by Soo-Inn Tan | Apr 5, 2024 | 2024, Death & Grief, Hope, Jesus' Resurrection
I had the privilege of bringing the Easter sermon to a church we are close to last Sunday. Early in Holy Week I received news that a family in the community had lost a son. He had taken his own life. I struggled with how I should present the Easter sermon. I...
by Soo-Inn Tan | Mar 29, 2024 | 2024, Articles, Authors, Loving Others, Soo-Inn Tan, Spiritual Friendship, Young Adult Ministry
In recent conversations with my friends in youth ministry, one theme keeps emerging. They tell me that more and more youth are grappling with depression and this often leads to self-harm. Some threaten suicide. And some succeed in carrying it out. This was brought...
by Soo-Inn Tan | Mar 22, 2024 | 2024, Community, Loving Others, Small Groups
How committed are your small-group members? This year I will have a number of opportunities to teach on healthy small groups. I will probably teach about the commitments test. There are at least three levels that small-group members are committed to in their...
by Soo-Inn Tan | Mar 15, 2024 | 2024, Community, Spiritual Friendship
I am in the Malaysia Theological Seminary (STM) for a few days, to teach an intensive course on spiritual friendship and it made me think of old friends. STM was a school that made me feel welcomed and allowed me to work with them at a very difficult point in...
by Soo-Inn Tan | Mar 7, 2024 | 2024, Aging, Loving Others, Mentoring, Spiritual Friendship
Do you know where is Beaufort, South Carolina? No? Go Google it. I am in Beaufort right now and, since yesterday was my birthday, it was also the place where I celebrated my 69th birthday. It was a very special birthday. I was with my beloved Bernice and with...
by Soo-Inn Tan | Mar 1, 2024 | 2024, Mentoring, Obedience & Faithfulness, Work & Vocation
“God has not called you to build skyscrapers but to plant seeds.” Once in a while, I wonder if I should establish a “Soo Inn School for Spiritual Mentoring”. Would this be a meaningful legacy, an institution that would pass on...
