Publication
CHURCH WEEKLY
ELECTION OF THE PASTOR
From the Board of Elders
Dear Members in Christ,
Election of the Pastor
CJBPF is ONE Church having both the English and Mandarin speaking congregations.
The Church has been without a Pastor since 18th June 2020. Since then the Church has been praying fervently for God’s provision of a Pastor to shepherd His flock. While the Lord in His own wise counsel, purpose and timing tarries, the BoE (in the absence of the Pastor) has been shouldering the spiritual needs of the flock with guidance from the Advisory Pastor. We thank God for sustaining and equipping His chosen servants to do so.
On the12th February 2023, members of the Church will elect a Pastor to shepherd God’s flock. In the spirit of unity and as one body in Christ, the members of the church shall come together on this day to elect a Pastor. Every member is to pray and commit this election before our Lord God almighty. God willing, the Pastor shall be elected on this day. All glory and praise be unto God. Amen.
God’s under-shepherd: the Pastor
“And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 23:4
In the tradition of the BP movement, a Pastor, who is also an Elder (aka Bishop), has 1) to meet the qualifications of the office of an Elder as taught in 1 Tim 3: 1-7, 1 Peter 5:1-3, Titus 1:5-9 and 2) has undergone and completed biblical study in a fundamental Bible University, College or Seminary.
Upon his graduation, he has to serve the Church for a minimum of 3 years before he can be considered for ordination as a Minister of the Lord Jesus Christ. He will then have to satisfy the requirements of the Ordination Council, which includes the writing of his understanding and belief of the Biblical faith, practices and doctrines and undergo oral examination. Meanwhile, he is being monitored in the delivery of God’s Word in the weekly sermon and bulletin. Upon satisfying the requirements of the Ordination Council, which usually takes months, he will then be ordained as the Minister in the Worship Service. He will be addressed as the “Reverend”.
Pastoral Office: As the “Reverend”, he is then ready to take on the office of a “Pastor” when the Lord calls him through the local Church.
On the 12th of February 2023, members of Calvary Jaya BP Fellowship will gather together to elect a Pastor. God willing, the Pastor will be elected. He will then be the shepherd of the flock. He will also be the Moderator of the BOE and the Session.
On the 19th February 2023, the Pastor will be installed before God in the presence of the Congregation on the Lord’s Day Worship service.
God’s Flock: The Bible refers to God’s children as sheep “… we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Psalms 100:3. God also refers to himself as a shepherd in the parable in John 10:1-15. God is the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for His sheep (cf. John 10:15). Indeed, God is also known as the chief shepherd (cf.1 Peter 5:4). The Pastor in the local Church, representing and responsible to the chief shepherd, is called the under-shepherd.
Responsibility of the local Pastor: The Pastor carries a heavy responsibility and is accountable to God for the spiritual nurturing, caring, protection, growth and well-being of God’s people. He is to teach, defend, protect and warn against false teachers “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15.
The Pastor is to continue in prayer and learning of God’s Word in order to keep himself spiritually healthy and armed himself against the wiles and temptations of the evil one and to feed the flock of sheep under his care. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” Acts 20:28.
Not only to teach but also to strive to live out his life in the image of the Lord Jesus Christ that others may see Christ in him. Thus, it is important that the Pastor strives to live a holy and righteous life as the people look to him for spiritual leadership and example.
The Pastor is the servant of the most High God. He is meek and lowly. He serves God. He does not lord over God’s people. “Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” 1 Peter 5:3.
Office of a Pastor: A Pastor’s Office is for life. The Pastor will cease to hold the office when he chooses to retire or resign. He will not be addressed as a “Pastor”. He will continue to be addressed as the “Reverend”. As the “Reverend” he can continue to administer the Lord’s sacraments and other roles of an ordained Minister like preaching and teaching, “solemnisation of marriage”, conducting “vigil service”, counselling etc..
Congregation’s duty and responsibility: The Pastor is God’s anointed servant. The Pastor is also subjected to many trials and temptations of the evil one like the rest of us. Let us continue to remember the Pastor, and uphold him, before God’s throne of grace, to ask God for watching, strengthening, sustaining, protecting, providing and caring for him daily. “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.” Hebrews 13:7.
The Pastor is the spiritual leader and the Congregation is to follow and obey him in the Lord. This is biblical unless the Pastor is teaching and walking not in the way of the Lord. “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:17. Any contentions or disputes must be resolved spiritually with the Bible as the ultimate guide in conflict resolution. Do not use secular or human wisdom and reasoning which are of the devil. The Bible is the Word of God in faith and practice (spiritual daily worship and living). God forbids us to be otherwise!
God is not pleased and will not bless the Church if there are slanders, strives, divisions, disputes, murmurings, discords etc. among His people within the Church. The Church is one body in Christ and thus is required to be united and “stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (cf. Philippians 1:27). A body cannot have her individual part working against and undermine one another. Every individual part must function and work together (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27) harmoniously and coordinated. The spiritual church that holds forth the Word of God must therefore do the same! Let each esteem others better than themselves (cf. Philippians 2:3-5) as we live and serve together.
Serving Together: We thank God for CJBPF. Let us continue to pray for the Pastor, Elders, Deacons, Deaconess and the Congregation to be blessed with God’s wisdom and guidance that CJBPF will be the light and salt of the earth that many may come to know God and be saved. May CJBPF be also like the beacon of light that shines forth in the world of darkness of sin and directs lost souls to the harbour of salvation. May God enable each one of us to serve Him in CJBPF and beyond. All glory unto His most wonderful and blessed name. Amen.
In Christ,
Eld. Choe Tong Seng