Thinking Aloud - What makes a Christian leader?

What kind of people would you consider as a Church leader? Or more specifically, your leader?

Seem to me that the four sermons during the last 4 Sunday worship services all had a similar theme - Failure does not dismiss one as a leader.

Sermon #1 – Moses who murder an Egyptian
Sermon #2 – David who commit adultery and murder
Sermon #3 – Peter who denied Jesus three times
Sermon #4 – John Mark who deserted his mission trip

The closing call – “YOU NEED A SECOND CHANCE” gives me a feeling that the messages are actually speaking to those who have similar situation of problems before. Pastor may have his reasons for doing so. He knows his flock (let me guess) – problem in marriages, problem in relationships, problem in Christian devotion and services – to give themselves a second chance and come back to serve again. Otherwise, why doesn’t he choose to speak of Daniel, Joseph, Joshua and Paul, who are great leaders in their own strike without major failure of sort?

(But I thought the whole series of message is about leadership?)

Honestly, I don’t think those who failed and bounce back is a good measure of leadership. It just indicates that they have learnt a lesson and mend their way. Leadership takes more than a second chance. Take King David as an example, if you have read 1st Samuel and 2nd Samuel. What does God look for in a leader?

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Sam 16:7)

Don’t misunderstand Prophet Samuel that he is somebody who cares only on the outward appearance. Remember who God choose as the first king of Israel?

Saul, lah (who don no!)

And Saul is tall and handsome. Surely, it seems that God prefer tall and handsome man to be a leader. Prophet Samuel is a fast learner and so he proceeds to anoint the second king with the same credential – tall and handsome. But leadership is not about outward appearance, God says is about the heart, the LORD looks at the heart. What did God see in David’s heart?
According to Pastor David’s sermon, it is a contrite and broken heart. He supported his answer with Psalm 51:17. I tend to differ. Even with a contrite and broken heart, after repentance, he never was a good leader in his life after his adultery and murder. His family and authority were all demeaned. (Read 2 Samuel chapter 13 onwards). It takes more than a contrite and broken heart to make a leader.

As for me, I think when God looks at the heart, He wants to see 3 qualities in a person that will make a leader. These qualities must first be proven before a person can be a leader.

(1) Heart of integrity
Joseph and Daniel all rise up to this integrity test. They passed the test before they were elected to be “prime minister” of Egypt and Babylon. It is a test of our character in time of crisis, far away from home when nobody is watching you.

Joseph, being tempted can say:

How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" (Gen 39:9)

Would I say that likewise when tempted? This is a good verse to memorize.

(2) Heart of Obedience
Abraham passed this test of obedience (Gen 22) and considered as faithful. God will always test a person first before selecting him. A test of how we handle money, a test of how willing are we to go the second mile, a test of obedience when it seems absurd to do so (like killing your son, Isaac)

(3) Heart of following God’s Word
Samuel is a boy well trained in the Word of God that every word he speaks for God come true (1Sam 3:19-21). People just know that Samuel is a prophet of God, even without being anointed as one. This is the most important quality of a Christian leader. Those who does not know the Word of God is disqualified automatically. We don’t need a tag like BSG leader, Elder or Deacon. People can see and hear whether there is a “Samuel” in us.

(The 3 qualities are quoted from the book by Dr Robert Clinton - The Making of a Leader)

Not many of us can pass these 3 qualities – Integrity, Obedience and God’s Word. After writing this, I am not even sure I can be considered a Christian leader.

So, what kind of people can be my Christian leader?

He must know the Word of God well. He must be a person of integrity and obedience to God by applying Scriptures in his life regularly.

The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God (Psa 14:2)

Joshua 13-19: Driving out the “Canaanites” – obeying God

If you are reading the Book of Joshua, Chapter 13-19 would likely be boring to you.

It’s about distributing the land of Canaan to the 12 tribes of Israel. There are many difficult names to pronounce. What then is the purpose of all these? It may be meaningful to the Israelites, but not to us. It’s about their inheritance, not ours.

However, one phrase may be significant to them and to us: God said in Josh 13:6 – “I will myself drive them (Canaanites) out from before the Israelites, “As a reader, then I anticipate God to work in the Israelites to fulfill this, and drive out the Canaanites. So as I read the subsequent chapters, I find:

13:13 Yet the Israelites did not drive out the Geshurites

14: 12 Caleb said: “The Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out, as the Lord said”

15:16 But the people of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites

16:10 They did not, however, drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer.

17:13 they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not utterly drive them out.

What I have learnt from here is that it seems that the writer is saying to the reader like me that only Caleb again obeyed God just like the 12 spies in the wilderness during the time of Moses. All other Israelites again failed to follow God command.

