Finding Churches in Brooklyn

Posted on August 6, 2017 by timlyg

It's been 2 months since we've moved to Brighton Beach. While still going to Redeemer East Side, I'm amazed how hard it is to find gospel centered church in Brooklyn. They either cares more about the hipodeehops of pop culture or totally converted to heretics (e.g. gay pastors) as many old reformed churches in America do. Well, at least I haven't met one with an atheist pastor, which is in Canada, I think.

But with God's grace, I will make a catalog of churches in Brooklyn. A preliminary of the project to rate all churches in New York and beyond online.

Since our move here, we haven't attended a single Brooklyn church. So here are my pre-reviews of churches I found/researched online, I'm doing this so that I am not going to waste my time researching the same churches again (reviews are based heavily on others' review - Christ centered or just merely "inspiring", church website, sermon samples, history+numbers):

Churches to visit:

Bethel Baptist Fellowship: 2304 Voorhies Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11235 (reviewer said it's faithful to the Bible, the first Baptist church I've gathered that seems to lean towards Russian community, I've briefly listened to the well documented sermon on the site)

Brooklyn Community Christian Church: 1504 Gravesend Neck Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11229? 2287 East 15th St. Brooklyn, NY 11229 (Not sure if Chinese means Cantonese or Mandarin, not much said online other than bio of the senior pastor)

Resurrection Sheepshead Bay: 3076 Emmons Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11235
EPC church, so, nothing much to expect, but liturgy is extremely similar to Redeemer's.

Brooklyn Alliance Church of C&MA (布碌崙宣道會): 1413 Avenue T, Brooklyn NY 11229 (Chinese church, it's former mother church is famous in Queens, I cannot tell much from their website, would not mind checking it out when convenient)

Messiah's Covenant Community Church: 2662 E 24th St, Brooklyn, NY 11235. This looks very much like a reformed church according to their links (Bahnsen's stuff, Pressup, etc.)...REALLY?! I just found now now? (2/25/2018). MUST VISIT....service time appears to be 12:15PM. Hold your horses, this is a Messianic Jews church or congregation, and there's a kind of dullness in one of their services posted on their Facebook. But interestingly, they put more focus on the reformation material than dispensationalism.

OCM Community Church of Brooklyn (中宣會傾恩堂): 6505 Bay Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11204 (of OCM, but not much said online)

Brooklyn Chinese Baptist Church (布碌崙華人浸信會): 5123 7th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11220.

Grace Chinese Alliance Church of C&MA (恩典華人宣道會): 5623 7Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11220.

Churches I have no clue of:

New Utrecht Reformed Church: 223 Bay Ridge Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11209 / 1827 84th St, Brooklyn, NY 11214 (Possibly to stay away from, based on the site, it looks dead, will only check it out if it's really convenient for me)

Saint Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church: 2801 W 8th St, Brooklyn, NY 11224 (No idea whatsoever, called (718) 266-1831, left message for getting schedule, seems like a dead church)

Comforting Church of Christ: 2865 W 15th St, Brooklyn, NY 11224 (Black version's of Seven Day Adventist+Messianic Church? Service only on Saturdays, listed as Pentecostal, will only check it out when very convenience, but am tending towards avoiding)

Churches to stay away from or will not go (All PCUSA, possibly all RCA, United Methodist Church):

Homecrest Presbyterian Church: 1413 Avenue T, Brooklyn, NY 11229 (used by 布碌崙宣道會?) (PCUSA, and if they're watching "The Shack 2017" as a fellowship...it's a movie where the Trinity is represented by a black woman, some open minded guy and a Hawaiian type lady)

Armenian Evangelical Church: 1009 Brighton Beach Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11235 (Website doesn't work, called (646) 703-1820, no clue who they are, they only speak Armenian, the one answering the call sounded like I was calling his private home or something, so I don't think I would go even if I'm Armenian)

Catholic Churches or Eastern Orthodox Churches are plenty in my neighborhood. I am interested in their culture. But I do not have time to do this research now.

Posted in Theologization, Travel | 7 Comments

Sye vs. Dr. Craig, Dr. James White & Yasir Qadhi

Posted on July 22, 2017 by timlyg

This 2 hour webcast has 2 parts:

  1. Dr. William Lane Craig commented on Bruggencate's debate with Eric Hernandez (Classical apologist).
  2. Janet Mefferd's talk with Dr. White on his dialogue in a church with Dr. Yasir Qadhi.

For 1, it can be summarized by Dr. White's comment (at around 50:00): Any one who follows evidential/classical apologetics cannot possible believe in predestination. If you believe in predestination, you have to do presuppositional apologetics.

