Many things are happening in the church—and all at the same time. There are the usual weekly programmes. Then, the occasional programmes like the Marriage Course, Easter, the Shalem Ministry workers’ training and, very soon, the Ten Days of Prayer. Piling up on top of these are the special programmes like the Encounter Weekends and the Purpose Driven Life Campaign. Put all these together, they are more than enough to keep all of us very busy—especially the pastoral team. But that’s not the point I want to make. This is what we are doing—but the more important question is: What is God doing?
Firstly, I believe that the Lord is igniting a flame in our hearts. It’s a flame of hope. That we can go beyond our past hurts and be fully restored in Him. That we can go beyond our past glory and realise the full potential that He has placed in the collective church. I have quoted this often enough but I never tire of repeating this: “Where there is hope for the future, there is power for the present.” I believe that this is so true. The Lord knows we need to have hope, and He is igniting that hope in us. Of course, our ultimate hope is in the triumphant return of Jesus Christ, but more immediately our hope is in His certain plan and power to transform us into an exciting and effective church (where even the young people will want to come!—and stay!—and grow!)
What is God doing? God is changing us, simply because the way to a better future requires change. I know change is disconcerting, but there is no other way if we are to be useful to God to advance His Kingdom. And that change begins within each one of us.
The Encounter Weekend is one of the tools that the Lord has brought to PJEFC to effect that change. Encountering God will inevitably change us. It’s impossible to meet God and not be changed. Let me assure you, there is no need for you to be fearful. Just ask any of the 60 who have been to the first two Encounters. Indeed why should you?—unless there are things that you know should be changed but which you don’t want to change. Then, all the more you should go for an EW. Isn’t this one of the key reasons for our salvation—to become more Christlike?
Now, imagine a church-full of people who have been transformed (or more realistically, transforming) into Christlikeness. What a powerhouse testimony it will be to the world around us.
That leads me to the third thing I believe the Lord is doing here in PJEFC. He wants us to get out of our comfort zone and into the stretch zone. He wants us to get out of “what I can get out of the church” and into “what the church and I can give to the world”.
I believe the Lord is stretching us in service and witness. And the Purpose Driven Life Campaign is one such tool that the Lord has given us. Evangelism is not
the privilege of the gifted evangelist; it is the responsibility of every believer. It is not to be left to the Alpha team; it is to be obeyed by every member of the church. Be a host and/or a facilitator. Certainly all of us are to be invitors. Most unchurched people are not as hostile as we think they are, nor are they going to be so offended when we share the Gospel with them that it will sour our friendship. Don’t listen to the lies of the devil! His aim is to make you zip your mouth. Go on, take a step of faith—get into the PDL Campaign.
I am writing this because I want you to see beyond the programmes of the church. The programmes are only tools. I want you to see what the Lord is doing in PJEFC. He doesn’t want PJEFC to remain the same. He is not in the habit of letting churches remain the way they are. He is bent on changing us and stretching us—because He has a better future in mind for us—for you—for PJEFC.
Feel the BEAT
Feel His HEARTBEAT
PrSH