Dear Theophilus Archive: Dec. 2000

A Conversation with Pastor Song

Gentle, humble, contemplative, with an occasional burst of mischievous laughter-this is how I found Timothy Song, Emmanuel Church's new Senior Pastor. Upon entering his office, he courteously (with a twinge of formality) welcomed me to sit down. After the initial introductions to break the ice, we sat back to chat. My aim was to grasp something of the heart and humanity of this person, as well as the wisdom and leadership that God has bestowed on him as an older brother in Christ and Senior Pastor.

Timothy Song moved to the United States-to Brooklyn, NY-at the age of 15. He attended Stony Brook University on Long Island, majoring in electrical engineering. It was during those years that he met and married, so to speak, two profound persons in his life: Jesus Christ and Mi-eun Kim. He worked as an electrical engineer for a number of years before receiving a call to full-time ministry as a pastor. He attended Westminister Seminary and received his M.Div. and Ph.D. there. During the course of those years he busily studied, had three children (Rachel, Jonathan, and Joshua), and worked as a Youth Pastor and English Ministry Pastor. In 1997, he was invited to serve as a professor in a seminary in Korea, where he taught until June of this year, when he became Emmanuel Church's Senior Pastor.

I asked him what differences he saw in first and second generation spirituality. He said that the first generation values structure, formality, tradition, respect, and "the system." They are concerned with prosperity and visible signs of favor and blessings that will carry them through times of poverty and suffering. Their gospel is one that emphasizes ethics and morals. The second generation, on the other hand, is concerned with "the meaning in life," defining individuality, and relational issues. There is no definite structure, no right and wrong. The post-modern, deconstructionist mood of dismantling absolutes, tradition, and structure heavily influences second generation thinking. The gospel preached is one that emphasizes grace. These are spiritual characteristics that have been stained by the specific sociological, cultural, and historical environments in which we have grown up. Thus our priorities are different, as are our needs. Not conformity, but understanding is needed to bridge the differences. There is much that we can offer one another in encouragement and testimony. After all, it's not about us, but Jesus.

I learned that Emmanuel Church was founded with the vision to reach the academic community in the greater Philadelphia area. Aside from the English Ministry, Emmanuel also sponsors a ministry for Korean-speaking exchange students and visiting professors (100+ members). Raising up Christian leaders who in turn influence others, is a specific vision that has been reasonably successful. With the arrival of Pastor Song in June, there is renewed focus on redefining the vision for Emmanuel Church. There are numerous variables and ministry opportunities for Emmanuel in the next 20-30 years. We are in a crucial but exciting position, as our ministry stands in a dynamic fork in history with a uniquely multi-faced identity. It will require a lot of prayer and planning, as well as cooperation from all of the members of the Emmanuel Church community.