For 2, Dr. White finally said it, what I have called "Ameristian". It is equivalent to him saying: "I'm tired of people trying to make the gospel American again." (at around 1:18:00) The only way for America to get God's blessing is by repenting. Not by making America great again. This is where I will conclude Mefferd was seriously flawed in merging the Gospel with her American Nationalism.

Posted in News, Theologization | Leave a comment

A Good Chess Game, Finally

Posted on July 20, 2017 by timlyg

Setting from 1 min game to 3 min, I can finally play some meaning full games, one of such:

https://www.chess.com/live/game/2215214361

Posted in Chess | Leave a comment

Drew Sokol of Redeemer

Posted on July 10, 2017 by timlyg

Yesterday, I heard Drew Sokol's supposedly first sermon at Redeemer's Hunter College morning service. I was really impressed and felt much blessed by the word of God through Sokol's mouth.

In short, I would say that Sokol's expository preaching was so dense that the focus in scriptural reading of the day was more intense than any of Redeemer's pastors on the pulpit. I could easily rank Sokol on top of Tim Keller 10 times over. True, Keller also applied some expository method in his preaching and especially known for his gospel centered message, but he would feel he should do some topical preaching and thus drifted from scripture a little though not too obvious.

I measure the intensity of expository preaching by my attention to the sermon. When preachers do topical or lecture on love, friendship, world peace, comfort, joy, etc. I tend to doze off. Even doing simultaneous self-devotion during the sermon in order to save the time wasted by the preachers seemed challenging.

I can only pray and thank God for giving Redeemer a blessed preacher such as Sokol. As one not so important staff was leaving the East Side for the Central Presbyterian Church, God gave this church an important servant.

Last but not least, Sokol's ending prayer, was genuine: "I pray for these", instead of "we pray" all the time like all the other Redeemer pastors prayed. A true exercise of priesthood.

May God keep showing mercy to Sokol to persevere in such blessed manner. Amen.

Posted in News, Theologization | Leave a comment

想不到这可能是个很自私的做法，但只不过是可能而已

Posted on June 28, 2017 by timlyg

叶妈妈曾跟我说：其教会牧师从马来西亚远方数次请位唐崇荣布道团的同工传道人，来此教会证道，猜想是想要他以后接班此教会牧养责任。

我第一印象感到怪可怜的，但又很可能。很像这牧师的处事方法。我不需提名这牧师，免得其名发臭。后来，想想也就认了，也许这样至少不会把教会搞成异端。此教会里有谁能接班？四十年的教会历史，不培也不训，只有自毙的下场。

当然，现在再想一想，这牧师屡次请来的年青讲员们，都只是在台上讲了之后就赶飞机飞走了，很少有团契的机会。不知到底请他们的目的是做做样子，还是偷懒自己教会不要争气。还有最后一点，这牧师常夸其马来西亚来的传道人在马来西亚有心对回教徒传福音，那为何要把他带出他有心事工的地方？所以，我想给其牧师怀疑的空间，当作其目的不是要他搬到美国做此教会的接班牧者，也许不过是钱太多，没其它地方花。不然，这牧师的心真是个可恶，自私的马屁精。自私，因为她已经没办法（狗嘴吐不出象牙地）托其他正统接班人了。马屁精，因为自己不好好追求。

Posted in Reflection, Theologization | Leave a comment

Thoughts on Churches

Posted on June 24, 2017 by timlyg

I feel that I should build a site/app on rating churches. First in the U.S. and then the world. Thus far I haven't seen such a site.

This site should be simplistic and informative. Showing denomination affiliations, ranking, rating, etc. Preferably, each church is summarized in a one row record. Links to various forums/discussions may follow for each church.

This will also help me in analysis of churches. For example, when dealing with various church sizes, would expectation from different churches be different accordingly. Keller's Redeemer is a large church, so when pastoral care/Sunday fellowship is lacking, one may think it fine for it to be excusable as long as they are active in other areas, viz. HFNY & community groups. But if a church is small, then lack of Sunday fellowship is simply deplorable.

This kind of information should be simplified into the site.

Posted in Projects, Theologization | Leave a comment

Strange Families Exist?

Posted on June 16, 2017 by timlyg

What is wrong with these families? And they got millions of hits?

https://www.youtube.com/user/ehbeefamily?spfreload=10

https://www.youtube.com/user/crazyworldnews4you?spfreload=10

Posted in Questions | Leave a comment

People to be aware of: Jonathan Koay of Drexel University

Posted on June 14, 2017 by timlyg

Just my random memory recollection:

He goes by the name TY Koay, Jonathan Koay, https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-koay-2762b07/, https://www.facebook.com/jkoay,  from Malaysia, husband of (I think) Sandy Ma, graduated from Drexel University in Mechanical Engineering. Claimed to be Christian.

