A fortnight ago, I spoke to hospital staff during a town hall meeting and exhorted them to do three things this year: (1) To be kind, (2) To think of the big picture, and (3) To think of a better way. It seems to me that these three principles would also have a place in a church setting.
To be kind
At the hospital, I reminded the staff that besides treating patients with care and compassion, it was important to treat each other with kindness. Likewise, I would like to exhort us here at YCK Chapel to heed the words of Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Not only are we each other’s neighbour, we are also members of the body of Christ. How are we to witness to an unbelieving world if there is strife and meanness in our relationships?
To think of the big picture
The point I was trying to make at the town hall meeting was that of “sub-optimization”. If each department was obsessed with excelling (i.e., optimization) without giving a thought as to how other departments were faring, than the overall hospital would not be functioning the best it could be (i.e., sub-optimized). Likewise for church-goers, it is always important to think about the overall condition of the church and of how it is witnessing for and glorifying Christ. Unity is key. No use having stellar ministries if other major areas are severely lagging behind. 1 Cor 12:24,25 reads –
” ….But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other”.
To think of a better way
Just as the local authorities keep stressing that healthcare workers need to be continuously upgraded and growing in their capabilities, so too in church we as church members should not be stagnating in our faith and in our walk with the Lord.
As I write this, I am reminded that I have been falling short with respect to these dictums. May our Lord and Saviour continue to be gracious to us, restoring us and helping us to do His work while it is still day.
By Dr David Loh (YCKC Bulletin 9&10 June 2018)