Desk people here are a bit one-angle I think. It just seems they don't know too much and have to ask a superior quite often. HK desk people are bit more self-reliant. Aussies are also less afraid of making mistakes and asking for advices.
The questions that were asked during my farewell, i feel bad about not answering them, the least I can do is to answer them. But some of them are quite embarrassing and should they be public? I don't think body need to know about them. But I should answer them. I will just answer them here haha, even though nobody really read this. Which is good because it's accessible to everybody yet not too many people will read them.
Most of them are really good questions and I guess help me to think about them as well, but it was really difficult to think on the spot.
One of the questions was: What do I look for in a girl?
I said someone who love God, but that's a pretty vague answer. Jaiphen asked me again later on. Someone who know better Chinese than me preferably. These are all very idealistic so...probably not gonna find someone like that but having someone who can read and write Chinese would be fantastic, always good to have someone who can help with my limitation in Chinese and probably teach me. It would be nice if she has good English too. I always like someone who can correct my grammar and teach me more vocabulary.
Patience is a big one coz I think it would take a lot of patience just to be with me. I can be very slow and annoying. Someone gentle and considerate...that's pretty general.
Selfless, or not self-centered and be able to think of others before herself. That's an important one I think. Not too controlling. Coz there are some people who just really try to take advantage of stuff, control situation, manipulative and etc. Those are scary people. Generous. Someone who is generous. Pretty would be great. Someone to be somewhat physically attracted to, neat and all. Most girls are i think. A good understanding of the Bible. Someone who is aware of what's going on in society and not just into shopping and materialistic stuff. I guess no worldly. Someone with a dream, a goal, idealistic. Supportive. Sensitive. Like art to a certain extend, don't have to be an art freak. Like to read into movies. That's not too important.
Last but not least, a Christian, and a somewhat mature and God loving and fearing Christian who I can be a spiritual partner with.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
It is funny how people still refer to and call me 朱仔 or 豬仔 after all these years. I am so much bigger now, and the 仔doesn't seem quite appropriate. And it takes me back over a decade ago, and almost 2 decades ago when I first arrived at Oz. It's a familiar nickname. The US is the only place where it did not surface.
Went to CBC this weekend and it's the feeling of being the new person all over again. It's much easier because auntie and uncle would give me introduction and he usually start with, "This is Calvin, he is the son of...", he even told some of them my age, he means well haha but a bit embarrassing at times. I take it with good humor. He should go further and say that I am all alone here and need a gf. I have a little trouble with introducing me as son of a pastor and I realize that it is a mix blessing. I lose part of my identity yet at the same time I get credibility from stranger because i m a pk. well, i also get a little pressure also and have to hold back my wackiness. man, will i ever be free of that? it's tiring.
i don't blame my dad, it's not his fault. he's an inspiration to me. it's really how some people have certain expectation of pks and criticize, and just make thing hard and unfair for us. immature people basically who have trouble separating issues in their heads, people from issues, and doing what's right.
The sermon was good at CBC, the message was from Thessalonian, one of my favorite books from the Bible and it's really relevant to the churches i have been going. It was on the recipes of a healthy church.
For a while, for the first few days, I missed the tension from HK again but well, there's work everywhere. There are challenges everywhere once you get into it so. And life goes on.
Went to CBC this weekend and it's the feeling of being the new person all over again. It's much easier because auntie and uncle would give me introduction and he usually start with, "This is Calvin, he is the son of...", he even told some of them my age, he means well haha but a bit embarrassing at times. I take it with good humor. He should go further and say that I am all alone here and need a gf. I have a little trouble with introducing me as son of a pastor and I realize that it is a mix blessing. I lose part of my identity yet at the same time I get credibility from stranger because i m a pk. well, i also get a little pressure also and have to hold back my wackiness. man, will i ever be free of that? it's tiring.
i don't blame my dad, it's not his fault. he's an inspiration to me. it's really how some people have certain expectation of pks and criticize, and just make thing hard and unfair for us. immature people basically who have trouble separating issues in their heads, people from issues, and doing what's right.
The sermon was good at CBC, the message was from Thessalonian, one of my favorite books from the Bible and it's really relevant to the churches i have been going. It was on the recipes of a healthy church.
For a while, for the first few days, I missed the tension from HK again but well, there's work everywhere. There are challenges everywhere once you get into it so. And life goes on.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Slept really early like at 10pm (8pm HK) last night coz I was just really tire so i end up getting up early today at around 7am. I think ever since working in HK, it became really hard stay asleep for over 8 hours for me, I just can't sleep in. My body just wakes me up usually after 7-8 hours of sleep.
It feels good coming back to Oz, it's sorta like coming back home except it's not really but it's some place where i had of a lot of fond memories. I feel like i will get to do a lot that i can't do in HK. Aunt Sylvia was telling me about the ministries at Central Baptist Church and how they got a basketball ministry, a photograpy ministery (what the?), man fellowship and a new afternoon simple-English service for new immigrants. It's like woah. The first two are like stuff I wanna get into at TC. There's no photography ministry but there were brothers and sisters who wanted to go out together to take photos but even in 3 years it never materialize...what the...just too busy. We got the competition at TC but not a real sport ministry. I think it's getting there but not yet. So I am excited that they got that here. I feel very excited.
