{PandaMomo Lifestory} "shining as a star ...life is a never-ending journey of discovery learning"

07 June 2008

Fellowship, Missionary Work & Church Planting

Thanks be to the LORD for this day He has given. Though the weather had been wet and gloomy, the sharing times had been fantastic. I spent quality and meaningful fellowship with fellow sisters in Christ, Wenqi and Wendy, over dinner @ NYDC, Holland Village.

Sharing of food, weal and woe, words of encouragement and comfort from BIBLE and common sharing of problems encountered in life and ways of overcoming by relying upon the LORD Jesus Christ, especially practising the Word of God in all our ways. Good times or bad times, God has a purpose for it to happen to us ... for drilling and training us up in faith. Reminded once again about bearing with one another in love and patience with people we love, especially our family members. It's never easy to just say it. It's an uphill task to practise the words of bearing and patience with one another. Nevertheless, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!

Following our wonderful time of sisterly fellowship, we proceeded in sis Wenqi's car towards Queenstown FCF church for the SPECIAL MEETING: MISSIONARY WORK AND CHURCH PLANTING, shared by Mr Darryl Palmer. Wow! I was amazed by the sharing of the video and powerpoint presentation on the work done by this missionary along with others who are like-minded. In my heart, there's this calling to be a missionary for the LORD. By the grace of God, I see how God's people have been used to serve Him with planning, preparation and strategy that is right with God, i.e. in God's will and directions. Praying about this call to be a missionary for the LORD in whatever ways possible ... starting from witnessing to people around me. Pray for courage and confidence to speak forth the Word of God boldly.

What I have learnt from Mr Darryl Palmer's message on Missionary Work & Church Planting:

1) Planning & Strategy is important in missionary work & church planting.

2) Preparation & Planning is crucial. Nonetheless, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!

3) Training in language & linguistics ... first, getting an interpreter to be understood by local tribal people... work towards having the Word of God written in the local language of the tribal people... Taliabo people in Indonesia.

4) Consider the Sustainability of the outreach program ... periodic visits to check on the work of church planting & growth.

5) Evaluate the overall picture of doing outreach/ missionary work in a foreign land.

* Church's Role in Planting Churches
- Planting church should be our goal.
- Always get back to the BIBLE... main source of our motivation for church planting & missionary work.
* Church ... worship centre... *training ground* for missionaries...
*1) The BIBLE is our manual for strategy in missions & church planting.
We, as Christians, are the BODY of Christ. We should not be stagnant, rather always moving/ living, i.e. ALIVE in Christ... training others & moving out.
*2) It's not just about finances... but also mobilizing people to be part of the world evangelism.
Remember: His people & the Church!

* FCF & Church Plants
1) The criteria for any type of mission & church planting involvement is measured against the mission strategy & core values held by FCF.
2) Because of the complexities & barriers FCF faces in planting & establishing a New Testament Church in a cross cultural setting in the scope of this involvement narrows for them as the Sending Church.
3) Delegated FCF leadership along with the mission/ church plant team will work together to define in detail what this involvement should be.
* See the big picture as well as details. * Focus on getting to the END PRODUCT!
4) Goals & Strategy in the mission must be defined clearly & mutually understood. The Church Plant, as it matures, should be moving away from all dependence on the Sending Church and patterned after the model of the New Testament Church: self-supported, self-governed, etc.

* Key Words for FCF as Sending Church
Partnering Efforts...
1) To Assist
2) Mobilizing
3) Equipping
4) Coordinating
* It's not about PLANS, it's all about PEOPLE in missionary work & church planting.

* Leadership in missionary work is very much of a on-the-job training (O.J.T.)
* Take note of local culture & things to be wary of in the local context.
* Logistics & Finances consideration... sustainability of the outreach/ missionary work/ church planting.

** Don't make a decision based on finances all the time/ alone.
** Base it on benefits to the people involved in the project.

Truly, I have benefitted greatly from the day's of Christian fellowship to renew my broken spirit ... as well as recharged by the sharing by Mr Darryl Palmer on Missionary Work & Church Planting. Indeed, there is a stirring in my heart to seek God's directions towards missionary work... serving Him in this field of reaching out to the world to share the gospel, the message of salvation to all. REACH OUT & SHINE... that's always been in my heart... Pray for God's leading and directions. Amen.

Time to pray and go to sleep. Prepare for tomorrow's day of worship in church and later part of the day, Geylang FCF church camp at YWCA lodge. God bless and may everything proceed smoothly.

11:37 pm;

RESEARCH ASSISTANT & PHOTOGRAPHER

MY PROFILE
momo

*My heart goes all out
to do the best I can,
not for self,
but for God.

*Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness

*Always hoping
to touch the lives of people I meet
and light up their lives
like a TWINKLING STAR!

*Love for
photography,
travelling,
cycling,
badminton,
reading,
singing,
listening to music
& doing handicrafts like
friendship bands, paper cranes & hearts n making cross-stitch pictures

*Favourite colour: All shades of blue

{JUST BE who I want to be}

Just Be
Be strong enough to
face the world each day
Be weak enough to know
you cannot do everything alone

Be generous to those who need your help
Be frugal with what you need yourself

Be wise enough to know that
you do not know everything
Be foolish enough to

BELIEVE in MIRACLES

Be willing to
SHARE your JOYS
Be willing to
SHARE the sorrows of others

Be a leader when you see a path others have missed
Be a follower when
you are shrouded in the midst of uncertainty

Be the FIRST to CONGRATULATE an opponent who SUCCEEDS
Be the LAST to CRITICIZE a friend who FAILS

Be sure where next step will fall, so that you will not stumble
Be sure of your final destination,
in case you are going the wrong way.

Be LOVING
to those who LOVE you

Be LOVING
to those who DO NOT LOVE you,
and they may CHANGE.

Above all, BE YOURSELF.