I am a passer-by of your blog and chance upon this piece.

Thank you for highlighting important issues in our times to teach us.

Our faith is simple but expressing that faith needs understanding of the world we live, and knowing the heart of God. Gentle as doves; wise as serpents?

This piece is so relevant to me as I often find myself asking how to express my faith in this world; in these times. And I often wobble on how to be sensitive, yet firm; be resolute without coming across as offensive, and above all, be holding values which God teaches, without losing compassion and humility.

After reading this, I think I might have a sense of where I was floundering and I don’t need to continue to flounder. Jesus Himself uses postmodernist heart to discern beyond the obvious but is clear of God’s teachings. Thank you.

btw, another thought…

To borrow Simon Cowell’s recent remark to an American Idol contestant: ‘you are a strange person’; so are you :) I say it with respect and not ridicule.

Your wife and you reminded me of Jesus being a man on earth. Our Lord has always been relevant to His culture in His times. He defies easy categorisation.They can’t place Him, neither can the people then ignore Him. He challenges the thoughts, beliefs, motives of both His followers and everyone else, regardless of their race, status and religions.

Your ways and your heart – I guess only your wife and our Lord truly knows. You do many things which disturbs me, yet I can’t say the activities dishonour our Lord. The Lord spoke to you and you follow after Him ? That’s awesome.

May the Lord continue to guide you and guard you. God bless

继续做神不愧躲的仆人

Thank you again
wontonmee007

In every organisation, with a strong culture that is embraced and embodied by the majority of the people, the concern that you raised regarding those on the fringe can be valid, as they will always be people who will feel out of place for one reason or another.

However, I will hesitate to cynically label it with such an extremist and negative term as “Cultural Dogmatism”.

I agree with you that nobody should be made to feel that they are not going enough as ultimately God is the one who judges. As fellow believers, our role is to shepherd, to mentor, to love and to care for the members the best we know how. And if one of the members is not doing well, we want to try our best to help.

The example that you raised stems perhaps from a misunderstanding of our attempt to highlight and help members in our midst that are not doing well. For instance, a member who has been actively coming to Church service and cell group meeting but suddenly stops coming and withdraws from people.

We want to be able to effectively reach out to him and help him should he be going through a tough time, or experiencing a faith crisis.

We have never and are not aiming for “unblemished attendance sheet” as that would be superficial.

Nonetheless, we recognise that if a member stops showing up suddenly, it is reason enough for us to pay attention and reach out to him with concern and love.

In CHC, we have a culture that is embraced and embodied by our members. There is also a distinguishing Spiritual DNA, which identifies who we are. This is a good thing.

Part of our DNA is loving people fervently, hence, the importance of inclusiveness and acceptance for all, even those on the fringe.

Along the same vein, part of our DNA is also loving God wholeheartedly, hence, we continually inspire and encourage each other on in our commitments and walk of faith.

Loving God and loving people always go hand in hand in City Harvest.

I do appreciate your comments on ‘cultural Dogmatism’ and you make a valid point that the church need to be guarding against, which I believe that Ps Kong and the leadership is fiercely working towards as the church matures. This requires a constant renewal of the mind, starting with the CGLs and then the rest of the church members, being more accepting, less judgmental and letting people make up their own minds and convictions.

Having said that, I feel it’s only right to point out that it is not true that CGLs note down NDW on members just because they do not attend church activities. Everyone has different reasons for not attending or not being able to attend. Leaders as shepherds, are truly ‘my brother’s keepers’ and are accountable for members well being including spiritually. They discern and if they feel that a member is NDW, they note it as so, not to condemn or judge, but to pray and to help. Of course, there is a chance that the leader is wrong in discernment. But so what? Why is that surprising when he/she is only human? What is there to be offended about, when you know someone cares for you, loves you and is concerned enough to notice you and pray for you?

Darius, you should not feel marginalized. Speak to the leader concerned if you feel uncomfortable with the attention and approach. No one needs to conform to a particular mound to be acceptable in church. Having said that, I strongly encourage you to open up your heart and let go off any past hurts within you. Only then, you can move on in God and flow with the church vision.

In His Love,
Julius

For instance, in the cell group system, members who do not zealously attend all meetings; weekly cell meetings, prayer meetings, zone meetings, etc. may be noted down on paper as NDW or Not Doing Well. Does an unblemished attendance sheet and complete alignment to City Harvest culture determine one’s relationship with God? If it isn’t, then who is anyone to judge whether one is or is not ‘doing well’ with God. To term someone as such is derogatory and condescending.

This is just a trivial example but it is this kind of attitude that marginalizes people on the ‘fringe’. By fringe I mean people who love God, who ascribe to and respect City Harvest doctrine but may not necessarily feel entirely comfortable with every aspect of City Harvest culture. It gives one the sense that to be truly part of City Harvest, one must fully conform to a very specific mould, a Cultural Dogma. Shouldn’t one be allowed to find and to express oneself to God without being made to feel ‘not good enough’ just because he/she doesn’t go for a cell meeting or prayer meeting?

Haha! So you are trying to imitate me ah?

Some one wise once said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. so thank you hor.

so which nick were u using previously huh?

my comments sure got shoot people. but never got insults hor.

insults are unsubstaitiated character assination like when u say i m irritating.

refutations are made based on the weaknesses in their arguments.

my comments aim at their arguments hor.

ANyway, If u cannot see the point beyond my england… then sorry for u.

but dun anyhow say pp is irritating lei.

u dun like it if i say the way u TRY TO IMITATE me is irritating right?

not very nice right?

but still we can agree on one pt.

my mother is right! =)

so dun be mean and pick on me.

but think through my points, unless u r one of those i shot. =)

nuff said!

Eh frankie guy, u very funny lei. You comment or don’t comment like no difference sia, all not constructive one. You’re the one irrelevant lor. Cut back on the insults la. You see the comments not happy then comment back one, right? Don’t do that la, you how old alr. Chill can. The way you talk irritating lei, like every sentence talk also want to shoot people. I realize my way of trying to imitate you talking is starting to piss me off. Speak proper england la.

I think your mother is right too, you should shut up.

U cannot see menu bar on right, Pst Kong got write one whole blog on 10 Commandments and then we have like so many comments to discuss there?

Why u suddenly ask this type of question here?

Read there first then Ask there la.

No wonder royjunior think u got bad motives ah…;

dun like tat can… netqiutte mah.

TO I.N:
waa… I.N! of cos we believe in the Holy Bible la…

Postmodern era or not, we believe that heaven and earth will pass away but the Word of God endures forever.

Just bcos Pst talk abt things we can glean from postmodern era u jump the gun n say we think we dun believe in Holy Bible? a bit off leh… ;)

TO IHOPEIAMWRONG,

sorry la. but this time ithinkurwrong.

how can u anyhow say that FOR A FACT..the church is generally not walking with the Lord… JUST AN OPINION.

u insult people then u say BLESSINGS…somemore… aiyo

super no logic man.

like for eg.

EG only huh dun get angry,

i say

Ihopeiamwrong, FOR A FACT…You are flaky. JUST AN OPINION. BLESSINGS.

Like that you think its ok meh? not mean meh?

I think quite bad lah…

So why u anyhow say you opinion is fact?

sigh.

last time when i was young, my mother says, if u dun have anything good to say abt others, shut up.

I think my mother is right. u think leh?

=p

And i really appreciate that you replied despite the fact you didn’t need to. (:

That is a question I am curious to know from young people like you to answer :)