Church in general – Page 14

Category: Church in general

Racism And The Church

30 June 2021 blogpastor 2 Comments

Racism is a hot topic today all over the Western world and even in multi-racial Singapore. The backdrop of the death of George Floyd and “Black Lives Matter” in the past year, and recent local discussions about racism make this topic something all Christians should be knowledgeable about, so that we can be formed to be effective witnesses in our attitudes, conversations with people and in our online interactions.

I preached this message “RACISM AND THE CHURCH” to my home church (World Revival Prayer Fellowship) on July 2021, and decided to upload it on my BLOGPASTOR channel. It was well received by members because it was a relevant and pertinent topic on social media as well as the national newspaper.

It is a 40 minutes full message, so if you wish to scroll to what interests you, here is a guide: 0:00 Stories of casual racism 6:48Definition of Racism 8:00 Examples of serious racism where lives were lost and the church was an accomplice 14:35 God has a multi-racial dream 16:59 We share a common ancestry 19:22 Research spun off from Human Genome Project throws light on the races 25:25 What went wrong and how it can be made right 31:44Personal action steps we can take.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNuIQIjn4fE&t=2s

I trust that this message has blessed you and you will share it with other Christians so when opportunities arise, Christians can be confident to talk about it and share about God’s multi-racial dream and His love.

If, like me, you had some experience of subtle or casual racism directed at you do share (without being vitriolic) your experiences and how you sorted out the hurts and insults in the comment box below.

POSTSCRIPT: I sent my videos to pastor friends for input, and retired pastor Seng Chor commented that mention of the creation of man in the image of God (Genesis 1:27)should shape our view of how we view people of other races: with respect and graciousness. This certainly is the foundation on which to frame our view of race equality and multi-ethnic relations. Thanks, Seng Chor.

Tabernacle of Holiness: meeting the pastors

1 June 2021 blogpastor Leave a comment

They are a five minutes walk away from my home church, so I parked outside my church and took a quick walk to the Citiraya Centre, to the sixth floor where the Tabernacle of Holiness gathered for worship. The Tabernacle is a Pentecostal church with a track record of raising prophetic people with a passion for evangelism and missions. I went there on Sunday morning to fulfil a guest preaching engagement.

STRONG PROPHETIC MANTLE

Churches tend to take after their leaders, and the founder of this church is Prophet Amos Jayarathnam, a man of God with a validated prophetic office and apostolic reach. A humble, holy man very gifted in personal prophecy and used by God to speak to Presidents, to political, church and business leaders. It is therefore not surprising that their leaders and congregants have stronger than normal prophetic awareness and exercise of the gift of prophecy. In fact one of their leaders, Jacob Pillay discovered, developed and was released into prophetic ministry during the decade of being a marketplace leader in the church. Amos is now the senior overseer and besides the churches he fathers, he also oversees a prophetic-pastors fellowship called Covenant Pastors.

Amos and I drank from the same spiritual source. We were fellow participants of a revival that began at the Dunearn Technical Secondary School. That revival morphed into a church called World Revival Prayer Fellowship, and Amos and myself drank from this powerful stream of living waters. Many pastors, missionaries and full-time workers were awakened and called into service during the revival. Amos and I were two of them.

MASKED BUT NOT BOUND

We were smack in the middle of covid-19 phase 2 (heightened restrictions) and I was informed that I would have to preach with a mask on and there would be less than 50 people on-site with the service streamed online on YouTube. I felt comforted that there would be a live audience. It is much better than preaching to empty chairs. In a sense, preaching is a dialogue. It is reflexive. You say some things and the audience react with facial expressions and body language, and if needed, you respond by adjusting what you had originally planned to say.

I found that people were listening and I felt my message was getting through and touching hearts. I spoke about the Holy Spirit as our faithful and helpful friend, who shares his wisdom with us, and also his quieter less glamourous but essential ministry of edification, comfort and encouragement. I was pleased to be informed later that the people felt blessed by the message.

MEETING THE PASTORS

It was a joy to meet with the Senior Pastor Xavier Dawes. He is a pastor through and through, immediately making me feel comfortable, and able to draw out my thoughts and feelings, and give affirmation and encouragement. It is good that every congregation have a good mix of different ministry-gifts. Christ gifts to the church includes apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Eph 4). Having a pastor in leadership establishes stability, and calms restless souls so that they comfortably feed well and drink well of God’s green pastures and still waters.

