22 May 2022
Dear beloved family in Christ
As St John’s Chapel prepare for the pastoral leadership transition at both the English and Mandarin/dialect congregations, let us unite our hearts and gird our minds in spiritual preparation to pray fervently and to see the sovereign hand of God at work in His Church for His glory.
There are three ways in which we can prepare ourselves as God’s people spiritually and mentally for this leadership change. Please take some time to read these three short pastoral reflections by Rev Jeffrey Chang (Grace Christian Church of Staten Island).
- Getting Ready for a Shepherd
- Preparing for a New Pastor: Change
- Preparing for a New Pastor: Pray for the Family
During my army training, we were taught that one likely timing when the enemy may attack is during the pre-dawn period when it is still dark with the sun about to rise and when most soldiers may be sleepy and not so alert. Similarly, for the church, a major leadership transition is an opportune time when the Adversary Satan will strike the Church of God to bring about disunity, distraction and discouragement. Hence, we must pray fervently and trust the Lord confidently.
I call upon St John’s community to
- Keep our eyes on Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd (Heb 12:1-2)
- Keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph 4:3)
- Keep on serving the Lord well in ministry and mission (1 Cor 15:58)
“The Lord is the strength of his people;
he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
Be their shepherd and carry them forever.” Psalm 28:8-9
Maranatha
Pastor John