Heart To Heart With The Senior Pastor: A Journey Of Joy And Challenge

It’s quite a distance from our church to Katong Square. According to Google Maps, it takes at least an hour by MRT, bus, and foot. I chose not to Grab so I could take some time to think through the chaos of rushing from one point to another each day.

On the MRT, I met a young adult, and we struck up a conversation. I mentioned that I was heading to a senior pastor lunch fellowship, and he shared that he had signed up for an internship with a Christian organization for his summer vacation. This news excited me, and I prayed that he would find abundance in serving Christ as God leads him step by step. It reminded me of how I was led to full-time ministry, how I was led to GPC, and how I was led to this senior pastor fellowship - always one step at a time.

This was my second time attending the senior pastor fellowship. As we ate, we shared our greatest joy and our most pressing challenge. I listened to stories of the joy of walking with the flock and witnessing their growth. I also heard about the challenges, such as loved ones being diagnosed with cancer and the weight of supporting them while serving. I heard about the fear of transitioning roles and the stress of moving in with ageing parents. Strangely and miraculously, as I listened, the burden of the chaos on my shoulders seemed to disappear bit by bit.

I shared that my joy was also my challenge. Initiating a “Preaching party” to discuss our sermons is both a joy and a challenge. It's rewarding to see a group of preachers grow and bond together, but it's also challenging to expose the most sensitive aspects of our preaching and be ready for any feedback.

Asking the whole church to commit to doing ONE THING each day with devotional material that aligns with the pulpit is both a joy and a challenge. It's fulfilling to know that the flock is being fed, but it's also challenging to constantly renew and improve the material so that our flock is drawn closer to God.

Calling the whole church to pray together online is also a joy and a challenge. Will they join? For the first time, about 100 people prayed together. Will they continue? Will they find it meaningful? How will this develop? We continue to plan, pray, and let God lead us one step at a time.

This is a lifelong journey filled with joy and challenge. I am thankful to God for bringing like-minded people to walk alongside. This is the promise of our Lord: He will be with us until the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)

In Missional Spirit,

Pastor Forest