Monday, 31 October 2016

Story

Story of a TJC member in London

Once there was a TJC member in TJC London. He was a fervent member of the church. Frequently involves in sharing the word of God and RE classes

Then he was found out to be attending another church. On Friday night, he was at a Jewish church.  And on Saturday morning,  he was at TJC London.

The elders in TJC London advised him to stop attending the Jewish church. He refused. TJC London, misused their authority and judgementally, removed this brother from serving the TJC church.

Such is the culture of the church.

Sunday, 30 October 2016

Question

I came across one question asked to a preacher

Question
Can a church member listen to sermon by pastor of another denomination?
I feel my spiritual life is refreshed after listening to d sermon

Answer by preacher
Don't listen.
Pastor from other denomination are operated by different spirit.

My comment
Dear preacher,  what different spirit do you mean?
I thought we r supposed to test everything,  and hold on what is good

Don't judge easily,  test their fruits
You shall know them by their fruits

Does this preacher also bear fruits?

Saturday, 29 October 2016

Lost sheep

Written by a lost sheep

I was in a church called True Jesus Church (TJC). They are nice and loving people, however it is the teachings that is all wrong... They have deviated from the mainstream christian teachings and claim that they are the only "true" church that saves. All other church are false because they do not follow the truth as they claim.

However, being a member in that church for many years, I have seen the cracks of their lofty claim of truth is nothing but an excuse of superiority complex. Likewise, it attract people of the same personality to it:"those who want to control" and those who are "willing to be controlled based on fear" (not questioning the authority of the so called "truth" that they preaches). For me, i am the submissive sheep taking in the "poison" that they preaches every Sabbath Saturday to the point of falling asleep in sermons (which if you look around during TJC sermon, many of their members are sleeping disciples too :)

The defining moment that i woke up to their poisonous teaching is when I realized that they do not follow what they preaches. It is when i realized that their "truth" is merely good in the pulpit not in daily life. On one hand, they preaches "to look for your soulmate within the TJC church not other church or non-christian", on the other, they allow couples that "seek their companion outside of church" (i.e A TJC church brother dating a non-TJC "gentile" girl) to hold holy matrimony in the church. The excuse the church give is that the couple are already baptised by TJC pastor before marriage. however, they twist their word: Firstly they said "not to date non-tjc members", and when things happens, they said, "it is ok, because they are baptised"? I do not agree. Is it alright, if the brother or sister have gone through the baptism for the convenience of marrying? Have baptism became a tool?

What kind of truth are they preaching? Thank God for allowing me experience this episode in my life in order to see how "true" is the "True Jesus Church". Sadly, many members do not see or feel how i felt. And most of them are still sleeping, they think that as long as the issue doesn't affect them it is alright. because most of the adults are already married before coming to believe in TJC church. And their youths are not really holding fast to such a "teaching". except for foolish youths like me who innocently with a childlike faith believe in the "truth" they preaches.

After I decided to leave the church, i get the opportunity to compare TJC to mainstream churches. It was hard leaving, because you are constantly haunted by TJC poisonous teachings that ingrained in your mind "you will lose salvation, because there is no other churches that saves except TJC" "will you be able to find the True church out there? Only TJC saves". these are the words they used quite frequently in their sermons to emphasize the danger of leaving their organization. it gives distress and fear and helplessness for those thinking of leaving TJC. Finally, i said enough is enough, and here i am free from their bondage. I research other mainstream churches doctrine and TJC doctrine and found out that many of the TJC teaching are fundamentalist (ie. believe word for word in the bible) eg.TJC only baptise with head bow down in living water "i.e moving water (river,stream etc), not still water (lake) or tap water (swimming pool)". Where as, mainstream churches teaches the principle of the teachings and do not really emphasize on the precise method of e.g baptism. So, to a TJC member, if you dont baptised in the manner their church prescribed you are "not saved". because you do not practises in "the truth" of bible.

When i do an evaluation of both church teachings and my personal life experience in both church, i came to realized that my view of God is very myopic in TJC as compared to mainstream churches. Does God really send you to hell because you do not tilt your head in certain way or do stuff in certain way for baptism?? Does that means Mother Theresa cannot be saved if she didn't baptised in TJC church method?.... These are the further questions that i woke up to besides the "missionary dating" issue that happens to me personally.

