Pastorpher's Adventures!!!: April 2006

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

The secret to Pray

Often times we struggle to pray. It is common to find low attendance at prayer meetings and high participation in fellowship events (in Malaysia). We have often heard that the Koreans are very fervant and diligent in praying. They have prayer meetings all the time: dawn prayer meeting, wednesday service. Their churches have special rooms and meeting halls specially dedicated to prayer. They have prayer chain that goes on 24/7. They have prayer mountains where people spend days praying. The Pastor at BuPyoung Methodist Church says that we must pray continually; meaning that we must get tired of praying. As we consider the Korean church and its dedication to prayer, we are challenge to ask the question: what makes them to be so different than us? What is their secret? Why do they pray so much?

In Korean the people who champion prayer are people who have been profoundly effected by the power of prayer. Literally, their lives changed because they or someone else prayed for them. Pastor Cho Yonggi Yi for example was healed from sickness because of prayer. Today, we heard a story of a missionary who work among the Lepers in Phillipians. He explained to the congregation that when he was in high school, God healed him from a dreadful disease. And as a result to that he gave his life to serve God. These are the people who believe in prayer: those who have been impacted by prayer.

If you ask the Senior Pastor of the Methodist church in BuPyoung the question about the secret of prayer, he will give you one answer: the Holy Spirit. Yesterday morning in the dawn prayer meeting, the congregation leader at the service prayed: 'Lord Holy Spirit. Come and lead us to pray. Use us a vessel to pray. Prayer through us.' In humility they stand before God and avail themselves to pray. Is it any wonder why God uses them?

This morning, i stayed back a little longer to pray at the Dawn Prayer Meeting. Some where along the way, i realised that time no longer matters when we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us to pray. I realised that people began to cry and weep as they gave the Holy Spirit liberity to pray through them and in them. This is very scriptural. Just turn to Jude 20 and you will see God's instruction concerning this matter.

I felt God was saying that He wants to use each one of us to pray, if only we avail ourselves to Him.

I want to thank God for giving us this opportunity to come to Korea and especially to BuPyong Methodist Church. I think one has to come to a place like this to catch a vision to pray. When the disciples saw Jesus' prayer life, they responded by saying, 'teach us to pray.' One learns about prayer by seeing others praying. So often, we hear the comment that as believers we should pray, but how often do we see examples of men and women praying? I too am guilt of this.

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Prayer Exposure in Korea

We had an exciting day. We woke up about 4.30 in the morning and attended the Dawn Prayer Meeting which was held at the main sanctuary. About 700 people were present at the Prayer Meeting. Attending this meeting gave me a glimpse into the very heart of the church. Although, this is a very big church, with lots of property and workers, the true secret of the church rest in prayer. We saw how the Church Senior Pastor, his staff and church people prayed. They were very passionate, zealous and diligent in their prayer.

As we were praying, God revealed that the reason why the people gave so much to the church both in finance and service was because they realised that they are serving the living God.

They remembered us in prayer this morning. And they prayed that God will grant the Senior Pastor courage and strength to speak to us. I also notice that they depended on God through prayer for every thing. Because they don't take God for granted and depend on Him entirely (this dependance is expressed in their prayer life), God is able to do great and might things in their midst.

This evening the Senior Pastor shared a brief history of the church. He told us that his conversion into Christianity, and his calling into full time ministry was all linked to prayer. When he was at the age of 18, he went with his friends to a prayer mountain and prayed. His prayer was very brief as compared to his friends, but he noticed that his friends experienced the reality of God when they prayed. This challenged him to pray and he asked God to reveal Himself to him. But nothing happened for him at the prayer mountain. When he returned home, he was determined to seek God and prayed earnestly. After a few weeks the Holy Spirit came upon his life and everything changed.

In prayer, this church was built. The first building costed them about US 10 million dollars. They were not very rich but God assured them that he would provide. And sure enough God fulfilled the promise. Do you know that they did not do any fund raising projects to get funds? The Senior Pastor said that he only prayed that God will convict the hearts of people to give, and God did that.