Also found out Nat is studying theology at Sydney so they told me there are extension and short-term courses! That was something I wanted to do in HK but just couldn't find time to do. I feel like jumping in again but I think I should take things slow and just see where I fit in. I have to see how thing will mesh together with school, possible part-time job, serving at church, time for fellowship, career and some recreational time which i really need if i m to lose some weight.
It feels good coming back to Oz, it's sorta like coming back home except it's not really but it's some place where i had of a lot of fond memories. I feel like i will get to do a lot that i can't do in HK. Aunt Sylvia was telling me about the ministries at Central Baptist Church and how they got a basketball ministry, a photograpy ministery (what the?), man fellowship and a new afternoon simple-English service for new immigrants. It's like woah. The first two are like stuff I wanna get into at TC. There's no photography ministry but there were brothers and sisters who wanted to go out together to take photos but even in 3 years it never materialize...what the...just too busy. We got the competition at TC but not a real sport ministry. I think it's getting there but not yet. So I am excited that they got that here. I feel very excited.
Also found out Nat is studying theology at Sydney so they told me there are extension and short-term courses! That was something I wanted to do in HK but just couldn't find time to do. I feel like jumping in again but I think I should take things slow and just see where I fit in. I have to see how thing will mesh together with school, possible part-time job, serving at church, time for fellowship, career and some recreational time which i really need if i m to lose some weight.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
oh man, do i feel like crap
I feel like crap about missing the Coldplay concert, and more crappy about friends who were not going mainly because I wasn't going. Crap. Sigh~ It was suppose to be like the last thing me and brother and sis, and a few things we do before leaving, especially with my brother because we were actually aiming to watch the Coldplay together in Hong Kong but then I hesitated and the cheap tickets were all gone. So now, everytime I hear Coldplay, I will remember the concert that I missed.
I am getting up so early now. It's almost 7 and I feel a slight headache. Probably not enough sleep but I felt like getting, which is the good way of saying it instead of saying-I can't sleep.
I wonder when I would know how to do what is the perfectly appropriate. I seem to feel awkward, especially the past week or so. It's like it's not enough. That I am not doing things the right way.
I am listening to Coldplay now. LeftandRight, the live recording of one of their concerts.
I feel like going for a swim, driving into the water, being embraced but my though my mind is romanticizing the idea, my head is not sharing the same feeling of enthusiasm. My brain is telling me that I shouldn't put myself into a chance of trying my body out. I will need a lot of energy today. Today is basically my only weekday to run all my errands.
So, here we go.
It's such a rush.
I am getting up so early now. It's almost 7 and I feel a slight headache. Probably not enough sleep but I felt like getting, which is the good way of saying it instead of saying-I can't sleep.
I wonder when I would know how to do what is the perfectly appropriate. I seem to feel awkward, especially the past week or so. It's like it's not enough. That I am not doing things the right way.
I am listening to Coldplay now. LeftandRight, the live recording of one of their concerts.
I feel like going for a swim, driving into the water, being embraced but my though my mind is romanticizing the idea, my head is not sharing the same feeling of enthusiasm. My brain is telling me that I shouldn't put myself into a chance of trying my body out. I will need a lot of energy today. Today is basically my only weekday to run all my errands.
So, here we go.
It's such a rush.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
4:10
It's like 4am here in Hong Kong and I came back late last night. Actually the plane arrived early at around 10:30pm on the 17th but I didn't get home until around 1:30 with the waiting, bus and taxi. I faced a dilemma when I got off the bus: 3 suitcases and 2 hands.
When I got on the taxi, the taxi driver was laughing at me and asked where i came back from. Taxi drivers are always good for well-meaning small talk. Well, most of them at least and kind of got the recent scoop of Hong Kong. Asked him about the latest on the swine flu. I found out that he used to be a truck driver but now he's too old so that's why he is driving the taxi. Taxi rate hiked up big time since I arrived in Hong Kong in '06. But then the rate had been the same for a long time util just recently, which was pretty unfair for the taxi drivers.
While on the plane near the end of the trip, all I wanted was get off the seat, a shower and to sleep on a bed but I couldn't sleep although i was tire when I got home. Ha, watched the old TVB series, "policewomen with guns" just like what I sometimes watch after coming home from work.
It was a nice familiar sight. Watched a movie and ate popcorn...very bad.
Slept a little before getting up at around 9:15am. I found all (I think) the documents I needed for Aus. Unpacked a little, put clothes in the washing machine and ate a quick lunch. Food is kind of expensive at the local tea restaurant basically for some tomatoes, beef and egg and rice. I actually wanted a baked porkchop rice and some Hong Kong food, but not much to choose from here.
So I was just packing and unpacking. More like transferring stuff to different places. Did a little grocery shopping. Got news from the taxi driver that a typhoon was coming so there were a good number of people at the supermarket. Sunny came over around 1:30 and I was wondering why it took him so long. Annie took a long while too, I found out later why...and Sunny actually I guess got mixed up with the possible typhoon no.8 and went all the way to Tai Po skipping Fotan. I thought he went to Herman's place instead.
