Cover Story
01 Feb 2014

Am I willing to Sacrifice for my flock?

Source/Author: By Bishop Dr. Ong Hwai Teik

The 15th Graduation Ceremony of MTS Reported by Jacq Ung, translated by Christina

The 15th Graduation Ceremony of Sibu Methodist Theological School (MTS) was held at Wei Kuok Hall on 26 October 2013. There were 16 graduates this year: 4 of Master of Ministry Program; 1 of Master of Divinity; 3 of Bachelor of Theology; 1 of Diploma of Theology; 1 of Licentiate of Theology; 1 Master of Divinity majored in Missiology; 1 Bachelor of Theology majored in Missiology; 1 Licentiate of Theology majored in Missiology; 1 of Bachelor of Arts in Worship and Music; 2 of Certificate of Christian Studies. Among them, three were Iban students.

The Bishop of the Methodist Church in
Malaysia, Rev. Dr. Ong Hwai Teik, was invited to address the graduates. He quoted Psalm 78:67-72 to encourage them to serve not just as an employee but be a passionate
shepherd who is influential from generation
to generation.

He touched on three aspects to remind the graduates:
1. The heart of a shepherd
2. The purity of heart
3. The tactfulness of the hands

Bishop Rev. Dr. Ong used King David as
an example to indicate that it is God who chooses people. King David was a shepherd but rose to be king of the Israelites. He had an awesome God who chose him to be a great character. Being a shepherd, David had a shepherd’s heart. He was sensitive to the story told by Prophet Nathan about the sheep. David thus came to realize his own sin after Prophet Nathan reprimanded him. Bishop Rev. Dr. Ong reminded the graduates to have a shepherd’s heart while feed
ing the flock.

The Flock is looking up to Integrity of the Shepherd
“In reality, our flock is not expecting us to be perfect but our integrity.” Bishop Rev. Dr. Ong stressed that as a pastor, one needs to be pure at heart, which is one’s integrity. Integrity means purity, wholeness and faultless. “During our shepherding process, integrity is of prime importance, especially in money matters, in our words and actions, in our relationship with people, be pure at heart always,” he said.

Thirdly, a pastor needs to be competent, that
it is to be proficient at work and an urge to
do better. The Bishop also quoted from John 10: 11-15 to show the difference between a shepherd and an employee. For an employee, money matters more than his calling. An employee will always ask, “What will I gain?” while a shepherd will ask, “What is good for my flock?” A shepherd is devoted in the welfare and growth of his flock, to an extent of sacrificing for them.

“Ask yourself then if you are willing to
sacrifice for your flock”, Bishop challenged
the graduates. He said Jesus asked Peter thrice if he loved Him (John 21:15-17). In the same manner, Bishop hoped that the graduates would serve all out of the love for Christ. Like the Christians in Macedonia, out of the love for Christ, though poor but they were more than willing to give.

“There will be disappointments if your eyes
are on the church; but if you are eyeing the Lord who is the head of the church, you will persist and press on,” admonished the Bishop, “Always check our motives while serving the Lord.”

They might ‘resist’, love them more...
In conclusion Rev. Dr. Ong stated, “If you are working for people, the gratification received will never be enough; if you are working for the church, the pay will never be enough; but if it is purely for the Lord, you will receive grace beyond your expectation.”

Last but not the least, Bishop used the exhortation
given by his previous Theological College principal to uplift the graduates “to
love the flock who are entrusted to your
care. They might ‘resist’, love them more; they might not be ‘lovely’, pray for God’s love to love them. When you are ‘tired’, come to the Lord, ask for His love, meet with Him in solitude in your daily devotions for this is the utmost calling of all. Be optimistic! For a pessimistic shepherd can never bring the flock to green pastures. Never stop growing and improving! Be alert with your writings. Give your best! Remember the one who calls you and this calling has eternal value. God is never wrong! Remember who is by your side when you feel you can’t go on. Be strong in the Lord!”

Always ask yourself, “Am I just a paid employee,
or a Loving SHEPHERD?!” With this question bearing in mind and in prayer, the sixteen graduates were ‘sent out’ to
serve the flock by Rev. Ting Huat Ung, the
Chaplain of MTS Sibu.

This article was first published in Connection dated 24th November 2013.