A Sending Church
“I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you.” St Paul in 2 Cor 11:8
As a PCC member reminded me this week, we are not bidding Andrew and Diana farewell. We are just sending them out. They will still be a part of our church family. That is a comforting thought!
Indeed, Andrew Yap, through the years of worship and serving in SJC, has become a friend, brother and pastor to many. He is well-loved and respected. Considered one of the first clergy raised from within SJC community, for this and other reasons, we can take heart in the fact that he has come thus far, and now, is on the brink of going to serve in another society.
Of course, there is also sadness. It takes years and a supporting community to raise a pastor and clergy. And now that he is adjusting well as a pastor, leader and preacher, as can be seen (and heard!) these past two years, it is with some sadness to see him leave our community. In some of our minds, he was being ‘groomed’ to assume higher leadership in the community and I will be expressing many of your wishful thoughts (and fears) with this radical change.
But such is Missions. It will always be accompanied with some sadness to say goodbye (even if it is not a ‘farewell’) to someone dear to us. However, as always we take into view our calling as a church and mission of the Kingdom of God, and we perk up our courage and remind ourselves that ‘those who are blessed need to bless.’ St Paul the Missionary understood this Kingdom principle well when he said what he did in 2 Cor 11:8.
Personally, I will missing a dear friend, faithful supporter and someone who complements my ministry and that of the staff, and often doing them well. Diana, who joined us only two years ago, has also worked hard at integrating into SJC; always stopping to offer a chat or smile with personal attentiveness. I can imagine that those in Connect Ministry will miss them very much as they have been their spiritual ‘parents’ and friends.
While we say ‘farewell’, we are also saying that we are going with them, in one way or another, sooner or later. It can be in our prayers, in our giving, short term visits, and perhaps when they start their ministry phase, some of us may be based there for longer periods to assist in the work.
So, Andrew and Diana – go in the name of our Lord!