TJC is a church that really appealing to those new members with superiority complex (i.e it is we against the horde, we are the right ones and you are all doomed). if you want to feel high and lofty of your status as a "special" child of God, this desire will naturally drawn you to such a church as TJC. For older members in TJC (>5 years), they are on sleeping mode... things are peaceful until things happens personal to their life then they wake up. As most member chose to ignore such things that happens around them.

So if you want to attend such a church and "survive", you have to be thoroughly ignorant to doctrinal matters (i.e sleep mode). My personal advice is, yes there are loving members in TJC but are few. most are selfish and mind their own business. But don't attend a church based on the love they showered to you, I would advise you to compare, study the bible. Read not only bible interpretation of TJC but various mainstream churches, compare and contrast and come up with your evaluation. Remember: Once you get invested in a church it is hard to break those bonds and get out.

My above personal life experience on TJC is for you to evaluate too. it will save you years of your time, by not going through what i have been through. God Bless.

Thursday, 27 October 2016

Luahan

Luahan seorang ahli GYB

Dear S.Y,
It is true that our church, the True Jesus Church is running short of workers. It is true that our church need more workers. Not just workers but dedicated & motivated workers, the kind that will perform their duties own their own without being asked. Now, why are there so little workers? Where has the all those other workers gone to? Is it true that they just don’t bother about the church’s well being?

Put aside all bias thoughts about our church. Just look at the church as “a church”, an organization. What’s happening to the members of this organization? To be honest, I wouldn’t blame those member’s who are not doing their part in church. This is how the machinery of True Jesus Church is running. We’ve got leaders (some of them youth leaders & some of them deacons) who are pulling the church down. We’ve got politics like any worldly organization. We’ve got back stabbing, bad mouthing, … you can figure out the rest.

Our church is trying to grow, move forward. Unfortunately good ideas are constantly being shot down as leaders hold on to tradition (TJC K.L.’s culture). People who are creative & filled with ideas simply have no say when it comes to making decisions & people with the power to make decisions are not as creative instead they shoot down creative ideas. With the head going one way & the body moving the other, how do we expect to grow?

Our church preach a lot of great teachings. Let’s take love for example, do we practice it? No. We have allowed our ego to control our emotions & many decisions are based on this egoistic emotions. Many younger members with ideas, want to share their ideas but there is that fear. Fear of hurting the elders’ feelings. Fear of hurting the leader’s feelings. Fear of being shot at & belittled. You see, even our leaders are not showing love. They are not showing understanding. They are not really being patient. What happened to these values?

One example I would like to share is the case of Sis Shirley’s mom whom has past away. They’ve been attending church services for so long. For some reason they’ve not been coming to church. Sis. Shirley her self has committed sin. When her mom past away, they came to TJC K.L. to ask for a proper burial service by our deacons. They were promptly turned down. Why? Because they’ve not been attending Church services here in K.L.? Of course our deacons have their reasons.

S.Y., what do you think of this? Are we showing love & care? Who are we to judge them anyway, when we know that God is the only one with the right to judge? Who are we not to forgive a person when God Can forgive & give a person a clean slate to start from again? How are we to bring these members back to church when we’ve already cast them out? What happened to those sermons we’ve been hearing about loving one another, forgiving one another, helping one another, etc.? Why are we criticizing the Pharisees & Hypocrites while acting just the same?

Dn P.Y.’s church did the burial. We can call him power crazy. We can say that they have deviated from the truth. We can call him a false prophet. We can call him anything we want to but we cannot deny the fact that we’ve proven ourselves to be none better. At least he showed some love & care (don’t just think that it’s because of the step daughter. Again, don’t judge).

I have been to other churches & see how things are. My close friend is a pastor of a church. I’ve attended a few of their services. Although the way they worship is different (they practice half an hour to one hour of praise & worship before commencing the service proper. They use drums, guitars, pianos & keyboards; a no no in TJC) you can see unity, people are willing to help, there is the feeling of togetherness, happiness. The members are focused on worshiping God. People don’t sleep during the sermon (I must admit, my friend has this ability to keep people tuned in & alert).
Their church is a small church. They started in Klang many years ago. My friend started his church (a branch) in Subang with a handful of members. Within a few months, the amount has tripled. They are now buying their own building to build a church in Klang with living quarters & training centre to train new pastors to go out & preach. They are also looking towards opening a shelter home for orphans.

