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
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
11 hours 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.
Herald Malaysia
2 days ago
- Herald Malaysia
New short documentary highlights the life of Servant of God Julia Greeley
A new, short documentary tells the story of Servant of God Julia Greeley, also known as Denver's Angel of Charity, who was born into slavery near Hannibal, Missouri. Jul 21, 2025 An image of Servant of God Julia Greeley in a parish. | Credit: Screenshot/Colorado Capuchin Franciscans By Francesca Pollio Fenton A new, short documentary tells the story of Servant of God Julia Greeley, also known as Denver's Angel of Charity, who was born into slavery near Hannibal, Missouri. 'Julia Greeley: Servant of the Sacred Heart' features interviews with Father Blaine Burkey, OFM Cap, who wrote a book on Greeley's life; Mary Leisring, president of the Julia Greeley Guild; Father Eric Zegeer, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Denver, Greeley's parish; and Jean Torkelson, executive director of the Julia Greeley Home, a Denver nonprofit that serves women in need. In the 13-minute documentary, interviewees discuss Greeley's deep faith, her acts of charity, and her courageous response to the challenges presented throughout her life. When she was a child, while her master was beating her mother, his whip caught Greeley's right eye and destroyed it. After she was freed in 1865, she spent her time serving poor families, mostly in Denver. In 1880, Greeley entered the Catholic Church at Sacred Heart Parish in Denver. She attended daily Mass and had a deep devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Blessed Virgin Mary. She joined the Secular Franciscan Order in 1901 and was known for her dedication to the people in her community, bringing them things they needed. Despite having arthritis, she walked countless miles to collect and distribute alms and to spread devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Greely died on June 7, 1918, and her cause for canonization was opened by the Archdiocese of Denver in 2016. Burkey is a retired priest in the Archdiocese of Denver. A scholar and expert on the life of Greeley, in an interview with CNA he described her as 'a very zealous person.' 'Despite all the problems people gave her, she turned it around and didn't spend time worrying about that,' he said. The priest also highlighted that among Greeley's many charitable deeds, 'every time she had money leftover to take care of herself, she [instead] took care of the poor,' and 'she didn't spend her life trying to get even or [seek] vengeance or anything like that.' He said he hopes the faithful are 'encouraged by that message that you shouldn't be concerned with vengeance but with mercy.'--CNA