*Senior Pastor Xavier Dawes (L), myself and pastor Isaiah Mahendran (R)*

I also met their administrative pastor Isaiah Mahendran, who has been co-ordinating all the Covenant Pastors fellowship meetings. Gifted in administration and with a strong worship anointing. When he is around things run smoothly, and when he leads the worship among pastors, we feel the presence of God. I think that together with Amos, Xavier, and Jacob they form a strong team. I left the church after the service ended feeling blessed and privileged to have the opportunity to preach in this church.

I remembered I preached there about ten years ago and wrote about my experience and observations about my visit. You can read more about my earlier visit and their faith and missionary zeal HERE.

Three Steps Forward, Two Steps Backward

17 May 2021 blogpastor Leave a comment

I was given a warm welcome at the sanctuary on Sunday. It was my first time preaching in my home church after six months of rest. I was glad to do so. Sadly, there was no on-site congregation, as the pastoral team had decided that the sustained spike in Covid 19 cases, and the government tightening of rules made it wise for them to return to streaming the worship service without on-site congregation.

Initially, I was informed to wear a mask while preaching. I tested different masks at home because if the sound was muffled, people will switch off rather quickly. I found a mask of spongy material that did not muffle my voice. However, by Saturday night I was informed that the authorities allowed speaking and singing by two singers without masks on if there is no on-site congregation. I felt such relief, because the mask is a barrier to effective communication.

AWKWARD TO PREACH TO EMPTY SEATS

It still felt awkward preaching to an empty church. Later when I checked out the recording online, I could see that my preaching was smooth and the awkwardness I felt was not disruptive nor disturbed the flow of the delivery.

I counted five in the worship team and seven in the audio and media team. I felt for them. They have been fantastic in their commitment and stamina. They are so professional in their attitude and spirit even though they are all volunteers. I praise God for them, especially Zephaniah who leads the media team and Ethel who leads the worship ministry. The Lord will not forget the works they have done in his name and for the church.

FEELING FOR BUSINESS OWNERS AND PASTORAL STAFF

I noticed the traffic was lighter than usual due to the government’s strict directives to curb the spread of covid 19, especially the rule of no dine-in and social groups limited to only two. Human traffic at malls and restaurants would be affected too. A lot of businesses would be affected besides malls and F&B and entertainment establishments. I feel for the business owners.

This setback is three steps forward and two steps backward. Before I retired, the church was streaming services with no on-site congregation. Then things improved and the church returned to on-site worship of our three congregations of 50 to 100, office staff meetings and prayer meetings and even prayer retreats. It was two steps forward and I even solemnised a wedding with a hundred guests in attendance. Then suddenly this frustrating announcement of a pull back to stricter Phase 2 precautions. Of all days, on a Friday. Which meant the stressed pastoral staff had to make a judgment call, and implement and communicate all the changes in 48 hours. They cancelled the on-site congregation worship on Sunday. I feel for the pastoral team. It can be draining, discouraging and frustrating to rapidly respond to all these sudden changes. Two steps backward.

I also feel for those who had already planned wedding receptions and dinners on Sunday, two days before the announcements. The ups and downs, and back and forth, that wedding couples face will make what is meant to be one of their happiest memories, a nightmare, and their honeymoon a pity-party. Lord, have mercy and brighten these couples with a quiet peace and joy to sustain them in the midst of discouragement and helplessness.

THE LORD SITS ENTHRONED

Regardless of how we feel, we have to believe in the face of all this mess that “the Lord sits enthroned over the flood” (Psalm 29:10). Floods can be chaotic and disruptive and destructive but the Psalmist saw God as Sovereign over uncontrollable forces. We are still one step ahed from where we were during the circuit breaker lock-down. We have much to give thanks for compared to other countries struggling with larger populations and lesser resources and weaker governance. Therefore, stay calm and keep praying and walking in the Spirit. Rejoice in the Lord, and not in the sad situation we find ourselves in. Rejoice that He sits enthroned over the flood.