This Column is My Last One.
Dear COAH,
This column is my last one for you. I've written a weekly column for the past 20 years and every day for a year and a half during the pandemic. I've written about 1,500 columns, by my rough count. Sometimes, I've written them on the road, pressed for time, and sometimes, I've written them at my desk, thinking calmly. My columns have been about faith, mission, and church life, sometimes reporting on events or decisions regarding church life and sometimes interpreting world events or national concerns through the lens of faith.
The reactions of the church members who read the column varied: some were inspired to join the Church because of the weekly posts on the website, while others held adverse opinions on what I had written. Of course, some don't read the column, too. Nonetheless, I have shared my thoughts with you for 20 years. The purpose of writing the columns was to communicate with you. Because Young Nak is a large organization, I needed to find effective communication methods to minimize misunderstanding and promote more unity.
As I step down from the leadership of the Church, I sincerely ask for your forgiveness in case I have offended you or made you suffer in any way due to my lack of leadership. At the same time, I express my sincere gratitude to those of you who have stood with me in prayer and encouragement despite my faults and shortcomings. It is frightening to think of a holy and perfect God working through human beings like us, full of flaws and sin, to accomplish His work. We know that we not only fall short of God's expectations but also overshadow His glory by our pride and arrogance. All glory be to God for using me, a feeble and fallible being. Soli Deo Gloria!
I am grateful to you all for serving the Church with me. There have been many exhausting and difficult moments, but there have also been many moments of joy and excitement. I will now spend some time reminiscing by reading my written columns. I praise God for staying with me through the thick and the thin. I can't wait for God's new chapter in store for me.
Dear brothers and sisters, it has been a very grateful and happy journey with you. I pray that you will always be strong and courageous in the Lord, "being confident that He who began a good work in you will complete it on the day of Christ Jesus" (Phil. 1:6). Amen!
Blessings,
Pastor Minho Song