It was nice just hanging out after no seeing each other for so long. Actually wanted to go to the Saturday service but it got a little late but still able to be there before it ended. It was good seeing everybody but bad on my part that I never told too many people I was leaving, or when. I saw Max and Andy who I play basketball with and I really wanted to play with them again. WIsh I knew that they were playing this morning. I was pretty fresh this morning. It would have been nice. Hope that I can play with them when I am back for holiday, competing again. They really grew.
Saw Nick had some small talk. I think he's one of those rare passionate people. How do you raise someone like him? Talked a little with Rev. Chan before he went. Found out from him that he's going to Canada. Whao. Gonna miss him.
Then it was the farewell. It was a really nice gesture and I didn't know how to act exactly. I don't like the spot light, i get very self-conscious. It was so great to see everybody there and I wish I could go hiking with everyone of them. Didn't get to really talk to everybody and I was being shy. Didn't know what I was suppose to do. Just wanted to blend in. Woah, thank you so much for being there. I didn't know what to say. Some of the questions were embarrassing and I didn't know how to answer right away. i felt bad afterward. i wish i knew how to handle it. i don't know, i m just weird. i m not sure if it's the building. i was holding a lot of myself back actually, a little scare i guess of if i lose control. my left hand was actually shaking a bit. but my right hand was steady. To say thanks would be the biggest statement. I was moved. It had been somewhat lonely sometimes being at Tin Cheun, and the farewell was a great way to say goodbye. Thank you. I don't know what to say. But I wanted to give something back.
I think it's not an accident that I and that all of us are at Tin Chuen. A lot had to happen for us to be here at this particular time and this particular place. It's such a pleasure and honor to be here, to serve God in this place, to have the friendship. The farewell made it easier to leave. Thanks Sunny for organizing. Thank you God for this time, for all the experience, the moments and all the people, friendship and fellowship. How can you repay? I have no idea. i wish i could be more excited and enthusiastic when taking photos and be more entertaining but i was feeling awkward. Don't know how to act at the time. urr.
There had been a lot of goodbyes lately and I think I am still processing and they take a toll on me somewhat. Personally the short few weeks leading to my trip to the US was when I was emotionally saying goodbye to TC and HK. Coz originally that was my last weekend at TC. So I think I made my internal farewell then and was feeling that throughout the Sichuan mission trip. Actually I was somewhat very sensitive and emotional starting the last month of work at HKEP. It was only 2 months ago that I made up my mind and ... I started to treasure every moment and the limited amount of time I got spending time with people.
It's weird. ahh. Best wishes. Emmanuel, may God be with you.
well, better get some sleep. It will be no.3 in a few hours.
When I got on the taxi, the taxi driver was laughing at me and asked where i came back from. Taxi drivers are always good for well-meaning small talk. Well, most of them at least and kind of got the recent scoop of Hong Kong. Asked him about the latest on the swine flu. I found out that he used to be a truck driver but now he's too old so that's why he is driving the taxi. Taxi rate hiked up big time since I arrived in Hong Kong in '06. But then the rate had been the same for a long time util just recently, which was pretty unfair for the taxi drivers.
While on the plane near the end of the trip, all I wanted was get off the seat, a shower and to sleep on a bed but I couldn't sleep although i was tire when I got home. Ha, watched the old TVB series, "policewomen with guns" just like what I sometimes watch after coming home from work.
It was a nice familiar sight. Watched a movie and ate popcorn...very bad.
Slept a little before getting up at around 9:15am. I found all (I think) the documents I needed for Aus. Unpacked a little, put clothes in the washing machine and ate a quick lunch. Food is kind of expensive at the local tea restaurant basically for some tomatoes, beef and egg and rice. I actually wanted a baked porkchop rice and some Hong Kong food, but not much to choose from here.
So I was just packing and unpacking. More like transferring stuff to different places. Did a little grocery shopping. Got news from the taxi driver that a typhoon was coming so there were a good number of people at the supermarket. Sunny came over around 1:30 and I was wondering why it took him so long. Annie took a long while too, I found out later why...and Sunny actually I guess got mixed up with the possible typhoon no.8 and went all the way to Tai Po skipping Fotan. I thought he went to Herman's place instead.
It was nice just hanging out after no seeing each other for so long. Actually wanted to go to the Saturday service but it got a little late but still able to be there before it ended. It was good seeing everybody but bad on my part that I never told too many people I was leaving, or when. I saw Max and Andy who I play basketball with and I really wanted to play with them again. WIsh I knew that they were playing this morning. I was pretty fresh this morning. It would have been nice. Hope that I can play with them when I am back for holiday, competing again. They really grew.
Saw Nick had some small talk. I think he's one of those rare passionate people. How do you raise someone like him? Talked a little with Rev. Chan before he went. Found out from him that he's going to Canada. Whao. Gonna miss him.
Then it was the farewell. It was a really nice gesture and I didn't know how to act exactly. I don't like the spot light, i get very self-conscious. It was so great to see everybody there and I wish I could go hiking with everyone of them. Didn't get to really talk to everybody and I was being shy. Didn't know what I was suppose to do. Just wanted to blend in. Woah, thank you so much for being there. I didn't know what to say. Some of the questions were embarrassing and I didn't know how to answer right away. i felt bad afterward. i wish i knew how to handle it. i don't know, i m just weird. i m not sure if it's the building. i was holding a lot of myself back actually, a little scare i guess of if i lose control. my left hand was actually shaking a bit. but my right hand was steady. To say thanks would be the biggest statement. I was moved. It had been somewhat lonely sometimes being at Tin Cheun, and the farewell was a great way to say goodbye. Thank you. I don't know what to say. But I wanted to give something back.
