2023 ACM Preamble

Dear Bethelites,

Yesterday, we had our Church Annual Congregational Meeting, and below is a passage adapted from the preamble of the ACM report 2023.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Church Annual Congregational Meeting is a time when the members are gathered to discuss church business. We come together to reflect on God’s faithfulness throughout the past financial year, as well as to consider our faithfulness toward His work. Are there things we ought to do and have not done, or ought not to do and have done? Are there things we could have done better? What are our attitudes toward His church and ministry?

We ought to have three essential attitudes as we serve our one living and true God.

I. The attitude of joyfulness - Rejoice evermore.

It is in the imperative which means it is a command. The opposite of joyfulness is to have a negative attitude in spirit. When we adopt a negative attitude, we are not only affecting ourselves, but also the people around us - the church, our spiritual family. True biblical joy is not based on outward circumstances or an emotional response to the positive situations of life. It comes from God (Galatians 5:22)!

No doubt, there are different challenges in the ministry, but we are joyful because we are reminded of our eternal saving relationship with God. And that He is in control of every situation regardless of the circumstances.

To name a few reasons why we are able to rejoice, we consider the fact that our God is in sovereign control of all circumstances (Romans 8:28), He is our Protector and Provider (Psalm 28:7), He is working in and through us (Zechariah 4:6), He has answered our prayers, and He will keep His promises.

As we consider the past year, we cannot help but to rejoice in His goodness, isn’t that true?

II. The attitude of constant prayerfulness - Pray without ceasing.

To pray without ceasing means to pray at all times, at every opportunity and in every season. We constantly pray both in private and corporately, and it is only through our corporate prayer that we can encourage and edify one another. We are always praying because we know that we cannot accomplish the work of the ministry except through the wisdom, discernment and strength given by God. Hebrews 11:6 promised that God is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Have we been prayerful as we serve the Lord? Or are we trusting in our strength?

III. The attitude of constant thankfulness - In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

We give thanks to God in all circumstances because we believe that nothing happens by chance or coincidence, but by His providence. Providence is the means by which God directs all things toward His sovereign purpose. Ephesians 1:11, According to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.

Perhaps, some may be thinking, “Is it really important for us to have these three attitudes?” Well, the Apostle Paul ended this passage with the phrase, for this is the will of God in Christ concerning you. In other words, it is God’s will that all believers would live godly lives and serve Him in constant joy, constant prayer and constant thankfulness.

Indeed, we do not know what is ahead of us in the future; there may be adversities, trials, struggles, economic uncertainty, recession and sickness lurking around the corner. But one thing we do know is that God alone is in control of all things, and He has a sovereign purpose for all things. Let us obey His commandment and cultivate these three essential attitudes for the new financial year that we will rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks because this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us.

With love in Christ,

Pastor Paul Cheng