This afternoon my wife Laura and I will fly to Dallas, TX. Saturday I will receive my D.Min. degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. In light of this journey I want to share some of my experience. The last four years has been life-changing. I trust this personal note and update will encourage you and give you a glimpse into my experience.

Five years ago I was seeking God for the next steps of ministry. My wife and I had plans to move to Texas for me to begin a Ph.D. program. Thankfully the door closed on that! But as usual when one door closes another opens. We stayed in Maryland I became the English pastor at the Chinese Christian Church of Germantown (Maryland). Part of that decision was to begin a D.Min. program with an emphasis on multiethnic ministry. The results have been life-changing!

 

D.Min. in Church Planting/Leadership

The D.Min. program at DTS is cohort based, peer learning, and case study based. My cohort started as a church planting cohort. My first class was with Aubrey Malphurs, known as somewhat of a guru on the topic. We did case studies on churches like Watermark Community Church, The Village Church, and Lakepointe Church, to name a few.

The cohort didn’t have enough momentum to continue. That enabled me to participate in two others, the executive and large church/preaching cohorts. That experience gave me a much broader experience and exposure. I had classes in leadership with Dr. Bill Lawrence, Dr. David Fletcher of xpastor.org, and Brad Smith, President of the Bakke Graduate University. Alan Hirsch of Forge Mission Training and Future Travelers was a guest in a class on the missional church. And I had a preaching class with Dr. Haddon Robinson. What an amazing experience!

 

Dissertation and Research

When I began the program I was challenged to consider my greatest need and do research to meet that need. Building a team to plant a new church was at the top of the list. I was burdened to do that in a multiethnic context. So the topic of my dissertation is identifying and recruiting leaders in a multiethnic context. Let me know if you’re interested in reading my dissertation by leaving a comment.

I had the privilege to do case studies on two great diverse churches. Ray Chang is the senior pastor at Ambassador Church in Brea, CA. Aaron Graham is the lead pastor at The District Church. My dissertation is worth reading just to learn about their stories!

My hope is that the research I did results in two things. First, that pastors and church planters will be helped in their process of recruiting new leaders. Second, that my research will inspire more research to be done in the area of multiethnic ministry.

 

Lessons learned

Developed great friendships and mentors

What an honor to study with pastors and leaders from around the country and several from other countries. Many of these relationships have forged close friendships that will last a lifetime! Not to mention access to some great leaders, professors, and pastors of churches we studied.

 

Always a story behind the story

Using the case study research method we unearthed the story behind the story of many large churches. There are good reasons why Andy Stanley, Matt Chandler, and Steve Stroope’s churches are mega! And it’s highly unlikely you or I will replicate those circumstances. We can celebrate what God has and is continuing to do in and through them. But let’s quit trying to be them and be the men and women, leaders and servants God saved us to be!

 

Hypotheses

In the near future I will write a series of blog posts on my three hypotheses. The research conclusions have given me a foundation to build on for the rest of my life. In short, the three “secrets” to identifying and recruiting leaders are:

1. Cast clear and compelling vision
2. Assess potential leaders for the specific roles you’re looking to fill
3. Empower leaders with real authority and responsibility
   

 

Getting a doctorate is a big deal and a little deal

It’s pretty cool to think that on Sat I will be introduced as Dr. Ed Choy. I remember joking about that with my buddies in college. It’s been a lot of time, effort, work, and some sacrifice to complete. So yeah, on one hand it’s kind of a big deal.

BUT, on the other hand it’s kind of a little deal. This is what God called me to do. So I give Him the glory and credit for the grace to do it. And whatever good fruit comes as a result is for His honor and glory, not mine.

 

Next steps

At least three things are next…

1. Vigorously apply what I’ve leaned

1. Currently serving with a great group of co-workers at CCCGermantown. My desire is to serve them and prepare for transitions in the coming year. It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. I want to finish this season of ministry well.
2. In the coming year I hope to help our co-workers develop a clear vision, assessment process for potential leaders, and empowerment culture for leader formation.

 

2. Develop launch team for Restoration Church in Gaithersburg, MD (launching Fall 2015)

1. Cast vision. I’m in the final edits of the Restoration Church Launch plan. As God opens doors to share this plan I will share it and cast the vision wide.
2. Assess potential launch team members. Those interested in being a part of Restoration Church will be assessed for fit. The DNA of a new church is important. If we set this right from the beginning the chances for something special are great!
3. Empower the launch team to make disciples and lead well. We will build a disciple-making missional culture in the next year to prepare for the church launch. Once the right people are on the bus, as Jim Collins says, they will be empowered to lead according to their unique SHAPE.

If you’re interested in hearing more about Restoration Church let me know. I’d love to share more of the vision with you. We’re looking for some great people to be a part of this new life-giving church just outside of Washington, D.C.

 

3. Give my life to help RESTORE  people to God and to UNLEASH their God-given potential!

1. See a MOVEMENT of Restoration Churches. We want to launch a church that launches church launching churches, locally and globally!
2. Coaching leaders. As God allows and blesses Restoration Church I want to give myself to helping other leaders and church planters unleash their full God-given potential.
3. Teaching. Part of my passion is developing healthy relationships between formal biblical and leadership education and the church. I hope to teach some courses at the college/seminary level and build bridges between higher education and the church through internships and apprentice relationships.

 

QUESTION: What one or two things have had the biggest impact on your leadership development?