Answers to Some Questions

First off, I want to thank everyone who has been emailing, calling and visiting to show their support ever since my public announcement concerning my resignation at Saesoon. There seems to be some questions that keep coming up that I thought I should address, so here are some answers to those questions.

Question #1: What am I going to do now?

Well, after finishing up my time in Saesoon at the end of this month (February 26), I'll be taking March off to go to the US to rest and pray through some of my options ...

But I'll be back in March to Sydney though ... in order to get in line EARLY for the U2 concert March 31st! =)

Question #2: What are those options?

It's kind of a cool season in my life ... very new compared to any other transition period I was in before. Well, here are some of the options I'm praying through ...

1. TEACHING FULL-TIME. I have some current oppotunities to teach in a seminary, Bible College or university setting that I'm considering. Those teaching opportunities would involve the teaching of preaching (homeletics) and/or public speaking (which were my majors in the undergraduate and doctorage levels). These options are in the USA, Canada, or Korea.

2. TEACHING PART-TIME: This is actually a new option that I've only recently considered, and that would be to possibly teach at a local seminary here in Sydney. I've talked with some professors and have only recently given my resume, but we'll see what happens with this one. My interest in teaching is because I not only love teaching, but I want to help train the next generation of church leaders ... and since a bunch of congregation members have started (and will start in the near future) their seminary studies, I'd love to be a part of the "formal" training as well as their "informal" training.

3. CHURCH PLANT IN SYDNEY: If God allows, this is actally something I would love to try here. God's given me a vision for the 2nd Generation here and I still see some amazing potential for some major Kingdom-building here. It's a seed that God's planted in my heart several years ago, that's basically been soaking in prayer for the past few years. I've also been bombarded with ideas about this church plant throughout the years too, that I've been collecting notes for. But I have to see if my role is to pray for the foundation of it or to actually implement it as well. This is something I'm strongly seeking proper direction in right now.

4. WORK PART-TIME: But for now, for practical reasons and also if option 3 (church planting) is going to be my next step, I'll be looking for a part-time job and try to be more like Paul ... a tent-maker (without the tents). It would be cool if a spot at Koorong opens up, but I'm looking at a lot of different possibilities with this one too.

5. TAKE A SABBATICAL: This is also an attractive option for me right now. I've been in full-time ministry for almost 8 years now and could use a year (?) or so to let my inner-self be restored ... =)

So please keep me prayer in order to take God's next step for my life. It's interesting ... several years back, I would be so anxious if I didn't know my next 10 years in detail =P ... but I think God has done a lot of work in this area of trusting Him for my tomorrows and not in myself and my own plans ... because His plan is the best plan ... and His ways are the best ways.

Question #3: Eddie! I wasn't there on Sunday! What did you say and how did you say it!?!?!

Hmmmm ... I didn't plan on posting this one up originally, but because of various EM members who were away for one reason or another, I'll post up again what I told New Life on Sunday:

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When I first came Sydney in December of 2001, my original plan was to come for 1 year, help get an EM started, find a guy to take over, and then head back to the US (which was my original plan after Korea) … but God did some amazing things that first year and I just couldn’t leave.

And now 1 year has become over 4 years. It’s been an amazing ride while being in Saesoon and being in Sydney. I’ve fallen in love with each one of you along the way. But after much prayer this past year and especially these past few months, it’s with deep sadness … but also with confidence that I announce today that I will be resigning from Saesoon Church at the end of this month. So February 26^th will be my last Sunday at Saesoon Church and at New Life Worship.

I feel that the direction that the Korean Church wants to take with the English Ministry and the vision God has given me, for the first time, is leading towards different directions. But I completely support and bless everything that Seasoon (and the Korean Ministry) wants to see happen through the English ministry and for it to focus on keeping the families of Seasoon together.

But I feel God has given me a different vision. And that’s cool. That’s OK. We need different ministries with different visions to build different parts of God’s Kingdom. I’m just honored to have been a part of all that God has done these past few years … seeing so many lives surrendered to Christ and committed to His Kingdom.

My decision was not an easy one, but it is a certain and final one.

What next? Well, for EM, Eddie Bang will take over the preaching and teaching elements of the ministry … until a new full-time pastor is found. Various committee leaders will help facilitate the other ministries and I hope that the rest of you will continue to serve God and follow His lead within this ministry.

And for me? I haven’t made my final decision yet … I’m still praying about various options. I may teach (at a seminary or college) or pastor … or church plant.

And it may be in the US, Canada, Korea or even still in Australia. Planting a church in Australia is an option that I would love to do, if God allows. I’ll be going to the US in March to pray about some of these issues and Lord willing, by April, God will have made my next step clearer for me. But I do need to come back by March 31^st because of the U2 concert in Sydney!

I ask for your continued support of Eddie Bang and the EM as I leave, but I also ask for your prayers especially in the coming weeks for me … pray for protection … for rest … for anointing and … and for a submissive heart to follow His lead in my life.


Am I Sad? Definitely … Do I have regrets? No. One thing I’ve glad about is that I feel I gave my best in everything that I did for this ministry. I feel I have 110% in all that I did, so I’m glad I don’t have regrets in terms of wishing I could have given more …

I thank our Senior Korean Pastor Lee and Saesoon for their willingness to take a chance in hiring me 4 + years ago.

I thank the leadership of New Life for your service and sacrifices.

I thank all of you here today … you’ve been a source of blessing and strength for me each week.

And above all else, I thank God for the honor and privilege of being a part of His Kingdom work here in Australia.

So as God’s story continues to be written here in Australia … let’s continue to live with Christ as our everything and serve Him faithfully, until our final breath.