2022.01.08/09
From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Simon Lee
Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,
Every year at the beginning of the year, we have an installation service for the new elders, deacons and deaconesses who will be serving in the new year. We are enormously thankful to all the people who serve so faithfully year in and year out. This is especially so when we have just gone through 2 years of the Covid pandemic and to see how we carried on the Church ministries using all sort of means and methods. It is so gratifying to witness that as our people serve God faithfully despite all the setbacks we experienced. All of you will receive the commendation from Jesus Himself: Good and faithful servants!
Here in 2022, after a year of roller-coaster ride through the Covid pandemic with our hopes down, up and down again, we are facing the Omicron variant that has spread rapidly through the population with number of cases of infection up to over 4,000 daily. Yet, just as the Lord brought us through the past two years, I am confident that the Lord will again help us through. We shall overcome!
The new team is characterized by new vitality of new board members and coworkers, and the continuation of stability of experienced board members and other faithful team members. We are also grateful for a strong team of pastoral workers and administrative team. Praise the Lord! Leaders, let us together with our members return to Scriptures to seek guidance on how to lead the Church forward.
The Spirit leads me again to the story of Moses and the problem he had in trying to lead about 2-million people through the wilderness, as found in Exodus 18. Moses was totally exhausted, and he tried to deal with all the problems brought to him, both big and small. Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law saw Moses and was very concerned about him, because Moses was sitting from dawn till dusk judging over the people’s affairs. When Moses was asked why he did that, he replied: “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will. When they have a dispute, it is brought to me and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and laws.” (15-16) Jethro couldn’t believe what he heard and said: “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you and you cannot handle it alone.” What follows as his advice to Moses what I like to call the 3 “Jethro Leadership Principles” which I would like to share with you here.
#1 – Teach others the Words
Moses had to learn to teach others the laws of God so that they know how to live by them. Teaching (and preaching) is the most important thing a leader can do in his or her ministries. Before dealing with the “how’s”, a leader must show those he leads the “what’s” and the “why’s.” Unfortunately, in our pragmatic society, both the leaders and those who are led value more the “how’s” over the important truth that is the reason and basis of what we do and want to achieve.
Paul in encouraging Timothy in his ministry to be above all diligent in God’s word, “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim 3:14-16) We should all lead based on His Word.
#2 – Delegate others to serve
Moses was instructed to “select capable men from all the people – men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain – and appoint them as officials … have them serve as judges for the people at all times.” (21-22) The character of the leaders we elect and appoint is critical to doing the task well, they include the qualities of God-fearing, trustworthiness and integrity. A problem we face today in the leadership of the church around the world is that these qualities are being replaced by self-confidence, self-trust and worldliness, a version of the power and politics of the secular world.
Again, Paul teaches Timothy in 2Tim. 2:1,2, “You then, my child, …what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” Train the trainers, teach the teachers. I hope we can do this at RCAC.
#3 – Take on the most difficult cases
Moses should concentrate on the most difficult tasks which are his major responsibilities and leave the rests to others whom he had appointed. A good example is found in Numbers 36 where the issue of land inheritance for women came up. Moses had to exert his leadership in resolving the issue. Senior leaders must be empowered to deal with the major issues and not be handcuffed in exercising his authority. There must be trust given to the senior leader, and of course, the senior leader must also earn the trust of those he leads by personal example. Paul instructs Timothy with this words: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1Tim 4: 12) We hope that all our leaders, in our own areas of responsibility, will lead by example.
Your servant in Christ,
Rev. Simon Lee