In a week’s time, Hermon will gather to inaugurate a new church session, the second time we are doing so at Henderson. With hearts full of hope and anticipation, we entrust our leaders with the sacred responsibility of guiding us in our mission: To glorify God by being and making disciples of Christ Jesus.
At the heart of our mission lies the call to discipleship — a commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to invite others to do the same. This call is not merely a belief but a guiding principle that shapes every aspect of our church's life and ministry. As we entrust our new church session with leadership responsibilities, let us reaffirm our dedication to discipleship and kingdom building in all our endeavours.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to each member of our new church session for answering the call to leadership. The decision to serve in this capacity is a testament to their love for God and commitment to His Kingdom work. We are grateful for their willingness to step forward and lead us as we journey together in faith.
Drawing inspiration from the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, our ultimate example of discipleship, let us pray for our new church session to fulfil their roles with humility, integrity and purpose. Just as Jesus commanded his disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19), our church session is called to lead by example, both in their personal lives and in their collaboration with our congregation.
In support of our new church session, let us all commit to the following:
Prayerful Support: Let us uphold our new church session in prayer, asking for God's guidance, wisdom and discernment as they lead us. May our leaders be filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to make decisions that honour God and advance His kingdom on earth. Let us also pray for their personal well-being and spiritual growth, recognising the weight of their responsibilities and the challenges they may face.
Collaborative Effort: Let us foster a spirit of collaboration between our new church session and members, recognising that discipleship and kingdom building are shared responsibilities. "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function" (Romans 12:4). By embracing the diversity of gifts and perspectives within our church family, our leaders and members can collaborate as a team, leveraging each member's strengths and talents to discern God's will and effectively carry out our mission. Let us encourage open communication, mutual respect and a willingness to listen to diverse viewpoints, recognising that unity in Christ is essential for our collective witness. Where there be disagreement, let it not lead to divisions. Let love, humility and truth guide our interactions within the church. “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).
Leading by Example: Let us encourage our new church session to be models of good works, showing integrity, dignity and sound speech in their teaching and actions. "Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us" (Titus 2:7-8). Let us also extend grace and forgiveness to our leaders, recognising that they are human and may falter at times. As we support them in their journey of discipleship, let us bear with one another in love and strive for unity in Christ.
Stewardship and God's Glory: Let us remind our new church session that they are stewards entrusted with the care of God's church. As stewards, they are called to manage the resources, talents and opportunities entrusted to them in a manner that honours God and advances His kingdom. May our leaders lead with humility, recognising that they are elected to serve God's purposes and not their own agendas. May their actions and decisions reflect their commitment to stewardship and bring glory to God in all that they do.
As we prepare for the inauguration of our new church session, let us keep them in prayer throughout the week. May our leaders be encouraged by the support and prayers of the congregation, knowing that they do not carry this responsibility alone. Let us look forward to journeying with our leaders in the new year, confident in the promises and faithfulness of our loving God.
With gratitude and anticipation for the journey ahead, Eld Sim Chow Meng