What then do these passages mean to me?
We should not spiritualize the passage and claim that the Canaanites allegorically represent sins in our lives which we need to drive them out. Rather the writer wants the readers to learn to follow what God has said, just like Caleb did. The key issue is trusting in God and obeying God in His Word. When we obey His Word, we can also be sure that He will guide us along the way.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you. (Psa 32:8)

Mark Lim

Creative Bible Teaching

I finally decided to buy this book, Creative Bible Teaching


This is the book I have been borrowing from Singapore Bible College for many times. It contains many good ideas on Bible Teaching. It particularly helps me in preparing Bible Study materials. After much deliberation, I think the money should be worth spending - $51.50. It has 342 pages and is a hard-cover book.

Those who are Bible Study Leaders and Teachers should read this book.

One chapter on Youth listed 5 non-negotiable principles when we are working with youth:

1. Youth Learn Best Through Direct Experience
- make the Bible Study practical by including field trips and actual doing of things.

2. Youth learn Best from Caring Role Models
- ultimately how we live, BS leaders, teachers, mentors, youth worker speak louder than how we teach. As the saying goes: “Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care”

3. Youth Learn Best when they are active in Discovering Truth
- provide a structure and guide for them to discover truth themselves. Include projects that they can search for themselves. As the saying goes:

"I hear, I forget;

I see, I remember;

I do, I understand."

4. Youth Learn Best when a variety of Methods are used
- give a new style in the teaching material each week, instead of the same old question/answer format in BS.

5. Youth Learn Best when lessons are relevant and needs focused
- make our BS material connect with them. Are our study really meet their needs or just to fill up the time on Sunday?

Let me know if you like to read this book. Let’s be creative in teaching the Bible, particularly to the youth.

For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel. (Ezra 7:10)

Mark Lim

Joshua 7-8: Failure teaches us to rely on God

I was reading the Book of Joshua 1-8 early this morning.

It is a good place to start my Bible Reading as the Book of Joshua starts with a new leader, a new generation of Israelites, a new venture into the promise land. It is just the right time as we move into a new year.

1. Complacency after capturing Jericho (Joshua 7)
After gaining victory over the city of Jericho, Joshua seems complacent when he sent 3000 people to attack the city of Ai. He didn’t even go with them. The failure and casualty of his troops sort of wake him up. Time for some soul searching. Time to come to the Lord. As always, when we come to the LORD, He will show us the way, the cause of the failure. If Joshua would have humbled and seek the Lord before attacking Ai, then it would be very different.

2. Contemplative after assurance from God (Joshua 8:-1-13)
After removing the sin of Achan and the encouragement of God to attack Ai, this time Joshua is more humbled. He now sends 30,000 warriors (notice the different – 3000 ordinary people at first, now 30,000 well-trained warriors) even though God has assured him of victory. He himself is now involved in the battle.

2 verses strike me:
– Josh 8:9 – but Joshua spent that night in the camp
- Josh 8:13 – but Joshua spent that night in the valley

What was he doing? When a man of God spends the night alone, it is usually in prayer and meditation. Jesus does that often. So does Jacob. Let’s learn to be prayerful in all our activities and events in BPCES this year.

3. Covenant after defeating Ai (Joshua 8:30-35)
After defeating Ai, this time Joshua builds an altar to the LORD. An altar is always a symbol of worship. He then read the Law of Moses (i.e. the WORD of GOD). Why? Because he remembers what God told him at the beginning (Josh 1:8). To who? To all the assembly of Israel, including women, little ones and aliens who resided among them. What a timely reminder to me!! Worship and Bible Reading should include everyone, even little ones.

Care to join me in reading the Book of Joshua?


Joshua 1:8 - Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Sharing our lives with others

Those who came to the watchnight services at BPCES on 31 Dec 2008 night would probably learnt some very meaningful lessons on sharing our lives with others.

As our dear sister-in-Christ, Michelle Ang was talking about her personal struggles and problems in her family, I was reminded of the times when I too talked openly about things like that. I was very young spiritually then, just like her. Learning to be transparent, willing to let God take control and trusting God to lead in the path ahead is part of the Christian journey. Sure, there will be others who feel threatened about such openness and remarked to me, "Your sharing is too personal, it frightened me." But when we are daring to confront life issues which I believe everyone will encounter difficulties (Jesus also faced many oppositions), then we are walking in the path of learning to trust in the Lord.


He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

New Year Hopes for BPCES

Wishing everyone a blessed and God's presence New Year!

You may probably have made some New Year Resolution. I am still thinking about it.

