Hearing from Pastor J

Ordination of Ps Ron to take on our PJ English Church was an event. For the ensuing 3 years it was helping different ones adjust to change in leadership. Unsuspecting it, adjustments also crept in on me with increasing realities of the transition.

Process

I remember when my Pastor (Richard Holland) retired and handed over to Kevin Conner who subsequently handed over to Mark they shared about their passing on the baton. I must admit that it was too far removed for me to grasp then. In recent years Ps Bernie Hartog retired and passed his baton to his successor. He mentioned to me his sense of grief in the process. This time it got closer home. Having invested my life into PJ (E) church for over 25 years, there are ties that I could not pretend that never existed. The people: their highs and lows, their pains, loss of loved ones or life’s crises and celebrations in child births, weddings, souls saved, are all life-oriented. Being a Pastor is never just a job. Relationships and emotions are real.

Hopefully this process equips me to be a better mentor to our outreach pastors in our New Life churches for the future when their turn comes. Someone said, once a pioneer always a pioneer. You tread through grounds before others for those behind you; just like parenting and grand-parenting. Even if children growing up may think that they do not need parents at some stage, the truth is, up to quite a few more years in their lives, they still look to their parents.

Promotion

In comforting me, Ps Lawrence said my situation should be viewed as a promotion as there are still things to do in overseeing the Group of churches. This promotion flows down first in the PJ (English) church with Ps Ron as its Pastor now. Others down the line move up and move around, even till today. Unlike my senior Pastor friends, they retired in old age. I am not there yet. So it is apt for me to empower our Pastors for successful service ahead of them.

Promotion with platform and progress

A government spells out the platform on which they rule the nation with ideals, vision, structures, policies and resources. For promotion to be meaningful platform and progress are part of the equation. Clarity of platform and process move us forward with better machinery and spiritual armoury. Further thoughts are in the making for our New Life Group Structure for a successful future. My headship over the Group will be helped by other Pastors.

Progress in ministry is meaningful only with empowerment of God’s grace. We serve a heavenly government. Ours is a spiritual service. Increased anointing with insight of God’s thoughts and ways are important. This is my focus in personal development. I hope it’s yours too. We are kingdom believers.

Progress is meaningful when platform includes the quality of right relationship at various levels. There is safety in this against the wiles of the evil one.

Mentoring and Books

My brother reminded me that success is not automatic. Mentors have been important to him. Mentoring is vital to us all. How true is that! Books are a great resource in this matter. Human mentors are not always easily accessible. If there are people willing to mentor us it is a blessing. A few pointers:

• There are no perfect mentors: learn their strengths and struggles
• There are longer term mentors and short term ones (seasonal)
• Mentors can be nearby or distant (authors)
• Mentors are experienced and gifted: fruit of ministry rather than a title

Pastor J

It is my desire to impart to our New Life Churches the many years of experience and lessons I learnt. Apart from visiting our churches and minister whenever possible, I have decided to write a column called “Hearing from Pastor J”. This is my first of a series of principles I learnt in my life. I hope it is helpful to some.

A few years ago my family and I were subjected to change due to long standing needs in our home. Now I have turned 55. The world system says ‘more changes’. However recent economic crises changed the retirement age. This shows that retirement is just a man-made mechanism in the world system. Singapore, Malaysia and Australia increased the age for retirement by 2 to 3 years. My take: we have to decide for ourselves and not fall prey to a mentality in transitions in life that lands us in unnecessary turmoil. Age may or may not be the best gauge for the need for transition. Not only the older face transitions, the young too. Young and old may lose their strength and change helps to bring refreshing.

“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in (wait upon) the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:30)

Realistically speaking, we do reach certain optimum levels where we find ourselves dissatisfied with the status quo. What was fulfilling before does not seem to be satisfying now.

It happens when you reach a certain stage of your life – in career, in between jobs or business ventures or in relationships. These moments happen at teenage, middle age or at retiring age. Transition can be a crisis time for some. Confusion may set in. They grope for understanding. Tragically, some make wrong choices and venture into unhealthy activities. Age is not the only factor in good decision making. Bible says wisdom is principal.

Is there anything wrong with experiencing the emotions that come with transition in life? The obvious answer is ‘no’.

The Lord is leading even in times of life’s transitions. God is working destiny and testimony in your life. This is a time of further self-discovery. It may even be a time of new ventures and creativity. Faith is a factor here. Trusting the Lord to bring you into your next level is a significant attitude. Staying in negative emotions like frustration with things or people does not help. Switching channels in thought patterns and subsequently change how we feel about things or people is important. In my recent few years amidst changing circumstances, one could be tempted to feel at a loss but thankfully a few things helped me and have kept me not only going but now I can say, largely fulfilled.

Serve God – He leads with revelation and refreshing

The knowledge that I am a life totally given to serve the Lord (faithfully and passionately for long years) helped me trust Him in times of transition. His revelation on the Kingdom of God has given me further understanding of God’s purpose, the future of the church and ministry. That refreshed my faith, my spirit and my soul. God’s open doors for ministry affirm the relevance of this Biblical illumination for the Body of Christ. At the same time others with similar revelation of God’s kingdom surfaced. It gave me confidence that I am leading God’s people accurately into His truths, empowering them in a valid faith based on God’s Word. Repeated invitations year after year have been coming in and filled up my calendar. I am very grateful that I can serve God in such grace. Such is the goodness of God. This is mercy.

Sharpening your Gift is His way of focusing you

I landed in situations that allowed the use of the prophetic gift to flow. That has been amazing to me – most times very nervous at first but very grateful after the ministry event, having encouraged many. A Pastor reckons it is a clear gift that God has endowed. One said not only sharp but detailed were the prophetic words. The truth is how would I know when I am prophesying? I merely open my mouth and the Lord filled it. I am glad that I do not ‘know’ what I am talking about. Glory goes to the Lord! I rejoice.

Seeing my family grow too quickly – family is priority

While I am full-on each time when serving the Lord no matter where, the tug and desire for the family has been real. I noticed when I am too long away from them I go emotionally bonkers. It must be driven home that after God our family is the most important thing. I am very grateful to my wife for her dedication to our marriage and our family. My family is blessed to have her.

Seeing God’s provision – it made a huge difference

In the midst of change God’s practical provision is a daunting concern but when it comes through sovereign means it has been a great stabilizing factor. I am grateful for the love of quiet ones that cared and showed it practically and graciously. Each time I quietly prayed with thanksgiving, “Lord, please bless them. Only you can do it well enough for each of these dear ones.”

Set in sweetness and away from bitterness

Having been in the church world for many years, I have seen believers end in bitterness and misgiving. Few as they may be, I hope, we certainly hope not to be numbered among them. Many can be the reasons for people to feel disappointed with God or with man. But being grateful for what God has given us is an art. Sweetness comes from a fulfilled life, a satisfied soul.

What satisfy?

Enjoy serving God. Enjoy the gifts God has given us. Enjoy God. Keep feeling useful to God no matter what and bless others.
These I learnt about moving in life’s transitions.

Jeremiah Yap