Category Extra Thoughts

Just some of my many thoughts…

Reformation of the Church in the 21st Century

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Former Ren Cis Chief Officer, Venerable Ming Yi

Just last month, another charity organisation- Ren Ci had came under the scrutiny over irregularities in its books. Their now former chief, Venerable Ming Yi had since been suspended and is awaiting charges.

From everyday reports of sex and money laundering scandals that seem to plague politicians and religious leaders including pastors and priests, to the NKF to Youth Challenge discrepancies.

Once again, such news has further dampened the publics’ confidence and trust in religious or humanitarian and charitable causes.

But even without such endless controversies, today’s donors are much more well-informed bunch than before in this Digital and Information Age and also demand more involvement as a stakeholder.

Bridging the rift of mistrust

Now, any fund-raising projects or donation drives will not escape the scrutiny or skepticism from the public including corporate organisations. Hence, with the diminishing of trust, there is a need to re-invent or to re-create the approach of garnering support towards humanitarian and charitable causes.

And in my opinon, a better and ideal approach or model is to move towards being “social business” or also commonly known as “social enterprise”.

This model moves the traditional charity organisations from one that is passive to one that is pro-active. It no longer just reaches out its “hand” when funds are depleting, but it learns to “fish” and feed itself.

In other words, charity organisations become self-financing. When that happens, the used of funds become more “flexible” as a social business is not reliant on public giving. This also attracts more stakeholders to support its causes because  it serves as an asset in adding value to society in terms of humanitarian and economic contributions.

Bridging the Church to the lost

In my personal observation, the Church also somewhat shares similar issues with in terms of gaining credibility and being relevant. Hence, we need to tackle these in order that the gospel can be made easily available and receptive to people.

From a secular viewpoint, the Church is a merely a religious institution. Though there’s nothing wrong with that statement, but in truth, God’s true intent for His Church is MUCH MORE than being a religious institution who’s only role is to preach the gospel.

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 3:10-11

The Church’s mandate and capability (with God’s omnipotence) should not be confined just to preaching the gospel, but being in touch of our world by being an asset in championing humanitarian causes and even further adding value with economic contributions by creating businesses and employment.

Somehow, we need to break the perception of the world (even Christians) that God only works within the “four walls” of the Church.

The Church is and should be relevant because our God is a BIG God with a big heart that cares for every aspect of our lives and not just the spiritual aspect. And His wisdom is given for every aspect of our lives too.

Giving to God Whatever Little We Have

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It is not uncommon for us to overlook what we may have at our disposal in our course towards progress in God’s will for our lives- business, career, ministry, family, etc.

In instances where God gives us His revelation or His vision towards His will or purpose, we may even lack the faith by overly focusing on our lack or inadequecy.

Looking at what we have

I believe God can use whatever little or much when we have faith in Him and in what He can do.

Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you’?”

Then the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” 

“A staff,” he replied.

Exodus 4:1-2

In this passage from Exodus, Moses didn’t expect God to use his staff that was in his hand. The staff was a mere stick in the eyes of Moses.

It must have surprised him that God would asked for his staff. But with it, God showed that He could use it to glorify His Name by turning it into a snake.

God can use whatever little we have

Often, like Moses, we might belittle what we have by overlooking them. Worse, we might even doubt that God can actually use the things we have.

But more important than things, I believe we should NEVER depise our lives and even think for a moment that we are not worthy or good enough for His purposes.

As we give to God what we have and whatever little we think our life is, and He will take it and use us beyond what we could ever imagine.

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

John 14:12-14

Leading in the Face of Criticism

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The debate between Anwar Ibrahim and Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek on 15 July 2008

The debate between Anwar Ibrahim and Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek on 15 July 2008

One of the true marks of maturity in a person is having the ability take criticism from others. And being able to take criticism is essentially required when in a position of leadership.

Personally, I think it is necessary, especially for leaders to be secure; being not only open to listen, but also to respect the opinions and views of others.

Criticism or feedback should not be seen as a form of personal attack, but objectively taken as an added perspective that could serve well towards a (common) goal.

The Anwar-Shabery debate

I was somewhat a surprise when I read that our neighbouring country, Malaysia held a debate between Opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim and the Ruling Party’s Information Minister, Ahmad Shabery Cheek over the fuel price hike.

This was supposedly the first time such a ‘live’ debate was broadcast in the country. And it was watched carefully by almost the entire population of Malaysia.

Read the summary of the debate here>>>

Expecting criticism

I thought that the debate was a good example to illustrate how criticism should be welcomed to make room for socio-economic progression by sharing of information and involving the participation of citizens. Something that our democratic “first-world and first-class” nation can learn from.