Now i realised why Korea is such a special place. It is a place where the people take God seriously and give themselves wholeheartly to prayer. Another characteristic of the church is that they also are faithful givers. They take tithing seriously.

I also had the opportunity to visit the full gospel's prayer mountain. I think it would be good for people to come to Korea and experience prayer movement for themselves. Certainly, we don't have to adopt everything that the Koreans do. But, what is important is that we catch the vision and passion to pray.

When we ask them the question why do Koreans pray so much, his answer was that they are filled and moved by the Holy Spirit to do so. He testified that without the Holy Spirit, we will not be able to pray as we ought to. And one needs more of the Holy Spirit in order to live a life of prayer and holiness.

My dream is that some day, i would be able to bring groups of people to Korea to experience the power and reality of prayer. I hope and now i must start praying that God will make this dream a reality.

Monday, April 24, 2006

Faithfulness

At the present moment, i am at BuPyung Methodist Church. We arrived here this morning at 8.10 a.m. The weather was wonderful..7 degrees C. Mmm..that's like walking into a refregrator. But it cool and nice. Everything feels fresh and clean. The church that is hosting us is very big. I think they may have about 10,000 members! Tomorrow morning we would be joining their morning prayer meeting. That would be at 5 in the morning.

This week the Lord has been putting some thoughts on faithful. He showed me that we shouldn't envy anyone who is doing well. Actually, blessings and growth comes from God. If we are faithful to God, He will bless and prosper the work of our hand. However, this is not a formula to be adopted for the sake of gaining wealth or prosperity. Our seeking after God is for the sake of God and not for what we can gain from Him. Having said this, i must also say that those whom have chosen to honour God in their lives have only gain in many ways at the end of the day.

One verse that has been running through my mind:

'For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him'

Matt. 25:29

Saturday, April 22, 2006

Full Time Ministry: Attraction to Ministry

Over the last few days I had a chance to meet and fellowship with some wonderful young Singapore Pastors. One of those I met was Allan, who serves at Pentecostal Methodist Church. Allan has been in ministry for about eight months now. Before graduating from Trinity Theological College, Allan was a Missionary for two years on board of Doulos Ship. I am amazed at the number of young pastors in Singapore TRAC. I asked Allan a question about what attracted him into the ‘full time ministry’. I had an interesting answer.

Among some answers that Allan gave one thing he said captured my attention. He said that most Singaporeans have a ‘good feel’ about Pastoral Ministry. When I asked him further what he meant by saying this, he told me that the Pastors whom he has met and interacted with in the past have good view / things to say about full time ministry.

For some time now I have been thinking about how to get people to be interested about the ministry and what would encourage young people to enter the ministry. You can say that this is one of the burdens in my life. I still believe that Pastors themselves are key factor in getting people into the ministry.

Allan’s answer has added another dimension to my initial belief. Yes, indeed Pastors themselves play an important role in challenging others into full time ministry. At the same time the Pastor’s own perception and conviction about the full time ministry is critical in challenging people into full time ministry.

If Pastors have a good view of ministry and they display this ‘outlook’ in their work, people will sense it and be attracted towards it. Otherwise, we will only end up repelling people away from the ministry.

I am not saying that therefore we should give a false sense of ministry, and paint a rosy picture about life in church. But we must show people that despite the difficulties, struggles and hardships in ministry, it is the very place where we can encounter the Presence of the living God. This is to me is the most attractive factor in fulltime ministry.

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Pastors' School in Port Dickson

Presently, i am at PD to attend the Singapore and Malaysia, TRAC Pastors School. Altogether we have about 80+ pastors from the two country. The majority group are the Singaporean Pastors. It has been once in four year affair, where Pastors from the TRAC Conferences in both countries come together for a time of learning, fellowshipping and rest. This year we have got a Christian Psychologist as our main speaker. The topic is on Journey in Christian Ministry.

What has been significant for me in the last two days is to reevaluate and re-thinking about my own calling into full time ministry. Once again i realised that it is so important to hear the 'Call of God' in responding to the ministry. I know that i am in ministry, primary for one reason: the Calling of God.

