FMC
Vision for Another 20 Years
Dear
brothers and sisters/disciples of Jesus,
Thanks very much for inviting me to write an article
for your 20th Anniversary Magazine.
Though I had left FMC at the end of 2001, I have always paid attention
to your development through fellowships with brothers and sisters whenever I drop
by Kuching for ministry and seminars. I
still maintain a close relationship with a few of you. I do see that you all move forward with some
struggles. I pray that all the growing
pains and heartache you all experienced are made good by our Lord Jesus Christ. As you grow in pains, Jesus our Lord also
uses you to glorify Him. Therefore,
whatever your achievements in the last 20 years, let us attribute to Him alone.
BM
Ministry
You have recently begun the Bahasa Malaysia (BM)
ministry for the adults (you all have already been doing a few years of
children BM Sunday before this), it is a great move which will open up a lot of
rooms for you all to train indigenous people and people who are familiar with
BM to become disciples of Jesus – the great of commission of our Lord. Praise the Lord for the great move. It is a step which should have begun much
earlier on but it is much better than not doing it at all. The reason is very simple, the indigenous
people are at our door step and so many of them are in the towns. My research shows that 52% of them are in the
town now! Please find out where they are
now, and then, go and reach them for Jesus.
As you all work hard, their numbers could even be as many as those of
you in the Mandarin and English congregations in 20 years’ time!
Another
20 Years
When I was with you, 1998 - 2001, we did FMC Vision
2010. We did it based on Rick Warren’s
book, Purpose Driven Church. Though I
could not be with all until then, the vision had helped us in those 4 years to
be focused. Therefore, I suggest again
for the whole church or at least through your own means of mechanism to pray
and mobilize the all resources to write your vision for another 20 years. 20
years is one generation. What do you
want to see in FMC, in another 20 years (by 2035)?
FMC is made up of great resources of disciples of
Jesus, church leaders, intellectuals, professionals, finance, great church
building and facility, the advantage of your location in capital city, having
established public and private higher institutions of learning, quite a friendly
environment to preach the gospel, having great access to the latest technology
and information, and etc. With such huge
resources, without a vision of 20 years, you cannot as faithful to our Lord
Jesus for all the resources He has entrusted you all. Without a far sighted vision, most church
members will be just pew warmers and will not make a difference for Him. With a vision coming from Jesus, you all will
be challenged to work hard and train others to be disciples of Jesus.
Basis and
Aims of FMC Vision for another 20 years
This vision must have the following basis and aims. With my deep personal relationship with
Jesus, more than 20 years of pastoral care experience and leadership in the
Methodist church, reading of numerous books by good Christian authors,
observation of the Methodist church history in the past 20 years, my reading
and research of the Bible, and most important of all, the numerous precious
mistakes I made and the numerous mistakes made by fellow pastors and church
leaders, I now want to suggest these
elements which must be considered and sought Christ Jesus in your vision.
Firstly, the vision has to be responding to the word
taught by Jesus in the gospels. I
strongly believe only practicing what He taught us, what we do can be relevant
and remain relevant for ages. Therefore,
it is very vital for you to have a good grasp of the Beatitudes and the Sermon
on the Mount. Also, pay special
attention to vital role of the Holy Spirit in the teaching and ministry of
Jesus and His disciples in the four gospels and the book of Acts.
Secondly, the vision must direct people (disciples of
Jesus) to a personal relationship with Jesus. Only with a personal relationship
with Him, our faith will remain vibrant, exciting and powerful for Him. Failure to get this right, FMC will be no
better than a social club! Therefore,
please be focusing on Christ for all your efforts.
Thirdly, the vision should aim to meet certain needs
that you will foresee you need to respond one day. Therefore, think in terms of the next
generation.
Fourthly, the vision should aim to raise more
leaders. There should be a system of
mobilizing and training leaders to be strong and matured disciples of
Jesus. In this regards, you can tap on
a lot of good resources that SCAC have been using.
Fifthly, the vision should aim to do church planting
and; local and overseas missions. Can
you plant 3 churches and send out at least 5 missionaries in the next 20 years?
I pray that your Local Church Executive Committee will
seek Jesus on this vision.
A Faithful Disciple of Jesus,
Pastor Law Hui Seng
9th August, 2015
No comments:
Post a Comment