The Occasional Mustard

Have you ever considered full-time ministry… and quickly snuffing that thought with every reason you can find? In this peculiar episode, we invite our colleague, Gabriel, to share his journey of becoming a staff worker.Gabriel currently a staff worker for Graduate work, SIT and NTU. He has finally graduated with a MDIV at TTC. This recording was a pilot episode so that Joel knows where to point the mic, and so Prarthi won’t be nervous to ask questions. Joel still doesn’t know where to point the mic, and Prarthi still gets nervous.I guess we will see you next season!You can find us on Instagram: @theoccasionalmustard or contact us via email @ [email protected] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoccasionalmustard.substack.com

Part 2: Faith in the Everyday at Work“Hello, can you hear me?” Sometimes faith and work seems so disconnected.This episode brings us all the way to Japan, as we talk about spirituality and work, in a zoom call no less. But our guests today are no strangers to FES.Yen Ter is a VCF grad, and is now working in the tech industry in Japan, and exploring missions there.After serving as GS for KGK, Ohtawa served as East Asia Regional Secretary and Associate General Secretary for IFES for 20 years. Since retiring from IFES he has been facilitating silent retreats for pastors, missionaries and lay people in Japan and in East Asian countries.You can find us on Instagram: @theoccasionalmustard or contact us via email @ [email protected] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoccasionalmustard.substack.com

Part 1: The Foundations of Spirituality and Discernment“Hello, can you hear me?” Sometimes faith and work seems so disconnected.This episode brings us all the way to Japan, as we talk about spirituality and work, in a zoom call no less. But our guests today are no strangers to FES.Yen Ter is a VCF grad, and is now working in the tech industry in Japan, and exploring missions there.After serving as GS for KGK, Ohtawa served as East Asia Regional Secretary and Associate General Secretary for IFES for 20 years. Since retiring from IFES he has been facilitating silent retreats for pastors, missionaries and lay people in Japan and in East Asian countries.You can find us on Instagram: @theoccasionalmustard or contact us via email @ [email protected] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoccasionalmustard.substack.com

Part 2: Thornier Issues on InclusivityAre we selective about being inclusive? How does maintaining boundaries interplay with including others? What if Christian bosses unknowingly create an exclusive environment?We invite Ps Wen Pin to share with us the theological call to inclusivity and also the challenges therein. Ps Wen Pin is the founder and chairman of KIN, a disability mission organisation that enables churches to include people with special needs. He also pastors at Bethany Evangelical Free Church, where he oversees instruction and preaching. As pastor-theologian, he has published several books in biblical studies and practical theology.You can find us on Instagram: @theoccasionalmustard or contact us via email @ [email protected] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoccasionalmustard.substack.com

Part 1: An Introduction into InclusivityAre we selective about being inclusive? How does maintaining boundaries interplay with including others? What if Christian bosses unknowingly create an exclusive environment?We invite Ps Wen Pin to share with us the theological call to inclusivity and also the challenges therein. Ps Wen Pin is the founder and chairman of KIN, a disability mission organisation that enables churches to include people with special needs. He also pastors at Bethany Evangelical Free Church, where he oversees instruction and preaching. As pastor-theologian, he has published several books in biblical studies and practical theology.You can find us on Instagram: @theoccasionalmustard or contact us via email @ [email protected] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoccasionalmustard.substack.com

When we try to achieve work life balance, do we knock others off balance? Are boundaries an excuse for slacking? Is there a possible vision for neighbourly rest?We invite Amitha, educator and playwright, to share her journey in finding a sustainable rhythm for work and rest.You can find us on Instagram: @theoccasionalmustard or contact us via email @ [email protected] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoccasionalmustard.substack.com

Power. Almost an insult or a dirty word these days. Young graduates bear the receiving end of it, while those in leadership are forced to exercise this potentially corrupting force. Can we reimagine the wielding of power?Gabriel Hsu is a young grad, and friend, working in the finance industry in the past two years.Reuben Ang is a not so young grad who stewards his family food service business as Managing Director.Together, they share their stories of power dynamics at the workplace.You can find us on Instagram: @theoccasionalmustard or contact us via email @ [email protected] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoccasionalmustard.substack.com

Part 2: Kith & Kin“Are you a Christian?” This is a question your colleagues may suddenly ask you. This kind of questions betrays a point, that all this while, your work is a witness. How can we be conscious as witnesses in the workplace?We invite Grace and Shen Kiat to share how they envision their work as a practice of witnessing.Shen Kiat studied Political science and then Law. He is the Founder of Kith & Kin.Grace Koh studied social work and spent the last 15 years working as a social worker, play therapist and trauma therapist.Both of them served alongside each other at the ‘International Friendship Group’ ministry in their days at VCF. Their friendship and camaraderie built in their student ministry days, and continued post-graduation as they explored how the fields of law and social work intersect.You can find us on Instagram: @theoccasionalmustard or contact us via email @ [email protected] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoccasionalmustard.substack.com

Part 1: Getting to know Our Guests on Witnessing at Work“Are you a Christian?” This is a question your colleagues may suddenly ask you. This kind of questions betrays a point, that all this while, your work is a witness. How can we be conscious as witnesses in the workplace?We invite Grace and Shen Kiat to share how they envision their work as a practice of witnessing.Shen Kiat studied Political science and then Law. He is the Founder of Kith & Kin.Grace Koh studied social work and spent the last 15 years working as a social worker, play therapist and trauma therapist.Both of them served alongside each other at the ‘International Friendship Group’ ministry in their days at VCF. Their friendship and camaraderie built in their student ministry days, and continued post-graduation as they explored how the fields of law and social work intersect.You can find us on Instagram: @theoccasionalmustard or contact us via email @ [email protected] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theoccasionalmustard.substack.com