Healthy church must stand on evangelism, discipleship, says church leader
SIBU (July 20): A healthy church must grow on two pillars, namely evangelism and discipleship, said Methodist Church Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference (SCAC) president Reverend Lau Hui Ming.
When speaking at the opening ceremony of the 11th Youth Leadership Conference of the World Federation of Chinese Methodist Churches here on Friday night, he reminded the young participants that discipleship was not solely about attending church events or learning doctrines but also about walking closely with others on their journey to become more like Jesus Christ.
'We often hear about the importance of preaching the Gospel, but the Bible also calls us to discipleship and not the easy kind – it is disciplined, intentional and requires sacrifice,' he said.
Lau said only a spiritually mature community shaped by love, sacrifice and a deep relationship with God could build a strong and thriving church.
He thus encouraged the young people to reflect deeply on what it meant to be part of a healthy church over the course of the conference.
'Jesus said if anyone wanted to follow Him, they must deny themselves and take up their cross daily – not when it's convenient, not only during big events, but every single day no matter how you feel.'
He said that many often mistook discipleship as just attending Bible studies or church programmes.
'Discipleship is more than knowledge, it's about people. It's about relationships.
'You have to know someone to walk alongside them in their faith.
'That's where true discipleship begins.
'There are four Gospels in the Bible: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
'But many of your non-believing friends, neighbours, and relatives may never read those. Instead, they read you.
'You are the 'Fifth Gospel'. How you live your life, how you know Jesus, how you treat others – that is the Gospel people see every day. If people can see our lives and be inspired to glorify God, then we become a bridge that leads others to Christ.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Herald Malaysia
8 hours ago
- Herald Malaysia
Corpus Christi Procession to bless the city and the people of Kuching
St Joseph's Cathedral parish Kuching celebrated the Solemnity of Corpus Christi this year with a procession on the streets of Kuching after the 5 pm Mass on Sunday June 22. Jul 24, 2025 St Joseph's Cathedral procession to mark the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, 22 June 2025. (Photo: St Joseph's Cathedral) By Aloysius Lai St Joseph's Cathedral parish Kuching celebrated the Solemnity of Corpus Christi this year with a procession on the streets of Kuching after the 5 pm Mass on Sunday June 22. The main celebrant of the Mass was His Grace Archbishop Simon Poh and priests concelebrating were Rev Fathers Nicholas Ng, Mark Bonchol, Davie Entalai, John Chong, Galvin Gumbang and Eugenio Maglasang. Archbishop Simon during his homily, explained the meaning of Corpus Christ being the Body and Blood of Christ and linked that with Christ's presence in the Word of God and the Eucharist at Mass. We, being baptised in Christ and Christ is the temple of the Holy Spirit. United with the Holy Spirit and Christ we, the Church, form the One Body of Christ. As such, the celebration of Corpus Christi is also the celebration of the Church united with Christ as the Head. Archbishop Simon went on to say that the Corpus Christi procession is a witness of of our faith in Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament, and that we are bringing Jesus to the streets to bless the city and the people of Kuching. At the conclusion of Mass, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed in a monstrance on the Altar which was then brought out in procession by Archbishop Simon. The candlelight procession along Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg was led by the Cross bearer, youth flag bearers and members of the liturgical ministries. Flower girls and page boys sprinkled flowers along the route of the procession in honour of the Blessed Sacrament. Priests, religious sisters and seminarians also joined in the procession together with some 1,000 or more parishioners. During the procession hymns were sung by the congregation. At the conclusion of the procession, a short prayer service was conducted at the bell tower of the Cathedral. The congregation gathered at the car park in front of the Cathedral. The service concluded with the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.--Today's Catholic
Herald Malaysia
10 hours ago
- Herald Malaysia
Pope invites Dominicans ‘listen attentively to the Holy Spirit'
Pope Leo XIV assures Dominicans taking part in the General Chapter of Provincial Priors of his closeness in prayer, while inviting them to be attentive to the voice of the Holy Spirit and to strengthen their commitment to serving the Body of Christ. Jul 24, 2025 General Chapter of Provincial Priors of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) By Christopher WellsPope Leo says he is praying for Dominican provincial priors gathered in Krakow for their General Chapter. In a letter addressed to Fr Gerard Timoner, Master of the Order of Preachers, the Holy Father assures them of his confidence 'that these days of grace may be an opportunity for renewal, rooted in the hope that never disappoints and the knowledge that the Lord has called you as preachers to proclaim the Good News amid today's unique challenges.' Listening to the Holy Spirit He goes on to highlight the theme for the meeting, which aims to address the Dominican charism of preaching especially to 'four audiences: those who do not yet know Jesus; the Christian faithful; those who have distanced themselves from Christ; and young people in these situations,' saying it is particular timely. 'I pray,' the Pope writes, 'that your deliberations may allow you to listen attentively to the Holy Spirit, Who continues to guide the Church in the fullness of truth.' Faithful to the charism and spirituality of Saint Dominic Pope Leo went on to express his hope that the Dominican priors would strengthen their 'commitment to serving the Body of Christ in the evangelical way of life chosen by St Dominic.' 'May your shared experience of fraternity and prayer strengthen the bonds of communion that unite you as Dominicans and inspire you to live ever more fully your vocation as contemplative preachers,' he writes. He adds his conviction that they 'will undoubtedly continue to carry out your mission in the heart of the Church' in fidelity to the charism and spirituality of St Dominic. Pope Leo concludes his letter by entrusting the General Chapter to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and imparting his blessing to all the members of the Dominican Order.--Vatican News
Barnama
a day ago
- Barnama
M'sia, Singapore Join Forces In Chemical Spill Response Drill At Linkedua
ISKANDAR PUTERI, July 23 (Bernama) -- Regional collaboration between Malaysia and Singapore to strengthen chemical spill preparedness took centre stage today at the 14th emergency chemical spill simulation exercise held at the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link (Linkedua). The event, organised through the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Committee on the Environment (MSJCE), brought together about 15 agencies from both countries to test and improve inter-agency communication and mobilisation in the event of a hazardous spill. Department of Environment (DOE) director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said the simulation, hosted by Singapore this year, played a vital role in enhancing response capacity and coordination between the two nations. "This training is very important as it strengthens communication between the two countries and our agencies in mobilising all assets and human resources to address chemical spills. "This time, Singapore is the host, and God willing, in two years' time Malaysia will be the host," he said when met after the exercise at Linkedua here today, which was also attended by Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) chief executive officer, Wong Kang Jet. Wan Abdul Latiff also revealed that an estimated 150,000 tonnes of hazardous chemicals are transported across the Malaysia-Singapore border via Linkedua each year. However, he noted that no crashes involving chemical spills had been reported at the location so far. "Therefore, detailed preparations through simulation exercises are continuously conducted. This is to prevent chemical spill incidents and ensure swift action can be taken," he said at a press conference today. -- BERNAMA
