Failure To Initiate Change

I've been quite preoccupied these days hence the lack of postings. Sorry about that.

Anyway, it's now 3 days away from June! Also, it has passed the 100 days of our new Reverend in office. As usual in politics, normally they'd review your first 100 days like Obama's 100 days or Najib's 100 days. So, it's not surprising to have our own mini Rev's 100 days.

Certainly, from the rakyat (in our case, members) point of view, things seen to gone downhill after a minor boom in the beginning. The rate of decline is far greater than the mini boom that we had.

Could the Rev be blamed for such results? Sure the Rev has made some unpopular or politically correct decisions but hey, nobody is perfect. For example, getting the whole congregations to vote for Mandarin service time with only 50% votes required, bowing to the pressure from the congregations, etc

Let's examine why being a new Rev in CLMC is not the easiest thing to do.

- Postmodernism and years of cliques or gangs ideology has infested the CLMC people. People are often in groups of their likings and doesn't have love for others except superficial loves. So when decision making is required, you'll hear many different types of opinions. Worst of all, the opinions are mostly "I" centered. How many are there thinking about the church as a whole?

- Lack of counsel for Rev. According to the book of Proverbs, a good leader needs smart counsels too. So who is giving the right counsel to the Rev now? Are they long sighted, know what it takes to make the right but hard decisions, etc? Or are we witnessing more what power the positions can give to the individuals? Just look at politics around the world, how many leaders are there truly for the people but not their own gain and fame?

Having said that, the success of the church does not solely depends on the Rev. It also depends on the LCEC and other church leaders. (Yes, most important is God, I know but I'm talking in more "practical" sense now)

What are the LCEC doing? Heard of rumours of resignations and some even planned to leave the church once their term is over. At the beginning of the year, we have wonderful plans of doing this and that but as usual, till now, nothing has been done. All talk no actions. What kind of mentality is this? My advice for you is, buckle up or pack up!

What are the small group leaders doing? We heard about them saying studies are much more important and we can't commit more than what we already have. Fair enough, but the question is, why did you choose to commit when you knew you couldn't do it? Are you thinking leading a small group is just like leading a "big group" fellowship? Some said the small group has no directions but I can tell you there's only 1 direction: The Great Commission. All other things are just methods towards that direction.

So what's happening here? No leaders or LCEC attending prayer meetings now? What happens to the covenant you made when you pledged before being appointed as leaders?

Transition period is nearly over. It's time to step up or else we're going round in circles. Back to where we started.

Oh by the way, I was just browsing through my files to delete and I saw something I wrote back in Sept 08. Not sure if I sent out the letter though, forgot.

====================================================================
Inability to lead & manage the church properly

LCEC 2009 to be postponed or void
Reasons:
1. XXX has no burden for CLMC anymore
2. XXX has poor knowledge of church management
3. XXX has no vision or directions to lead the church
4. Nomination committee has only met once to select the nomination lists
5. No prayers were offered to seek God’s guidance in terms of selecting nomination lists
6. Criteria for nomination is not adhered fully
7. Motives & goals by the NC may not be right when nomination happens
8. Number of LCEC positions in 2009 has not been disclosed even to NC
9. 2008 LCEC has been a good example of poor selection by previous nomination committee. No direction, no improved results, inability to make right decisions at the right time, and church continue to go down in terms of quantity & quality.


Risks if not postponed:
1. 2009 LCEC will be directionless, ineffective and inefficient.
2. 2009 LCEC members will be selected “by men rather than God”
3. 2009 LCEC members will unable to be examples for the members
4. An added burden to whoever the Minister is for 2009
5. Created a false sense of identity for some of them
6. Further no-confidence towards the church leaderships
7. Another year will be wasted
8. More dissatisfaction towards the church
9. More members leaving the church
10. CLMC will just be another “typical” church that no one has burden in

Proposed solution:
1. Nominated name list be void or at least postpone until a new Minister arrive
2. Nomination committee should be chaired by the new Minister
3. LCEC be restructured for 2009

====================================================================
Anyway, all the 10 predictions have happened. Guess I'm the Postmodern Prophet #2?! LOL