The
5 Year Plan of the Chinese Ministry of LIAC
(proposed by CMT 6/2003)
I. Philosophy of ministry
LIAC, like other Chinese churches in America, is in many respects unique in itself. As we are planning our church development in the coming five years, it is necessary for us to search for the future vision and understand the needs of our church in order to define the direction and to make fruitful use of the resources of the church.
Essentially there are areas we should pay attention to when we are planning the development of the church. These are worship, teaching, praying, caring, discipleship, and evangelism. All these in turn should be well supported by a sound structure of administration.
Just like most of the Chinese churches in America, our Chinese congregation basically comprises people speaking of 2 major dialects, namely Mandarin and Cantonese. Therefore the church has the responsibility to reach and satisfy the needs of people coming from a variety of different cultures and languages background effectively with the gospel and discipleship.
Due to the trend of demographic changes
in Long Island, as indicated by some studies, more Chinese families will move
from the New York City areas and settle in Long Island. Thereby our church
should see the vision and have an understanding of the future prospects who may
be coming to our community. At this time, the CMT envisage the need of
preparing and equipping the ministry leaders as well as the co-workers in such
direction.
II. The
Vision
Since more and
more Chinese people move into Long Island area, we sense that our Lord brings a
big harvest and new challenge to our church. Facing the reality, God does speak
to us through the Queen of Esther and Mordecai: “who knows but that you have
come to royal position for such a time as this?” Our Lord Jesus said: “I have
other sheep that are not this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will
listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” God does
bring His sheep to us. If we let the
chance pass away at this time, the relief for those sheep will arise from
another place but we will perish. Just like what Mordecai said to Esther: “Do
not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews
will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for
the Jews will arise from another place. But you and your father’s family will
perish.” Having encountered with this vision, LIAC has no hesitation but grab
the promise of our Lord and follow Him, equipping ourselves for future
challenges; reaching those Chinese whom our Lord brings to us and cultivating
them so that they may become “ONE FLOCK AND ONE SHEPHERD”-----our Lord Jesus
Christ!
III. The
Challenge
A. From the demographic changes, we envision enormous number of Chinese will migrate to Long
Island in the coming five years; among them the majority will be those from Mainland China. They
want to come to
Understandably majority of them most likely are educated and middle class people.
B. The Cantonese congregation at present are more active in the Chinese church ministry. The ministry
on this group will be continued in order to enhance their spiritual growth and serving in the church.
They will be also expected to be useful resources to facilitate the church future development.
C. The growth of both the Chinese and the English congregations will certainly have impact to each
other. The relationship and unity of these two congregations will be maintained essentially by the
leaders from each congregation. (The number of deacons of the Board from each congregation
should not be too far off from each other.)
D. In view of the urgent need of the whole congregation, especially the
possibility of expanding
ministries in the Chinese congregation, the building project definitely needs
to be included and
seriously considered in the 5-Years Plan.
IV. The strategy
A. Phase I - preparatory period (first 1-2 years)
1. Cast the vision to the congregation, especially the ministry team leaders and the coworkers.
2. Primarily we need to identify the potential workers. Then we will recruit and equip them with
Training programs such as group studies and mentoring as indicated. There will be series of
Classes/programs for different level of believers, i.e. Basic Discipleship (new believers),
Advanced Discipleship (co-workers), Leadership training (ministry leaders).
3. Provide the ministry leaders the background knowledge about the ideology of the potential new
comers so that the leaders can handle them more effectively.
4. Strengthen the ministries especially in the areas of Worship, Caring and Evangelism. These
ministries will have better connection, coordination and cooperation with each other in order
to accommodate more new comers.
5. Reinforce and make good use of the district prayer group ministry to provide support for the
brothers and sisters, as well as to channel new comers to our church.
6. Work in conjunction with the EMT :-
(a) to provide ESL ministry as an outreach program to Chinese in the community
(b) to assist in the Children and Youth programs for our next generation. Encourage brothers and
sisters to participate in these programs as situation arises.
7. Participate in deciding and monitoring the Building project.
B. Phase II – growth period (3rd to 5th year)
1. We expect more co-workers, especially those Mandarin brothers and sisters, to join serving the
ministries. The discipleship programs will be continued to strength the congregation spiritually.
2. CMT may then expand to recruit more core members.
3. By the end of 5th year, we wish we shall have two services as the size of the congregation grows
above 150. (note : NOT two congregations)