I meet him while I was in Drexel. When he was moving back to Malaysia, he had me help him ship his packages back home since he had to catch his flight. He gave me some money to pay the carrier (probably $100, back in the 2000s), telling me that it's more than enough. But as it turned out, the shipment costed more, probably double what he gave me. I paid the extra for him out of good faith. After that, it wasn't easy to reach him, I would say he's just too busy, instead of hiding from me, I would think I knew him enough to make this conclusion.

Years later, when I could get a hold of him online and told him about the shipping fee he owed me, he denied the extra cost and stopped talking about the shipping fee since.

For someone of his career and character, I don't think he was trying to cheat me out of a little $$$. He would probably think that I was the one trying to rip him off for some extra cash. However, I would say that he is rather irresponsible in such matter.

Bottom line, I should always be open to be his friend, but when it comes to monetary trust, he does not have good credit of faith, and I should be aware of that.

Update (6/19/2017): ...and thanks to my mom's reminder: Always keep the receipt. This matter is so long ago, I really don't remember the exact amount Jonathan owes me, which is not the point of this entry anyway.

Update (6/23/2017): I have actually dealt with this matter before. I was wiser then. So I'm going to categorize this in "Faults".

Posted in Faults, General, Reflection | Leave a comment

True Christians, A Well Chosen Sermon Title for a Typical Church of Today

Posted on June 12, 2017 by timlyg

I understand that Rev. David Tong was invited once again to speak at CCCNY. The title of his sermon was "True Christians". Even though I have not heard it, I believe it was a title aptly suitable for such a church, for the leadership of the church follows the doctrine of "Support for Christianity is never wrong" (Hence, they would never be able to explain Matthew 16:23, 2Sam 6:7, etc. properly). Rev. Laura Lin's leadership is akin to the SEEKING of good moral PEOPLE who SUPPORT Christianity. A serious bias from true doctrine as a result of years of tolerance towards false doctrine in submission to the support of the flesh, despite her proper doctrinal upbringing from WTS, which goes to show that having knowledge of orthodoxy does not imply pursuit of holiness.

Knowing David Tong to still be an evangelical, I trust his sermon brought out God's message. May God bless this church and Rev. Lin.

Posted in Reflection, Theologization | Leave a comment

Hobo in Western Countries

Posted on June 2, 2017 by timlyg

Some parts of Europe I'm sure, but as I came across this YouTuber: Hobo Ahle, I've learned somewhat more about Hobo lifestyle especially in the U.S.

I believe I first came to be aware of such lifestyle from my father, a long long time ago, when he pointed to a travelling foreigner with huge backpack back in Penang, and explained to me how such person would likely get by his life of travelling by either begging or working for money along the way.

Hobo is generally a derogatory term. "Ho" usually means Homeless. But people defined it in various ways. Ahle used the definition "Homeward Bound". I suppose that this is referring to nature being the home.

After seeing some of Hobo Ahle's videos, I did find that it had been a past dream of mine, one that is not feasible anymore, if ever. Hobos like her sleep in cars/vans of their own and travel around with their vehicles. Though it is interesting to find that many Americans, especially youngsters, are engaging in this sort of lifestyle. Their main reasons are: Saves money and a love to do things in the nature full time while you were still young.

It's good to learn how these people live. After all, it's more common than most would think. Some people do it for financial reason, some just do it for fun, like Ahle. Most of these teenagers/youngsters have family and friends they can always depend on. So, in Ahle's case, I wouldn't really call it a homeless lifestyle. It would be quite hard for her to do this if she wasn't in Western lands such as U.S. or Sweden. When she needs a break from such lifestyle, she could always hit a pause button and return home. So, I wouldn't quite call it full independence, even though she does exhibit independence, but with insurance: having supportive family nearby she could always turn to anytime.

On top of that, it is also fun learning where they have been. These people would show us interesting spots and tips in their tour we don't usually find in a tour guidebook.

Another thing I learn is the amazing list of websites Ahle listed to look for jobs. These are highly customizable jobs which one can work online, in the parks, for temporary period of time. I haven't checked out these sites but I'm sure with someone as resourceful as Ahle, the sites are legitimate:

✧ WEBSITES MENTIONED ✧
► 1 - https://www.craigslist.org/about/sites
► 2 - https://www.Shopify.com
► 3 - https://www.upwork.com/
► 4 - https://www.flexjobs.com/
► 5- https://weworkremotely.com/
► 6 - https://www.fancyhands.com/
► 7 - http://www.sugarbeetharvest.com/
► 8 - https://www.coolworks.com/
► 9 - https://www.usajobs.gov/
► 10 - https://www.nps.gov/yell/getinvolved/...

Last but not least, they are able to live this kind of lifestyle due to the benefit of the Western Heritage: Christian culture, huge national lands, kind neighbors, etc.

Posted in Reflection, Reviews, Travel | Leave a comment