Today I was formally inducted as the senior pastor of Makati Hope Christian Church (MHCC).
Several friends actually visited the church to be there for me and my family [sans Charles Keith, their class had a field trip to Mt. Banawe] - Cristy, Doris and Djois from
MCP; Ptr.
Joey Reyes, a good friend from my JOHIA days but now with KBCF; my former boss from Creative Synergy, Inc. (CSI) Erick Fabian and his family; and the Greys - kuya Chip, ate Anne, Mia and Cheska from my beloved
ICS. Seeing their faces in the congregation made the special ceremony even more so.
Coming to the sanctuary I walked in on the worship team as they were giving their line up a final run through. I called them together, introduced myself to them as their new shepherd and informed them that, as the church's Levites, we were a team laboring together to "bring down" God's Presence and usher the brethren into it. We held hands and offered the service to God in prayer.
I got to share a simple but powerful Word that I first shared in ICS in 2007. If memory serves me right, I had also preached the same message already in MHCC before. I just sensed that I had to preach it again this morning.
I spoke on
"What is the Church? What Does God Want It To Do?" based on
1 Peter 2:9.
The church is a people belonging to God. It is a “people” not buildings, programs, institutions, or organizations. It is not “perfect” because it is being perfected by God HImself each day.
Kingdom/Holy Nation. Problem with us is that we can be very parochial. God expands the church through Jesus Christ.The modern day church desperately needs to recover and celebrate this identity of “God’s loved people”.
Possession. We are God’s treasured possessions which He can move around for His purposes. We are God’s property.
What does God want the Church to do? To make Him known. The church exists by mission just as a fire exists by burning.
Be missional. Churches must be missional. How? Make friends and meet real needs. Church must be accessible. Church must reach the unchurched.
I believe God blessed His Word and caused it to be planted in the hearts of men.
As I told the brethren today, "Never before have I had such a personal stake in any of the churches I have previously served because I have never been 'senior' [pastor]. So I need for you to all come with me to Page One..."
When I was done speaking, the MHCC Board of Deacons called my family to stand with me by the pulpit. Bro. Michael LIm read a passage from Scripture,
1 Timothy 3:1,2. Then he solemnly charged me to live by this biblical standard for overseers of the church. Ptr. Steven Dime, MHCC's administrative pastor led the Board and the congregation in praying for me and my family.
After the service everyone had a great meal together. I had the pleasure of seeing some of the most beloved friends and family in our life come together from different times and places of our Journey with Him.
THANK YOU LORD! For this incredible, terrifying, exciting, gut-wrenching, heart-stopping privilege and opportunity to see Your Kingdom come and Your Will be done in and through the hearts and lives of the brethren of MHCC.
