same old story ?

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same old story ?

Forum: Theological Expressions
Re:

My Cell Group Experience (Wahshing)
Re:

hello Wah shing (SL)
Re:

insightful (Royston Ong)
Re:

Hello Royston (SL)
Re:

Take your time (Royston Ong)
Re:

To Royston: (SL)
Date: 2001, Aug 22
From: Wahshing Wahshing

Dear SL,
Thank you for your observations and sincere sharing of your church experience both in Malaysia and Singapore. Really, I am shocked that such practices are being done so near us. I have read about dead bodies being sent to Benny Hinn for healing and although skeptical; could still accept it as excesses of the west. But here at our door-step !!! I really wonder if this are getting common this days. I can understand the difference when we pray for the sick , thats petitioning God for Divine help and intervention. Faith Healers on the other hand advertises their ability to Heal .. looking at the names of this rallies ; MIRACLE RALLIES ; HEALING RALLIES ; FAITH HEALER ; ...; BRING THE SICK ; THE BLIND SEE THE LAME WALK" and many of us caught the line and talk to our unsaved friends about this rallies , focus will be on those with ailment, the catch being the opportunity to be healed. If no healing comes upon them, we will borrow a line of theology about "God's Timing", "Faith", "A miracle has happen.. just receive it"..
For the above sometimes we are unable to reconcile what rights & wrong. Anyway, Faith healing is nothing new, its been practiced by remote tribes in Indonesia ,malaysia, philippines ... Operations for removal of abnormal growth , cancerous tissues etc... have been done without tools, the Faith Healer just dig his hands into the flesh and "Hey Presto" this one medical science cannot beat. "Fake" .. "Satanic"... yes???
Like the magicians in the presence of Pharoah, who could also turn rods into snakes, the difference being our GOD is most powerful. Yet what we see today which we attribute to GOD... or have it become an accepted fact that sometimes it works .. sometimes it doesn't and after the miracle rallies.. life goes on...
For many of us .. Life goes on.. we have become numb to so many contradictions etc... that we are becoming experts at standing on middle ground, neither here nor there, accepting our surroundings without batting an eye, accepting that it is nothing new, happening all the time somewhere else too.. so we just sit still and flow with the mood of the times.
I am not a pioneer member of FCBC , having joined it in the 90s' when it moved to TC ; I then caught the vision and excitement of the church as it was a very participative church, we were make to be on our toes most times as the church had so much activities on an on-going basis. We were indeed a very visible church in the community. In the apartment blocks that we had targeted , some residents actually know us by name and looked forward to the social activities we organise as it was an opportunity for the residents to mingle ( another factor is because this were normally free, the cell or cells involve bore the expenses)
At my first X'mas home celebration - IBHFC , I followed the cells instruction to bring friends, and I really made the effort to bring them (about six of them) personally. Only to later realise that I was the only one with visitors although we had some 14 members in our cell. I had thought everyone would take the leader seriously and really bring in visitors.
I was later to find out, (being a newbie) that this was a yearly affair (2 similar cell events a year) and most members seems to be going through the motion of this events, except for the leader (who obviously had to pull the act together ; I was new.. you see ; possibly for my benefit ??? ) In short... I realise we have tired members who have lost much of the early year zest. With this in mind, I would agree that members could have reach a comfort zone in cell and a split may hurt some ego, but could possibly recreate that zest.
I am trying to see the church stand in some of their decisions although unwelcoming is the word. Still , we are to heed the christian mission for Christ...
Yes, the sermons by LK were very insightful, even though he had this touch of arrogance in him, but he was right on the button most times.
It was only during the Indo crises that I realise a change, bizzare prophecies that I at first was excited about , waiting how God will fulfil them, only to see the days pass by and Life goes on... I was serious about what is preached on the pulpit, and had caught with the church's vision.. that was one setback.. then I begun to read the books written by invited speakers who were really good (mostly american) and by accident also came across some wild (I thought) accusation about their unscriptual practices. I am a subscriber to the newsletter of one of this famous and powerful prophet/healer/bible teacher. I can tell you, that over time I realise they are more interested in selling their books, prayer shawl, annointed oil by the way they advertise their ware in the name of the Lord. I viewed the live broadcast of this christian speakers and noted the comments made by them. Some of this unscriptual comments were recorded and documented ; to me this speakers practices does warrant a second look, yet I see the danger of inviting them to speak to the flock. I realise this are people from very "established christian organisations" ; so wonder if my church need their support to sell its books too! or gain from affiliation with them.
I have all along accepted what is preached from the pulpit, until the pulpit was used to chide christians who did group bible studies. I begun to realise that some bible passages were preached out of context to rein in the members.
Still this church is at the forefront, and when you are in front its easy to put yourself under scrutiny... and it can get very uncomfortable. We do not have a good channel to move up our queries, its a downward process where we are given instructions most times. Here we are told to leave if we cannot see the church's vision, told to leave if we disagree(they call it grumbling ; some of you have said the same thing ; yet you have to be here sitting to hear this words coming at you, to really feel pierced)
In short, be invited to FCBC cell events, get saved, join the church, follow the sermons, fear the warnings, bring in the tithe , and if you cannot follow or agree... better you leave.. (because you are not up to it?)... sound like that though !
I pray for a change of heart for the team at our church, yes we need to evangelize, yes let the church grow, but please I pray.. feed the present flock properly to be deeply entrenched with the Word of God, and not .... I also pray for discernment especially for those in position that they will not throw in the towel when they disagree, but will have the courage to speak the truth and in love, which I realise I have failed badly.