As I look at the past year and ask what changes has happened to BPCES, I can't really think of any. Maybe you can share some, like more follow-up been done, etc. What do I hope to see happened to BPCES in 2009? We don't set target like membership growth by XX% or more new leaders or more new converts, etc. Is there any wrong to set such target? Our reason would probably be that God is the one who does the convicting and converting. But, really, if we don't set target, it wil be just another year of hoping more people walk into our church.

For me, I hope to see more people joining us in fellowship like the BSG, outings, and more people able to share what they learn from the Bible. So far, I have yet to hear anyone talk about what they learn from their devotion, prayer, etc. OK, maybe one or two share it occasionally.

Agape
Mark Lim

What is Christmas to You?

Every once a year, the whole world is caught up with the festive mood. It’s a joyous occasion to be merry!

As a child, living together with my cousins, we had a Christmas party every year with our neighbours’ kids. We were poor, and the gifts were simple and cheap. Yet, we enjoyed and loved Christmas. Although none of us (including neighbours) were Christians, we still sing: Joy to the World, the Lord is come! The question then, is Jesus Christ really LORD of the world? To be more direct: Is Jesus Christ your LORD? (on further reflection, many of us, including our cousins are now Christians, not sure about the neighbours whom we have long lost touch).

The world is not celebrating because we have found new life through the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rather, the last two week of December is a festive season passed down traditionally many centuries even before Christ came into this world. You may not be aware of this. But you may probably reason like this, as some of my non-Christian friend do: If only Muslims celebrate the birth of Prophet Mohammed and only Buddhists celebrate the birth of Buddha, why then do non-Christian celebrate the birth of Christ?

Jesus Christ was not born on December 25th AD1. It is likely that the Lord Jesus Christ was born sometime in the Summer-Autumn of 4BC. Luke 2:8 tell us that shepherds are still out in the field at night, which is unlikely in winter. We who have stayed in the northern hemisphere for a couple of years would know that grass start to grow in early spring and last till late autumn. In winter, the whole field is bare and hibernating, unlikely for animals to graze upon.

The Origin of Christmas

The date of December 25th probably originated with the ancient "birthday" of the son-god, Mithra, a pagan deity whose religious influence became widespread in the Roman Empire during the first few centuries A.D. Mithra was related to the Semitic sun-god, Shamash, and his worship spread throughout Asia to Europe where he was called Deus Sol Invictus Mithras. Rome was well-known for absorbing the pagan religions and rituals of its widespread empire. As such, Rome converted this pagan legacy to a celebration of the god, Saturn, and the rebirth of the sun god during the winter solstice period. The winter holiday became known as Saturnalia and began the week prior to December 25th. The festival was characterized by gift-giving, feasting, singing and downright debauchery, as the priests of Saturn carried wreaths of evergreen boughs in procession throughout the Roman temples. Variations of this pagan holiday flourished throughout the first few centuries after Jesus Christ, but it probably wasn't until 336 AD that Emperor Constantine (who became a Christian a few years earlier) officially converted this pagan tradition into the "Christian" holiday of Christmas under the church leadership of Pope Julius I

If you move further back in time, the Roman actually adopts it from the Egyptians, one of the earliest civilizations, in about 3000BC. They believe that their dead King-god Osiris was reborn every 25 Dec as the Son, Horus of his wife, Isis. Hence, the mother-child is the chief object of this worship. (sound very much like the Catholic – Mary and Jesus).

Hence, the celebration and feasting on 25 Dec existed long, long ago.

My response to Christmas

The early Apostles never celebrated Christmas. There is no command to observe Christ’s birthday. Some Christians who are aware of the origin of Christmas see the celebration of Christmas as a compromised of our faith to paganism. True Christianity never mixes with pagan worship.

Now that I have told you the truth of Christmas, you are caught in the dilemma. You love the festive mood and the fun and here I am the kill-joy.

No, I am no killjoy. First, I need to ask: What is my motive of celebrating Christmas? Next, how then should I celebrate Christmas?

My childhood Christmas experiences do prepare me for the Good News. So I am not going tell you stop celebrating Christmas. Done in the right way, it creates opportunity for sharing Christ’s love. But, we should not tell somebody that Jesus Christ was born on 25th December. However, I would say that we celebrate Christmas to commemorate the birth of Christ into this world so that those who believe in HIM will be in heaven after they die. (I will avoid Christian jargon like eternal life when talking to non-Christian). It is also a time to spread Christian love and the Gospel. However, I will definitely avoid the partying and merry-making. I don’t usually exchange gift and normally skip that. The gift in Christmas is the gift of Jesus. (John 3:16)

Have a Blessed Christmas!!

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. (John 1:10)

Mark Lim