I think it's not an accident that I and that all of us are at Tin Chuen. A lot had to happen for us to be here at this particular time and this particular place. It's such a pleasure and honor to be here, to serve God in this place, to have the friendship. The farewell made it easier to leave. Thanks Sunny for organizing. Thank you God for this time, for all the experience, the moments and all the people, friendship and fellowship. How can you repay? I have no idea. i wish i could be more excited and enthusiastic when taking photos and be more entertaining but i was feeling awkward. Don't know how to act at the time. urr.
There had been a lot of goodbyes lately and I think I am still processing and they take a toll on me somewhat. Personally the short few weeks leading to my trip to the US was when I was emotionally saying goodbye to TC and HK. Coz originally that was my last weekend at TC. So I think I made my internal farewell then and was feeling that throughout the Sichuan mission trip. Actually I was somewhat very sensitive and emotional starting the last month of work at HKEP. It was only 2 months ago that I made up my mind and ... I started to treasure every moment and the limited amount of time I got spending time with people.
It's weird. ahh. Best wishes. Emmanuel, may God be with you.
well, better get some sleep. It will be no.3 in a few hours.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
last leg
I am leaving DC a few hours.
At times I really miss America. I miss the people. I miss the youth at church. I miss how people are more honest and purer here. I miss talking with the youth and be of help, watching them grow coz although they might be silly, they are really good people and I love seeing them grow.
I guess that is what I would like to be helping in at church, youth ministry. I think I fit the bill too. I remember there was this seminar on spiritual gifts and I was sharing with Herman and Siu Wei and they said I am suitable for youth work. I like to play and talk. And I really enjoy being with the youth. On the other hand, I am probably not that great with little kids. I can get to learn better but I think there are better people at it. You kind of have to be a bit strict with kids and know who's boss.
At times I really miss America. I miss the people. I miss the youth at church. I miss how people are more honest and purer here. I miss talking with the youth and be of help, watching them grow coz although they might be silly, they are really good people and I love seeing them grow.
I guess that is what I would like to be helping in at church, youth ministry. I think I fit the bill too. I remember there was this seminar on spiritual gifts and I was sharing with Herman and Siu Wei and they said I am suitable for youth work. I like to play and talk. And I really enjoy being with the youth. On the other hand, I am probably not that great with little kids. I can get to learn better but I think there are better people at it. You kind of have to be a bit strict with kids and know who's boss.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Supporting the Work of your Pastor (EPHESIANS 4:11-16)
UPPORTING THE WORK OF YOUR PASTOR (EPHESIANS 4:11-16)
The young preacher had just announced to his congregation that he was
requesting the dissolution of the pastoral relationship in order to
accept another call. He was standing at the door after the service
and greeting people, as preachers are wont to do, when one of the
elderly saints approached him, her eyes swimming with tears. She
sobbed, gOh, pastor, Ifm so sorry youfve decided to leave. Things
will never be the same again.h
The young man was flattered, but was equal to the situation and took
her hands in his and most benevolently replied, gBless you, dear
lady, but Ifm sure that God will send you a new pastor even better
than I.h She choked back a sob and was heard to say, gThatfs what
they all say, but they keep getting worse and worse.h
I am sure everybody is anxious to meet the next pastor. Who is he?
Where does he come from? What experience does he have? Is he
passionate or private? While all these are question on peoplefs mind,
they are not the most important questions. The more crucial ones are,
What is the pastorfs role in ministry? What does he do with Godfs
people? What is the best use of his time? Why does a church need a
pastor?
Equip the Church to Grow
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some
to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare
God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be
built up (Eph 4:11-12)
Your Pastor and mine:
If he is young, he lacks experience; if his hair is grey, he is too
old; if he has five or six children, he has too many; if he has none,
he is setting a bad example. If his wife sings in the choir, she is
being forward; if she does not, she is not interested in her
husbandfs work.
If he speaks from notes, he has canned sermons and is dry; if he is
extemporaneous, he is not deep. If he spends too much time in his
study, he neglects his people; if he is visible, he is a gadabout. If
he is attentive to the poor, he is playing to the grandstand; if to
the wealthy, he is trying
to be an aristocrat.
If he suggests improvements for the church, he is a dictator; if he
makes no suggestion, he is a figurehead. If he uses too many
illustrations, he neglects the Bible; if not enough, he is not clear.
If he condemns wrong, he is cranky; if he does not, he is a
compromiser. If he preaches the truth, he is offensive; if not, he is
a hypocrite. If he preaches an hour; he is windy; if less, he is lazy.
If he fails to please everybody; he is hurting the church; if he does
please everybody, he has no convictions. If he preaches tithing, he
is a money grabber; if he does not, he is failing to develop his
people.
If he receives a large salary, he is mercenary; if a small salary, it
proves he is not worth much. If he preaches all the time, the people
get tired of hearing one man; if he invites guest preachers, he is
shirking responsibility.
SO WHAT! They say the preacher has an easy time.
