Initially posted here:
https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/pfbid0ZbyDvtnKBenNtr9qxfW5uLUE2nKkPMy67a71FLVbSxec4ZqRQJWjeWbqFJzYP3yLl
[May 3, 2024, 6:24
PM]
Inquirer
Sir, if you don't
mind telling me, Sungai Dua Church has how many members? But if you do mind,
then you needn't let me know.
sing
That's a good
question.
Until till middle of
last year, we had 23 members, including those who were not in Penang (i.e.
non-resident members). Over the years, some have moved away for further
education or work. Some continue to maintain their membership with Sungai Dua
Church because they can't bring themselves to unite with the churches they
worship with.
Others managed to
unite themselves as members with other churches where God has placed them. They
have been taught good churchmanship as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Out of the Movement Control Order (Covid-19), two issues began to agitate some members:
- Non-resident membership (members who have moved away) cannot remain as members.
- baptism and
membership (baptism and membership are separate matters.)
We went through the
issues, we studied and discussed the matter. We concluded and made things clear -
so everyone understood the issues. Three families chose to follow an American
teacher instead of the Bible; they left the church.
May 1, 2023, was also
the church's 30th anniversary.
We took the occasion
to renew the Covenant of Members.
Only 8 decided to
renew the Covenant of Members.
- 8 non-resident
members (2 in Perth, 2 in Singapore, 3 in KL, and 1 in Ireland) did not renew
the Covenant. (The 2 in KL continue to come as much as they can. They will
likely retire in Penang in the future, the Lord willing.)
- 5 resident members
resigned (these protested against non-resident membership, but ended up as
church-less! What an irony and a farce!)
- 2 resident members
did not renew the Members' Covenant. One continues to come.
So, to answer your
question, we have 8 members, 1/3 of "a very little" of what you see
in Xrbc. I'm glad you asked.
[May 4, 2024 7:34
AM]
Inquirer
I guess small can be beautiful also. But how
can your church survive with only 8 people?
s️ing
Indeed. Beauty lies
in the eyes of the beholder; it depends chiefly on the beholder's heart - what
he wants, what's important to him. Some are ashamed to be associated with a
tiny church because the size of the congregation matters supremely to them. To
others, other considerations are of utmost importance.
The good Lord has
provided for the last three decades; the tiny church has not lacked financially
in any way. The hearts of good men are in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers
of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will. Pro 21:1
The people are giving freely and cheerfully; I live within and below my means by willing choice.
s️ing
The membership is 8;
attendees are probably twice that number.
Today, few
Christians have good churchmanship - they have a pathetic view of the church of
Jesus Christ and His servants. The 1689.26 CoF lays down the principles of good
churchmanship.
A man who is called
by Christ will overcome hardship, deprivation, trials, etc. He will run the
race and fight a good fight of faith.
May the Lord be with MW of Xrbc. Encourage him. Amen.
Inquirer
It must be sad for the pastor to see his flock
leaving one by one or pass on.
sing
It's fine if one
maintains a godly perspective, i.e. the sovereign Lord adds and He takes away.
We rejoice when He adds to the church; we also rejoice when members, by God's
providence, need to move on. We pray that they may be good disciples of Christ
where they are.
[Sunday, May 5, 2924,
2:23 PM]
s️ing
Today, there were 19
in the congregation, 7 of them members. We observed the Lord's Supper.
We enjoyed our
monthly fellowship lunch.
I preached from Song
4:1 and Ecc 12:1-2. We are going through these two books on Sunday, and the
Gospel of Luke on Wednesday evenings.
I hope you have had
a blessed time of worship and fellowship with God's
children... despite being church-less. Amen.
Take a look at this post:
https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/pfbid02ErEfj6isC4XNSQydEGAp3ZrkYFfoJfSmZt9SaBjEvkZbeTNPxvSvLLbT1LmexV1Ul
