ORDINATION & INSTALLATION

Board of Elders

Dear Members in Christ,

1. Ordination & Installation

“And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13.

The Elders, Deacons and Deaconesses were elected into the Church Session 2021-2023, on 17^th October 2021. We praise and thank God that He had appointed them through the process of election by His people. This Lord’s Day, we witness the 1) Ordination of an Elder and 2) Installation of the Session members before the Congregation.

The Bible further teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ “… is the head of the body, the church” Colossians 1:18. He appoints leaders to oversee His church. It is thus important that church leaders be supported and upheld by the congregation. “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13.

The sole Supreme Authority of Faith and Practice of the Church is based on the Bible. The Word of God is over the Church NOT man! Therefore, the perfection of the Church, with the help of the Holy Spirit (cf. John 16:13), rests on God’s servants who must have God’s Word (cf. 2 Tim 3:16), the mind of Christ and clean hands and pure hearts (cf. Psalm 24:4). 

The Apostle Paul in his letters to both Timothy and Titus shares with them the importance of godly church governance and leadership. In matters of doctrine, Paul stresses on the importance of teaching sound doctrines, refuting and rebuking false teachers and ensuring the spiritual well-being of the flock entrusted to them.

Thus, every Bible believing church is to have strong God-fearing leadership. The Church must be a beacon of God’s light in this dark and sinful world. The Church is to be the witness for Christ and bear godly testimony and the holiness of God. Thus, every believer, not only the leaders, has the responsibility and burden to shine forth for God and His glory. We are to strive toward holiness and to conform to the image of Christ and to live righteous lives. Therefore, guard and watch our behaviour, tongue and action that we may not dishonour and bring shame to the name of Christ.

God’s children need to stand united, encourage, edify, support and provoke one another unto love and good works for the Lord. The Church is a living example of the doctrine of faith. Thus, it is important that leaders and congregation alike need to “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” daily (cf. Philippians 2:12) and “… follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” 2 Timothy 2:22-26.

2. Administrative Conduct of the Church  

CJBPF embraces and practices Biblical doctrines often known as the Fundamental Reformed Faith (as expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith together with the Larger and Shorter Catechism). Like-minded Bible Presbyterian Churches enjoy and believe in the same doctrines but may have different conduct in the administration of the respective Churches. Examples are: (1) different time and/or day for the Lord’s Day worship (e.g. churches may worship on Friday instead of Sunday) (2) the Order of Worship (3) frequency and different week in conducting the Lord’s Supper (4) different format for the Church Bulletin (5) the conduct at the Annual Congregation Meeting … this list is not exhaustive.

Thus, the conduct in the administration of the Church may differ from one BP Church to another. We must understand and whole heartedly embrace that all decisions on the conduct of the administration of the local church, made by each individual Church leadership for their respective Congregation, are for the best interest of the local Church.

Congregation should not doubt, criticise, judge, murmur against the leaders for the decisions made but to give support. If there is any other view or disagreement, the leaders must be approached, matters clarified and resolved. However, if the decision stays, and may not meet their expectations, Congregation members must honour, obey, abide and submit by the decisions, knowing that decisions are made for the best interest of the Church. As a member of the Church, he/she has taken a vow before God to obey the leadership of the Church. Therefore, the importance to remember and keep the vow.

No local Church is absolutely similar to one another in the conduct of administration of the Church. Thus, there is no reason to compare the conduct of one Church to another. The respective Church leadership is fully responsible, accountable and answerable to God.

Serving together:

Let the Congregation remember the leaders and pray that God continues to use them mightily for His work and glory. May the Lord, in His mercy and grace, preserve them and bless them with wisdom from on high. May they continue to serve God with fear and trembling. May the work of God be not hindered or disrupted by disunity, schism, internal strife, envy, confusion, false doctrines and teachings within the Church.

Finally, in order for CJBPF to have victory for Christ and to bear godly testimony for Christ and His work, please continue to be like-minded and united in spirit and striving together for the faith of the Gospel, which was once delivered unto the saints with one body, mind and spirit. May God continue to bless and lead the Leadership and Congregation, in unity of spirit, for His purpose and Glory. Amen.

In Christ, Eld. Choe Tong Seng