I was invited to watch a Youth Sports event organized by another Church yesterday. It was the Church's 1st Youth Sports, and the President of the Church's community arm wanted me to meet the RC (Residence Committee) Chairperson who would be there to grace the event.
Well, I didn't expect much before I went there. Yet I was greatly impressed when I saw the extent the sports event was organized. It was better than any school sports event I had attended. The weather was good too. Thank God!
This church has about 180 youth members (secondary to university students) out of a congregation of less than 600. However, they managed to get another 90 students from different schools to join the event. That's 50% of their youth membership size.... quite a lot! Other than this event, the youth workers planned to do outreach in the polytechnics and universities soon.
The RC Chairperson and her team were very pleased and impressed with the event too. She suggested that I look into organizing community programme for her zone, which I gladly agreed. There will be lots of good opportunities for further outreach. Praise God! :D
In addition, I also learned that more than 400 members will be going for their church retreat next month in Genting. That's about 70% of the church membership. I was further amazed.
Reflection:
It puzzled me at first as to how a small church like this could have such great faith to buy a land and build its own 7-storey building for community services. When I first asked its leaders this question, all I got was "God will provide".
Hmmn... isn't it a bit too unwise to just depend on faith and have no concrete plan?
Now I know why "God will provide". I see their faith in actions. I see their enthusiasm in doing outreach in various activities. I see the participating spirit of the whole church. I see the intercessory prayers of its members (especially all the leaders), not just a few members.
Yes, when the Church takes the first step of faith with actions in place "God will provide".
19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
- Matthew 28:19-20
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
- Matthew 28:19-20
2 comments:
God will provide only when people do their parts.
Making disciples is not an option. So the church leaders must take the lead and motivate their members to do likewise with concrete plans.
I wonder how many church leaders have action plans for their churches. I see the volunteer leaders function like the Board of Directors of a company, while the full time leaders, such as Pastors, Youth workers, etc, should function like executive staff of a company who are fully responsible for the performance of the church. The Pastor is like the CEO and must ensure that the church do well. Yearly KPI for these full time staff must be given and be made know to the members who are shareholders of the church.
What are the Key Performance Indicators of an effective Pastor or full time worker? The BOD must decide, maybe say, membership increase by 20% per year, or 5 new people saved per month, raise up 5 new leaders per year, etc. Unless the KPI are clearly spell out and follow closely, the church may remain the same w/o much growth, paid workers may be complacent, and just draw their salaries w/o having to meet any target. I would expect church staff to perform better than those working in the secular world.
Just my thoughts as a passerby. Hope you don't mind my comment.
That's a good comparison. Thanks for sharing.
As Christians, whether we work in the secular jobs or in the Church full time, we should do all works as unto God. For He is our ultimate Judge in terms of how we perform. However, we are also accountable to our stack holders, such as, our bosses, investors and donors.
For the Church's full time staff, especially the Pastors, they have to be accountable as to how they use the offerings and building funds given by the members.
Sadly, gone were the days when Pastors or church's full time workers lived by faith. These days, they are getting not too bad a pay cheque, or even better than the commercial world for some. That in itself may bring about complacencies in many as there is no set criteria or measurement on their performances. Even if there are, most members may prefer to sit on the fence and not raise their concerns over erred performances in the name of 'peace'.
Therefore, I do agree that a clearly defined KPI should be welcome by good Pastors or full time Church's staff if they confident of doing well. In fact, after the NKF issues, the govt is stepping in to check on non-profit org, churches or other religious org may also be targeted.
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