MAKING DISCIPLES IN WRPF

by | Apr 22, 2016 | STORIES AND ARTICLES

huanThe aim of recent organization restructuring is to transition the church into a disciple-making church. Most churches face a significant growth barrier between the sizes of 200 to 400 members. For such churches to break through to the next phase of growth, resources need to be channeled through organized ministry structure. A good ministry-structure can serve as a core engine of growth for churches from 200 to 800 in size.Key components in retructuring

Dr Philip Huan has consulted with us and the recommendations are these key components of ministry restructuring: Firstly, core product, which is, an agreed list of the traits we want to develop in the members God entrust to us. Secondly, the core process, which are the stages of the discipleship journey, its balance and the plugging of the gaps in between the stages. Thirdly, the core program, which are, the main platforms in the church that God will use to shape his people. In our case it is the worship service, cell groups and equipping stations. Fourthly, core pastoral leadership, which is the to have the pastors and elders working together in harmony and mutual respect, to guide the process and discipleship journey. This article aims to describe the core product.

The discipleship journey must begin in the church with an end in mind. The core product spells out the kind of traits we want embodied in the members God entrust to us. Dr Philip Huan, our church consultant, guided a group of twenty pastors, elders and ministry heads and zone supervisors form all the different church groups: the children, the youth, deaf, Chinese, and English adult. After studies, discussions, prayer, and collation and synthesis we categorized all the results under each letter of the acronym S.W.O.R.D. The acronym stood for Service; Worship; Outreach; Relationship; Discipleship.

Batam retreat

Daniel Yuen, Alvin Lim, Francis Shin, Ps Thomas, Ps Kenny, Abraham Sim, Paul Chan, Karen Tan.

In September 2009, we had a strategic planning retreat at Batam. The participants were pastors, elders and the three senior leaders. The Spirit was stirring our hearts and there was the feeling that SWORD was not as resonant and consonant with our church history and core value and it was proposed and accepted that the church’s acronym be used instead of SWORD and all the traits should be re-categorized under them. Surprisingly, WRPF captured all the traits and included the church’s distinctive values of missions and intercessory prayer.WORLD– engaged in evangelism and missionsREVIVAL– reflecting the fruit of the Spirit and releasing the gifts of the Spirit

PRAYER– practising contemplative and intercessory prayer

FELLOWSHIP –becoming a discipling community.
Five years of systematic focus

Over the next five years we will emphasize the traits under the following acronym:

2010 – focus on WORLD and PRAYER

2011 –focus on REVIVAL and FELLOWSHIP

2012 – FELLOWSHIP

2013 – WORLD

2104 – REVIVAL

We have followed the order and emphases since 2010 without any change. Therefore in 2012, the programs planned will be focused on FELLOWSHIP (building a discipling community) with its sub-traits of discipleship, servant-heart, unity and healing community. We urge the church to join ranks in being united in purpose and strategy.