The SCAC English Ministry Fo-rum 291h -301h January 2016 at Sibu Methodist Centennial
Park was organized by the Wesley Methodist Church,Sibu, with the theme, “Mentoring Matters”.
102 participants came from all the seven English churches, Nyelong Park Methodist Church (NPMC), Sarikei, Faith Methodist Church (FMC), Kuching, Trinity Methodist Church (TMC), Kuching; Emmanuel Methodist Church (EMC), Bintulu; Grace Methodist Church (GMC), Miri; Senadin Methodist Preaching Centre (SMPC) and Wesley Methodist Church (WMC), Sibu.
On the 29th January afternoon, the forum started off with the Praise & Worship session, led by EMC, fol-lowed by the welcoming speech from Rev. Dato’ Dr. Su Chii Ann. He shared on the purposes of having English Ministry Forum which were to have fellowship and connection among the English churches, to learn and implement mentoring, to elect English Ministry Committee of¬fice bearers and last but not the least to grow together in Christ.
The mentoring goal is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Rev. Su used a triangle to illustrate the relation¬ship between the mentor, the men- tee and God. The mentor would look to Christ as the model and listen to the mentee instead of talking most of the time. If the mentee walks back without receiving anything, then the mentoring session has failed. The matter is all about how to BE and not how to DO. The mentor and men¬tee would set boundaries and meet regularly to spend time together to have Bible Study Session and pray together. Both parties would commit to know God and grow in Christ. The environment factor such as the sup-port system, space, budget and cul-ture also play an important role.
The session “Why Mentoring Matters” was led by Dr. Wong Sung Ging from EMC with reference to the book “Mentoring To Develop Dis¬ciples & Leaders” by John Mallison. “Christian mentoring is defined as a dynamic, intentional relationship of trust in which one person enables another to maximize the grace of God in their life and service.”
2 Timothy 2:2 says: “And the things you have heard me [Paul] say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” Therefore, Dr Wong said, “We are to view mentoring as disciple making, a Christ-like leader making Christ-like disciples and the process goes on and on. To have an adequate idea of God, a sane estimate of ourselves and others and the biblical teaching on fellowship with other Christians make up the foundations of Christian mentoring.”
He also stressed that the most important reason for mentoring is because the church is losing the younger generation. He stated, “The attendance of young adults (YA) in church is dropping. If we do not take actions, our next generation would
be a generation that ‘knows not God’ and eventually rejects God. He suggested that churches can look into family ministry. We need to make the church relevant to young adults with young families. We are to build relationship before asking the YA to serve. We may need to have more YA cell groups.”
Before the session ended, all of a sudden, the electricity failed. Earlier that morning, we already received SESCO notice on the power failure on the 3oth January (Saturday). So, we made arrangement to move to Sibu Jaya Methodist Church for the Saturday session after breakfast. We did not expect it on Friday afternoon. Nevertheless, our gracious God knows our needs in advance and provided the place ready for us. After tea break, we moved to Sibu Jaya Methodist Church.
Rev. Lenita from GMC talked about what it took to be a mentor. She said, “The basic qualities of a mentor are:
1. Christ centered – active faith visible and demonstrable
2. Passionate about people and about mentoring
3. A people person – relational
4. Affirming – turn failures into experience
5. Open & transparent
6. Trusting & trustworthy
7. Available
8. Facilitate learning
9. Competent
10. Prayerful – our vital breathe
After a group discussion ,she went on to share on the 9 roles as a mentor which are ‘discipler’, spiritual guide, coach, counsellor, teacher, sponsor, pastor, model but most importantly mentor is to be an encourager. We should allow God to change us and we learn from Jesus to be ‘grace¬giver’ as well as the ‘truth- teller’.
We then moved back to the Centennial Park to have dinner as power supply had been restored.
The evening session started with the Praises in songs led by GMC. Then Rev. Lau Hui Ming from TMC shared on setting boundaries and the important role of reflection. We were asked to form a group of five to six, led by either a pastor or the lay leader to discuss questions like why is reflection important in mentoring, how to ask reflective questions, how can keeping a journal be helpful in mentoring process, what are some important hints to keep journal. …. etc.
Rev. Lau went on to conduct the workshop entitled “Starting Mentoring Program in Church”. He shared the model currently adopted by TMC, which involves mentoring through cell groups (CG), strengthening the pastoral care & nurturing. The pas¬tors would mentor the cell group (CG) coordinator and cell group zone leaders. The CG zone leaders would mentor the CG leaders. Then the CG leaders would mentor the members. We called it a day after supper.
After breakfast on 301h Jan, all of us agreed to stay in Centennial Park instead of moving to Sibu Jaya Meth-odist Church. TMC team led the morning praise & worship. Then Rev. Lenita Tiong highlighted some of the task force resolutions.
The English Ministry forum would fo¬cus on five key areas which are pas¬toral & laity leadership, English Min¬istry Forum refocus, small groups, care & compassionate ministry and youths & young adult ministry. There are 20 resolutions altogether and each resolution would be assigned to the designated office bearers.
The English Ministry Committee 2016-2019 is as follows:
Advisors:
Rev. Dato’ Dr. Su Chii Ann Dr. Yao Sik Chi (FMC) Chairman:
Rev. Lenita Tiong (GMC) Deputy Chairman:
Dr. Wong Sung Ging (EMC) Secretary:
Alison Hii (WMC) Treasurer:
James Law (TMC) Worship & Music:
David Lau (FMC) Christian Education:
Lau Mee Ting (TMC) Lay Activities:
Charles Tiong (WMC) Missions:
Rev.Tai Sing Leh (NPMC) Christian Social Concern:
Rev. Jabez Tiong
Evangelism:
Rev. Candy Liong (FMC)
This was followed by a session en-titled “Mentoring & Task Force Resolutions”, and participants were given opportunities to ask questions and give feedback. Later, Young Adults Ministry Subcommittee was formed. Each English church has a YA representative in the committee led by Dr. Edward Tiong from EMC.
Last but not the least, the forum ad-journed after the concluding remarks and blessings by Rev. Dato’ Su Chii Ann.
We would like to thank God and praise Him for His wonderful acts of mercy and grace to us. The electricity was fine from morning till the end. Hallelujah! “To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be¬fore all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” ( Jude 24-25)
Esther Chua
Trinity Methodist Church, Kuching