If I recount correctly, the closes a broadcast ‘debate’ had ever sparked off was the recent confrontation between Dr Chee Soon Juan and the Lees in court over defamation charges against the former behind closed doors of the court.

As a leader, one will not be able to please everyone or meet every expectations. Hence, criticism is to be expected, even from those who might criticise for the sake of criticising.

But even if that happens, isn’t everyone entitled to his or her opinion and views as a stakeholder?

Following The Road Less Travelled

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Leadership in most times requires one to take the road less travelled.

And this is even more so with godly leadership, as standing on God’s truth usually demands us to stick out like a sore thumb among the crowd.

Just look in the Bible and we can read the scores of stories about the prophets that chose to obey God and spoke against the Israelites wayward practises towards God.

Their obedience in many cases led them to being persecuted and excommunicated from their people.

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matthew 7:13-14

Even the apostles during the early Church chose to proclaim the Good News despite of orders by the high priests and authorities to stop or face punishment. And end of the of their ministry, we see that all but one of the apostles were marytered.

Godly leadership is usually counter-cultural in our world, but sadly, at times this may also includes within the Christian culture.

The Greatest Revolution

Martin Luther. From 1483 to 1546

In Germany in the 1500s, Martin Luther created the greatest revolution of all time when he set about reforming the church in embracing salvation as a gift by faith, not something to be earned.

The church reacted immediately to his challenge of the pope’s authority. It branded Luther a heretic and attempted to assassinate him but he went into hiding.

While in his seclusion. Luther accomplished his most important work: he translated the Bible into German, the language of his people. Before this, the Bible had been in Latin which only the elites could read. By availing the Bible to the people, this would later change Germany and others.

Luther didn’t intend to leave the church, Like others before him, he wanted to bring it back to its foundational beliefs, to bring reformation.

Voice for Equality

Rev. Dr Martin Luther King Jr. From 1926 to 1968

Rev. Dr Martin Luther King Jr. From 1926 to 1968

In America where discrimination against the blacks was rampant, Rev. Dr Martin Luther King Jr. entered the civil rights movement in 1955. By that time, he was a Baptist minister, a husband and a father and he did all to make people realise that “all men are created equal”.

King became the most important voice of the American civil rights movement, which worked toward political and social equality for all races. He was famous for using non-violent resistance to overcome injustice, and he never got tired of trying to end segregation laws.

From the time he assumed leadership to his assasination 13 years later, he faced hundreds of death threats. His home in Montgomery was even bombed, with his wife and young children inside.

But the defining moment of King’s life came after a threatening telephone call at midnight alarmed him: “Nigger, we are tired of you and your mess now. And if you aren’t out of this town in three days, we’re going to blow your brains out and blow up your house.”

Shaken, King went to the kitchen to pray. “I could hear an inner voice saying to me, ‘Martin Luther, stand up for righteousness. Stand up for justice. Stand up for truth. And lo I will be with you, even until the end of the world.'”

Today the entire world especially America owe it to King for liberating them from the burden of centuries-old hypocrisy about race. It is only because of King and the movement that America can claim to be the leader of the “free world” without inviting smirks of disdain and disbelief.

Being Godly Followers

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Generally speaking, we people are more natural followers than leaders.

From the beginning when we enter into this world, we learn to follow our parents. Gradually as we grow up, we enter into school where we learn to follow.

For the men in Singapore, we enter into national service where we are trained to follow. Eventually, we enter into the workforce and again we follow our bosses.

Taking it further, we are consciously or unconsciously subjected to the dictatorship of our government. And you guess it right… We follow again.

Why be a follower

Being a follower is not necessary a bad thing. In fact, being a good follower is important for any system or organisation to function and progress.

In the Bible, scriptures teach us to submit to authorities placed above us as purposed by God. And in the Body of Christ, we are encouraged to obey our leaders and submit to their authority so that their work would be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage for us (c.f. Hebrews 13:17).

Hence, we can conclude that to submit and to follow is not just about loving and respecting your “neighbour”, but it also concerns the advancement of God’s work and purpose through the Body or any system and organisation.

Biblically, unity and cohesiveness leads to godly and optimised performance- His results.

Therefore, understanding and embracing our respective roles and purpose will help us to follow and contribute to the common vision or goal of the Body.

Don’t be a blind follower

Paradoxically, we as Christians are called and destined to be leaders. As we follow God and His word, leadership becomes a responsibility to undertake as we grow in our service to God and people.

But as followers of Christ, we lead by example with a Christ-like life and setting the standard for morality, character, attitude, competence in our field of work and excellence in how we live out God’s will.

However, knowingly or unknowingly, we have become natural “followers” with our “herd” mentality shaped by our environment and not the word of God. This is the go-with-the flow mindset or the go-with-the-majority approach.