I actually helped them out once on their church camp. I helped them organized some games & treasure hunt in Port Dickson. I practically just offered my help (without pay). You want to know why? Because they actually shower you with gratitude & treat you as one of their own. I woke up early in the morning, rushed to P.D. Set up treasure hunt routes, & scavenger hunt for the kids. Had dinner with them & returned home (they gave Ann & myself a room to stay the night but we decided not to) feeling happy & appreciated. Next camp, I am more than willing to help.

You see what I am trying to say? Attitude of leaders will make a big difference in the attitude of the members. When leaders show appreciation, members feel appreciated & are more than willing to work. When leaders show love, understanding & patience, members feel loved, wanted & happy. Honestly, a good Christian always have God in his or her heart. I do. If they don’t attend church services regularly or are not willing to help in the church, it doesn’t mean that they have put God second & the world first. It could mean that they feel unappreciated, unmotivated, unwanted, used, burn out. I am sure they pray daily, maybe even while driving there is still communication with God. Even at work they are communicating.

If you don’t see them in church, it’s not always the fault of the member, something could be wrong with the church environment. Ever thought of it that way? I am not saying that the church is wrong. I believe that God is always within us & the church. Remember, Satan too is constantly looking for ways to destroy the church. It is when we close our eyes & refuse to see what the actual scenario is, we destroy our own. Shallow mindedness, tunnel vision causes many unfortunate circumstances. It allows many opening for the devil to do his evil deeds.

S.Y, I urge you to be humble & truly open your eyes & mind to see what actually is happening in the True Jesus Church. As a leader, you have the ability to change the attitudes of the members (start with choir) & I can tell you it isn’t easy. A lot of hard work is needed. Lead by example & shower all members with love & appreciation. Make them feel wanted. Make them feel happy. Make them feel like they are one.

How you can do this? For one, allow your choir members to contribute ideas. Collect all these ideas & discuss amongst yourselves (the choir group). Give everybody a chance to state their case. Get feedback from all members. Evaluate these ideas & see where you can fit or slot them in into the choir program. Remember to thank everyone for their wonderful ideas & see to it that the program kicks off. When the program becomes a success, invite all to your place for dinner or BBQ to celebrate the entire group’s achievement. Another tip, don’t force. Don’t show the “I’m the boss or who’s the boss” attitude. A small spark could start a fire. Be that spark. I guarantee you’ll start seeing changes in your choir group.

A ruler with an iron fist cannot bring success to his country. Same goes for the church. For the church to move forward & grow, we have to move with the times. We have to look for more options. Can’t find more, create some. Show love even to an outsider. Make an outsider feel comforted & wanted in the church & you’ll save a new soul. There were a few cases of outsiders being shot (belittled) in church by leaders, of course the deacon didn’t know about the outsider sitting in church. But there’s no harm watching our tongue at all times. We can say things that do not hurt a person’s feelings but will be strong enough to make them realize some wrong things that they’ve been doing, etc.
Well, is time to change. The church has to change. Our leaders must change. Attitudes must change. Only then can we truly say that we are The One True Church, & that True Jesus Church is the most appropriate name for our church. Until that day comes, we are no better than other churches (so called worldly churches).

I hope you understand what my point of view is. To prevent division, we must start to cement the many cracks in our church especially within the Chinese & English youth groups. We must unify & become one. There is no “I” in team. To win the unseen battle between good & evil, we must stand together, fight together, encourage each other, walk together & win together. Satan has already been judged. He has already been condemned. We have power over him. Let’s not let our weaknesses destroy our soul, our church. This war is still being fought & no one can win it alone.

P

Tuesday, 25 October 2016

Exegesis Vs Eisegesis


Exegesis

The process of drawing out the meaning from a text in accordance to with the context
and discoverable meaning of its author

Eisegesis

A reader imposes his/her interpretation into and onto the text