You know, there's a recent trend in all churches in Singapore to talk about succession.
This is probably linked to a thought that every church must grow, and by that assumption, then every church must live.
But the reality is that the church we have created is by virtue, limited. And the way we define church, as sometimes as loosely as we do, is limited by our own view of it. Of course not everyone defines it the same way. Even how we define growth and live is limited by our own mortal senses.
And Time tells us so many things.
It tells us the common definition of church is ill-defined
Many churches, as defined by us, do not last forever and do not grow enough
And some of the most successful churches, in the world's eyes, are no longer there
And some of the least successful churches, even in the mountains, are so successful in God's eyes
And it tells us that the world has not yet shared the definition of the world of the church and the church is still highly subjected to the eyes of the world rather than the leadership of God.
And it tells us how big and powerful the biggest pagan cults have become, just praising a God and that churches can worship different Gods.
And sometimes, when does a church become a temple. A temple a relic. And a relic, a church?
It is then amazing how churches here, they desperately find a next generation to take over.
We know, churches play an important role in society and in God's eyes.
We know that.
But we cling on more to the idea of church than to God.
That sometimes you wonder if the church is our new God.
You know.
God raises leaders and churches from the ground.
He doesn't need us to select a new leader.
He doesn't need us to grow a church.
Rather the leader will arise when God needs it to and a church will grow when He needs it to.
And if it's time for the world to end, so it shall end.
Probably the biggest lie my generation has been taught is that what people teach us is right is always right. Our teaching is always limited.
I snigger because as a teacher myself, people assume I'm right. I know I'm not. And when I tell them I'm wrong they tell me I'm right. And when I tell them I'm right they tell me I'm wrong. And when they wanted me to lead, I dont know why they did and I know God didn't want me to. And when I wanted to lead, they didn't want me to and so too God didn't want me to lead. But God has another plan, I know that. It's not about who leads but about where we are heading to.
May God have mercy on our souls, and our churches.
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