Jump First, Fear Later
A reflection on the story of Bangsar Lutheran Church so far…
A church is born
On April 1, 2000 a small group of us sat in the living room of 4A, Jalan Utara to begin the unforgettable journey of ‘resurrecting’ Bangsar Lutheran Church (BLC), growing as a Christian community in Kuala Lumpur, and learning (or re-learning) previous lessons along the way.
The pioneers of the renewed BLC were young (mostly below 35) and inexperienced (no one planted a church before). The Lutheran Church in Malaysia and Singapore (LCMS) provided the building at 23, Jalan Abdullah, Bangsar; gave initial funds for renovation; and supported the pastors’ basic salary and housing for a little above 3 years. Like a newborn baby, this was the needed support before BLC could stand and walk on her own later.
A safe space for all
Different people have been and are still part of the BLC community. In the early days, you would see mostly Chinese looking faces. But, in God’s own timing and wisdom, He added a healthy mix of Indians, Australians, Europeans and Americans (and occasionally African!) to diversify and beautify our common life together. Each brings a uniqueness of their original culture to enrich a new culture within the church where Christ has indeed broken down every wall. While “unity in diversity” is in danger of becoming an empty slogan these days, we continue to work at remaining faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to seek unity even in the midst of our individual uniqueness.
For us, it starts with the church being a “safe space” for different people to come together and to see the “breaking down” of divisive and discriminating walls. Then, when each of us receives the bread and the wine, and participates in the Holy Communion together, Christ’s real presence becomes the origin and resource for our unity.
Rediscovering ancient paths
As a growing faith community, we rediscovered resources like the church liturgical year and the Revised Common Lectionary, practices like Stations of the Cross and the Maundy Thursday meal, as well as reappropriating insights from the Lutheran tradition especially during the Catechism classes. These became ways in which God’s real presence is worked out in our thinking, worshipping and living.
Life together as a family
As the church grew, we continued to trust in the leading of God’s spirit, and the mutual affirmation and correction of the Christian community. Practically, this is experienced right from the small groups to the yearly congregation general meeting, together with the council meetings and committee meetings in between.
Some memorable events we have had at BLC were where the renovated bungalow was used to facilitate worship, community life and outreach.
We adapted versions of the Stations of the Cross during Holy Week a number of times – where different rooms in the building were transformed into creative stations by small groups to help people meditate on Christ’s journey to the cross and anticipated resurrection. The church premises was transformed into a museum-like environment where through the arts, music and silence, we could encounter God out of the regular ways we are familiar with.
We have even had a pancake party for Shrove Tuesday, introduced by the British family who had been worshipping with us for many years, and the full Maundy Thursday meal where we see the connection between the Old Testament Passover Meal with the Lord’s Supper. Organizing and participating in these events helped bring community life to the surface.
Reaching beyond ourselves
For outreach, BLC learnt precious lessons when we were able to cooperate even with non-governmental organizations like Protect and Save The Children on a common issue of concern, such as ‘child abuse’ and faith inspired organizations like Friends in Conversation on a variety of social and theological topics.
Our relationships with a variety of ministries within the LCMS (for example, the companionship program with the Orang Asli congregations) as well as the work of United Voice, a self-advocacy organization for people with learning disabilities.
Channeling our time, energy and also money to support existing work – good work – has been most rewarding and fulfilling for us too. We are able to see how our collaboration with others truly extends the interests of the Kingdom of God more than our own local church.
What’s ahead for BLC?
Today, BLC has a larger attendance than the year 2000, the building has just completed a(nother) major renovation, and the financial stewardship of the church continues. Even so, increasingly as the seasons and times change, all of us as individuals and clusters of individuals are still learning what it means to be a resource or catalyst for spiritual and social change in society.
The key question is, “What do we prayerfully discern what God wants us to do in this time and in this place?” We must be ready for mistakes or failed experiments, to correct ourselves along the way, sharpen our strategies and have a healthy humility to learn along the way. When we are confident in God’s grace that not only accepts us as we are, but also guides us in our growth, we press on without fear but in faith. Faith always involves risk.
After all, one of the catchphrases in the BLC family is “Jump first, fear later!”
Adapted from “Confession of a former church planter and pastor in the city of Kuala Lumpur” by Rev. Sivin Kit, founding pastor of Bangsar Lutheran Church.
