Shadow Side of Heaven
I was just reflecting about my days in the youth ministry. I count myself blessed to be in Hope Singapore; more specifically, Y-Hope. In my country, I am safe, my faith is open. In my church, the congregation is thriving, the infrastructure is grand, the various equipments, available. In my youth ministry, the structures are in place, the systems are strong, the leaders are biblical, the shepherds are caring, the caregroups are fun.
The list goes on.
Not that I’m already satisfied or resting on our laurels, but for illustration’s sake, let’s call this the “heaven” state.
Ideally, such environment are the breeding ground of angels – apostles, strong leaders, pastors, world changers, pillars of the church. I cannot see how can we stand before God to give an account if we contribute any less than that to the Kingdom given the amount of resources He had graciously blessed us with!
Yet more often than I would love to admit, I see people whom have been spoiled by the environment that we work so hard to continually perfect.
This is the shadow side of heaven.
Instead of producing angels from heaven, members that have tasted the strong spirit, structure and systems in the youth ministry; leaders who were entrusted to propagate our strengths onto the other areas of the church, merely wither off upon their transfer or migration.
Have we been guilty of training angels that can only survive in heaven?
In the end, every ministry that we have and will ever been in are all transitional ministries. We never actually own a ministry, we merely take care of it for the next generation.* If we, or our people are unable to move on from their present ministries victoriously; spoiled by present comfort and ill prepared for the future hardships; then we have already started descending down the long road of hell.
*Patek Philippe’s Signature Motto
Sounds like some self-critique to me. Haha!
Some other thoughts from me:
1. You’ve talked about the extrinsic (which is SO social science); how about the intrinsic (which is so social work)? E.g. Mother Theresa and Karl Marx were raised in comfy environment but able to withstand hardship. Besides environment, how about other factors such as motivation, vision, etc? Or are we simply victims/products of situations (good or bad)?
2. What are YOU doing about it? =)
I think most of us are guilty of being the products of situations. After all, to be otherwise is to be a rebel of the masses, to stand up against herd mentality, to dare to be different – To be a leader, one that initiates a change. I’m just trying to hold back that R word here. Haha!
Hi Zachary,
This is Tracy who used to be from JC Central. (: I’m now in the university group, part of the UNI-YA congregation.
Just to share some thoughts about what you’ve said.
“leaders who were entrusted to propagate our strengths onto the other areas of the church, merely wither off upon their transfer or migration.”
One of the reasons why some leaders “wither” away is because they tend to view Youth as ’superior’ to whatever ministry they have transferred to. They begin comparing the structure and systems as soon as they enter the new ministry and many a time, come to the swift (but unjustified) conclusion that Youth is better.
It takes an open heart to realise that as much as you want to share the spirit and heart of Yhope… There is much to learn from the new ministry that you transfer to.
I’ve experienced this much for myself! Going into the new ministry with the desire to ‘transform’ or ‘revamp’ certain things there isn’t the way to go. Trust me!
Let’s remember that whatever works for Yhope doesn’t neccessarily work for other congregations. (:
It is my heart’s desire that the Hope family remains united in cause and purpose. We are after all, the Body of Christ!
Hi Tracy,
It’s true. I believe that every congregation has its strengths and weakness. It would be ignorant to deny it, and arrogant to think one is superior in all areas. Therefore, no matter what congregation we came from, or go to, I believe we do have things to propagate & impart; we cannot enter as blank slates.
However, if this post would have missed it’s main purpose if readers were to be viewed this as a inter-congregational transitional difficulties. Above and beyond that, what troubles me is the ease of which people fall away after the transfer: Are we not serving the same God? Are we not following the same God? Structures, Systems and Spirit may differ just as how a hand is surely differentiate from a leg, yet are we not the same body?
It makes me wonder if we have unconsciously disciple Congregation-followers instead of Christ-followers.
That is what disturbs me the most, and what prompted me to write the post.
Thanks so much for your input by the way!
“It makes me wonder if we have unconsciously disciple Congregation-followers instead of Christ-followers.”
Agreed. The thought of that is indeed frightening! At the end of the day, we must lead our people to God, not to the Structure, System or Spirit. (:
Your theory is flawed. Because you need both hands to clap and not throw the entire burden on the people who are in transitions. If the leaders do not care to help along by having strong follow-up, how do we expect the people to actually stand on their own immediately? It’s like asking a new convert to shepherd himself right after he comes to know Christ
Hi Passerby,
I believe adding a new convert into the Kingdom and transferring a believer to a new part of the Kingdom is very different. It is true that I cannot expect a baby to learn how to fed itself upon it’s arrival onto this physical world, but I do (and reasonable) expect a grown man who has already learned how to feed himself in his own country to be able to find food upon migration to another country.
Let us not snack in Singapore but starve in Europe.
Hey zach! I think its also alot about the building of one’s character. I doubt a strong character would succumb to the lure of giving up in transitioning ministry.
Yes ZJ! I agree with you completely. The apostles did not have the church buildings, systems and structures that are as extravagant as ours, but it did not stop their worship from being any less extravagant. More recently, our African brothers and sisters do not have the luxury of our followup, but they have the necessity of their desire. It’s is not so much about the church, but the man in the church.
I liked how you pictured “heaven state” as a place that contains its own dark side too. My opinion and personal experience tells me that even the strongest character will succumb to temptations of giving up. I think it really relates back to how Jesus wanted God to “take away the cup”. But i believe that transitions is a make or break process. The interesting thing about it is they can occur simultaneously. Sometimes, you feel you are on cloud nine; you are happy about the fact that God has chosen you to go on this journey not many will experience. On other times, you feel so depressed that you wished it was a nightmare you have not woken from. But in contrary to what you have said, i believe it’s because of “heaven state”, a strong relationship with God has been established and that is why the heart ultimately knows that God is never too far away even if it may seem like it’s the case.
Paul the apostle had to leave his “caregroup” at a stage of his life. His cg must have been a place full of happiness and joy, just like “heaven state”. But that is also the very place that has taught him to give his life up to Christ. That’s why he made the painful decision of leaving, and that’s why he achieved God’s plan for him. “Heaven State” is the start of the greater plan, and this plan ultimately still involves giving up and reconciliation with God. But ultimately if Christ remains in that individual, he will accomplish his mission.
Great comment Daniel! I believe you have personally experienced and learned much from your trip to LA as well. I hope you come back a stronger and better man of God.
I recently had some revelations about the life of Paul as well. Do read the book “Apostle Paul” by James Cannon. It’s a good read. I’m sure you would enjoy it and learn much. Get it through amazon or something!
Hehe just commenting
Quote: “If we, or our people are unable to move on from their present ministries victoriously; spoiled by present comfort and ill prepared for the future hardships”
Whats a “victorious move” ah?
Well, the most basic step would be to still hand on to your faith. Perhaps the next step would to be serving, and then leading?