well to the Bible have been the heart of my vocation as a teacher and preacher.
Motivated by a desire to learn and be an ally for Indigenous people, throughout my years in Vancouver I have volunteered with Hummingbird Ministries Council, the group that has sus- tained the Rev. Mary Fontaine in carrying out her ministries of healing and reconciliation. Mary became a mentor for me as I listened to the stories of Indig- enous elders and learned how to support her work of truth telling, peace-making and healing. This engagement has shaped how I think about the gospel interacting with culture, as I have yet much to learn about my own complic- ity in harm caused to Indigenous people and ways I can contribute to justice and healing.
If you were elected Moderator, what interests would you bring to the role?
Two endeavours where I find my- self investing my energy these days draw from my experience and would-be effor ts I would enjoy contributing to the wider church as Moderator. First, I would love to share my enthusi- asm for lively Bible studies that bring new insights to scripture and empower people to read the Bible well—and have fun doing it! The Bible is the witness to God’s love for the world through the stories, psalms, prophetic writings, wisdom, traditions, gospels and letters of the He- brew Bible and New Testament; it is the heart of our faith. Learning more about the times of its writ- ing and ways it communicates its truths can enliven and ener- gize the people of God. Second, I would be glad to bring whatever encouragement I could for ex- ploring ways the church can im- agine new futures for itself. The cultural changes of Canadian so- ciety have presented challenges for congregations, but there are lots of possibilities for new life in reimagining what the church could be. It would be fun to learn about what congregations are already experimenting with and to encourage stories of witness and service for the neighbours whose lives we touch.
The Rev. In Kee Kim
Born in Seoul, Korea, the Rev. In
Kee Kim immigrated to Canada in 1977 with his mother and younger brother. He graduated fromKnoxCollegewiththeMas- ter of Divinity degree in 1987 and was ordained at the Toronto Korean Presbyterian Church. In 1992, In Kee felt called to serve at a new star t-up church, Living Stone Church. The congregation joined The Presbyterian Church in Canada in 1995 and went on to amalgamate with North York Church. With the vision of church unity, the name was changed to St. Timothy Church. In Kee is the senior pastor within a multi-staff context. In Kee played a key role in the creation of the two Han-Ca Presbyteries and was the first clerk of the Presbytery of East- ern Han-Ca.
What are some key moments of your faith journey and how have they informed the person you are today?
I can see two key moments in my faith journey. The first one was when I was in university. I was involved in the Korean Inter- Varsity Christian Fellowship. This involvement helped me tremen- dously by giving me a sense of belonging and a purpose for life during the difficult years of liv- ing as an immigrant in a foreign country at a young age. During this time, I received a calling to go into ministry. In this phase of my faith journey, I experienced the mysterious work of God that controls human history. I wanted tobeapartofit.
The second one was when I was in the final year of studies at Knox College. I came to the re- alization that Jesus’ life had very much to do with the marginalized people of his time. This idea of marginality profoundly affected me. That discovery propelled me to explore my immigrant ex- perience in a critical way. Jesus’ teaching was not just to comfor t and pacify my suffering but also to empower me to embrace my marginalized existence and to be in solidarity with those who were marginalized in different ways. Jesus’ teaching was not just to help me to adjust and adapt to this society but also to transform it. The new realization liberated me in a profound and power ful way. I started to see myself not simply as a victim of my harsh reality but as God’s instrument in bringing about change. As my eyes were opened, the scripture was also opened up to me. I saw the liberating power of the Word of God. I started hearing the mar- ginalized voices in this society.
This shaped my theology, my ministry and my life.
IfyouwereelectedModerator, what interests would you bring to the role?
Diversity is what I like to see in this church. We should not fear diversity. We can learn so much from those who are different from us. Diversity makes a pic- ture complete. We cannot define ourselves in isolation. Solipsism is not a healthy way of looking at ourselves. We are all connected. We are connected with each other, and we are connected with God. That’s why Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love your neighbour as yourself and love your God. Loving your neighbour is the same as lov- ing yourself because we are all connected.
As Moderator, I would like to build a strong bond to connect all of us. From west to east, from nor th to south, regard- less of where you come from or where you are, we are all sis- ters and brothers in Christ. That was what St. Paul realized after meeting Christ in a meaningful way. “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). We need to reach out to each other. We need to appreciate each other. We need to honour each other. We need to build this church together. That is what I am interested in.
