SQJ Taipei

As I read this post on Jon’s blog, I was so irritated to read this part…

When we were thinking about whether to come to Taiwan or not, I was told by one person that I would never be able to preach with the same style and energy as I always tried to do when I taught at Central Christian College of the Bible. In fact this person told me it was a mistake for us to come to Taiwan. That comment stuck with me and has been a nagging question for a long time now.

This makes me so angry… that someone would say something like that…….
But it also reminded me of an encouraging encounter I had with my preaching professor at Ozark Christian College, J.K. Jones, before we came to Taiwan. I’m not sure I’ve properly thanked J.K. and will try to do so here.

If you don’t know how a preaching class works… it is some variation of this… your sermon is videotaped while you preach live in class… your classmates critique it… your professor watches the video with you and critiques it.

After I watched my first videotaped sermon with brother Jones, he talked with me about my sermon and then the conversation moved to other (related) things. He talked with me about spiritual gifts and said that preaching was probably one of mine… and then he asked me about our plans to move to Taiwan. I enjoyed sharing some of our dreams with him. Then he said something that has really stuck with me even now about 10 years later. I don’t remember the exact words but this is the essence…

Scott. I’m so glad to know that the people of Taiwan will be getting good preaching.

Now… of course I haven’t had the chance to speak to ALL the “people of Taiwan” yet…. and of course the language situation still causes issues… and of course… there was this little trainwreck… but in light of what that one person told Jon… I just feel really blessed to have had such a positive and encouraging affirmation from someone I respect so much.

Thank you good brother J.K. Jones.

NOTE: Currently J.K. is an Associate Professor of Christian Ministries and Director of Spiritual Formation at Lincoln Christian College and Seminary. Last I heard, he was also preaching at the Jefferson Street Christian Church in Lincoln, Illinois.