In my recent trip to the UK in the month of April/May which is the beginnning of spring, one of the obvious things I noticed was that many of the churches have congregations made up of predominantly elderly members. The UK church has lost its impact on the youth. The youths consider the church as irrelevant to their lives and their world. Church leaders are now working hard to win this generation back to the Lord and to the path of righteousness.
In Malaysia, the task of reaching the youths is increasingly challenging. To avoid losing the Malaysian youths, the church needs to....
1. Attempt new ways to communicate with and to the youth. Remove 'white elephant' programs.
2. Put a priority on the youth ministry. Release top leaders to minister to them and the necessary funds to have creative programs.
3. Build the youth ministry on the strong foundation of the Word of God and of prayer. The methods and stlyes of communication needs to be contemporary but the message is non-negotiable.
4. Teach them how to live out/ apply the principles of God to lead successful and influential lives for God. Blessings and godliness can dwell together.
5. Provide them with encounters with God so that they can experience Him personally. Faith must be personally experience.
6. Challenge them to biblical, radical discipleship. Equip and release them for works of service and ministry. If they are simply sitting in church, they will end leaving the church to join any organization that calls them to sacrifice for a cause[noble and sadly the ignoble too].
The youths face many challenges in their lives. May we come alongside and mentor them. Its time for us to raise up the Joshua's, David's, Timothy's of our generation. Neglect the youth and the future of the church will simply be reduced to a weak and uninspiring instituition which the world gladly ignores.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
More than Charisma and Conquest
Today's culture celebrates charisma and conquest. By 'conquest', I mean high achievements.
The personality cult is exalted to dizzying heights.
People are crazy over those with good looks, electrifying presence and the intelligent smooth communicator, amazing talent and of course the winners. These key indicators are todays success factors. Those who have them are hailed as today's heroes. They are considered super-sapiens, the elite of humanity.
People focus their energies running after these things and are rudely awakened by life that success is not equivalent to fulfilment and contentment. Success does not necessarily receive God's approval even though it receives tons of human praise. The truth is - Charisma and Conquest without CHARACTER makes an empty soul. It reveals an empty soul.
Character makes a person human.
Character makes a person useful.
Character makes a person truly great.
The making of character is a long and hidden journey that many chose to neglect to their misery and the misery of others. Few will chose this path but for those who do, they are the real heroes.
Work on the exterior but dont shut down the interior work. In fact, most people need to slow down or even shut down the exterior work for a while and lock in on inner development. That includes me.
The personality cult is exalted to dizzying heights.
People are crazy over those with good looks, electrifying presence and the intelligent smooth communicator, amazing talent and of course the winners. These key indicators are todays success factors. Those who have them are hailed as today's heroes. They are considered super-sapiens, the elite of humanity.
People focus their energies running after these things and are rudely awakened by life that success is not equivalent to fulfilment and contentment. Success does not necessarily receive God's approval even though it receives tons of human praise. The truth is - Charisma and Conquest without CHARACTER makes an empty soul. It reveals an empty soul.
Character makes a person human.
Character makes a person useful.
Character makes a person truly great.
The making of character is a long and hidden journey that many chose to neglect to their misery and the misery of others. Few will chose this path but for those who do, they are the real heroes.
Work on the exterior but dont shut down the interior work. In fact, most people need to slow down or even shut down the exterior work for a while and lock in on inner development. That includes me.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
GREATER!
Our God is the God of the Greater.
He promised Solomon a throne greater than his father David. (1 Ki.1:37)
The glory of the latter temple shall be greater than the glory of the former. (Haggai 2:9)
He told Nathaniel that he will see greater things. (John 1:50)
Jesus shall bring us greater revelations (John5:20)
Jesus promised that those who have faith in Him shall do the works He is doing and even greater works than that. (John14:12)
It excites my heart that God wants to lead us to greater things. 2009 and beyond shall be greater years ahead than all that we have experienced. He is not the God of the diminishing order but of the increasing order. The greatest days of the church lies ahead of us, not behind us.
Technology has progressed forward, and so have medical science, communications, education and every field of life. The spiritual aspect is no different. We are wired for greater things and wired to the God of the Greater.
2008 is now history. Today is what all we have got and every step takes us forward into a future that is brigther. So pray great prayers, dream great dreams and think great thoughts. Reach up and forward for a life of greater purpose and influence.
He promised Solomon a throne greater than his father David. (1 Ki.1:37)
The glory of the latter temple shall be greater than the glory of the former. (Haggai 2:9)
He told Nathaniel that he will see greater things. (John 1:50)
Jesus shall bring us greater revelations (John5:20)
Jesus promised that those who have faith in Him shall do the works He is doing and even greater works than that. (John14:12)
It excites my heart that God wants to lead us to greater things. 2009 and beyond shall be greater years ahead than all that we have experienced. He is not the God of the diminishing order but of the increasing order. The greatest days of the church lies ahead of us, not behind us.
Technology has progressed forward, and so have medical science, communications, education and every field of life. The spiritual aspect is no different. We are wired for greater things and wired to the God of the Greater.
2008 is now history. Today is what all we have got and every step takes us forward into a future that is brigther. So pray great prayers, dream great dreams and think great thoughts. Reach up and forward for a life of greater purpose and influence.
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