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
Barnama
5 hours 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
Herald Malaysia
a day ago
- Herald Malaysia
Pope remembers Cardinal Vingt-Trois of Paris as 'good and zealous shepherd'
Pope Leo XIV remembers Cardinal André Vingt-Trois, the Archbishop emeritus of Paris who passed away on 18 July, as "a good and faithful shepherd" Jul 22, 2025 File photo of Cardinal André Vingt-Trois of Paris (AFP or licensors) By Deborah Castellano LubovPope Leo XIV mourned Cardinal André Vingt-Trois, who passed away at age 82 on 18 July, in a telegram of condolence he sent to the current Archbishop of the French capital, Cardinal Laurent Ulrich. In his message, the Pope expresses his spiritual closeness and prayers to all those mourning the late Cardinal of the Church in Paris, "of which he was the good and zealous shepherd for twelve years." "Having learned of the passing to God of His Eminence Cardinal André Vingt-Trois, Archbishop Emeritus of Paris," Pope Leo said, "I wish to express to you my spiritual closeness and my prayerful communion in this loss..." "I especially wish," he continued, "to address these sentiments to the family and loved ones of the deceased, to the caregivers of the Maison Marie-Thérèse who supported him through the trial of illness, as well as to the clergy and faithful of the Archdiocese of Paris, of which he was the good and zealous shepherd for twelve years." Moreover, the Holy Father prayed that, "having given himself in pastoral ministry and having, in his final days, shared in the Cross of Christ in his own flesh, the Risen Lord may now welcome him into His home of rest, peace, and light." Finally, Pope Leo implores for him "the reward the Divine Master promised to faithful stewards," and wholeheartedly bestowed his Apostolic Blessing. The funeral Mass for Cardinal André Vingt-Trois will take place tomorrow, July 23, at 10 AM in Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris, and will be presided over by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris. The cathedral will be closed to visits to allow for the preparation of the liturgy. Visitors will be welcomed again starting at 2:30 p.m. A prominent figure of the Church in France, Cardinal Vingt-Trois was president of the Bishops' Conference of France from 2007 to 2013, and Archbishop of the French capital from 2005 to 2017.--Vatican News
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Sarawak premier opens up on grief after wife's passing
MIRI: Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg today admitted that he was still coming to terms with the passing of his wife, Puan Sri Juma'ani Tuanku Bujang, who died last month. Speaking publicly on the matter for the first time about her death, Abang Johari said her passing was deeply felt not only by him but also by the rest of his family. "God loves her more than we do," the premier said at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the RM400 million Marina Bay bridge here. "Since she is no longer with us, that is why I brought my daughter with me to Miri," Abang Johari said. He said his wife, who died on June 23, had always been a source of inspiration to him in his service to the people. He added that she and other family members shared his aspirations in his efforts to develop and bring progress to the state. "To me, they have been sources of inspiration, because at the end of the day it is the people who benefit. "Hopefully, I receive blessings from God and I also hope that my wife will be blessed for her sacrifices to me and to the state," he said. Juma'ani Juma'ani passed away at 3.34am on June 23. She was 76. (hyperlink: ) She was the daughter of Sarawak's second Governor, Tun Tuanku Bujang Tuanku Othman. She is survived by Abang Johari, their son Abang Abdillah Izzarim, 45, and daughter Dayang Norjihan, 43.