I am also discovering that there would be patches in one's journey when one has to 'walk alone'. (i am not advocating lone rangers in full time ministry or undermining the need for accountability). No one would fully appreciate or understand what is happening and people may have 'preconceived ideas' about what you might be doing. But it is so important to have a deep and unshakable conviction about what God is saying to you concerning the ministry that you are doing.

Once again, God is bring me back to the basics. Its so important to keep the connection with God going. Along the way, God will bring us into contact with people who are encourging and 'life giving.' People who would come along side and affirm the work of God in your life. We need to treasure and nurture such relationships. As i look around in Pastors School, i see a few who would fall into this category.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

God's Work

Just a quote from "The Contemplative Pastor",

'God does not impose his reality from without; he grows flowers and fruits from within. God's truth is not an alien invasion but a loving courtship in which the details of our common lives are treated as seeds in ou conception, growth and maturity in the Kingdom of God.'

Eugene H. Peterson, "The Contemplative Pastor," Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993 p.33

Some more thoughts on church

Just another thought on churches or denomination. Although i have said that the most important factor is to be faithful to God no matter which church one goes to, i think it is also important to realise that God has placed us in a certain church for a reason. I guess, for me personally, this can be compared to being in a family. Each family has its own uniqueness and each member of the family has his or her own role to play in the building up of the family. In one sense, sometimes, from a distant 'other family' can seem attractive and charming. But, if you have been long enough in a particular church or denomination you will find its has both strength and weakness. Someone said that there is no such thing as a perfect church. Even if you find one, don't go to it because you will cause it to become imperfect.

The important lesson is for us to realise that Church does matter to God; it is the Body of Christ. Whatever we say or do to the church would ultimately involve God....because the Church is precious and significant in the eyes of God.

In Eugene Peterson's book, 'The Contemplative Pastor', Peterson writes about the importance of being part of the body and bringing the changes from within. Often times our tendency is to step out the community and criticise it. This might seem easier to do but it does not help the Body to accept changes (this was a revelation to me). If real transformation is to happen in a community we must get involve and be part of it. We must seek to influence others in the way that is pleasing and honouring to God. This is what i believe Peterson meant by being talking about being 'subversive'.

Monday, April 17, 2006

Away for 2 weeks

Friends i would be away to attend TRAC Pastors School in Port Dickson from tomorrow (18 April) to the coming Saturday. Then on 24 April to May 1, I would be away to attend a study & exposure trip to South Korea. I might not be able to write anything on the above dates. So if i am a bit silent or if there is nothing on my blog...u noe why.

A thought before Easter Service

Attended Easter Service at the 'All Souls Angelican Church' in Tanah Rata. Brother in law and family, together with Rhema...we were all up Cameron Highlands for a short holiday. I also had a good time reading Eugene Peterson's book on 'The Contemptive Pastor'. Wow...was a great book and discovered some new things. Will share more about this some time later. Also, never drank so much 'tea' in my life. We enjoyed God's beautiful creation and also one another...there was much joy and laughter in our trip.

As i walked up to the church, I had this thought in my mind: it doesn't matter which church one attends to or what role one plays in the life of the local church. What's important in the last day is whether we are faithful to God or not. God is not going to give special treatment if you are from the "Methodist Church' or if you are in 'Assembly of God' or in some independent church. Somehow, all that which seems to be 'preferred here' is not going to make a difference. The important thing is whether we have loved God or not? And this love of God being translated in obedience in our daily living.

Well, it was with that mindset that i worshipped God on Easter morning. It was a great service and God spoke to my heart through what the pastor Rev. Dr. Viji preached.

Monday, April 10, 2006

Scars for Christ

I attended KL Wesley third service (11.45 a.m.) yesterday. Rev. Andrew Tan preached from Isaiah 53: 4 - 6. Two things really struck me: firstly, on the Cross Jesus not only dealt with my sin but also bore the consequences of my sin! The message was about freedom; freedom that came as one looks at the Cross.

Secondly it was a poem that Rev. Andrew quoted. Amy Carmichael's, 'have you no scars?':

"Hast thou no scar?
No hidded scar on foot, or side or hand?
I hear thee psalm is mighty in the land.