If you notice, the gifts God gave to the church are five, but the
word gsome,h which is the article (gtheh) in Greek, occurs four
times. This leads many scholars to suggest that the last gsomeh
modifies gpastors and teachersh together, not gpastorsh or gteachersh
individually. The role of pastors and teachers are inseparable. No
matter how caring, considerate and compassionate the pastor is,
without teaching, churches suffer, struggle and maybe shrink. Good
pastors are more than just relational, affectionate and kindly; they
must also be teachers, expositors and communicators of Godfs word.
The former is short-term, the latter longer lasting. Phillip Brooks
say, gThe preacher needs to be a pastor, that he may preach to real
men. The pastor must be preacher, that he may keep the dignity of his
work alive. The preacher, who is not a pastor, grows remote. The
pastor, who is not a preacher, grows petty.h (John Stott, The
Preacherfs Portrait, p. 81)
gPrepareh (v 12) in Greek is not a verb, but a noun, its only
instance of a noun of the said word in the Bible. The NASB
translation is gfor the equippingh and the KJV is gfor the
perfecting.h Its verb in the Bible comes with the practical
application for gmending netsh (Matt 4:21, Mark 1:19) and restoring
the lapsed (Gal 6:1). The intrigue is who does the works of service
in church – pastors and teachers, or Godfs people? From the text
equation, the pastorfs role is to equip Godfs people for works of
service, not to execute all the work by himself; not to expand his
empire, but empower Godfs people; not to electrify the congregation,
but equip the body. The presence of a full-time pastor could be a
liability if members see it as an opportunity to fold their hands,
shake their legs and doze to sleep, which is, unfortunately, the
widespread practice in many churches. The pastor is to provide
believers the training, give them the tools and teach them the trade.
A good pastor works himself out of a job, so to speak. Like a good
parent, his concern is for the churchfs independence and
interdependence, not dependence on him. Itfs been said, gGive a man a
fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed
him for a lifetime.h
The success of a church lies in Godfs people, not the pastor,
competently and confidently using their gifts, talents and resources
at their disposal. Godfs priority is not building up the pastor but
the parishioners, not the clergy but the church, who is His body, His
bride and beloved. In that sense, the bigger the pastor is in
peoplefs eyes, the smaller is he in Godfs eyes. The more
indispensable he is in church, the more ignorant he is about
ministry. While the pastor is crucial to the church, he is not
central in the church.
A pastor is a shepherd, never a therapist, a babysitter or a manager.
The former feeds the sheep, gives them water, and fends off
predators. Caregiving is the work of the whole church. If you find a
pastor-teacher who does his role, the church will function properly.
A pastor is strong in one of three areas - teaching, caring or
evangelizing, but never in all three. Of course, he must not be
uninterested, unconcerned and unresponsive in other functions either.
The ministry of encouragement is the membersf, not the pastorfs alone
to do. Often in the Bible, the verb gencourageh is incomplete and
complemented by the reflexive pronoun gone another,h addressing to
the church, not the pastor alone (1 Thess 4:18, Heb 3:13, 10:25).
The analogy for gbuilding uph (oiko-dome) is always structural,
architectural and residential. It comes from two words, ghouseh
(oikos) and gdoma,h an edifice or a roof. A house, unlike a hut or a
shed, is strong, stable and secured, not a house of cards, built on
sticks or built with straws.
Encourage the Church to Grow
13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the
Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the
fullness of Christ. (Eph 4:13)
When I was a young pastor in my first church in the States in 1990,
an elderly lady from an Anglo church befriended me and told me of an
advice for pastors she heard from the pulpit:
gIn the first year, they'll idolize you; in the second year, they'll
utilize you;
In the third, they'll criticize you; in the fourth year, they'll
mutilize you; and
In the fifth year, they'll ostracize you.h
Itfs been said, gA pastor must be ready to preach, to pray and to
pack up!h
A pastor has a short tenure at a church, three years, experts say.
The success of a pastor when he leaves depends on whether he
accomplishes his task. The goal is to reach or attain three things,
as indicated by the three-fold Greek word geis,h or English gtoh
(verse 14fs first gin,h gandh gtoh and NASBfs three gtofsh)–
one,
unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God; two, become mature;
three, to the measure of the fullness of Christ. The three goals
therefore, are preserving unity, producing disciples and practicing
Christlikeness. The first concerns the community of Christ; the next,
the character of Christ; and the last, the conformity to Christ.
The stress of the first part is on the gunityh of the church.
This gunityh is not mentioned in any book or chapter in the Bible
except twice in chapter four, where verse 3 mentions gmake every
effort to keep the eunityf of the Spirit through the bond of peace.h
(Eph 4:3) There is no better witness than the unity of the church,
but there is no worse witness than the unraveling of the church. Itfs
been said, gIt takes months to build a house that can be wrecked in a
day.h In our multilingual, multicultural and multigenerational
church, with 80 worshippers from more than 10 countries, diversity is
our strength and our weakness. Unity alone wonft steer people through
the front door, but unity lost ushers people out the back door.
The second (gmatureh) refers to membersf mental and moral character.
