MINISTRY
DEVELOPING A STORM STRATEGY The foreseeable future involves keeping up to date with “governmental policies around pandemic/endemic management, and vaccination-related protocols, which of course affect the way we plan and execute worship gatherings and non-congregational activities”, Chee Sheong says. And while it is easy to get caught up in all the administrative and technical details that comes with being part of Operations, Chee Sheong is clear in his conviction that what his team does “indirectly supports the vision of the church, by freeing the pastoral and ministry staff from administrative matters”. “Ministries come and go, but the function of operations remains — the support of an organisation,” he says. “And staff in Ops are also called to be salt and light to the world — we can show Christ to the contractors, vendors, and suppliers we work with. This helps to open doors for ministry to them.” Ashley sees AEM’s role as “providing back-end support”. “While this often requires restructuring of our portfolios in order to make ourselves available to come alongside the more front-facing ministries in their work, we choose to look at things in a broader manner and embrace the new realities of SJSM Village,” she says. “We will go further, take the initiative, and go the extra mile — because we know who we’re doing it for.” “The metaphor of the church as one body with many parts (1 Corinthians 12:1526) guides the teams working to serve the church,” Nigel says. “As we transition into operating as a church within SJSM Village, it is clear that various ministries and corporate entities have interconnected relationships and common objectives. The complexities of this new season require more integrated approaches which build on the strengths of our various components. As we serve and aim to do good, we take heart from the words with which Bp Rennis chose to end his pastoral note to the Diocese on 4 April 2020:
Entering Uncharted Waters
A
lpha needs no introduction: it’s been successfully run in SJSM for more than 10 years, although recent structural changes and the onset of COVID-19 in Singapore have resulted in it looking a little different now. In fact, 7 February 2020, which was the day of the 2020 Alpha Intro Dinner, was also when the Singapore government announced the nationwide risk assessment level to DORSCON Orange. The dinner went ahead as planned with regulatory safety measure in place, but sessions were temporarily suspended thereafter. Since September 2020, Alpha has been running on a hybrid format — sessions are held online via small groups, with Holy Spirit Day continuing to be conducted onsite (with up-todate safe distancing measures implemented, of course!). Decentralisation sacrifices some of the excitement and momentum of a churchwide effort, but it also opens the way for more flexibility and personalisation, as well as opportunities for creativity. While SJSMers have been a little slow to support this new incarnation of Alpha, ministry lead Trixie is hopeful that it will gain traction among our cell groups given more time, and eventually take off. We look forward to seeing God raise more Alpha Champions in our midst!
‘I close with a text from Scripture that binds us all in common faith and duty: …He (God) has said: I will never leave you nor forsake you.’… Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. 21
