I must apologise that this is a little late, as I was meaning to post this shortly after the 14th Anniversary celebrations which were held on 7 August. However, its been a busy month (that's usually my excuse!), so I suppose better late than never.
We celebrated our 14th anniversary in PHS on 7 August, and I think it is truly a sign of God's grace upon us that for a church that is currently without a lead pastor, we had not one, not even two, but FOUR pastors in attendance at our anniversary service. It was particularly special for several reasons, because we had two of our founding pastors back from Canada and the US (both Ps Chee Hian and Ps Maggie were back!), and in addition, we had two of our NEW pastors, who have been long serving members of our congregation, Ps Srimal and Ps Veron. Ps Maggie delivered the message, and it was such a joy to see and hear her familiar sermon from behind the pulpit; it was certainly a sight that we have long missed.
In the afternoon, we had games which were organised by Simon and his committee; there was a volleyball tournament, and also captains ball for the ladies. There was also an impromptu football game set up on the basketball court. The games were followed by a sumptous dinner spread catered to allow everyone to enjoy, relax and just soak up the atmosphere.
In the midst of the celebration, it was a good time to remember how we have grown as a church over the last 14 years, and I think for me particularly, the most encouraging sign of our mission here is to see members of our pioneer batch of PHS students stepping up into leadership in the church, with one pastor (Ps Srimal) and one deacon (Dn Nai De). To me, they embody the promise that God has made to us in this ministry that He will not allow our message to fall on barren ground. Also encouraging to me is that I can no longer say that I know everyone in the congregation by name; every week we see new faces who come and visit, and stay. Truly, God is bringing people hungry for the word into our midst. As one of my cell members so aptly put it, "God does not build a big church to leave it empty".
Here's to another blessed 14 years and more in this ministry that God has called us to.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
EDC Installation Service
Last Sunday the new Elders and Deacons Courts committee was installed during the Sunday service. The service was conducted by Rev Keith Lai, and it was a fitting gesture as well, because he was able to share personally about how he had been encouraged by the newly elected Elders, and how they had been faithfully serving since he had known them.
For the rest of us, it was an eye-opener as well, because there were vows that we had to make to be accountable to the church, and also vows that the church had to make to support us! So now they can't run away from hard decisions that we may have to make.... *grin*
Now would probably be a good time to also address the question that Ashley raised the last time, about the difference in roles between Elders and Deacons. I think the best answer is that as supplied by the bible, in 1 Tim 3:1-13, which by the way refers to Elders as overseers. Essentially, the difference is that Elders are sort of like the senior leaders who oversee the running of the church and in their wisdom set church policy and vision, and the deacons are the ones who actually carry out the execution of the vision of the church, by heading the ministries and spearheading the work. This will become clearer later when I share the roles and responsibilities of the individuals in the EDC below.
The EDC's duties have been divided as follows:
Chairman: Eld Danny
Admin Portfolios
Personnel: Eld Soh Keng
Chapel Building: Eld David
Treasurer: Eld Lester
Asst Treasurer: Dn Michael
Ministry Portfolios
Worship: Dn Nai De )Elder Danny
Welcome: Dn Simon )
Mission: Eld Lester )Eld Lester
Adult CG: Eld Lester )
Youth: Dn Michael ) Eld David
Family: Dn Vincent )
Children: Dn Melvin )
The names on the right denote the Elders in charge, for example, Eld Danny is overseeing Worship and Welcome, etc. (Hope I have not left out anyone!), but of course, we will all be working together as a committee to support one another as and when needs arise. There is a long story as to how I ended up as the Deacon heading the Youth Ministry, but that's for another post. Suffice to say that I have learnt that where God says to go, I will go.
I am excited (and apprehensive) about working with the Youth and the Youth leaders as this is not an area that I expected to be involved in. I have however been encouraged by many people who have affirmed me in this area, and I am also very mindful of the fact that when God calls me out of my comfort zone, He has never failed to provide me with grace, wisdom and a healthy dose of reliance on Him to see me through whatever challenges I face. So, in faith I have jumped into the Youth Ministry and I am looking forward to seeing how God can work in me and through me to touch lives, and in the process make me grow in faith as well.
Your prayers are important to us as a committee as we are in the run up to planning for next year, both at ministry level as well as at EDC level, and we covet your prayer support and encouragement. May you be blessed as richly as I have been with God's presence.
For the rest of us, it was an eye-opener as well, because there were vows that we had to make to be accountable to the church, and also vows that the church had to make to support us! So now they can't run away from hard decisions that we may have to make.... *grin*
Now would probably be a good time to also address the question that Ashley raised the last time, about the difference in roles between Elders and Deacons. I think the best answer is that as supplied by the bible, in 1 Tim 3:1-13, which by the way refers to Elders as overseers. Essentially, the difference is that Elders are sort of like the senior leaders who oversee the running of the church and in their wisdom set church policy and vision, and the deacons are the ones who actually carry out the execution of the vision of the church, by heading the ministries and spearheading the work. This will become clearer later when I share the roles and responsibilities of the individuals in the EDC below.
The EDC's duties have been divided as follows:
Chairman: Eld Danny
Admin Portfolios
Personnel: Eld Soh Keng
Chapel Building: Eld David
Treasurer: Eld Lester
Asst Treasurer: Dn Michael
Ministry Portfolios
Worship: Dn Nai De )Elder Danny
Welcome: Dn Simon )
Mission: Eld Lester )Eld Lester
Adult CG: Eld Lester )
Youth: Dn Michael ) Eld David
Family: Dn Vincent )
Children: Dn Melvin )
The names on the right denote the Elders in charge, for example, Eld Danny is overseeing Worship and Welcome, etc. (Hope I have not left out anyone!), but of course, we will all be working together as a committee to support one another as and when needs arise. There is a long story as to how I ended up as the Deacon heading the Youth Ministry, but that's for another post. Suffice to say that I have learnt that where God says to go, I will go.
I am excited (and apprehensive) about working with the Youth and the Youth leaders as this is not an area that I expected to be involved in. I have however been encouraged by many people who have affirmed me in this area, and I am also very mindful of the fact that when God calls me out of my comfort zone, He has never failed to provide me with grace, wisdom and a healthy dose of reliance on Him to see me through whatever challenges I face. So, in faith I have jumped into the Youth Ministry and I am looking forward to seeing how God can work in me and through me to touch lives, and in the process make me grow in faith as well.
Your prayers are important to us as a committee as we are in the run up to planning for next year, both at ministry level as well as at EDC level, and we covet your prayer support and encouragement. May you be blessed as richly as I have been with God's presence.
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