Sharing Vision 2020
2018: Year Of Prayer
In the Year of Prayer (2018), we are calling Christians to fasting and prayer. I like to draw your attention to the Solemn Assemblies (1st July to 8th August). We will be hosting three assemblies on the 5th, 6th and 7th of August. Do give priority as well to participate in those held in other churches. We pray for Singapore together with other Christians that she may fulfil her destiny. There will also be a huge prayer gathering, Pray Singapore on the 7th of October at the Stadium.
Beyond participation in big events, praying is about pursuing the “Heart of the Father.” We seek him and in so doing, we discern and lay hold his calling for our lives, the Church and our nation. We are encouraging leaders and members to take their “personal altars” seriously. Daily or regularly, we need to know how to pray, worship, read His Word, listen to Him, intercede and be filled with His Spirit. I will go as far as to say that our spiritual lives are far more important than the things we do. If you have to stop serving for a while to get your life right with God, that will be the right thing to do.
Sometimes the Lord brings correction through judgment (Hebrews 12:18-29, 1 Peter 4:17). This is His way of waking us up. He disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:7-11).
2019: Year Of Proclamation
Moving on to the Year of Proclamation (2019), one of the Church’s unique contribution to the bi-centennial celebration is the Celebration of Hope, a series of gospel rallies to be held at the Sports Hub, 17th-19th May 2019.
What I am equally excited about is how the preparation will involve every Cathedral member in praying and being trained to share the Gospel effectively. It is a season to “perk up our witness’ and this includes examining our lifestyle, priorities and whether they square with Apostle Paul’s commitment to the Gospel. We will grow a new compassion and love for those who need to know
the love of Christ. We will be training or refreshing members on how to share the Gospel simply and clearly.
We cannot be effective witnesses if we live our Christian lives poorly. The challenge of being an effective witness will encourage us to take discipleship seriously.
Before we even arrive at the stadium, I believe many of our lives would have been challenged and changed.
In praying deeply and reaching out widely, I believe many of us will be revived in our faith, hearts and relationship with the Lord. He will lead us to new levels of humility, brokenness and repentance. Without this personal revival, the nation-wide revival which Bishop has been teaching and prophesying on will not happen.
2020: Year Of Discipleship
The ongoing need in the Cathedral is community integration, where each believer eventually can be part of a small group. Our Connect Groups help to provide a community where every believer can grow. From time to time, small discipleship groups are formed for more focused studying of the Bible or further training for a leadership role.
For those who are not believers yet, we have Alpha small groups where over a period of 12 weeks or so, we give room to the exploration of the basics of the Christian faith. These are taken further in our Baptism and Confirmation Courses, where again, there are small groups that one can be a part of. We also have opened up a further option through the Emotional Healthy Spirituality Course, where more classical spiritual disciplines are included on top of the study of Scriptures.
These small groups help to “keep the Cathedral small.” We want each individual to experience the riches of church life fully. When these small groups are well-run and well-led, they become community receptacles for the many new believers we are expecting to join us from the impact of the Celebration of Hope.
In Summary
All three areas – prayer, proclamation and discipleship – are integrated. Each year within Vision 2020 may have its focus, but we build up all three at the same time.
I am aware that the ministries and emphases in the Cathedral are varied and deep. May each be given prayer, evangelistic and discipleship focus.
There is a destiny to take hold of in these three years. Brothers and sisters, do not be asleep. Be awakened to this kairos moment and keep Vision 2020 before us.
Together, let’s serve His purpose in our generation. With one voice, let’s glorify His name.