A pastorfs success is not measured by church programs, church
property or church parking, but by the progress of his members in
their sanctification, steadfastness and surrender to Christ, and the
stride they made they in loving God, learn Godfs word and listening
in obedience. Are the members better off and more mature than when he
first came? To be mature is to reach onefs potential, make good
progress, and choose right priorities. There is no point leading a
church where there is no qualitative and quantitative growth, where
people are deadened to sin, dull of hearing and drunk with power.
Pastor Earnest Campbell says it eloquently:
gTo be young is to study in schools we did not build.
To be mature is to build schools in which we will not study.
To be young is to swim in pools we did not dig.
To be mature is to dig pools in which we will not swim.
To be young is to sit under trees, which we did not plant.
To be mature is to plant trees under which we will not sit.
To be young is to dance to music we did not write.
To be mature is to write music to which we will not dance.
To be young is to worship in churches we did not build.
To be mature is to build churches in which we may not worship.h
The third is to grow in Christlikeness. To be Christlike is to show
Christ in our attitude, behavior and commitment. It is to live a life
that is offered to Him, obedient to Him and ordered by Him.
Expect The Church to Grow
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the
waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the
cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up
into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole
body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows
and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Eph 4:14-
16)
Things you never hear in church:
11. I couldnft find space to park outside. Praise God!
10. Nothing inspires me and strengthens my commitment like our annual
stewardship campaign!
9. Pastor, wefd like to send you to this Bible seminar in the Bahamas.
8. Since wefre all here, letfs start the service early.
7. I love it when we sing hymns Ifve never heard before!
6. Forget the denominational minimum salary, letfs pay our pastor so
he/she can live like we do.
5. I volunteer to be the permanent teacher for the Junior High Sunday
School class.
4. Ifve decided to give our church the $500 a month I used to send to
TV evangelists.
3. Personally I find witnessing much more enjoyable than golf.
2. I was so enthralled, I never noticed your sermon went 25 minutes
over time.
1. Hey! Itfs my turn to sit in the front pew.
The delight of pastors, as indicated by the Greek gthath (translated
as gthenh in NIV), is seeing the members are no longer children.
Children (nepios) is made famous by Paulfs five-fold repetition of
the word in 1 Corinthians 13:11 - gWhen I was a child, I talked like
a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I
became a man, I put childish ways behind me.h
gChildrenh are not teenagers, youth, adolescent, minors or juveniles;
they are merely babies, infants or toddlers, learning to stand, walk
and speak. Children are used in the Bible in the context of having
to gcherishh (thalpo), cuddle and coddle them, not merely care for
them (1 Thess 2:7) and in the context of requiring milk, rejecting
solid food (Heb 5:13).
As a result, qualified by two Greek participles, the child
is gtossingh back and forth and gblowingh here and there. Tossed back
and forth refers to the raging sea; blown here and there refers to
the howling wind. The winds sway you, but the waves sink you.
There are two ginh prepositions in the passage: Verse 14fs gand byh
is ginh (en) in Greek, complemented by another ginh at the end of the
verse. The first preposition – gcunningh (kubeia) - is fraud and
scam, the second for gcraftinessh is trickery or sophistry, the
serpentfs tool on Eve, according to 2 Corinthians 11:3.
The contrast with the two participles – gtossing back and forthh
and gblowing here and thereh – is the participle gspeaking the
truth,h which is simply gtruthingh in Greek, the use of the
noun gtruthh as a participle, an action noun. Paul gives us the
strongest and foremost principle in communication - speaking the
truth in love. Speaking the truth without love hurts and hinders, but
speaking the truth in love honors, helps and heals. Both hurt, the
former passing, but the other permanent. One leaves foes, the other
friends. Speaking the truth in love is the healthy, honest and
helpful way; other ways will result in anger, antagonism and
aggression, succumbing to the dark side. Truth alone produces self-
righteousness, but love alone produces softies.
Conclusion: Are you giving the pastor the respect due his work and
his calling deserves? Do you know his financial and his familyfs
needs? Do you support your pastor in prayer? Do you instruct him or
inspire him? Are you doing your part by attending meetings, obtaining
training and volunteering service? Are you his ministry associate or
merely a church acquaintance? Is he your spiritual elder or an office
employee?
The young preacher had just announced to his congregation that he was
requesting the dissolution of the pastoral relationship in order to
accept another call. He was standing at the door after the service
and greeting people, as preachers are wont to do, when one of the
elderly saints approached him, her eyes swimming with tears. She
sobbed, gOh, pastor, Ifm so sorry youfve decided to leave. Things
will never be the same again.h
The young man was flattered, but was equal to the situation and took
her hands in his and most benevolently replied, gBless you, dear
lady, but Ifm sure that God will send you a new pastor even better
than I.h She choked back a sob and was heard to say, gThatfs what
they all say, but they keep getting worse and worse.h
I am sure everybody is anxious to meet the next pastor. Who is he?
Where does he come from? What experience does he have? Is he
passionate or private? While all these are question on peoplefs mind,
they are not the most important questions. The more crucial ones are,
What is the pastorfs role in ministry? What does he do with Godfs
people? What is the best use of his time? Why does a church need a
pastor?
Equip the Church to Grow
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some
to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare
God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be
built up (Eph 4:11-12)
Your Pastor and mine:
If he is young, he lacks experience; if his hair is grey, he is too
old; if he has five or six children, he has too many; if he has none,
he is setting a bad example. If his wife sings in the choir, she is
being forward; if she does not, she is not interested in her
husbandfs work.
