Finishing the race, keeping the faith

Many a times when we want to get a person to LEAD in any activities for BPCES, we look around and see so few men available to do so. It used to be 5 of us. One has left for oversea posting and another is heavily involved in his work. That leaves 3 of us – Tony, KC and yours truly. Take for example the up and coming Church Camp in June. Tony finds it hard to get any man to be the camp commander when he decided not to be the camp commander this year.

However, many of the wives are still very involve in the church ministry. In fact, if we were to see any new faces that join the BPCES committee, it is very likely that the women will come forward and not any men, even though they have the capability to do so. Many of them are managers, senior professional in their own field of expertise. Why do men don’t see the need to finish the Christian race well? Those who have served in the English committee or worship leading during their younger days (I am told by Pastor David) are not in any leading role for the church now.

There are also people in the Bible who finish poorly. The first 3 kings of Israel – Saul, David, and Solomon all ended their lives poorly for the LORD. This serves as a warning for all of us. It is not how well we start or serve during our journey on earth, but most importantly, how well we end in our Christian faith.

Let learn from Jesus’ example. Though He reached to the masses, in teaching, healing and feeding the mass, he also disciples 70, 12 and mostly important His 3 closest disciples, Peter, James and John. For BPC, the pastor minister mostly to the masses by his preaching and teaching. What is lacking for him is that he did not invest his time and energy to groom some “Peter, James and John”. By that, I don’t mean the youth but the men. Likewise, as BSG leaders, we should not only encourage and nurture those in our group, but to concentrate on finding a Peter, James or John. When the time for us to move out of the BSG, these Peters, James, or Johns can then stand up and lead.

Let all of us think how we can help one another to finish the race well, not just warming the pew. For those of us who are still in the race, let’s us also be a catalyst to others. It is my hope that there are more than just the 3 of us but more men whom we can tape on in time of need – for worship leading, BS leading, English Committee, or organizing any activities for the church like Church camp and outings.

PS: Chee Seng is coming join our church! Praise the Lord!


Mark Lim