A Pastor's Observations

After three days our Pastors' Conference, I was still thinking about what God was saying to the Church and to me specifically. I had several meaningful encounters with pastors, young and old, male and female and one has stood out because she said things to me that no one had said before. First, she told me she had known me in her teenage years, perhaps through her sisters who are also active in ministry. She said that it was essential for a leader to look out for the whole Church, and not just one particular race ("satu suku").

If I may add, not just for a majority race within the Church. A leader ought to be just and race-blind, for all are equal in the sight of God. 

Second, a leader brings positive and lasting change and she is praying that one would come and bring change, real change to the whole Church. And then, she shared other things which I will keep to myself for now.

I wrote in my book "Anak Panah" published about 18 months ago about the 4 requirements of leadership in our denomination's context. Besides all the moral and spiritual qualifications listed in 1 Tim3 and Titus 1, a top echelon leader must possess four other qualities. 

First, a pastor who has pastored a bahasa congregation since 99% of our members come from a Malay-speaking background. Praise God we have now a leader who could speak Malay like a native speaker.

 Second, "pemimpin berteologi". I had about three conversations with pastors who asked me deep theological questions like what glossalalia means, or do you believe in replacement theology or some reformed-charismatic divide. Truly, with recent events like the use of the name of God and a number of doctrinal controversies, a leader nowadays must be a theologian because he needs to guide his fellow pastors in the ways of the Lord and the knowledge of Scripture. 

Third, "pemimpin yang cekap mentadbir dan mengurus". A leader good in administration and management. Because we are still living in this world of laws and customs, it is important for a leader to have some knowledge of the laws as a church constitution is our legal document and a leader must administer and manage the Church within the rules and regulations of our Church Constitution according to the laws of the land. 

Obviously, management speaks of human relationships, a leader who is humble, approachable, easy to talk to and can encourage all pastors to work together for a greater good in one Body of Christ. 

Fourth, "pemimpin yang membawa berkat" (a leader who can bring blessings). Although money is not everything, almost everything runs on money. The lecturers' salaries need to be paid, and operational costs and ministry plans and visions for the future require finances to succeed. Without sufficient funds coming in, it is difficult to accomplish much.