If he speaks from notes, he has canned sermons and is dry; if he is
extemporaneous, he is not deep. If he spends too much time in his
study, he neglects his people; if he is visible, he is a gadabout. If
he is attentive to the poor, he is playing to the grandstand; if to
the wealthy, he is trying
to be an aristocrat.
If he suggests improvements for the church, he is a dictator; if he
makes no suggestion, he is a figurehead. If he uses too many
illustrations, he neglects the Bible; if not enough, he is not clear.
If he condemns wrong, he is cranky; if he does not, he is a
compromiser. If he preaches the truth, he is offensive; if not, he is
a hypocrite. If he preaches an hour; he is windy; if less, he is lazy.
If he fails to please everybody; he is hurting the church; if he does
please everybody, he has no convictions. If he preaches tithing, he
is a money grabber; if he does not, he is failing to develop his
people.
If he receives a large salary, he is mercenary; if a small salary, it
proves he is not worth much. If he preaches all the time, the people
get tired of hearing one man; if he invites guest preachers, he is
shirking responsibility.
SO WHAT! They say the preacher has an easy time.
If you notice, the gifts God gave to the church are five, but the
word gsome,h which is the article (gtheh) in Greek, occurs four
times. This leads many scholars to suggest that the last gsomeh
modifies gpastors and teachersh together, not gpastorsh or gteachersh
individually. The role of pastors and teachers are inseparable. No
matter how caring, considerate and compassionate the pastor is,
without teaching, churches suffer, struggle and maybe shrink. Good
pastors are more than just relational, affectionate and kindly; they
must also be teachers, expositors and communicators of Godfs word.
The former is short-term, the latter longer lasting. Phillip Brooks
say, gThe preacher needs to be a pastor, that he may preach to real
men. The pastor must be preacher, that he may keep the dignity of his
work alive. The preacher, who is not a pastor, grows remote. The
pastor, who is not a preacher, grows petty.h (John Stott, The
Preacherfs Portrait, p. 81)
gPrepareh (v 12) in Greek is not a verb, but a noun, its only
instance of a noun of the said word in the Bible. The NASB
translation is gfor the equippingh and the KJV is gfor the
perfecting.h Its verb in the Bible comes with the practical
application for gmending netsh (Matt 4:21, Mark 1:19) and restoring
the lapsed (Gal 6:1). The intrigue is who does the works of service
in church – pastors and teachers, or Godfs people? From the text
equation, the pastorfs role is to equip Godfs people for works of
service, not to execute all the work by himself; not to expand his
empire, but empower Godfs people; not to electrify the congregation,
but equip the body. The presence of a full-time pastor could be a
liability if members see it as an opportunity to fold their hands,
shake their legs and doze to sleep, which is, unfortunately, the
widespread practice in many churches. The pastor is to provide
believers the training, give them the tools and teach them the trade.
A good pastor works himself out of a job, so to speak. Like a good
parent, his concern is for the churchfs independence and
interdependence, not dependence on him. Itfs been said, gGive a man a
fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed
him for a lifetime.h
The success of a church lies in Godfs people, not the pastor,
competently and confidently using their gifts, talents and resources
at their disposal. Godfs priority is not building up the pastor but
the parishioners, not the clergy but the church, who is His body, His
bride and beloved. In that sense, the bigger the pastor is in
peoplefs eyes, the smaller is he in Godfs eyes. The more
indispensable he is in church, the more ignorant he is about
ministry. While the pastor is crucial to the church, he is not
central in the church.
A pastor is a shepherd, never a therapist, a babysitter or a manager.
The former feeds the sheep, gives them water, and fends off
predators. Caregiving is the work of the whole church. If you find a
pastor-teacher who does his role, the church will function properly.
A pastor is strong in one of three areas - teaching, caring or
evangelizing, but never in all three. Of course, he must not be
uninterested, unconcerned and unresponsive in other functions either.
The ministry of encouragement is the membersf, not the pastorfs alone
to do. Often in the Bible, the verb gencourageh is incomplete and
complemented by the reflexive pronoun gone another,h addressing to
the church, not the pastor alone (1 Thess 4:18, Heb 3:13, 10:25).
The analogy for gbuilding uph (oiko-dome) is always structural,
architectural and residential. It comes from two words, ghouseh
(oikos) and gdoma,h an edifice or a roof. A house, unlike a hut or a
shed, is strong, stable and secured, not a house of cards, built on
sticks or built with straws.
Encourage the Church to Grow
13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the
Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the
fullness of Christ. (Eph 4:13)
When I was a young pastor in my first church in the States in 1990,
an elderly lady from an Anglo church befriended me and told me of an
advice for pastors she heard from the pulpit:
gIn the first year, they'll idolize you; in the second year, they'll
utilize you;
In the third, they'll criticize you; in the fourth year, they'll
mutilize you; and
In the fifth year, they'll ostracize you.h
Itfs been said, gA pastor must be ready to preach, to pray and to
pack up!h
A pastor has a short tenure at a church, three years, experts say.
