Editorial

Under the leadership of brother CC Teng, you will be hearing a lot about our Care Teams this year. This is because Care Teams are Biblical and important for you. Already, 40% of the membership has experienced our Care Teams, and have come to enjoy the many benefits. Many have come to realize that it is indispenable to their spiritual growth.

If you are not in a Care Team, the next few minutes that you spend reading this article may be the best investment in your life. Ultimately, we cannot force anyone to be in a Care Team. But like the gospel, you owe it to yourself to consider its value and whether to make it a part of your life.

Biblical Basis Right on the birthday of the New Testament church, we read how the members would ‘continue daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart' - Acts 2:46.

Search the scriptures for the 'one another' passages and see how the inspired writer urged early Christians to get together with the purpose of encouraging one another.

Although the New Testament makes no reference to Care Teams, we see the same situation in the Old Testament which made no references to synagogues. However, because of clear Biblical commands to worship God and assemble together, synagogues were started during the captivity when they could no longer go to Jerusalem to worship God. Jesus not only preached in synagogues, but the apostles used it to spread the gospel.

History of PP's Care Team

At a men's retreat at Garden Hotel more than 20 years ago, the twelve who attended took a long hard look at our history, where we were, and where we wanted to be. On that significant date, Vision 2000 (1000 members in 2000) was born. This committed group of men continued meeting weekly at the home of elder Adrian to lay the path towards a thousand member church.

The church camp was one vehicle we used, but we realised that even more important was to empower small groups who would support, encourage and mobilize the multitude of members, so that we would not miss the trees for the forest – and every individual would be recognized, surrounded with care and could exercise his or her talents.

Unique and Original

As we crafted the small group concept for PP, it was an original and unique programme of our own. It was not a replicated programme from other churches, as we wanted to meet the unique situation and needs of our own members. Our focus was PP and the entire framework was a result of months of brainstorming.

Other congregations soon got wind of what we are doing. I was invited by two congregations in Malaysia to conduct workshops in an effort to help them start Care Teams. In one of these congregations, to the credit of the leadership, Care Teams are now an integral part of the Seremban congregation.

Evolution of Care Teams

Brother Lim Kok Hin assisted me in conducting Care Team introductory sessions to launch the new programme at PP. I vividly remember how sister Pang Foon Yoong was the first of a dozen members who enthusiastically responded to this new initiative. Over the years, she has stayed active with PP's Care Team programme, giving birth to a few groups on the way.

Today, in addition to Care Teams, our youth have structured several groups of their own. While all maintain the basic concept of Care Teams, each one is as different and unique as a fingerprint.

What are PP's Care Teams?

Unlike highly structured 'cell groups' run by many churches, our leaders have wisely elected right from the beginning to allow members to group themselves into teams of their own choosing to meet their own needs and interests. These three components are basic to all PP's Care Teams:

1. Anyone can join any Care Team - there are no secret societies in the body of Christ and every Care Team is open to all members. This is so important and fundamental. We are constantly aware of the danger of some Care Teams which may be treading a slippery path of exclusiveness and elitism, something we cannot allow.

2. Members are to pray for one another each time they meet.

3. Care teams are to meet regularly, if possible every week.

The Structure of Care Teams

When we rolled out our first few Care Teams, I spent more time preparing and checking on them as they were new, and to get them on their feet. I was careful to call for coordinators’ meetings fairly frequently, at external venues like the Garden Hotel and also the church premises. When Care Teams were able to run on their own, I passed the baton to deacon Lim Li Chhoan, then to brother Patrick Ong and now to our elders. These people are entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that Care Teams are running smoothly and functionally, but independently.

Present State of Care Teams

Currently, our records list more than 35 Care Teams. Conservatively assuming that each team has a coordinator, assistant and 4 members – this works out to over 200 members in Care Teams or roughly 40% of 500 members.

Each group is different. Some meet religiously on a weekly basis, others meet fortnightly or even monthly. Each session usually lasts between 1-2 hours but some have stretched to 3-5 hours. Most groups are involved in Bible study, but some favour visitation and benevolent projects.

Importance of Care Teams

Although the time each member spends at worship, Bible classes and church activities is vital for spiritual growth; as PP continues to grow, achieving intimacy becomes a greater challenge. It is easy for the leadership, like the early church (Acts 6:1), to miss out some members in the ministry of the church.

In Care Teams, members not only develop leadership, they get to know brethren, and become accountable for one another. We have observed that in times of crisis, illness and bereavement, fellow Care Teams members are the first to respond. Without this kind of support, members could, in the bustle of activities be lost in the crowd, and miss out on the vital 'one-anothering' of the Christian walk.

Future of Care Teams

Much has been done, but much more needs to be done. PP hopes to double the number of members in Care Teams by the end of the year. After we near the 80% mark, our aim is to ensure 100% of PP members are in a Care Team. What can be done to help us reach this ambitious goal?

1. Awareness - members must understand the importance of Care Teams and make it a priority to ensure that they have a group of fellow Christians that they can depend upon, as well as support. We will use the Focus newsletter, posters, announcements and activities to catch your attention.

2. Training - our current Care Teams can only absorb a few more members each for optimal functioning. Already a workshop is planned this Saturday to help coordinators do a better job in Care Teams and help them to start new ones. We will need over 35 new teams over the next 11 months if we are to realise our goal of 80%. We look forward to new Care Teams of parents, mixed youth and even golf kakis.

3. Sustainability - each and every Care Team must be able to stand on its own feet, with capable coordinators and assistants who can report back on progress, and communicate successes and challenges – so that we can all move ahead. It is indeed better not to have a Care Team than a bad Care Team which simply meets to gossip and tear down the church rather than to edify and grow

What about You?

Are you already in a Care Team? If you are, can you do more than what you are already doing? Perhaps you may grow your Care Team by inviting others to join? Or if it is a mature team with experienced members, to split up to grow both the groups (like mitosis in biology)?

Not in a Care Team? Perhaps you are too busy or unsure to consider joining one. But now that I have your attention, may I urge you to reconsider? The soul that you save may not just be your own - but that of your family’s as well in setting the right example.

Text or email me if you have queries. Better still, call up one of the teams listed in the membership directory. The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. A Care Team could be the best present you give yourself in 2012.

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more..." - Hebrews 10:25

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We are looking forward to welcome the upcoming events