Skill and Practice

A skill to become personal needs a lot of practice.  

In my class, Creative Teaching Methods and Techniques, I required each of my student to demonstrate a skill, which they are familiar with.  This is a teaching technique where it gave everyone equal opportunity to share something that is close to their heart without any lesson plan, bias or coercion.  

The title of the activity we had was called The Learners' Market, each student was given around 20 minutes to present a skills they can be called as experts.   They are to demonstrate such skill and for their classmates to replicate such skill.  

The class was so engaged that each students was not only excited to learn but most important of all, the student teaching does not have any pressure since it was in a very informal setting.  Such activity allows individual walls to be down and be engaged with the entire class.  The center of learning was focused among the students with only supervision coming from the teacher.  

As my class was busy doing their stuff, I, myself was busy honing my skill on film, which I do not know if they have notice such.  I filmed each of their presentation and created a short clip of what they have presented using the iMovie app of my iPad.  

It was a fun experience for my students but it was also a fun learning experience for me.  I believe in learning by doing as a core teaching methodology as influenced by the Scouting Movement in my life.  It gave me a opportunity to practice filming and editing video that resulted to wonderful movie projects.  I believe my skill on this has leveled up.  

Lastly, I am still thinking whether breathing exercises is really a skill, which according to my student is... I am not convinced.  :D

Video links to my FB... :D

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152177135848550&set=vb.632818549&type=2&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152177082748550&set=vb.632818549&type=2&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152177044773550&set=vb.632818549&type=2&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152177000978550&set=vb.632818549&type=2&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152176974988550&set=vb.632818549&type=2&theater

Remembering Rev. Wesley Shao

Today, family and friends gather to celebrate the life of Rev. Wesley Shao, who passed away two years ago in full age.  He served as our Senior Pastor at the United Evangelical Church of the Philippines, completing more than two decades of leadership.  After his retirement, he continued to served as Emeritus Pastor for another more than two decades of ministry before, he was finally called back to join our Creator.  

It was during the last stage of his leadership that I started to attend worship service in our church.  We still use to worship in the old sanctuary that is about to be demolished this April.  I can still remember his intensed and practical preaching, he was well sought after preacher during his time.  

Practical and popular lessons like "big problems make it into small problems, and small problems make it into no problem at all."  He is remembered as a person of few words but when he talks, people listen.  A true peacemaker and a man of prayer.  I heard that he keeps a small notebook and has a list of all the members of the church members, including their families who do not even come to church.  He prays for them daily.  It was only when I myself became a pastor and visited him one time, that I saw the notebook and my name was actually listed there.  I was indeed blessed with that visit because instead of me praying for him, he prayed for me even though he was sick during that time.  

My real close encounter with him; learning from his wisdom when I was in seminary, he taught pastoral ministry.  He was not able to finish teaching our course because of his health, but during the half semester, I learned from him important principles on church administration, evangelism and church must have the heart for missions.  These are  important areas a pastor actually needs to master.  He was very clear with the organizational set up of our church using it as a model on organization structure including a clear separation between the pastoral work and the work of the church leaders - how these must not be overlapped.  As for evangelism, he reminded us to use ever opportunity to share the gospel and give an altar call.  In missions, he taught us to be aggressive in mission work, especially allocating 10% of the weekly tithes for our mission fund.  

In his old age, he continued to go visitation until in his late 80s when age really has set in.  He became a role model and a champion for us pastors.  He would always reminds us that the caring of the flock must be given the highest importance.  

I am privelege to be the last pastor being ordained under his hands in 2009, while my younger brother also being ordained during that time under the hands of Rev. Shao's Associate Minister, Rev. Wesley Chang, both were in their mid 90s.  If my memory serves me right, six months later after our ordination, Rev. Wesley Chang passed away, and two years later, Rev. Wesley Shao passed away as well.  Both of them are now with the Lord, but their legacy and inspiration has move many to continue their faithful service to the Lord, which I am included.  

Rev. Wesley Shao has done so many other works including writing songs, books, even translating some English books to Chinese.  He also served as President at the Biblical Seminary of the Philippines and helped formed many organizations both local and abroad.  

So far, none has ever fitted the shoes he has worn, nor any has outdone his contributions in the ministry of the Lord among the local Filipino-Chinese pastors.  Still, may his legacy inspire us to do our best and hopefully by God's grace in God's time there would be more pastors who can at least leave the same legacy or even surpass the legacy he has left behind.  

To God Be All the Glory!