The success of a pastor when he leaves depends on whether he
accomplishes his task. The goal is to reach or attain three things,
as indicated by the three-fold Greek word geis,h or English gtoh
(verse 14fs first gin,h gandh gtoh and NASBfs three gtofsh)–
one,
unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God; two, become mature;
three, to the measure of the fullness of Christ. The three goals
therefore, are preserving unity, producing disciples and practicing
Christlikeness. The first concerns the community of Christ; the next,
the character of Christ; and the last, the conformity to Christ.
The stress of the first part is on the gunityh of the church.
This gunityh is not mentioned in any book or chapter in the Bible
except twice in chapter four, where verse 3 mentions gmake every
effort to keep the eunityf of the Spirit through the bond of peace.h
(Eph 4:3) There is no better witness than the unity of the church,
but there is no worse witness than the unraveling of the church. Itfs
been said, gIt takes months to build a house that can be wrecked in a
day.h In our multilingual, multicultural and multigenerational
church, with 80 worshippers from more than 10 countries, diversity is
our strength and our weakness. Unity alone wonft steer people through
the front door, but unity lost ushers people out the back door.
The second (gmatureh) refers to membersf mental and moral character.
A pastorfs success is not measured by church programs, church
property or church parking, but by the progress of his members in
their sanctification, steadfastness and surrender to Christ, and the
stride they made they in loving God, learn Godfs word and listening
in obedience. Are the members better off and more mature than when he
first came? To be mature is to reach onefs potential, make good
progress, and choose right priorities. There is no point leading a
church where there is no qualitative and quantitative growth, where
people are deadened to sin, dull of hearing and drunk with power.
Pastor Earnest Campbell says it eloquently:
gTo be young is to study in schools we did not build.
To be mature is to build schools in which we will not study.
To be young is to swim in pools we did not dig.
To be mature is to dig pools in which we will not swim.
To be young is to sit under trees, which we did not plant.
To be mature is to plant trees under which we will not sit.
To be young is to dance to music we did not write.
To be mature is to write music to which we will not dance.
To be young is to worship in churches we did not build.
To be mature is to build churches in which we may not worship.h
The third is to grow in Christlikeness. To be Christlike is to show
Christ in our attitude, behavior and commitment. It is to live a life
that is offered to Him, obedient to Him and ordered by Him.
Expect The Church to Grow
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the
waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the
cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up
into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole
body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows
and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Eph 4:14-
16)
Things you never hear in church:
11. I couldnft find space to park outside. Praise God!
10. Nothing inspires me and strengthens my commitment like our annual
stewardship campaign!
9. Pastor, wefd like to send you to this Bible seminar in the Bahamas.
8. Since wefre all here, letfs start the service early.
7. I love it when we sing hymns Ifve never heard before!
6. Forget the denominational minimum salary, letfs pay our pastor so
he/she can live like we do.
5. I volunteer to be the permanent teacher for the Junior High Sunday
School class.
4. Ifve decided to give our church the $500 a month I used to send to
TV evangelists.
3. Personally I find witnessing much more enjoyable than golf.
2. I was so enthralled, I never noticed your sermon went 25 minutes
over time.
1. Hey! Itfs my turn to sit in the front pew.
The delight of pastors, as indicated by the Greek gthath (translated
as gthenh in NIV), is seeing the members are no longer children.
Children (nepios) is made famous by Paulfs five-fold repetition of
the word in 1 Corinthians 13:11 - gWhen I was a child, I talked like
a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I
became a man, I put childish ways behind me.h
gChildrenh are not teenagers, youth, adolescent, minors or juveniles;
they are merely babies, infants or toddlers, learning to stand, walk
and speak. Children are used in the Bible in the context of having
to gcherishh (thalpo), cuddle and coddle them, not merely care for
them (1 Thess 2:7) and in the context of requiring milk, rejecting
solid food (Heb 5:13).
As a result, qualified by two Greek participles, the child
is gtossingh back and forth and gblowingh here and there. Tossed back
and forth refers to the raging sea; blown here and there refers to
the howling wind. The winds sway you, but the waves sink you.
There are two ginh prepositions in the passage: Verse 14fs gand byh
is ginh (en) in Greek, complemented by another ginh at the end of the
verse. The first preposition – gcunningh (kubeia) - is fraud and
scam, the second for gcraftinessh is trickery or sophistry, the
serpentfs tool on Eve, according to 2 Corinthians 11:3.
The contrast with the two participles – gtossing back and forthh
and gblowing here and thereh – is the participle gspeaking the
truth,h which is simply gtruthingh in Greek, the use of the
noun gtruthh as a participle, an action noun. Paul gives us the
strongest and foremost principle in communication - speaking the
truth in love. Speaking the truth without love hurts and hinders, but
speaking the truth in love honors, helps and heals. Both hurt, the
former passing, but the other permanent. One leaves foes, the other
friends. Speaking the truth in love is the healthy, honest and
helpful way; other ways will result in anger, antagonism and
aggression, succumbing to the dark side. Truth alone produces self-
righteousness, but love alone produces softies.
Conclusion: Are you giving the pastor the respect due his work and
his calling deserves? Do you know his financial and his familyfs
needs? Do you support your pastor in prayer? Do you instruct him or
inspire him? Are you doing your part by attending meetings, obtaining
training and volunteering service? Are you his ministry associate or
merely a church acquaintance? Is he your spiritual elder or an office
employee?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)