I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star
Hast thou no scar?
Hast thou no wound?

Yet I was wounded my the archers spent
Leaned me against a tree to die
and rent by ravening beasts that compased me I swooned.
Hast thou not wound? No wound, no scar.

Yes says the master shall the servant be,
and pierced are the feet that follow me.
But thine are whole,
can he have followed far who has no wound, no scar?"

I must tell you that this poem struck me as if i got hit by a ton of bricks! The thoughts that ran through my mind is of the evidences that each of us should bear to prove that we are believes of Jesus. (i'm not talking about justification here) What evidences would there be to prove that we have paid the cost of commitment?

Often times i find myself complaining and grumbling before God for all the 'hardships' that i have to go through for His sake. How foolish of me to say such a thing when God has done so much more? I only need to look at the Cross and be reminded of the extend of His suffering for my sake.

Thursday, April 06, 2006

Unexpected blow!

I wonder whether you can agree with what me. Whenever you see God at work, the enemy is never too far behind. He comes to undo what God has done, or to remove the joy of experiencing God's Presence. He comes to steal, kill and destroy. And the toughest blow sometimes comes in the most unexpected moment. It is easy to get discouraged and to lose vision & excitement when it comes in the unexpected time. Think of Elijah running for his life after the Mount Carmel experience.

Personally, this theory is not new to me. It has happened so many times that i am quite ready to encounter it. And I have also seen it happening in others as well.

Have you wondered why has the Lord allowed this to happen? What is his purpose and intention? More significant is the question of how we should prepare ourselves to handle such situation? What do you think?

One thing i have learnt from this is to say what the Psalmist says: I lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? It comes from the Lord, the maker of the heavens and earth. (Ps. 121). Rev. Dr. Chew Tow Yow once said that one of the things that we must learnt to do in spiritual warfare is to stand! As we look to God and stand in His Presence, the enemy has to flee.

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Need of Prayer Partners

One thing I believe God is calling us to do is to moblise people to pray for our ministry. If you would like to be prayer partners in our ministry, I would appreciate if you would kindly let me know. You can write to me and indicate your interest to be our prayer partners. Kindly write to the following email: christopher@trac.org.my Thank you & God bless!

Disclaimer: In one sense it is not accurate to say that it's my or our ministry. It is God's ministry and we are only stewards in the work of His Kingdom.

Thailand - God's refreshing Presence

I'm very grateful to God for granting Rhema and I a short break in Thailand. Actually we were there to attend a Christian Conference. It was really heart warming to see how God is working throughout the world. How the gospel is advancing inspite of all the obsticles and oppositions! God is indeed not limited by our weaknesses or various limitations. The message of the gospel is indeed for all.

I realised that sometimes it is so important to take a step back and see the 'bigger picture' of what God is doing. I had so many thoughts running through my mind throughout the Conference...so many lessons that God was teaching me. Here are a few thoughts:

- Evangelism is the work of God in the lives of unbelievers. The key to effective witnessing is the discernment of what the Spirit of God is doing in the lives of the people to whom we are sharing the gospel.

- Its a common knowledge to realise that God loves the people of this world and that He desires to save them from the coming judgment. But we will never move with passion in the area of evangelism until we see and experience love and compassion for the people whom we are reaching out to. One thing we need God is to lay burden and love for the people whom we are called to share the Gospel to.

- We need to ask God what is God's agenda for Malaysia? We need to discern the work of God in our land. The goal of our search is to join God in what He is doing. The whole point of our existance is to be available to be used by God.

- Our response (attitude) to situations and circumstances can be the key to our spiritual growth and maturity

- The nature of church work is primarily spiritual. Didn't Jesus say that upon this rock (our confession) He will build His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it? And Paul mentions of spiritual weapons in the dealing with certain situations (2 Cor. 10:4)

Praise God for refreshing us with a fresh vision & passion to serve Him. Thank you for upholding us in your prayers. Your support and love, especially in your prayer ministry has made a HUGE difference in our lives.

Pastorpher's Adventures!!!