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abounding in love and discernment
(Philippians 1:9-10)
8th August is the annual CAC Sunday. It was introduced in 1975 for the purpose of reinforcing the CAC identity among its members. This had followed the separation, in that same year, of the Malaysia-Singapore CAC and the subsequent setting up of independent Singapore CAC. Despite their lack of resources members of the 11 local conferences worked together to support the fledgling Singapore CAC. The CAC Commitment Fund (then known as Conference Benevolent Fund) was started to help finance its work, and relationships among the local conferences were strengthened through activities conducted at the district or annual conference levels. The local churches responded positively to CAC resolutions, and members co-laboured with the pastors in CAC ministries. By the grace of our Lord, Singapore CAC grew and developed through these combined efforts of our early leaders. As we give thanks to God for the journey it is also a time for reflection and review.
We give thanks because (according to the latest statistics) in the period 1976 – 2009 the number of local conferences grew from the original 11 to 16, membership went from 3869 to 12418, CAC budget increased from $67,250 to $4,422,836, the number of pastors rose from 20 to 53, and church full-time staff from 0 to 67 today, and lay representatives at CAC grew from 23 to 100. There are many more comparisons that can be made. However, we may also find that the growth registered was perhaps part of the natural evolution over 35 years. Therefore, it may seem superficial to base our thanksgiving on statistics alone. However, the figures do give us food for thought – we may ask why there was only an increase of 5 and not 10 local conferences? Why did the membership not increase at a higher rate? The facts presented are a reason for us to give thanks, but at the same time they are a cause for reflection and review.
Let us reflect: compared with 35 years ago, have the strategies of CAC’s ministries kept up with the changing times and achieved breakthroughs and transformation in the process? Is optimal use made of our resources? Are our members growing in spirit and in Christian character? Is the church presenting a more distinctive testimony in our society? Are the CAC connections fully utilized to bring blessings to believers and their neighbors? These are but some of my initial reflections. I think if we can have an in-depth and comprehensive review of what we do at both the CAC and local conference levels, we will be able to present to our Lord a different and transformed CAC in the next decade or two.
I would like to urge one and all to strive towards reinforcing our identity as members of CAC, and to be stakeholders in its ministry. It is not impossible to find channels within the CAC set-up to communicate your feedback and suggestions for improvement. As members, you have your rights, responsibilities and obligations. Within this context of identity with CAC, I welcome the innovations, creative expressions, and rejuvenation in our local churches. Also, it is heartening to note the many new faces among lay representatives in CAC ministries. This is the result of the leadership renewal process in local churches and, together with you, I give thanks for the response of local churches to the Lord’s call and sending. However, all this will not be possible unless we are connected. We are more willing to work together and find greater enjoyment in the process when we can relate with and feel for each other. It is thus my hope that we will be connected with each other. Yes, let’s connect.
Let us pray to God our heavenly Father for our church: “May Your kingdom come, Your will be done.”
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