Church Revitalization Teams

By Ps Dev Menon

As we move into 2025, our #getsent year, we remember that our theme is ‘Missional Communities’. That means we want every AG and hence congregation to be growing their members in maturity, to a point where people are willing to be sent out, to be able to minister to others. This could mean planting a new AG, or sent out to a different congregation, a different church, or even to minister in a different country – as God leads.

In line with this, we thank God that last month, our Session approved the formation of CRTs or Church Revitalization Teams. We want to create small teams of about 10 or so individuals that will be sent out or seconded to other BP churches for a season, to assist them in their time of need (just as others assisted us in our time of need). We hope to do this not just through Zion Bishan, but throughout the whole BPCIS denomination. To date, there have been at least 3 churches that have requested help. 

Why should help other churches? Let me restate some reasons: 

1. Love and Unity (John 13 & 17). In John’s gospel, we are told that the more believers show self-sacrificial love for one another, the more the name of Christ will be known and glorified. I believe this is linked to Jesus’ prayer for unity amongst believers. Today, we have a unique opportunity to restore this once fractured denomination. 
2. Weak vs Strong (Rom 14-15). Pastor David Wong reminded us in our June sermon series that the strong have an obligation to help (bear with the failings) of the weak. Christ did not come to please Himself but to build up our neighbour. If we consider ourselves strong or blessed, more so our obligation to others. We were once recipients of such convictions. 
3. Strengthening the Plants (Acts 14-18). The apostle Paul planted churches by gathering believers, discipling them for a season, and then later appointing local elders. He also made it a habit to check in on and strengthen all these churches for as long as he was able.  As all the BP churches were once plants to reach new estates, we should see it as our responsibility to keep strengthening them. 
4. Wider Gospel Proclamation (Col 4). The apostle Paul, once he found out about the churches in Colossae, Laodicea and Hierapolis, made it a point to pray for them, write letters, and send much pastoral support from all over the region to go and visit and support them. Every church is important to the God & the kingdom.
5. Encouraging Hearts (Hebrews 3 & 12). When believers are not constantly encouraged, there is a real risk that their hearts grow cold, and bitterness takes root. There is evidence that when churches are neglected or lack healthy spiritual leadership several get disillusioned and fall away. We must remember churches are not companies that can just be closed down and restarted without significant consequence. They are people and families, with relationships and feelings! 

Friend, please do consider in 2025, whether you would be willing to assist us to minister to one of these other churches. If you would like to know more, you can either contact me (dev@zionbishan.org.sg) or approach Pastor David Leong or Elder George Khoo.