The Speech’s Aftermath

As the church hall was packed with worshippers, 138 adults inside with a few outside and downstairs as all seats were taken, I preached a sermon on 1 Corinthians 8 and gave my speech on the reason why I was leaving the church as pastor. Three weeks ago I told my six leaders who were present at the prayer meeting that I could no longer serve as pastor but I could come as a visitor or worshipper.

It was timely that my good friend, a former politician and his wife were present and every time they come visit, the offering increased. Also there must be at least 10 new faces and one elder from outside Kota Kinabalu came who knew me as a former Treasurer-General of SIB, and not many people know that nowadays. 

So I gave a speech by first acknowledging a young girl of 8 years old who respected and loved her pastor much or else she would not come up to me every time and greeted me. I told the church I stayed as long as I did (15 months in all by end of Feb) due to the 40 children in church and for their parents who bring them to church, so they may be strong in God. 

But I can’t continue if my wings are tied and those I expect to support me as pastor are either luke warm or worse on many occasions undermined my authority. I know I can’t expect whole hearted support, but some of the key leaders were just bibir manis tapi lain di hatı. I remember a verse in Ecclesiastes that whatever is made crooked cannot be made straight again. 

The April incident when they conspired against me so that I could not stand for the position of chairman was the height of betrayal, a night of darkness. No one apologised to me; they blamed outside interference. If they were spiritual they could have rejected the letter of attack outright as it was a lie and slander. But they used it against me and when they were secure in their positions, they declared that the letter meant nothing. 

It was as if committing fornication or adultery, getting caught and then wiping their mouth and say, “I did nothing wrong!” But at the end the members took my speech well, by supporting their pastor with their book purchase. More than 12 books were sold in an instance and suddenly every one wanted a copy. It is like the paintings of dead artists sell well but when they were alive, they were impoverished. 

My politician friend waited for 30 minutes at a restaurant to speak with me as I was busy selling books and talking with church members. A few indicated that they would invite me over for coffee as I made a joke at the end that drinks (coffee or tea) had gone up. It used to be RM2,50 per cup but now most places charge RM3.50 and air-conditioned places RM4.50 or more.