Who is Sumiko?
Can a pastor learn anything from Singapore’s “most famous single woman”? Ms Sumiko Tan, 46, is a Straits Times editor. Her Sunday Times column, which began in July 1994, is famous and with it she has grown a mega fan base. Like a confession booth to which the public has access instead of [...]
Archive for the ‘Ministry’ Category
What pastors can learn from Ms Sumiko Tan
Preaching to change lives
Is secret in the method?
Some say that the secret of life changing preaching lies in verse by verse preaching, and preaching through the Bible, book by book. It is still vaunted that expository preaching is the only way to change lives and grow a church. Then recently Rick Warren have popularised the user-friendly sermon. Of [...]
Do Singapore pastors overwork?
Anecdotal accounts tell me that Singapore pastors do overwork. Their minds are engaged perpetually on preaching and church ministry and problems. It even affects their family life. Even while physically present they could be emotionally absent from home. Rick Warren (Saddleback Community Church) warns pastors against overwork in the ministry.“My experience is pastors tend to [...]
Yangon assault
Yangon assaulted me in broad daylight. The dry heat and dust of March just punched me up. I felt uncomfortable, sweaty, uncooperative and ever-eager to get back to that pocket of civilization called hotel.
“I am not cut out to be a missionary,” I told pastor Thomas. I know His grace is sufficient for all [...]
Three weddings and a funeral
It began with my son listening to his Japanese love albums. Overhearing, I found them catchy despite not understanding the lyrics. It sort of grows on you. I have watched many episodes of Japan hour and even caught some J movies and serials. Lately, I have used Japanese tracks for some of my slides in [...]
Preaching: ecstasy and agony
Preaching is both ecstasy and agony. It can happen over just two Sundays.
Ecstasy
One moment, I felt I was on Mount Everest. The anointing heightened all my faculties to another level. I knew I was connecting in an unusual, powerful way with the congregation. The thoughts were coherent and the words flowed with liberty and penetrating [...]
Pastor compensation feeling the pinch
A recent Christianity Today International survey shows the compensation package paid to the average pastor (including salary, housing allowance/parsonage, life/health/disability insurance, education and retirement) in the USA has declined in 2009 by 2.4% for lead pastors to an average of $70,806. The average for senior pastors who lead multiple pastoral staff declined 0.5% to $80,745. [...]
Today’s pastors need encouragement
I was so blessed to receive a gift the other Sunday. It was not a box of mooncakes. Rather, something more precious: a wooden box with a beautiful handpainted rainbow, the word “Inspiring” and my name “Kenny”. Each of the English adult congregation pastor received one – each unique. Inside the box were well-crafted and [...]
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