Below are some of the wrong reasons of following:

  1. To gain acceptance by fitting in and by not being seen as out of place or deem different
  2. To feel secure with the sense of belonging developed by “going with the flow” or maintaining the status quo
  3. To win love by pursuing the approval and meeting expectations of others
  4. Just plain laziness, ignorance or out of fear in order to avoid hassle, trouble or conflict

Following God first

Personally, following for the wrong reasons is not only unhealthy, but unbiblical. God commands us to love Him with all our hearts, our soul and our MINDS- to know why we do what we do. It may seem safe or the easy-way-out by just following, but eventually it will lead to disastrous consequences.

For certain, this will not produce true leaders in the Kingdom of God. And we can also observe this problem in the corporate world with our government encouraging entrepenuership among Singaporeans.

Therefore, if not careful, we may find ourselves following for all the wrong reasons with God not even in the picture in our obedience. And this is what we usually term as “blind obedience”.

Ultimately, you and I need to know and to be fully aware that we need to follow God first. And that is by obeying His word and walking in His ways first before anything or anyone else.

“We love because he first loved us” ~ 1 John 4:19

Our obedience has to spring from our love-relationship we share with God. And of cos, our following plans and actions has to be undergirded with His love.

Extending the Influence of The Church

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I am convinced that the Church should be the most powerful institution or organisation in this world.

Potentially, the Church has phenomenal power and influence at her disposal with as God the CEO.

However, I think today we see that the Church do not seem to command such a position which is rightfully ours.

Instead of the Church influencing the world, the contrary seems more apparent where the world has influenced the Church.

This is sad.

Reclaiming our position

In influencing our world, the Church needs to start by gaining a foothold in every one of these territories- government, education, business, media, arts & entertainment which is commonly known as the marketplace.

The marketplace is the very heart of the nation. And in order to win a nation towards discipling a nation, we need to engage our marketplace.

According to a survey done in the US, it reveals that up to 90% of believers felt that they weren’t trained for their calling in the workplace through their local church. I think it is safe to say that most churches in Singapore do face a similar predicament.

Generally, the Church is operating more like a cruise liner instead of a battleship. And there are a couple of reasons for our lack of influence according to Os Hillman. They are:

  • Not engaged in culture
  • Evangelism not carried out in mainstream key networks of influence
  • Lack of social and economic capital to influence
  • Flawed eschatology- “If its only going to get worse, why bother?”

The gospel of the kingdom

Another key reason of our lack of influence with our world is that we preach and live out a gospel of salvation.

A gospel of salvation is incomplete. What we need to preach and live out is the gospel of His Kingdom as salvation is just the first part, but not the end goal of a Christian. Living out the gospel of the kingdom will impact our will, intent and purpose, manifesting a culture and society reflecting Jesus’ nature, values and morals.

As a kingdom is the governing impact of a king’s will over a territory or domain, his influence over a people, and a government led by a king. Therefore, a Christian after being saved needs to continue to live under the sovereign rulership of Jesus in his/her life where he/she is- with friends, or with the family and in the marketplace.

This is where local churches comes in to disciple and equip its members to discovering and fulfill their calling; releasing each one into ministry towards fulfilling the Great Commission.

Consequently, this will produce an extended Church that reaches out and influences the world, and not a nuclear Church where God’s power and influence is confined within the walls of the Church.

Our Work Is Our Ministry

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Is work simply just work for you?

Do you view your work or job as not-so-spiritual in comparison to church-related activities?

Our work is a ministry

If we think for second that our jobs in the marketplace are insignificant in comparison to what we do in church, then we are horribly wrong.

From Scripture, we can see that God expects us to approach and handle our work in a sacred manner; as an act of worship unto Him. Therefore, sloppy and laziness at work is indefinitely not what God expects His people to be associated with.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Colossians 3:23-24

Given that we spend an average of 160,000 hours at work in our life-time, this provides us with a large window of opportunity to impact and touch lives around us.

With our work or jobs, this divinely provides us an “entry vehicle” into the marketplace (mission field) to sow and reap the harvest. Therefore, our work is given to us for His purpose- using our gifts/talents to serve Him and others around us.

Shining at work

Personally as I understand this biblical truth and His purpose more, I started to pray more at work. Every morning I ask that the Holy Spirit to empower and use me for His redemptive purpose towards fulfilling His Great Commission.

I see that the onus is on us to shine for Him with our work. And this is not an easy feat as we have a higher standard to reach. As His followers, we not only need to perform our jobs professionally with excellence, but also set an example of living an upright life.

