ANNUAL CONGREGATION MEETING (PART 1) - THE SPIRITUAL FOCUS OF THE ACM

Dear Members in Christ,

Annual Congregation Meeting (Part 1) - The Spiritual focus of the ACM 

In a few weeks, Calvary Jaya will hold its Annual Congregational Meeting (ACM). There are some questions about the ACM which might be on your mind. One of the questions may be, “Is this event conducted just to satisfy some statutory requirements?” Or another question perhaps, “Is this event an invention of the Bible-Presbyterian churches?” Or perhaps, “Is there a spiritual purpose for this event that we as Christians need to understand?”

Firstly, yes, the Annual Congregational Meeting is a requirement mandated by the registration authorities. However, that is not the sole purpose. Secondly, no, the Annual Congregational Meeting is not an invention of the Bible Presbyterian movement. Churches of various denominations also conduct an Annual Congregation Meeting, sometimes referred to as an Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Finally, yes, the Annual Congregational Meeting is a meeting about spiritual matters of the church, and it has to be approached prayerfully with a heart of faith and concern. But more importantly, we must understand that the accountability measures tabled in an ACM are aligned with scriptural teachings about Christian stewardship.

So, what is the spiritual purpose of having this meeting? In a nutshell, the ACM addresses three important aspects of the ministry of the Church. These are:

• Accountability of the ministries within the Church
• Edifying the Church by informing, exhorting and encouraging commitment and service
• Adopting a biblical pattern for the selection of leaders

Each of the following are biblical concepts relating to the ministry of the church. We shall meditate upon these aspects by looking into the scriptural pattern of conduct seen in the early church.

A. Accountability – what is done and what is taught

The dictionary definition of accountability is, the “willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions.” The world requires accountability for its public servants. How much more should accountability be required of those who serve the Lord Jesus.  Accountability is a virtue that is founded firmly upon scriptural principles. Paul in his epistle to Corinth states that “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:2. The servants of God must be faithful in stewardship of all things within the church. Therefore, a portion of time in the ACM is allocated to the review of the accounts of the church. In conjunction with that, reports of the various ministries are also read out to the congregation in order that they may know what is the condition and progress of each ministry and what are the needs of the ministry.

This reminds me of a lesson I learnt in Bible College about accountability and reporting of ministry activities. In the Gospel of Mark, we have an early example of accountability when the Lord Jesus sent out the disciples two by two to preach the Gospel. And when they returned, we have recorded in Mark 6:30,

“And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.” Mark 6:30

In a similar manner, the reports of each of the ministries in the church ACM covers its activities, “what is done?” and what scriptural doctrines and topics have been covered, i.e. “What is taught?”. There is a purpose in this, i.e. the Congregational members will know the progress and the spiritual health of these ministries. So, the ACM is not just a mere show for the sake of regulation. It has a spiritual purpose, that of stirring up the members to have care and concern for the ministries within the body of Christ. 

Also, as servants of the Lord, our primary accountability is to Lord Jesus Christ, and as God’s stewards we are also accountable for the use of the resources of the church. Therefore, the ACM reflects our accountability as a whole church. It demonstrates that both the leaders and the members of the church are spiritually minded, united in purpose for the Lord, and are willing to be accountable in their service for the Lord.

B. Annual Congregational Meeting helps us to know the needs of the ministries in the church

As mentioned before, the accounts of the church and the reports of ministries are presented during the ACM. Besides giving useful information, what purpose is there in the financial and ministry reports? Of course, accountability is one reason, but more importantly, it benefits the members in knowing the state and the needs of each ministry of the church. Every child of God should have concern for the spiritual work of the church, the teaching and building up of saints, and the preaching of the Word of God.

Although there are many other channels, the ACM is one way for the members to be kept abreast of the needs of each ministry in the church. So that the members may know how to pray meaningfully and specifically for each ministry. More importantly, members who are burdened for a particular ministry may want to commit their time and resource to serve in that area. Thus we see that information that is reported at the ACM allows the members to be better informed to pray and serve in the church. This is desirable because it is an enabler which strengthens and builds up the commitment of the members for the service to the Lord Jesus.

Dearly beloved, the Bible exhorts us thus, “…let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” Hebrew 10:24. Let us pray that we can strengthen one another to serve the Lord Jesus. The ACM has a spiritual purpose, for the Session and members of the church to present its accountability as servants of the body of Christ. The information reported at the ACM allows members to be better informed in order to pray and also serve the needs of the ministries within the church. May God help us to recognize the spiritual health of every ministry of the church that we may serve Him with all our hearts and soul and mind. Amen.

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor