If you own some shares in a publicly listed company or are a stakeholder in an organisation, what will you be looking out for when you attend its Annual General Meeting or read its Annual report? I would imagine that most would be concerned about how one’s investments are reaping in some profits while others are also eager to hear about the growth plans of this organisation.However, when it comes to our EOCM today, what should be the difference in how we as communicant members of True Way approach it?

The first idea I would like to suggest has is about God’s grace. More than just an exercise in accountability by our ministry leaders, our EOCM should also be a time where we are intentionally listening out for evidences of God’s grace in the lives of the people we are ministering to. Rather than going through a list of activities and programs that we had in 2011, let us glory in what God has accomplished through True Way in leading people to salvation and spiritual maturity (Rom 15:17-19). After all, salvation and spiritual maturity is really the work of God and it is by God’s grace that He has enabled us – whether we are pastors, lay leaders or church members – to make a difference in another person’s life.

When we adopt such a mindset, it guards us from the pitfall of pitting one ministry over another or comparing one ministry leader against the other. Indeed, our respective ministry reports are not written to boast of our “success” or to simply make a pitch for more manpower and resources. Instead, what we want is for members to realize how gracious God has been to True Way and to understand what are the challenges we face ahead as our church continues to avail herself to be an instrument of God’s grace.

Secondly, our attention should be about the Gospel of God. Sometimes, we can be so bogged down by the nitty-gritty of logistical matters or are so set in our ways of doing things that we lose sight of what the church is called to be and do. At an EOCM, we are gathered for the purpose of evaluating and discussing how we can continue to be faithful in our task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace (Acts 20:24) and how we can corporately live our vision of loving God and making disciples.

This explains for example why we do not call for a vote about the brand of coffee we serve at our Cozy Corner even though it affects all of us on Sundays. This is because it is really a secondary issue and best left to the wisdom and integrity of the respective committees (But if you do know a better deal than this great coffee we are currently serving, you are always welcomed to share it with the church office). J

To be sure, there is always room for improvement and growth in every ministry. In addition, pastoral discernment and single-mindedness in our disciple-making endeavourmay require us to consider introducing some changes or to slay some sacred cows. But this is done only because we are zealous about how the Gospel message is to be proclaimed and understood and how the Gospel has implications in the way we as Christ’s disciples live and conduct our respective ministries.

Finally, we also want to bear in mind Gain for God’s Kingdom. When we hear our treasurer present the budget, I trust that we will be prayerfully thinking about how this can extend the Kingdom of God instead of scrutinising each expense item. Good stewardship is much more than just seeing the church’s accounts being balanced as much as leaders are called to be prudent in the handling of our finances.

I have come to understand that in the Parable of the Talents (Matt 25), Jesus was not referring so much to monetary gains or the use of our God-given abilities. Instead, what Jesus is teaching here is that he has entrusted us with his Gospel and this is far too valuable and glorious to be buried in a hole (v.18). A bigger church budget or a larger tithe from members would be mean little to God if His people are not seeking to walk in delightful obedience to his Great Commission of making disciples. But when we give of ourselves cheerfully and sacrificially to God’s Kingdom purposes, God will see to it that there will be much fruitfulness in our ministries. After all, who else can be more committed to glorifying the name of His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ and building up His bride, the church than God himself?