Thanks to all of you who continue to pray - and encourage us.We're well blessed.I apologize for not sending out a journal earlier.Our computer needed to be repaired and the repair shop is a long ways away. Much has been happening in the church.A few weeks ago Mr. Bot presented
his letter to Pastor Sok early on a Sunday morning, several hours before the service.Mr. Bot sat with Sok until he had finished reading it.Sok had no comments so Bot went home.However, Sok devoted part of that morning's sermon to criticizing Bot, comparing him to an inept doctor.I was encouraged that Bot had taken the courage to finally present his letter (I described this letter a couple journals ago) to Sok, and had done so initially privately face to face first, rather than publicly.
Two weeks later Bot informed me that he would no longer be attending a TEE
(Theological Education by Extension) class that I had introduced him to a few weeks ago.I had learned this class was being held once a week in a village about 20 miles away.The class is part of a larger TEE program.It is essentially a sort of Bible school that has no campus but uses volunteer qualified teachers to teach rural Christian leaders.The program is designed to build up their understanding of scripture and Christian teachings without removing these leaders from their rural place of service.I did some research beforehand and found the teaching methods somewhat "rote", yet the teaching is sound, it has a good reputation, and is used by many mission agencies in Africa and Asia.I had initially intended to encourage Pastor Sok to attend also, but when he told me that he had no use for any Bible school or other such teaching, I did not make the suggestion.
Anyway, Bot told me his wife was insisting that he not continue attending the class.Bot had recently informed Sok that he was attending the class and Sok was livid.He devoted a full sermon to condemning Bot, saying amongst other things he was following the false teaching of man, the same charge he makes about my teaching.Bot's wife and his son were quite frightened by Sok's sharp reaction, and wanted Bot to submit and appease Sok's anger.Bot said he wanted to continue, but his wife was strongly opposed.I asked to speak with her, which I did.That evening Deb went to see Bot's wife and visited with her for a long time.Mostly, Deb presented the gospel and the meaning of the cross to her.She also reassured her that God wants us to study his Word so we can know him (Sok has been teaching that we are not to study the Bible, at least without him).It was obvious that Bot's wife had had little understanding of the cross herself, like Bot a couple months ago.The good news is that we think that Bot's wife now has a basic but genuine understanding of the cross and salvation.She told her husband she was now at peace and he should go to the class.I was rather surprised, for she had been so frightened and opposed.
What Bot did not tell me, however, I learned from other church members.
Apparently, Bot had stood up before the entire church and publicly spoke of the crisis in the church and the need for reconciliation.He gently encouraged Pastor Sok to be more conciliatory, gracious, and humble.Then 3 people who are close to Sok stood up and spoke of Ray, stating that anyone who did not accept him or his teaching did not believe God.Bot had not mentioned or criticized Ray at all.In fact, I think he himself still believes Ray to be a good teacher.Sok also spoke.He was very angry.Some of what he said was rather bazaar, and some was simply untrue, a new development for Sok.Up until now I have found Sok to have considerable integrity.His fury and pride may be getting the best of that integrity.
But I was stunned to learn that after Sok spoke, three others stood up and questioned him.The first two were very quiet timid women who challenged the truth of some of what he said.I cannot believe their courage.
And then a young man (Mr. Yey), one of my staff and one of the maturer
Christians in the church, addressed Pastor Sok.He asked him directly,
"Pastor, you no longer ever mention our village or the Christians in our village - do you recognize or accept us?"Sok responded that as long as Yey and my staff in that village attended my teaching session, he would not. Yey then asked Sok, "then what is the use of us attending this church if you will not accept us?"Yey then asked if he could leave the church?Sok replied that he would answer next week.The next week Yey and two of my staff from Yey's same village approached Sok and asked again permission to leave his church and start another one in their village which is some distance away.They also asked Sok to help them get it started.This time Sok told them to go ahead and leave, but he would not help them in any way.
I confess I have very mixed feelings.I do not want to see this "church split".I have long encouraged my staff to persevere in the church and try to bring about good changes within.However, I can no longer blame the three men for leaving the church.Sok has made it clear over the past two months they are not welcome in his church.I am encouraged and almost shocked at the courage of Bot, Yey, and the two women in the church. Cambodian society does not encourage anyone to challenge authority.It takes tremendous courage.It would be wonderful if it will lead to accountability and open discussion within the church, and that Pastor Sok and the church would mature through the process.However, with Pastor Sok's present attitude, that seems unlikely.It seems more likely that there will be much more conflict.Sok is leaving himself no option but to completely win or lose 'his battle'.That's part of the local culture.Power is not shared (just as it is not in the government).Sok is very angry and is not being at all reasonable.In the most recent Sunday service, he repeatedly insulted all of my remaining staff in the church, many of who have been close to him in the past.I have started praying again for Pastor Sok, that the Lord will intervene in his life and somehow bring him back to himself.Perhaps some of you would continue praying for him.I went over and visited with Sok yesterday.We were able to talk about the weather and the upcoming elections, but he is clearly a very unhappy and angry man.
The situation is quite sensitive and complex.I have felt discouraged this past week, not knowing exactly what I should do or what I might have done better.A friend has suggested I consider desisting from my teaching and any other involvement with the church, and letting Sok and the church run their course.I've already left the church at Sok's request.I would have to fire most of my staff and quit our development work to remove myself any more.I am wavering a bit in my resolve to teach my staff, for I know it is quite threatening to Pastor Sok and an immediate cause of much of the present conflict.It might take a chunk out of Sok's anger and the crisis. He sees me as an enemy conspiring to take over his church.Yet my stopping will not resolve the real problem in the church, and my staff will again be subjected solely to poor and increasingly false teaching in the church.I have seen considerable growth in my staff and hate to stop now.Please pray for me that I will have wisdom and know God's will for me in this whole conflict.It certainly isn't part of my job description to contribute to church conflict.And yet, ignoring people hungry for understanding God's Word and ignoring a pervasive teaching of works does not seem responsible either.Please pray that God will give me wisdom.
The situation is possibly quite volatile.Sok has said several times lately that no one should be surprised if police show up at my office (during a session) or at the new church.In addition, two days from today are Cambodia's national elections.Unlike the USA, elections here can lead to civil unrest.The ruling party is unlikely to win the election outright, but it is unlikely they will want to give up their power.By experience we have learned that such civil unrest lends itself to disreputable people (robbers and others) taking advantage of the situation.I have cancelled our next teaching session next week and am giving most of next week off to the staff to ensure their safety.
Please continue to pray for Bot.His courage but continued gentleness has been very encouraging to me.In just the last couple months he has become very diligent in studying God's Word and wanting to see that all in the church are taught properly.Yet he is coming under tremendous criticism from Pastor Sok.Two days ago he went to meet with his and Pastor Sok's supervisor in Phnom Penh.I don't know the outcome but it is quite possible the supervisor will come down very hard on Bot for his actions.
Thanks to all of you.
By His Grace,
John Coats