It has to be settled this year

I know of one tradition that one has to settle one’s debt before the year’s end which is only 4 days away. In the Chinese tradition that I am more familiar with it is settling one’s debt before the Lunar New Year. I too have something to settle which came to my mind more than two months ago and was delayed twice. But now more than one month after the second delay I can’t delay any longer. Not only I saw the signs clearly one week ago in church, but in recent days I am quite sure of the course which I am about to undertake.

Nothing is done on autopilot. Nothing is accomplished last minute without proper planning and preparation. In the Leaders’ Retreat I told my fellow leaders that for within the church activity, the time line is two months in advance, getting everything set two months ahead of time, then we have plenty of time to promote to our members and fine tune if necessary what needs to be done. 

If it is District level, it has to be between 4 to 6 months, writing to churches, getting their support and holding District meetings to put into place all that is necessary. I served two terms as Superintendent of Kota Kinabalu’s District, and we planned District level events four or five months ahead of time and the response was great. 

If it is State level, then it has to be at least 6 to 9 months, giving everyone ample notice to participate and plan accordingly. I led teams to West Malaysia visiting 17 churches in 2 weeks and we planned that one year ahead of time. Likewise, the Sibu  Conference in Sarawak we also prepared one year ahead of time and six months before the event, we got almost everyone on board and registered for the Pan Borneo Leadership Conference. It was a thrilling success with mission started and reinvigorated from the Conference, and churches were planted in Pulau Banggi as a result. Planning ahead of time also gives the organisers plenty of time to pray. Nehemia prayed for 4 months before the Lord opened the way for him to speak to the King about building Jerusalem’s walls.