Adventist Crossroads
May - July 1999

Good Things Always Come . . .
Johnny Kan
Small Group Ministry

Many years ago I bought a book from a Christian bookstore entitled "Good Things Come in Small Groups." I was hoping this book could provide some "magical" prescription to help our spiritually lethargic churches. To my surprise, it did not. It, however, shows that small group is a major contributing factor to a growing church. Now, this book was published in 1985 and you may ask if it still applies today as the world we live in has changed so much in the last two decades.
A recent study of 1000 churches around the world in six continents and over three-two countries points to the fact that there are eight important qualities that all growing healthy churches need to possess. Interestingly, one common denominator that is found in all growing churches is holistic small groups. This does not mean we simply slice our existing traditional churches and break them into small groups. Neither am I talking about a church merely gathering in small groups. I am talking about life-transforming groups that are holistic in nature and have a direct impact on the way we live out our Christian life. In a holistic small group, members must experience a "community living" and "life together." Community implies persons with differences coming together for a common life.
In the New Testament era, believers met regularly together in houses and synagogues. They openly shared their lives and possessions for the good of the church and ministered first to those in the community (small group). In their spiritual lives members were accountable to one another. They were authentic in their faith and experience with God and with one another. In fact, small groups became the "launching pad" for the early church to evangelize new territory. In times of persecution, they became the "backbone" for the church.
Today, we are rediscovering the importance of small groups in the life of the church. We are learning that they have a significant part to play in evangelism and nurture; that they provide the ideal environment for learning and pastoral care; and they give opportunities for individual gifts to be used and abilities exercised.
Good holistic groups do not just happen. They require time, energy and application of sound principles. In our setting in Singapore I can think of three major challenges facing the development of holistic small groups.
First, there need to be a paradigm shift. Small group has never been the dominant culture of our church. And to make small group work, it needs to be the prevailing culture. Literally, that would imply discarding many of the old ideas of how a church should be run.
Second, the level of commitment is high in holistic small group. When members share their lives together, all aspects of the communal life will be affected. They will be challenged to move out of their comfort zone to be authentic and others-centred in the spiritual, emotional, financial aspects of their lives.
Third, struggling to overcome past failures. We need to check the reasons for our past failures and avoid making similar mistakes in the future.
Currently, there are several small groups scattered among our churches. In the Jurong Church, we are experimenting with four pilot groups. One group for the ladies (mothers and aunties), one for the working adults and two for the youth. We meet regularly three times a month keeping group discussions and sharing authentic and relevant to group members’ needs. The goal is genuine communal living and sharing. Other SDA churches in Singapore have also attempted to kick-start small group meetings. All in all, we still have much to learn. There will be some hiccups along the way. We must not give up.
Ellen White wrote about "cottage meeting"

JABEZ community . . .
being and expecting the best for God 1 Chronicles 4:9-10.

A motley group singularly focused on one thing—a new worship service, met several Friday nights thrashing out little details from the format of worship to the place of worship.
So what is this new service all about? What does it entail? How will it look? Where will it be? How can one join?
Emerging from the long discussions was a brief definition of the new service. "A movement that is centred on building relationships between ourselves, Jesus and the unreached, whoever and wherever they may be. We are committed to intensive prayer and hard work to complete the task ahead."
Why a "? Because instead of coming to the "service" to be "fed," all who participate in this new "movement" will be actively seeking (or learning) to influence both non-believers and believers through the sharing of the faith and the love of Jesus. There will be a constant focus on building meaningful relationships with people from all corners of their daily lives. Many will learn to witness for Jesus with a new passion. At the same time, intensive prayer, corporate and personal, will be pursued, to claim the empowerment of Jesus Christ. There will be no rest, until the Lord returns, for the "harvest is plenty and the labourers are few."
The movement began 3rd July, 5 p.m.

(This article was taken and adapted from Jeffrey Neo’s write-up on JABEZ in the July-September, 1999 issue of "HUH?" the newsletter of the SDA Community Church youth).

Sound and Acoustics
Michael Yap
Singapore Chinese Church

Sound and Acoustics might not be every-one’s cup of tea. But 25 keen enthusiasts turned up on 25 April, 1999 at the Singapore Chinese Church for a workshop conducted by Mr. Chua Chin Hoon.
Backed by years of experience in this field, Mr. Chua, a consultant for the 14th Commonwealth Games, also took a look at some of the PA systems in our local churches and offered advice for optimum performance. For example, recognising that acoustic problems are caused by architectural designs, which have not been given due consideration at the time of building, he recommended sound-absorbing material such as wood-panelling or thick curtains to line the walls. He advised against tapping or blowing into microphones to avoid damaging the sensitive coil within.
Mr. Chua also shared many of his work experiences which spiced up an otherwise dry and technical subject. Those who attended found the workshop beneficial.

Are We True to the Commission?

As the Church has grown in size and complexity, more and more members, pastors, and administrators have asked serious questions about now the Church relates to the Gospel Commission. How can the guiding principle be actualized in the lives of members, pastors, and congregations? How can they measure their progress in fulfilling the Gospel Commission? How can the Church’s universities, colleges and academies, health-food factories, high-tech health care institutions, clinics, publishing houses and media centers develop accountability based on the Gospel Commission?
This challenge calls for a frank and analytical approach in determining where the Church is in relationship to the Lord’s command. It is not enough to measure success by secular standards, not enough to give those standards priority. Total commitment to God involves, primarily, total acceptance of the principles of Christianity as outlined in the Bible and as supported by the Spirit of Prophecy. Congregations, institutions, individual church employees, and church members can easily find satisfaction in goals reached, funds raised, buildings completed, budgets balanced, accreditation achieved or renewed, and yet failed to be accountable before God to the Gospel Commission. The first and continuity priority for the Church must be this directive from the Lord: Go . . . teach . . . baptize . . . make disciples.
While the Gospel Commission does not change, its fulfillment is demonstrated in different ways. A pastor works within a different context than that of a classroom teacher, a physician, or an institutional administrator. Whatever the personal or institutional role, each one is accountable to God’s command.
Among the great benefits resulting from an assessment of their effectiveness will be the increasing trust that develops as each member, each pastor, each administrator, each church institution addresses this priority and gives it proper attention.
The family of God acknowledges that each person is individually accountable to God. At the same time, believers are admonished to examine themselves (see 2 Cor 13:5). A spiritual assessment process has its place in the personal life. Just as surely, it has its place in organizational life.
Spiritual assessment, while appropriate, is also a very delicate matter. For humankind sees only in part. The earthly frame of reference is always limited to that which is visible and, to a brief span of time, surrounding the present. Nevertheless, there is much to be gained from careful and thoughtful evaluation of personal and organizational life.
The Singapore Mission has developed an assessment processes by which members, pastors, congregations, institutions, and the mission itself may ascertain their commitment to and effectiveness in carrying out the Gospel Commission.