A Taste of S.A.L.T.

Hello PR1MErs!

For those of you who are taking part in the summer small groups, you have begun going through a book cleverly titled “True-Faced” (unless your point person’s been lagging!). In our effort to participate in this theme and, in our own small way, to take a step in being true-faced to all of you, we’d like to begin regularly communicating with you through this blog about some of our personal observations, hopes and burdens for PR1ME. Each of the Single Adult Leadership Team members (Pastor David, Ruth, myself, Brian Kim, Christine Lee, Sarom and Daniel Song) will be taking turns, and I’m up first!

In addition to welcoming our newest member, Christine Lee (yay!), the S.A.L.T. team spent Sunday afternoon sharing what God has placed recently in our hearts about the ministry. One topic that came up was our purpose and success in planning the PR1ME events. We’ve had a much more prolific year than the last in terms of “hanging out,” with the drive-in, Huntington Beach, Pink’s and more. But have we as a leadership team been relegated to a social planning committee? Is that pleasing to God? Also, why is it that some of the very people who ask for certain types of events, such as cross-affinity gatherings, decide to opt out of attending the event once it is organized? How do we encourage each other to take ownership of this ministry?

We also talked about what it means to be a leader in PR1ME. If I want to see transparency in Living Hope relationships, am I stepping out and asking those difficult questions that need to be asked of my closest brothers and sisters? Or taking risks in revealing myself? Or am I just waiting for others to make the first moves? Do the S.A.L.T. members ourselves take ownership of PR1ME events? We desire to be better about leading by example.

In the end, we decided that the “fun” social gatherings are important in beginning and building relationships and encouraging involvement in the ministry in a low-pressure, relaxing environment. But we also want to go beyond that and meet the needs of those who are hungering for more, who are thirsting for deeper, more authentic conversations on Christ within the ministry. In the past, when we’ve attempted a teaching event, such as a talk on Mormonism, the turnout has been small. Rather than being discouraged by the numbers, we want to press on in these types of challenging, thought-provoking events. We know there are those of you who will come out and be encouraged as God works in you.

So be on the look out for some exciting, challenging programs. For example, we are starting work on planning an all-day singles seminar in the fall in partnership with other local churches. I’m excited to see God work in and through the PR1MErs!

Blessings,
Rebecca Cho on behalf of S.A.L.T.