At the recent Membership 101, I explained that the first stage (2009-2012) of PJEFC’s Vision 2020 have the twin thrusts of an Outward Focus and a Forward Focus. Last Sunday, I already highlighted for you what the Outward Focus would involve, and especially, the need for a greater and concerted effort to reach out to the UTAR students around us. Please keep tuned-in for the next step.

Vis-à-vis the Forward Focus, it should not really be anything new to you. We’ve been talking about this and underscoring it again and again since we were confronted with the findings of the church survey done in July 2007. The way forward for PJEFC is to raise up 1. Disciple-makers, 2. Spiritual leaders and 3. The next generation(s). To say that we have not been doing this at all would be wrong, but clearly we need to be more serious, more intentional, and more purposeful.

Neither are these new things in the church scene. No, they have been the perpetual needs of the church since Day 1, but they become critical when the church has not been constantly keeping them in focus. When that happens, the church will have a serious lack of disciple-makers, spiritual leaders and a new generation of vibrant disciples, ready to take the church to the next level.

Some have said, I fear what the church will be like in the future! I rather say, I have a vision of the church of the future—and it begins today. Today, by God’s grace, together with all who will also believe, I will help the church be ready for the future!

I didn’t have enough time to share everything with you at Membership 101. So, to bring you up to speed, here are some things we are already working on vis-à-vis the Forward Focus:
• Getting the more mature adults to come alongside the younger adults to mentor them for their roles in the marketplace, home and ministry.
• To give the young adults opportunities, visibility and recognition in ministry and leadership.
• A STEP-Up Programme for the Teens and College students. This is an intensive, 2-week stay-in programme designed for their spiritual development. The first one is planned for early January 2009.
• Search for a full-time worker or pastor for the Youth Ministry. We know there is a serious need, but a youth pastor is an even rarer commodity than a senior pastor! But could it be you? If you have the heart, the knack and the calling, we’ll help you become better equipped to serve this vital group of people. Come and talk to me.
• Healing the “father-figure” in our lives. Clearly many of us (too many of us) suffer from a damaged and poor “father-figure”, and healing is needed. This is one of the primary reasons why so many Christians cannot move forward in their lives and ministry. Shalem Ministry (PJEFC’s Healing and Deliverance Ministry) has already planned for a day-long seminar Healing Families & Generations with Rev Vincent Lau on Saturday, 13 December. You wouldn’t want to miss this. Brochures will be out soon.
• We have to do things differently to reach out to the new and young people in our community.

I hope you are excited.

I encourage you to look forward—because that should be our orientation, and to build forward—because the future is in the future.

Building for Tomorrow
PrSH