With such a high calling, I am convinced that you and I need to pray more to rely on Him carrying out our roles and responsibilities at work.

Defeating Darkness with Light

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Shining His light brightly as His star God calls His people who are called by His Name to be the Light of the world; and to shine as His Light is not exactly optional.

However in reality, many of us may have allowed Darkness- the worldly influences and corrupted state of our environment- to overwhelm us to either the point of conformity or to the point of indifference/status quo.

Therefore, Edmund Burke’s statement that “all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing” does hold alot of truth and explains why the Church is weak (my general opinion).

Light versus darkness

In one of my recent private moments with God, I was gently reminded of the power that light had against darkness. And that darkness is only the result of the absence of light.

When there is total darkness, even the faintest of light will breakthrough and be seen instantenously. Light disperses darkness.

The same cannot be said for darkness. Whether there is a dim or brightest of light, no matter how much more darkness there is surrounding it. Darkness can NEVER disperse light. 

Though darkness looks over-powering and hideous, it actually has no direct affect on light. But it can only overshadow light when light fizzles or fades away.

Being the Light of the world

Likewise as Christians, our “dark” or adverse situation can only defeat us or overwhelm us if we choose to fizzle off or fade away to the background. That’s how we hand over victory or the authority to our enemy.

“… Become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life…”

Philippians 2:14-16

With understanding of the power light has against darkness, this gives us the confidence that we can only emerge victorious IF we believe in His word and keeping shining by stand our ground.

As Christians, we can take heart that despite being the minority in the world; in our marketplace; in our community or family; our light will stand out even more and shine even brighter.

Positionally, we are fighting a sure-win battle, but we need to have faith and claim our victory.

Being The True Church

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Generally, I believe there are many churches around. And it is safe to say that each church has its own distinct characteristic which caters to different groups of people within the Christian community.

For instance, there is the denomination factor such as being a Presbyterian, Anglican, Methodist, Pentecostal, etc… There is the worship atmosphere factor in whether the church worships in hymns or contemporary music such as Hillsongs.

Let’s not forget that there’s also the preacher factor and that means whether the sermons are engaging or boring. And what about, the people factor-whether if the church is family-oriented, or whether it caters to the elderly, youth or adults and the list goes on.

What really matters to God

Not sure about you, but personally, I think all these factors are not exactly the main concerns of our Lord.

What truly counts on the final analysis is not whether the church performs its religious routine faithfully week in and out or year in or out- regular attendance or doing the “spiritual” things.

I believe that Jesus is more concern whether or not the church is actively living out His purpose as His church; and if His people are obeying His charge in fulfilling the mandate of the Great Commission.

Being the Church in the end times

In my opinion, what ultimately defines the church of Jesus Christ is exhibiting His transformation power and love with the message of His grace of the cross for our sins by our engagement with society and culture around us in our community, city, country and continents.

With all of us living into the end times, there is a serious need of urgency for the Church to be alert and fall into complacency; to be always “operational ready” or face the consequences as described in the parable of the ten virgins.

For this very reason, let us not only be content in merely going to church or doing church. But let us arise and be the Church.

I Want to Be God-Made, not Self-Made

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He's Potter, I am the clayI think it is not uncommon to hear stories of self-made men and women; in how they climbed from “rags to riches” or how they overcame the adverse odds to experience success.

Not sure about you, but I do enjoy reading or listening to such life stories as they never fail to inspire me with their deep sense of purpose and determination to achieve the seemingly impossible.

In fact, I also think that each one of us have that similar potential, but the only difference that distinguishes us from these men and women is having that clear and distinct sense of purpose in life.

Knowing our true purpose

It is safe to say that many of us go through life with no real sense of purpose. We are merely “chasing the wind”.

We chase from one event to another; one life-station to another; one trend to another; one product or gadget to another.

However, in my humble opinion (undergirded by my understanding of scriptures and God), our ultimate life purpose is to make God be known with and through our lives as His workmanship or masterpiece.

Which means whatever little or big successes that we strive to achieve and experience, we do it as an act of worship unto God who gives us the ability and the opportunity to do so.

Being God-made, not self-made

I recalled this tortise on a lamp-post story. When we see a tortise up on a lamp-post, we know someone had placed it there. Cos how can a tortise climb up a lamp-post rite?

It has been 8 years since I have committed and surrendered my life to Him. And I can testify that not I, but He who has been re-building my life from the mess I gave to Him. Like that tortise, I know I wouldn’t be where I am today if not for God and I am still “work in progress”.

Besides salvation, I am certain He wants to give me more and work in me even more than I can ever imagine. And I am looking forward to what He is instore ahead.

I pray that in all the successes that come my way, they will speak of me as a God-made man, and not a self-made man. Amen.