David A. Robinson
David A. Robinson was first elected a ruling elder at the Kirk of St. James in Charlottetown, P.E.I., in 2002. He has been re- elected twice and has been ap- pointed Clerk of Session in all three terms and also serves as Sunday School Superintendent. He is on the leadership team for a $1.2 million capital campaign, which exceeded its goal. He was instrumental in resettling three refugee families from the Middle East and is now providing exten- sive support to a family that fled repression in Iran. He is currently helping guide his church through The Presbyterian Church in Can- ada’s New Beginnings congrega- tional renewal program.
What are some key moments of your faith journey and how have they informed the person you are today?
When I left an abusive father to live with my mother, I was 12 years old. We began to attend the
local Baptist church. After one year of Sunday School classes, I asked if I could be baptized. I foundthestoriesofaSaviour who knows you, loves you and protects you very compelling. I wanted to tell the world that I was going to follow that wonder- ful heavenly friend.
At university, my campus had a very active Anglican chapel. I immediately joined the con- gregation, participating in the Server’s Guild and leading even- ing prayer services. That was my introduction to lay leadership in the church. I thoroughly enjoyed delivering evening prayers—so much so that I considered the possibility of a career in ministry. As a strong student, however, I was being encouraged to con- sider a career in academia, and that is what I opted to pursue.
In 1998, when my public ser- vice career led me to Charlotte- town, my family joined the Kirk of St. James. Both my wife and I actively volunteered and within a couple of years, I was elected an elder. The service of ordina- tion, committing me to a life of leadership and service within the church, was profoundly mov- ing. It opened my eyes to the possibilities for ministry with- out becoming a teaching elder. In short order, I was asked to become clerk of session. I was tremendously honoured to take on this role and redoubled my work within the church. I became more aware than ever of oppor- tunities for mission and ministry and began to feel that I was fully living into a life in Christ.
In 2021, I assisted a local church that was going through difficult times. I provided sum- mer pulpit supply there for two years and immensely enjoyed the experience. It reinforced the idea that there are less tradi- tional leadership roles that ruling elders can play. It also further confirmed my sense of vocation to mission and ministry that had first blossomed at university.
So, my faith journey has in- cluded increasing oppor tunities for service, an expanding role for leadership and a greater sense of personal vocation to ministry and my Saviour. The church has invited, embraced, sustained and fulfilled me. I have truly been richly blessed!
If you were elected Moderator, what interests would you bring to the role?
As a ruling elder, I would advo- cate for and promote the pur- poseful role that ruling elders can
play. My experience of eldership has convinced me that these lay leaders play a pivotal role in thelifeofthedenominationand that they can do more. We are not producing as many teaching elders as we once were. Many congregations are without a min- ister and many interim modera- tors have insufficient time to look after all of the needs of vacant congregations. The constant in these vacant congregations is the presence of ruling elders, who know their members well and often have the capacity to deliver pastoral care, lead wor- ship or represent the congrega- tion in the wider community. Some have taken special training in order to preside at commun- ion or have taken lay leader- ship training at our theological colleges. These individuals are able to step into greater leader- ship roles in their churches and presbyteries. I would encourage ruling elders who wish to partici- pate more fully in the life of the church to do so.
Reconciliation is a very im- por tant issue for me. Within The Presbyterian Church in Canada, there are three reconciliation im- peratives: Indigenous reconcilia- tion, reconciliation with LGBTQI people and reconciliation with those who have experienced rac- ism within the body of Christ. We must strive with good faith and sincere effor ts to advance all three reconciliation agendas.
Finally, I would want to bring attention to mental health issues. Many church workers, leaders and congregants are coping with fragile mental health. Burnout, stress and depression are wide- spread. I personally experienced profound and life-threatening depression. When I first fell ill, I prayed that God would heal me. Then, as healing seemed far off, I prayed that God would use me, despite my illness. Now, recon- ciled to my disability, I pray that God will use me because of my illness. God has purposeful uses for the broken. Christ fulfilled his greatest destiny on the cross, by being entirely broken for us. Paul had to be broken on the road to Damascus before he could take up life as an apostle. There is abundant life and possibility in brokenness. I am more under- standing, patient, empathetic and worshipful now than I was before my illness. These are all traits that I believe have made me a better elder and leader. I would want to share my experience and help increase mental health sup- por t within the wider church.
Connection
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