The aim of ministry organization restructuring is growing (both quality and quantity) the church through disciple-making. Most churches face a significant growth barrier between the sizes of 200 to 400 members. For such churches to break through to the next phase of growth, resources need to be channelled through organized ministry structure. A good ministry-structure can serve as a core engine of growth for churches from 200 to 800 in size.

Dr Philip Huan has consulted with us and the results are these key components of ministry structuring: Firstly, core product, which is, an agreed list of the traits we want to develop in the members God entrust to us. Secondly, the core process, which are the stages of the discipleship journey, its balance and the plugging of the gaps in between the stages. Thirdly, the core program, which are, the main instruments in the church that God will use to shape his people. In our case it is the church service, cell system and prayer gatherings. Fourthly, core pastoral leadership, which is the roles of the pastors and elders working together in harmony and mutual respect, to guide the process and discipleship journey. This article aims to describe the core product.

The discipleship journey must begin in the church with an end in mind. The core product spells out the kind of traits we want embodied in the members God entrust to us. Dr Philip Huan, our church consultant, guided G 20 or group of twenty pastors, elders and ministry heads and zone supervisors form all the component congregations: the kids, the youth, deaf, Chinese, and English Adult. After studies, discussions, prayer, and collation and summarizing we categorized all the results under each letter of the acronym S.W.O.R.D. The acronym stood for Service; Worship; Outreach; Relationship; Discipleship.

In September 2009, we had a strategic planning retreat at Batam. the participants were pastors, elders and the three senior leaders. The Spirit was stirring our hearts and there was the feeling that SWORD was not as resonant and consonant with our church history and core value and it was proposed and accepted that W.R,P,F. be the new acronym used instead and all the traits should be re-categorized under them. Surprisingly, WRPF captured all the traits and included the church’s distinctive values of missions and intercessory prayer.

WORLD- evangelism and missions

REVIVAL- work of the Holy Spirit (gifts and fruit of the Sprit)

PRAYER- prayer (intimacy and intercessory)

FELLOWSHIP – discipleship in community (making disciples through community)

Over the next five years we will emphasize the traits under the following acronym:

2010 – focus on developing WORLD(evengelism and missions); and PRAYER(intimacy and intercessory prayer)

2011 – we will focus on REVIVAL( gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit) and FELLOWSHIP (discipleship in community)

2012 – FELLOWSHIP

2013 – WORLD

2104- REVIVAL

Therefore in 2010, the programs planned will be deliberate and intentional in making disciples who will cultivate the traits of being compelled, compassionate and to have a community impact. It will also work at building disciples who seek God with intimacy and intercessory prayer. We urge the church to join ranks in being united in purpose and strategy.

KENNY CHEE

(based on slides presented by Alvin Lim, President, Board of Elders)

The children at the orphanages having fun through interactive games.

The children learning through art and craft.

Enthusiasm in Worship.

Our Youth sharing the blessings of God.

Sharing God’s Word by the Team.

The Team having fun and fellowship.

“I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in  the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.” (Ezekiel 22.30)

Last night we launched THE GAP, a prayer initiative to develop WRPF members into disciples who know the Lord and who intercede for others.It was 730pm Friday night and we began with instrumental music and fifteen minutes of silence and waiting on God.

Music and praise and worship was interspersed througout the whole two hours, not just at the beginning. The harp (worship) and the bowl(prayer of the saints) were combined in the presence of God.

They had time to share what the Lord has done in their life and to share prayer concerns they have. Then they prayed and ministered to one another.

We stood in the gap to intercede for the lost souls that we will reach through the equipping program, Just Walk Across the Room, and the Alpha Course following the Chinese New Year.

We also spent time just waiting on God and allowed the Spirit to edify the gathering with scripture reading, prophecy and revelation. Soaking in the love and gentle presence of God is truly invigorating.

WARNING: THIS IS NOT THE TRADITIONAL PRAYER MEETING.

The gathering had a good mixture of people of different age groups, and nationalities, and both the stalwart members and leaders as well as the very new converts. Praise God that though the verse in Ezekiel expressed the despair of the prophet, there were seventy prayer people who stood in THE GAP. Many were tired after a day’s work and travel but when we left we knew the Lord has heard our prayer, we have been strengthened with his peace and faith.

STAND TOGETHER IN THE GAP NEXT ON THE 26TH FEBRUARY 2010.

It has not been easy to recruit good people for the church. Thank you for all your prayers in our recent attempts to recruit suitable staff to balance the gift mix of our current team. God has provided us with two suitable persons. The Pastors Search Committee has found two persons who would add value and balance to the church team. They are home-grown Abraham Chan and former Faith Community Baptist Church pastor Chua Seng Lee.

Abraham Chan has an honorable record of faithful, dedicated service as a leader of Deaf Faith Fellowship. His previous job experiences in maintenance, operations, and management, and his IT skills will enable him to fulfil the role of church administrator. He joins the administrative/operational staff on 1 February. Chua Seng Lee joins the team as project pastor . He has been tasked to do various key tasks in the church: leading the cells (with the help of pastors Thomas and Mary); examine overall strategies and processes in the church; implementing the directions set in the Batam Retreat 2009, and other tasks as well. He joins the team on 1 February.

Abraham’s family is known to us as they grew with us and served among us. Magdalene is among the leaders of GNK, and Rachel, Anna and Esther are all serving in the youth fellowship. Chua Seng Lee’s family are new: Josephine his wife was a youth pastor in FCBC, and his daughter Rachel and son John are involved teenagers. We need to adopt this family and get to know them and spoil them.

Praise God for answering prayer. He always does. Welcome these new additions to the church team; pray for them; and support them.

Kenny Chee

Senior Pastor

Blessed New Year to one and all!

The Young Adult Ministry would like to bring you an update for 2009′s Christmas Event.

More event photos for your enjoyment!

Let us press on for our Lord Jesus this coming year!                                                    “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrew 10:23-25)

PRAY THAT…..

1. The congregation of English adults and youths will be very clear about the kind of disciple that we want to build: Evangelism and Missions (World), the Work of the Spirit (Revival), Prayer (Prayer), Discipleship in community (Fellowship), and will desire to work together in unity on making such disciples.

2. The evangelistic awareness and action program by Bill Hybels, which is called, JUST WALK ACROSS THE ROOM, will be a great impetus in the church for winning the lost to Christ, and inculcating in members the approach of friendship evangelism.

3. The Alpha Course that will be run in March to May will again see many souls saved for the kingdom of God.

4. For Pastor Newman and his family, and Stephen Tay as they close on chapter in their life and open a new one.

5. For the spate of fire bombings of Malaysian churches to cease and for the high court ruling enforcing the use of Allah in the Alkitab Bible and church services.